Looking back and looking forward

Well, it's the last day of the year and it's been eventful.
I thought I'd take a quick look back over my favourite cards each month from 2010 - I did this last year and I know a lot of my crafty chums also do it. So this is what I did in 2010

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

So that's my 2010 in cards - would love to see yours, just leave a link and I'll pop over and have a nosey.

So to you all, have a happy, healthy and prosperous new year when it comes, see you all in 2011 and see what it brings.

Baby Boy

Although my Guest DT spot at Digistamp Boutique has now ended, I'm still playing with all Sally-Ann's fabby images. I had quite a sizeable collection before my GDT stint, but you can never have enough digi images.

I've already used the female version of this stamp, Ellie, so I thought I'd do Bathtime Flynn.

Image: Bathtime Flynn from DigiStamp Boutique coloured with promarkers

Papers are all Stampin' Up, card is core'dinations, buttons, ribbon and safety pin are all from my stash, greeting is Daisy & Dandelion and the picket fence punch is Martha Stewart.

Here's Flynn's close-up...

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenge:

Stamp Something - sketch

Passion for Promarkers #49 - Sketch & Handmade Flowers

Where oh where does the time go? the weekend passed quicker than the speed of light!

As it's Tuesday morning, we've another new challenge for you over at Passion for Promarkers - this week Michele has given us a super sketch to work from as well as the additional item - handmade flowers, which is one of Michele's specialities.

I decided to turn Michele's sketch on it's side so that the oblong of the image worked a bit better. I made this card for a bloggy buddy and the MIL of Sarah, one of my teamies at PfP - the very talented Fiona who is under the weather at the moment and in hospital. So, get well soon Fi!!

Image: Poorly Suzy, from Digistamp Boutique: coloured with promarkers: Sunkissed Pink and Blush for her skin; Pastel Yellow, Mustard and Spice for her hair; Cool Aqua, Duck Egg, Warm Grey 3, Soft Peach, Peach and Mango for the bedding, vase and flowers

The papers are all Kaisercraft Peachy Keen from Angel Crafts, the peach cardstock is core'dinations, the greeting is a Hero Arts stamp and the wee pearls are from Hobbycraft. The handmade flowers were punched using 2 EK Success retro flower punches and embossed on the reverse.

Here's poor wee Suzy's close-up...

So, are you up for the challenge? need a little more inspiration? then go have a look at the other DT creations for more ideas of how to make handmade flowers.

The prize this week is a pack of 5 Promarkers from the home of promarkers themselves

Digistamp Boutique GDT - Offer of the Month & Babies

I'm so sad that this my last month as GDT at Digistamp Boutique, I've had such a great time playing with some of Sally-Ann's gorgeous images. But the month isn't up just yet so I have a few more creations to share.

I'm not entirely sure about this card - when I made it I liked it, but the more I look at it, the more I think it's pretty garish. But I'll let you decide :)

Image: Marty & Flower from Digistamp Boutique, coloured with promarkers.

All the green and lilac papers are freebies from this month's SC&P magazine, the pink stripe paper is Doodlebug - all edged with appropriately coloured promarkers

The ribbon is from Angel Crafts, greeting is Hero Arts and the bling is from Hobbycraft

I'd like to enter Marty into the following challenges:

Stamp with Fun - animals

Stamp Something - Layers

Totally Papercrafts - Spring (colours)

Next up is a baby girl card, everyone I know seems to be having baby boys so I haven't had much opportunity to make a baby girl one for ages, but Bathtime Ellie was just too cute for me to resist.

Image: Bathtime Ellie from Digistamp Boutique, coloured with promarkers and sakura clear star pen

Papers are all Tilda from Panduro, cardstock is all core'dinations. I used a MS border punch on the rosebud panel.

Ribbon and safety pin are from my stash and the pearls are from Hobbycraft

Digistamp Boutique GDT - Offer of the Month

Hiya, it feels like I've been away for ages, hope you all had a fab Easter, and hope you weren't sick from all the chocolate you've been scoffing lol

Well, I haven't been completely idle while on holiday last week - I did manage to find some time in the evenings to colour in a few images ready to make cards on my return. These images are all from the April Offer of the Month over at Digistamp Boutique. Sadly this is my last month as GDT, but I've thoroughly enjoyed working with Sally-Ann and her fabulous images, and also with her super DT.

If you fancy having a wee splurge on these gorgeous images, then pop over to Digistamp Boutique today - there's 10% off, but it ends today, so be quick.

As if you needed any further incentive to treat yourself to some of Sally-Ann's images, she has also restarted the Offer of the Month competition - you'll find all the details on the DSB blog.

First up is Marty Mouse...

Image: Marty and Present from DSB, coloured with promarkers

the checked paper is Making Memories Just Chillin Boy and the argyle paper is Basic Grey Lemonade, cardstock is core'dinations, ribbon from stash, greeting is Hero Arts, and I used a MS border punch on one of the layers

Here's Marty's close-up...

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges...

Our Creative Corner - buttons (I also used last weeks sketch)

Bee Crafty - Birthday

Papertake Weekly - Open Theme

Charisma Cards - Animal Magic

Totally Papercrafts - Let's Go Digital

Next Up is the ever so pretty Matilda Mouse...

Image: Ballet Matilda from DSB, coloured with promarkers

Papers are all Making Memories Just Chillin Girl, card is core'dinations, greetings are both Daisy & Dandelion. I have used a MS around the page corner punch and an EK Success retro flower punch

Small pink flowers are Doodlebug and Pearls from Hobbycraft

Here's Matilda's close-up

I'd like to enter Ballet Matilda into the following challenges:

Paper Play Challenge - sketch

Pollycraft Challenge - Anything Goes

Kaboodle Doodles - Digi Girl

Stamptacular Sunday - Sugar & Spice and Everything Nice

Stamp With Us - Colour Challenge

Stamp Something - Pink Somethings

And lastly, its matilda, again, but a wee bit different

Image: Birthday Matilda from DSB, coloured with promarkers

Papers are all Basic Grey Kioshi, card is core'dinations, blue pearls are papermania, flowers from stash and card candy from Craftwork Cards. I used the doily lace MS border punch.

I'd like to enter Birthday Matilda in the following challenges

Crafty Creations - Anything Goes

Colour Create - Pastels

Digistamp Boutique - GDT

This week is going to be hectic, I'm a bit like a duck at the moment - I look all calm and serene, but under the water my legs are madly paddling away. We go on holiday on Friday and I wanted to get up to date with all my DT commitments before I go. We're taking the kids to Flamingoland again for a week, and we're hitting 2 birds with 1 stone as we've arranged the ESP Meet for the first Saturday there too. So I'm looking forward to meeting some new faces from Extra Special Parents, and also to seeing some old friends too.

So, moving on, here's a couple of cards I made for my Digistamp Boutique GDT spot. I treated myself to some new papers - you may have noticed over the last few days posts lol I bought the 2 new Basic Grey pads and some paper stacks from Wild Rose Studios which are just perfect for this time of year.

Image: Shelly Turtle & Flowers from Digistamp Boutique, colioured with promarkers

Kraft card from SU, papers from Wild Rose Studio Milton collection, ribbon is Papermania (it has pink flowers on one side so I used the reverse) Flower is Petaloo, card candy and greeting from Craftwork Cards

and here's Shelly's close up...

I'd like to enter my Shelly card into...

Truly Scrumptious - sketch

Cupcake Crafts - Going Green

This second card is another Easter card, using one of Digistamp Boutique's fabulous spring/easter images

Image: A touch of Spring from Digistamp Boutique coloured with promarkers

Papers are all Floral stack from Wild Rose Studios, card is core'dinations, ribbon is Making Memories Sydney trims, pearls are from Hobbycraft and the greeting is Craftwork Cards

Here's the cute wee chick and ladybird's close-up...

I'd like to enter my chick card in the following challenges...

Rosie-D's Challenge - Green Yellow & White

Bee Crafty - Spring

A Spoonful of Sugar - Easter

Creative Inspirations - White Yellow & Green

Stampin' for the Weekend - Easter

Simon Says Stamp - Splash of Green

Create 4 Fun - sketch (turned on its side)

Car Shopping & Blog Hopping

It's official, car-shopping sucks!!

Apparently we're off looking at more cars today, although I suspect we'll be buying the first one we looked at yesterday.

Anyhoo, onto something a bit more exciting, the Sweet Sketch Wednesday DT are running a fun 'bunny hop' from today, and we are the sponsor, so lots of prizes to be won if you take part...plus there is 10% off all images on the Digistamp Boutique website during the hop!

Here are the rules of the contest for a chance to win:

1. Comment on each of the Design Team blogs and become a follower.
2. Comment on Digi Stamp Boutique blog and become a follower.
3. Return to Sweet Sketch Wednesday after you have completed the blog hop and leave a comment and become a follower.
4. By doing this, you will have a chance to win an image or images from Digi Stamp Boutique. That means you will have 12 chances to win a prize.
5. After participating in the Bunny Hop, create an Easter or Spring card with the Bunny Hop Sketch or create an altered Easter/Spring item. Then post it on Mr. Linky. Completing all of this will qualify you for the grand prize on the Sweet Sketch Wednesday blog.

Let’s begin...
Head on over to Arlana’s blog and see her gorgeous card. Then hop on over to the next blog and so forth in order. The next Design Team name will be posted so that you will be able to follow from one blog to the next. i.e: From here hop to Nancy’s blog.

Remember, you must leave a comment on each Design Team’s blog and on Digi Stamp Boutique and become a follower to win. When you are finished, be sure to return to Sweet Sketch Wednesday, become a follower and leave a comment that you have completed the Blog Hop.

Happy Hopping 

Digistamp Boutique GDT

I thought I would have a go at this week's sketch challenge over at Sweet Sketch Wednesday while I was over there hopping too. 

I'd also like to enter this card for:

Our Creative Corner - Think Easter

Just Us Girls - Colour Combo

Secret Crafter - Spring has Sprung

Daring Cardmakers - Birds

Crafty Catz - Spring

Stampin for the Weekend - Easter

I Love Digi - Easter

Image: Easter Chick from Digistamp Boutique, coloured with promarkers

Papers are all Wild Rose Studio Floral stack, card is core'dinations, Kars paper lace and a Hero Arts greeting

Here's his wee close-up...

Digistamp Boutique - March Release and DT

Morning folks, hope you all had a good weekend.
It's the first of March already - 2010 seems to passing at the speed of light and today is the release of Sally-Ann's new Spring Coco and Friends collection over at Digistamp Boutique

Spring Coco and all his wee friends are just perfect for all your Easter and Spring cards - in fact I'm pretty sure you could use them for loads of occassions.

So here's what I've done with a couple of the images from the collection...

coloured with promarkers, paper is Doodlebug, card is core'dinations, ribbon from stash and the greeting was hand written

I'd like to enter the Hoppy Easter card into the following challenges:

By the Cute & Girly - spring has sprung

Saturday Spotlight - clean it up

coloured with promarkers, yellow and purple papers are Papermania, green paper is MME, card is core'dinations, ribbon from stash and the greeting is Hero Arts

Pop over to the Digistamp Boutique Blog to see some more inspirational creations from the DT.

Candy Galore

Pop on over to Digistamp Boutique and grab yourself a chance to win Sally-Ann's fabulous spring candy, she has loads of gorgeous candy to win but it ends on the 1st March, so be quick

Look at what you could win...

And our very own North East celebrity Kath is celebrating her bloggy birthday with some wonderful candy too
Here's some of her favourite things that you can win there

DigiStamp Boutique GDT - Isabella & Freddie

When Sally-Ann at DigiStamp Boutique sent me her new Isabella and Freddie images I just knew I wanted to team them up together. As you know, I'm completely hopeless when it comes to Photoshop, so I got Graham to show me how to merge 2 images - I did check that this was ok with Sally-Ann first though.
Freddie and Isabella are available to buy at DSB now, so pop on over and see all the other fab images Sally-Ann has produced too.

This was also my first play with Distress Inks and the blending tool - big thankyou to Kath for the quick lesson. I do think I got a bit blend-happy though lol

The idea of this card was to do a modern card with a vintagey twist, so what do you think? did I manage to pull it off?

The images are Freddie and Isabella from DSB, coloured with promarkers, papers started out a pale yellow and are old Papermania colossal papers - which I inked up with the distress inks and punched with MS doily lace punch
cardstock is core'dinations, pearls are kaisercraft and the stamped greeting is Hero Arts.

Here's the close-up...

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges...
Sunday Sketch & Stamp - Sem's Sketch
Saturday Spotlight with hidden Potential - Do the Mess Around
Crafty Cardmakers - Digital Delights
Creative Belli Blog - butterflies
Dare U 2 Digistamp - punches
By The Cute & Girly - Love
Humble Pie - 1 embellishment (pearls)
ABC Challenge - 1 paper
Stamp Something - touch of spring
Our Creative Corner - a new technique (distress inks and blending)
Crafty Calendar Challenge - Love & Friendship