Let's Have A Party

Good evening to you all. Have any of you had any rain today? We had all of about 5 raindrops if that! Still warm.
It's time for us to party in our country with the Street parties that are planned for the Jubilee. our street are having one on Sunday. So with today's card I am keeping  this in mind.
The image is from the Joanna Sheen CD-Rom ( Faye Wittaker-All our Yesterdays). I love these nostalgic images and this was just so the one to pick.
The papers are from Papermania's Portobello Road. I have of course added some bunting and a crown on to the top of the bow. The sentiment - Let's celebrate(Papermania stamps)- is just right for this card.
I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Cupcake Craft Challenges194 - Royalty
Creative Craft Challenges2 - Patriotic colour
Craft Your days away challenge #46 - Red, White and Blue
Party Time Tuesdays challlenge #70 - Anything Goes
Fab n Funky challenge#123 - Celebrations
Paper Crafting Journey challenge 10 -Anything for kids Goes

Hope you like my card and wondering how many of you are having any street party's yourselves.
Well thanks for stopping by and having a look
Bye for now
x Catherine

A Special Birthday

Another warm day gone by although it was a little cooler today. Quite a bit of time to myself today so I managed a few cards I wanted to do.
This card is for a older males birthday but even I would like to receive this nostalgic type of card.
I have used a lovely nostalgic scene from Joanna Sheen's Nostalgia CD-Rom. The images on this CD are so beautiful.
There are some extra toppers on the sheet which have just fitted in so well. I love the little camera charm and I think it just finishes this type of card of nicely. Hope you think so too.
I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Sketch Saturday Challenge#209 - Sketch
Allsorts Challenge156- IT's our third Birthday - Happy Birthday to someone Special
Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #100-masculine
Crafty Boots Challenge- Bowtastic/Anything Goes
Totally Papercrafts Challenge #118- Animals

Well hope you have all had a good day and some crafting time.
Bye for now
x Catherine

Compendium of Curiosities challenge 7

Good evening everyone and hope you have all had a good day.
Over at Studio L3 Linda is hosting another challenge from The Compendium of Curiosities book by Tim Holtz. This week is now challenge 7.
I really like the effect on the background that this technique gives the tag and I have used stamps from a Creative Expressions Steampunk set. The embellishments have been made using some foil sheets and alcohol inks. I like the way that one of the cog wheels is underneath his face - it gives it a bit of an effect in itself.
I am entering this tag into the following challenges:
Studio L3 - CC2C#7
Crafty Cardmakers Challenge 69- Distress It
Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge #197- Anything But A Card

Thanks for popping over and having a look. Hope you like this weeks tag.
Bye for now
x Catherine

A bit of steampunk..

Good Evening everyone. Hope you have all had a great weekend and enjoyed the lovely weather we have been having. Mine has been a busy weekend and finished of nicely today with a workshop at Art From The Heart learning Beginners Journalling. A really enjoyable day and learning more everytime.

A bit of a change for me and decided to try a bit of Steampunk. I love this image from Indigo Blu. I have used some foil sheet and embossed it,  after adding alcohol inks. There is also some masking techniques and some die cut cog wheels. Some stamped tickets and a bit of Idealogy finish the card.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:
So Artful Challenges - Steampunk and/or Sepia & earthy Colours
Charisma Cardz challenges - No Flowers Allowed!
Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge #134-Card For a Man
Here Comes The Boys Challenge #28 - Anything Goes
Creative Craft Challenges 2 - Distressing

Thanks so much for stopping by and having a look. Hope ypou like my card.
Bye for now
x Catherine

Let's Celebrate

Another very hot day for me today!. I bought some of the Portobello Road papers yesterday so wanted to see what I could do with them.
A very patriotic card from me and I chose a sentiment for all occassions as we seem to have a few events for our country to celebrate this year.
I am also going to use the papers for covering some pages in two mini journals I have started- one for our Jubilee street party(around 65 of us!) and the other for the Olympics(which I am so excited as today I managed to get a ticket). These papers will make some lovely pages to record things on.
I am entering this card into the following challenges:
Papertake Weekly Challenge - True colours
Sketchy Colors Challenge#118 - sketch
Party Time Tuesdays #69 - Vintage/or shabby chic

Well I hope you like my take on the British theme mixed with a bit of vintage. Thanks for stopping by and hope your all enjoying the sunshine.
Bye for now
x Catherine

Friends

Wow another sunny day. We are being spoilt here! Hope it's been lovely where you are.
Todays card has a bit of a vintage theme and for a change I decided to make a male card and Father's Day is just around the corner!. I have had these stamps from Art Journey for sooo long and this is their first outing.
I have used papers from my stash box and stamped pocket watches on the base piece. The embellishments are stamped clocks nested under some domed brads from Papermania. They have a real raised effect of the card.

I am entering this into the following challenges:
Sketch Saturday Challenge #208 - sketch
Creative Inspirations Challenge 164 - Anything Goes
Chocolate, Coffee and Cards challenge 13 -For the Boys
Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Father's Day/Special male

Thanks for popping over and hope you managed to find some crafting time today
bye for now
x Catherine

Inspire

Evening to you all. What a lovely sunny day it has been here - for a change! Hope the weather has been good for you as well.
Todays card is a favourite colour combo of mine - Black and White. I always think there is such an elegant look about these.
I have used another favourite vintage image  and the papers are from Paper Cellar which I have just bought this week. I have used some spellbinders dies and a large felt butterfly from my stash box which has been there for a while waiting for the right card. Guess this was the right one!
I have added a nice tag sentiment from Whimsey Stamps and some gems. The buttons have some white ribbon bows added to them. The lace wrapped round is also a new buy this week and I must get some more of this next time.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:
Allsorts Challenge #155 - Buttons and Bows
Sketch N Stash Challenge 88 - Jen's Sketch
The Crafty Pad Challenge #171 - Bingo(Buttons, Lace, Ribbon)
Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge #133 - Girlie Time!!
Tuesday Alchemy challenge#15 - beautiful butterflies- A TUESDAY ALCHEMY DELIGHT PICK

Hope you have all had some crafting time today and hope you like the card.
Thanks for stopping by
x Catherine

Dream

Good evening everyone and hope you have all had a good day. I had a spare morning so decided to spend it to myself and craft.
I love this image and think it's so sweet. The flowers are made from grungepaper and die cut using Tim Holtz flower die. I pasted some of the text paper to the grungepaper before cutting them. I like this material because you can really shape it for dimension.
I am entering this card into the following challenges:
Cupcake Craft Challenge 193 - Book Lover
Craft Your Passion challenge 111- sketch
Alphabet Challenge Blog - H for Handmade Flowers

Thanks for stopping by and visiting.
Bye for now
x Catherine

Compendium of Curiosities challenge 6

Good afternoon to everyone and hope your all enjoying your weekend. Mine has been a busy one - with kids clubs and housework - but I made myself have some time to craft.
If you are a follower of my blog you will know that I have recently started to join in with the challenges over at Studio L3. I love being able to learn a new technique every week.
Now this week was not as easy. I don't know if I didn't "click " with the technique or I am just being a bit hard on myself. This is actually the second tag I made!!

I am entering this tag into the following challenge:
Studio L3 - CC2C#6

Now I'll show you the first one I attempted:

I kind of wondered if I have gone a bit "overboard" with the colour and was probabaly starting to loose the technique altogether.
I think the lesson for me this week is "don't be to hard on yourself". I still like it and I'm sure there will be a place for this tag somewhere on my journey.
Would love to know what you think of them both and really appreciate your comments you leave me

Thanks for poppping over and visiting.
Bye for now
x Catherine

Happy Birthday

Evening everyone. This week over at Cupcake Craft Challenge there is a challenge for me! NO Designer papers Birthday card and this is really out of my comfort zone for a card. However I wasn't going to miss out so here goes my interpretation of this challenge.
I have used glossy card and brayered over the top. Then repeatedly stamped using Crafty Individuals stamps. I cut the piece into three strips and put them through my cuttlebug. I made another piece for the middle and cut out an aperture. Underneath I have put some stamped and coloured acetate(which I made myself)but unfortunately doesn't show up to well on the camera. A couple of butterflies and some sentiments finished the card. There - not a designer paper insight! Phew!!

I am entering this card into the following challenge:
Cupcake Craft Challenge 192- Simply No Design Paper Birthday

Well I hope you have all had a good day and thanks for stopping by.
Bye for now
x Catherine

Garden Daisies

Evening to everyone and hope you have all had a good last couple of days. I have been busy with family life but managed to find some quiet time to make this card.
The stamp is from La Blanche and is one of my favourites. I have used promarkers to colour the image but wanted to keep the colours to match in with the backing papers so haven't used anything to different.
The paper flowers have been dipped into UTEE to make them have a faux porcelain effect and I think it makes them really effective looking.
I am entering this card into the following challenges:
Sunday Sketch and Stamp challenge#106 -Maggies sketch
Papertake Weekly challenge - In the Garden
Alphabet Challenge Blog - G is for garden
I love Promarkers challenge #117- Anything goes

Well I'm off to visit you all now and see what crafting you have been up to.
Thanks for popping over and hope you like the card.
Bye for now
x Catherine

Hoowdy!

Evening to you all. My the rain just keeps coming here at the moment-wishing for the sun!
Today I have made a card for a few challenges and love this vintage image of these two little boys. I have used papers from my stash and love the brick background.
I have embellished with some cog wheels which have been painted and a distress tool taken over them for the "grungy look". I also had a bit of fun and tied a piece of fabric around one corner as a type of neckchief effect. I thought it looked fun.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:
Totally Papercrafts challenge 116 - No pesky girls allowed
Allsorts challenge 154 - card for a man or boy

Well hope you like my card and hope the weather has not been too bad with you. Thanks for stopping by and really appreciate all the lovely comments you leave.
Bye for now
x Catherine

Tim Holtz - 12 Tags 2012 - May

Afternoon to everyone and hope you have all had a good day. Another tag to share with you for today. I love Tim Holtz tags and there is a super technique shown for this month on his blog .
I don't have everything that is shown so a bit of improvisation is required but well pleased with the results- especially the flowers . Well worth a look if you like this type of crafting. I'm learning so many different ways with the distress inks and loving it.

I am entering this into the following challenge:
Tim Holtz - 12 Tags of 2012 - May

Hope you all find a little time to yourselves and a bit of crafting . Hope you like my tag for today.
Bye for now
x Catherine

Compendium of Curiosities challenge 5

Afternoon to everyone. I hope your all enjoying your weekend and having some crafting time to yourselves.
I really enjoyed joining in with the challenge over at Studio L3 last week that I was eager to see what was on offer this week.
The technique this week is "Shattered Stains" and here is my interpretation of this fabulous technique.

I am entering this tag into the following challenge:
Studio L3 -CC2C#5

I had a fantastic workshop yesterday over at Art From The Heart with the talented Kate Crane and learnt so many techniques for collage in my journal. I think I'm starting to "click" with art journalling now and am about to embark on a new page- watch this space later!

Well hope you have a good day and thanks so much for popping over. Hope you like my tag
Bye for now
x Catherine

Congratulations

Hope you have all had a good day. Been a bit on and off for me as I suffer from an ear imbalance so been a bit unstable but coming round again now. I did manage this card this morning so something good has come out of the day!!
This uses a stamp from LOTV and has been stamped onto a spellbinders die cut shape. The image has been coloured with promarkers. I have used papers from Dovecraft and added some lace and ribbon flowers. I have also added some hat pins and charms as embellishments. To bling up the stamp image I have added a small ribbon flower and some pearls as her hat pins.
This is a card for an 18th birthday.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:
Passion For Promarkers challenge 148 - Special Birthdays
Papertake Weekly challenge - Cute Cute Cute
Creative Inspirations challenge 162 - sketch
I Love Promarkers challenge 116 - Hat Pins and Charms
C.R.A.F.T. challenge 154 - Celebration and "Blogaversary Blog Hop"

Also I wanted to share this photo with you of two happy girls about to see their favourite band(remember the concert my ears are still trying to recover from!!)

Thanks for stopping by and having a look. Hope you like the card.
Bye for now
x Catherine

Happy Scrappers Challenge

Evening to you all. Wow what a day I have had! I went to a workshop at Heart From The Art studios with the lovely Kate Crane. We were learning all about drawing in our journals. Fabulous techniques and a lot to keep me practising with. I spent so much time concentrating but so well worth it.
Anyway I have found a new challenge blog for scrapbooking and was so determined to have a go. The details of the challenge can be found here.
This layout includes  picture of my two girls. I have used spellbinders for the flowers and Marianne dies for the hearts. There are some chipboard flourishes and some pleated paper.

I am entering this layout into:
The Happy Scrappers Monthly challenge#1- Anything Goes

Well hope you have all had a good day and thanks for stopping by.
Bye for now
x Catherine

Black and White

Wow I seem to be on a roll this week. Feeling so better now I can craft again! This weeks challenge over at Allsorts challenge blog is Black and White.
I love this vintage image and she goes so well with this colour scheme. I have used papers from Papermania capsule set and a spellbinders die to nest the image.
There are various die cuts for embellishments and some pearls added. I have left this card without a sentiment as it's nice to have some cards for any occassions.

I am entering this card into the following challenges
Allsorts Challenge 153 - Black and white
Sketch saturday challenge#206 - sketch

Thanks for popping over and having a look.
Bye for now
x Catherine

Tres Chic

Good evening to you all. Found a little time today (well actually made myself a little time!!) and desperate to join back in with some challenges.
This card uses a stamp from Kanban and has been coloured using promarkers.I have made some black lace flowers for embellishments and added some gems for a bit of extra bling.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:
Papertake Weekly challenge 68 - Anything Goes
Charisma Cardz challenge #17- Pink and black
Stamptacular Sunday challenge#162 - sketch 
Cupcake Craft challenge 191 - Ooh La La

Well I hope you have all had a nice Bank Holiday and thanks for stopping and having a look.
Bye for now
x Catherine

Compendium of Curiosities 2 challenge 4

Good evening everyone. Hope you have all had a good weekend.I have been wanting to join in with this challenge from the beginning, but moving house stopped all my good plans!!
The aim of this challenge is to use a technique from Tim Holtz's book Compendium of Curiosities 2 and create something using it.
I have been following this challenge blog for a while now and this is the very first time I have joined in and so here goes with my interpretation of this weeks technique. I am hoping to catch up now and go back and have a go at the last three. These are really fun and a great to try something different and Linda offers some great inspiration on the blog.
Hope you like it and would love to hear what you think of my tag.

I am entering this into:
Studio L3 - CC2C#4

Thanks for popping over and hope you all have a good week ahead
Bye for now
x Catherine

Musical Houses

Morning to you all. Well I am now in my new house but feel if I sit long enough things will change again!!(Hence the blog post title).
Craft stuff is all unpacked and sorted into place. Now I just need to find some time to do something with it all. I have a workshop booked for next week so hopefully that will give me a big spur.
I will now find some time to get back to visiting you all and seeing what I have been missing all this time.
The concert(see my last post) was an experience to say the least!!. Both girls just loved it and will never forget it. Neither will mine or hubby's ears. Thousands of screaming girls is one to experience. I have to say they put on a good show though and even I had a dance or two!!
And who changed all this blogger around? I had just got nice and used to it and come back and everything is all different!!
Hopefully have something to show you all very soon.
Bye for now
 x Catherine