Happy Christmas and 2010 to you all!

I've been without a pc for a week now, mine died last week and it's been a battle to get it fixed.  We're almost there, just waiting for a part to be ordered.  So that's why you haven't heard from me. I must say I've been completely lost without it.   Managed to snatch some time on a friends pc so I'm a bit happier now! ;)
I should be back online in the new year and look forward to visiting you to catch up with all your creations. Thanks for all the lovely christmas cards.

Wishing you all a very happy Christmas and 2010

Inspirational Card Sketch #47

ICS time again.  A lovely sketch from Dawn with plenty of layers, really enjoyed getting to grips with this one.

Inspirational Card Sketches is taking a Christmas break. We are not going away, we will be back. The challenge will return on January 5th so mark your calendars. The good news is this challenge will be going on for two weeks. With your chance to win the gorgeous prize donated by our very own Wendi. Lots of American Craft goodies, check it out on the ICS blog.

Sentiment and Rose stamp: Studio 490
Papers: BG Lemonade

Tag: K&Co Classic K

Card blank: Craftwork Cards

Distress ink Tattered Rose
Hand stitching

DCM - Going Dotty!

Over on DCM this week it's Vanessa's turn to set the dare...

 I thought we'd have a little break from all things Christmassy. So, for one week only over this festive period, we're having a no-Christmas and no-Winter zone! Its polka-dot week! Lets bring some warmth to our cards with polka dots, but I don't mean spots or dots in a variety of sizes, it has to be specifically polka-dots (i.e. a pattern of dots of equal size, equally spaced). However, you can have whatever colour(s) you choose as long as your card doesn't look cold and wintry!!

What a refeshing change from christmas cards, I needed to make a new home card so this dare was perfect for me.  For the house shape I used a template from Crafty Templates and went for a completely different look, no distress ink or stitching, just for a change!

Cardstock: Papermill Shop
DPs: Basic Grey and Making Memories
Alphas: Making Memories
Ribbon form stash

Inspirational Card Sketch #46

It's Tuesday so for me it's ICS day.  Yet another fab sketch from Dawn and our sponsor this week is Tracey the owner of  The Stamping Boutique. Our lucky winner will get the 12 days of christmas digi stamp set.  The DT got to choose a digi stamp to use on their cards this week too, I chose the Country Tree designed by our very own ICS designer Stef (glitterbabe).  Thanks Stef for setting this up for us.

I paper pieced the image using different colour gingham papers and added some adhesive pearls.  Hope to see you join in with us this week. Tfl :)x

DCM - Say it in Sepia

It's the lovely Lynda's turn to set the dare over on the Daring Cardmakers Blog this week.

Say it in "Sepia"

I've been sorting through some "Old" family photographs with the intention of Scrapbooking them and I just love the Sepia ones. So I thought it would be nice to see a "Thank You" card made using "sepia" tones. So that's just brown/white or brown/cream depending on your card base colour. . We will all be needing "Thank You" cards after Christmas so that's why I chose that sentiment just to help us all get started.

For my card I used some scrapbook papers and die cuts from Paperwerx, and got really messy with the distress inks and a few stamps. Tfl :)x

Inspirational Card Sketch #45 and an award!

It's Wednesday which means I'm late posting my ICS card this week! A fabby sketch from Dawn and great prize on offer which has also been donated by Dawn, pop on over to ICS and see what's on offer.

For my DT project this week I've rotated the sketch and created a christmas money wallet.
Oh am I so glad of blogland today.  I spent yesterday at the funeral of my old uncle, he was 81 and had been poorly for a while, a sad old business. I was reminded of other loved ones passed away and that life is really short and passes far too quickly, so am feeling a bit miserable this morning.So I'm off to while away a couple of hours visiting you all and maybe even get some DT stuff done this afternoon as I'm sure you lot will cheer me up and inspire me to get the paper and scissors out again.

I've got an award to share too.  It's been given to me by the very talented Tracey thank you so much.  Now the rules are that I give 5 facts about myself so here goes..

1. I can't wear high heels anymore
2. I hate driving
3. I should exercise more
4. My favourite soap is Corrie- I've never missed an episode
5. I hate porridge and rice pudding

I also have to pass it on to 7 others.  Well I'm sure a lot of you have got this one already, but if you haven't feel free to take it.  You're all sooo creative.

Get Funky - Deck The Halls

This month's challenge has been set by the lovely Kath......

DECK THE HALLS

Now your project can be a card, tree or table decoration, gift box or gift bag.  There's endless possibilities!  The DT have come up with some real stunners this month, go check them out on the Get Funky blog.

I've used the Funky Christmas Time download to create this table decoration come/place name.  Just have to find someone called Noel now and invite him to dinner! lol.

Now all you have to do to join in the fun is to include one Funky Hand paper or extra on your card or project and link your entry to the Get Funky blog. You have until 31st December to enter and the winner will receive a £20 voucher to spend at Funky Hand.

White Christmas

I'm a bit late posting my DCM card this week, mainly because I spent 3 hours at the hairdressers!  I'm happy with the result so I guess it was worth it ;).
The dare this week has been set by Jozza.

"I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas"

I want to see Christmas cards that are mainly white with just a hint of colouring on your

embellishments or stamped image.

Lots of glamour dust, embossing and stitching on this card to create some texture.  This card has been on every windowsill in the house to get a decent photo!

Polka Doodles 28

My last week as Guest Designer at Polkadoodles, how time flies.   Really enjoyed working with the Jingle Jangles CD and stamps.  This week's challenge is to use 3 papers and to stamp.  Be sure to check out the DT creations this week, there's loads to inspire.  Nikky will be launching her new CD on Ideal World at 2pm on 3rd December, can't wait for that.
Off now to the hairdresser, she's gonna have a job with me today, lots of grey to cover and a well overdue trim!  I'm hoping the hew hairdo will reignite the crafting mojo too!  Tfl :)x

Inspirational Card Sketch #44

Tuesday again so that means another fab sketch from Dawn at ICS.  Check out the blog for lots of inspiration from the ICS DT and this week's fabby prize for one lucky winner is 3 digi images from our sponsor Squigglefly.

Simple one from me this week and still working on my christmas cards.  I got in front with my DT cards at the weekend, burning the midnight oil, leaving me a week to catch up on the household chores.  I'm defrosting the freezer as we speak!  I've really let things slip since I started making cards but must get everything spick and span for christmas, don't know why, my Mum was the same, family tradition I suppose. Tfl :)xx

Papers: Papermania Home For Christmas

Stamp: Papermania Stamp Duo Gifted Greetings

Holly Leaves: Lynda

Corrugated kraft card: K&Co packaging
Brads and ribbon from stash.

V is for Vintage

This weeks dare over at Daring Card Makers has been set by Rein.

"The First Letter"

I'd like you to put things on your card which begin with the first letter of your name.

You can use other things too, but see if you can use at least 3 things that share their initial letter with your own name.

For example my name is Rein so I could use rose, robot, radio, raven...

 

This one really got me thinking. I thought of  Velcro, Vibrant and Vegetable but couldn't come up with a card design using all three items surprisingly ;) and it would have been cheating using 'D' for Dolly so I wimped out and played it safe with Vintage. 

Be sure to check out the DTs cards over on the blog they've been much more inventive.

Polka Doodles 27

The Polkadoodles challenge this week is to use this fabby sketch from Nikky to make a non-male card.  there's a polka doodles CD for the winner so it's well worth having a go this week.  The DT are using the 'Not For Girls' CD, check out their amazing cards here.  As Guest Designer I'm using the Jingle Jangles CD and christmas stamp set.  I've used the gorgeous snowball paper again this week, just love this soft lilac colour, I think snowfrost is the technical term ;).  Plus, I've found this matching paper with printed stitching on the CD too, saves me doing the stitching!  I've decoupaged the stamped tree and added a few gems.  Nikky is looking for some new designers to join the Polkadoodles team so if you're interested, check out the polkadoodles blog HERE.  Thanks for all your lovely comments, they're much appreciated.

Inspirational Card Sketch #43

ICS time again and here's my DT card.  Fab sketch from Dawn and some fab ideas from the DT on the ICS blog, so pop over and have a look.  There's a fab kit donated by our very own Alecia up for grabs for one lucky winner .

A bit touch and go whether I'd make it this week, feeling grotty with a head cold all over the weekend but I needed to make a new baby girl card so I just threw this one together late on Sunday night.  Strange how the quickie cards turn out to be your favourites.

Paper: Funky Hand, The Funky One

Image: Pink Petticoat coloured with chalks
Ribbon: Hobbycaraft
Vintage hook and eye from stash

Festive Fun!

These fab digi stamps are available now from Funky Hand. 

Check out the website for the fab cards the Funky Hand Gang have created with them.

DCM - Scraplings

This week's DCM dare has been set by Paula

Scraplings

Scraplings are little narrow cards made from scrap cardstock. You know how when you make a card from a a piece of A4 or Letter sized cardstock you're left with an off-cut? Well that's the basis of a Scrapling. When folded in half, the Scrapling's card front will measure roughly 2 1/2" x 4 1/4" , though this depends of course on the size of card you were making in the first place! So, dig out your scraps and make either a card or a gift tag!

Really enjoyed this one, making cards from scraps that would have eventually ended up in the bin, what could be better!  I only planned to make one but got a bit carried away, not only could I use my scraps but some of the stamps I'd bought and never used.  Somehow stamping seemed a lot easier for me using a smaller area.
Papers: MME Bloom and Grow

Stamps: Hero Arts and Rhonna Farrer

Polka Doodles 26

The Polka Doodles challenge set by Nikky this week is to use her fab sketch and make a male themed card.  As guest designer my card  is to have a christmas theme too, using the Jingle Jangles CD.  I think I've covered everything with this one, although to be honest I'd forgot about the 'Male' theme but luckily it's not pink so I think I've got away with it. 

I've been seeing a lot of easel cards around and so thought I'd have a go at one.  It was a lot easier than I thought.  I realised once it was assembled that I didn't need the brad to stop it slipping the paper strip would do that!   I love these little present stamps and I've tried to echo the design with the topper. I like to keep things simple!

Papers: Jingle Jangle Christmas CD
Stamps: Christmas doodles

Inspirational Card Sketch #42

Wow aren't the weeks flying by, Tuesday again and for me it's ICS day.  A fabulous sketch from Dawn and lots of amazing cards from the DT to feast your eyes on.

Now  I've got these MME papers out I can't seem to put them away, so expect to see more of them later this week.  Nice change from 'c' word cards (got that from Kathy).  Now speaking of Kathy, I'm pleased to say she's joining the Funky Hand Gang.  If you haven't come across Kathy's work before, be sure to check out her fabulous blog HERE.

Polka Doodles Challenge 25

Was I surprised when the lovely Nikky, the multi talented designer of all things Polkadoodles asked me to be a Guest Designer for November?  Took me about 30 seconds to decide and say 'Yes!'.  I love Nikky's designs and the DT over there are a talented bunch so I was honoured to be asked to join them.

This week the Polkadoodles challenge is to create a christmas decoration and here's my christmas tree mobile.

And here's how I made it. The papers I've used are from the Jingle Jangles CD.

Cut two triangles of patterned paper measuring 16cm at the base and 20cm high.

Cut 2 6.5cm squares of contrasting paper for the pot and shape the sides making them more pot-shaped!

Cut the 2 triangles of paper into strips 3.75cm wide

Cut 2 Stars for the top of the tree and 2 Ovals for the hanger.

Place one set of tree pieces and the star face down leaving a 2mm gap between each piece. Take a piece of string and stick it to the centre of each tree piece with some tape, keeping the string as straight and as near to the centre as you can. Otherwise it'll be 'wonky'!

Now stick the corresponding pieces on top with glue, decorate both sides and stamp a sentiment on the oval hanger. I'm going to make a few of these to send as cards, it folds quite easily to fit into a standard sized envelope.

Hope you can join in with the challenge this week, it closes on Sunday 15th November. There's some lovely designs by the DT to inspire you to get crafting for christmas, be sure to check them out on the Polkadoodles blog.

DCM - Krafty and some news

I've got some news to share today.  I'm joining the talented team at the Daring Cardmakers for 2 months, now how chuffed was I about that, so flattered to be asked, some of my favourite designers are on the DT and I still can't really believe it.
When I first started card making back in February, DCM was one of the first challenges I took part in and I wouldn't never have dreamed I'd be a guest designer on there some day.  So bearing all that in mind creating my first card as a guest designer was pretty stressful!  But I got there in the end.
The dare this week has been set by Jo

Using Kraft cardstock :) Either as a card base or somewhere on the card - if you don't have any you could use some card board such as corrugated or even a brown kraft envelope...

This cute little bunny struggling with the christmas decorations is from Bee Crafty  I know how he feels!

Papers: Papermania Home for Christmas; Pink Petticoat 'Kraft'

Sentiment: Computer Generated.

Glamour dust and distress ink.

DCM - Punchy

This weeks dare at DCM is 'Getting Punchy with It'.  You have to use your latest crafty punch purchase.  Mine was the Whale of a punch Retro Flower by EK Successs.  Bit disappointed with it if I'm honest, I've not got as much use out of it as I expected.  Quite happy with this card though but I think it's the lovely MME papers that steal the show.  Although the photo could be better.

Papers: MME Bloom and Grow

Alphabet Stamps: Provocaraft and Stampendous
Edited to add:  The flower centre is from K& Co, I think they're called baubles I got them on Ebay a while back and lost the packet!

Inspirational Card Sketch #41

Our sponsor at ICS this week is Digistamp Boutique which meant the DT got to work with an image of their choice.  I couldn't resist this snowman called Chilli.  Be sure to check out the website the images are fab and there's a gift certificate worth $15.00 up for grabs for the lucky winner of this weeks challenge.  Really enjoyed working with the sketch Dawn designed for us this week.  There's a lot of white on white around on the challenges this week which inspired me to create an 'all white' card and then I don't have to colour the image in -  bonus!!  Me and felt tips just don't mix!  Just went crazy with the cuttlebug folders and used a stamp duo from Papermania for the sentiment.

Carol's Sketch Fun #17

Another fab sketch over at Carol's Sketch Fun, and a lovely stamp set on offfer to the lucky winner.
For a change I've got my entry in with a couple of days to spare.  I'm on a mission to get those christmas cards done!.  If you're a Stampin up fan, and let's face it who isn't.  Carol is now an Independent Stampin Up Demonstrator with a new blog Crescent Stampin dedicated to all things Stampin' Up with a link to the catalogue, some fab Stampers Group offers and a Personal Shopper service.
Papers: BG Dasher
Sentimenet stamp: Hampton Arts

Get Funky - Autumn Woodland

This month's challenge theme at Get Funky was set by Enfys...

AUTUMN WOODLAND

Autumn for me means making soups again after the long hot days of summer and I can never find the recipe I'm looking for, they're all scattered in different recipe books, so I made this recipe wrap to keep all my favourite soup recipes in one place.

The template is from Papertrey Ink and super easy to use, thanks Victoria for the link to their templates.  The papers I've used are from 'The Funky One'.
Now all you have to do to join in the fun is to include one Funky Hand paper or extra on your card or project and link your entry to the Get Funky blog.  You have until 30th November to enter and the winner will receive a £20 voucher to spend at Funky Hand.

DCM - Favourite Things

The Dare this week over at Daring Cardmakers has been set by Kathy and it is:

'These are a few of my favourite things'

I'd like you to use at least 5 of your own personal favourite things on your card this week - if you can make it 10 then you can claim our DCM Gold Star - virtual, of course lol.

Just had to have a go at this one, so here goes with my list of favourites

1. Stitching
2. Spotted paper
3. Shaped cards
4. Vintage pearl buttons
5. Felt hearts
6. String
7. Distress ink for inking edges
8. Scallops
9. Circles
10. 'Homespun with Heart' The blog where I got the idea for this card!

Inspirational Card Sketch #40

ICS time again and yet another christmas card from me! Hasn't Dawn given us another great sketch to work with just don't know how she does it.  Our sponsor this week is The Pixie Cottage.  Two gorgeous stamps for the lucky winner.
Papers: BG June Bug; Sentiment: computer generated
I had a nice surprise yesterday, an award from my blogging bud Jane, I was so chuffed I was smiling from ear to ear.

So now I have to say 5 things about myself and pass it on to 5 others, keeping the smiles going.

1. My real name is Vicky, my Nan's name was Doris (Dolly) that's where the blog name comes from.
2. I was born and have lived in London all my life.
3. I'm afraid of the dark.  That's where living in London helps, it's never completely dark!
4. I wish I could draw.
5. I bought a Bind it all 2 weeks ago and haven't got it out of the box yet!

I'm passing this award on to 5 bloggers whose blogs don't just make me smile but green with envy ;) lol

1. Lynda for her brilliant and original designs
2. Victoria for her great eye for colour and gorgeous colouring
3. Fink for her whimsical cards and fun blogging style
4. Chris for her elegant use of white space
5. Dotty Jo  whose fabulous blog I've only just discovered

Polka Doodles Challenge 22

Can't seem to get out of christmas mode, so when I saw the fabby sketch at Polkadoodles it was screaming at me 'Gift Box' although it's taken me all week to come up with colours, papers etc. but when my 'Next' christmas catalogue came through the door, the colour combo was sorted - lime and emerald green with silver and white. 

For the box I used some satin silver card and stamped on some swirls with white stazon.  For the flower and wrap I used lime green cardstock stamped on some flourishes with silver and emerald green ink, then put it through the cuttlebug with the mesh embossing folder. 
Thanks for all your lovely comments on my last post, all three cards are growing on me now.  As my hubby always says, 'You're too damn fussy!' and he should know! ;)x

Paper and card: Paper Mill Shop

Stamps:  Rhonna Farrer
Ink: Encore metallic silver; Stazon white cotton; Colorbox emerald green.

DCM - I Can See Clearly Now!

The Daring Cardmakers challenge this week is

I Can See Clearly Now

and I would love to see something clear on your card. It could be an acetate card, an acetate embellishment, a window cut in the card, clingfilm, OHP sheet, Mirror fragments - anything that shows that your card is clearly one of the best!

Do you ever have an idea of a card in your head that just doesn't translate on paper.  I've had 3 attempts using an acetate window, and this fairy stamp and I'm still not completely happy.

1st attempt - too many rounded corners and the fairy is too low...

2nd attempt - dropped the black inkpad on it...

3rd attempt - the card is too big for the image...

Now I'm thinking that maybe the papers just don't match the stamps!  Help!
Papers: Bo Bunny Tis The Season, Basic Grey June Bug
Stamps: Fairy and Sentiment Funstamps.

Inspirational Card Sketch #39

This week the sponsor at ICS is Doodle Palace Digital Stamps, which meant that the DT got to work with some of their fab images, I chose 'Emery the Pitbull Puppy', he's so cute.  There's a prize of four of their digital images for the lucky winner, so why not join us this week.

This card just fell into place with the sketch Dawn created for us to work with this week.  Wish the same could be said for the card I'm working on for the DCM challenge. I'll be posting it tomorrow whatever state it's in and you can tell me what you think!
Edited to add: the Kraft cardstock is a digital download from Pink Petticoat it's part of the 'Big Fella' collection.