>>> 365 Cards Day 91 <<<

Saturday's challenge asks for 'Front and Center'. Today's challenge is to keep every element of the card in the center - leaving lots of white space around the edges. With that in mind, I came up with this:

That background fence came from the back sheet of a Starbucks cupholder. Waste not so it was put to good use here! Stamped images from Unity May KOTM set. I'm so in love with this set (well, it arrived recently so it gets preferential treatment at the moment). Coloured using Promarkers. Not easy leaving white spaces and I had to resist the urge to distress the edges! LOL!

I believe today marks the end of Cutting Cafe week. I certainly enjoyed the images that the DT members used and might just get that fruit set! So cute! Wish it could be made into stamps! TTFN!

>>> Sizzling Saturday! <<<

Weather was brillant today. Sizzling hot and sunny. We woke early and made our way to Birmingham town center, hoping to get a free parking space. Evidently a lot of people had the same idea too so ended up in a paying lot. First stop was the Games store to see if we could trade in the boys' DS for a DSi but unfortunately they only wanted £30 for it and even the games that we brought in to trade were only worth £17 for 2. However, when the chap saw Ollie's DS, it was a no no as his had a cracked hinge. Zac's DS is even worst... a wonky button! Then again, what's the point of having a DSi as their main interest is playing games. I certainly don't want them surfing the net thru their DS. Not sure if the new features of the DSi would attract them that much, certainly not at their age.

Next stop, the O2 store to see if we can get a new mobile phone (Contract's ending and we qualify for a new phone). Luv the IPhone but it's just not worth paying so much for a phone as I hardly use it. I think an ITouch would be more suitable. Anyway, didn't find any phone particularly attractive so we left it at that!

The rest of the day was spent shopping for clothes for the boys. Did pop into WHSmith to check out Scrapping Trends but saved my pennies instead. If I do want inspiration, the net has loads of them. Pointless buying a mag for it. I did pop into the Works to get some gifts for the teachers. It's another 6 weeks before the school terms ends so best get crackling early. I've this knack of leaving it till the last minute and then stressing myself out! We had lunch at one of the Chinese takeaways instead of our usual Chinese restaurant. Thankfully the food was just as good but then again, the bulk of the customers were Chinese so I guess it's a good sign then! Hit home around 2ish and chilled out in the garden. The boys had bought some water bombs to play and spent some time filling it with water and hitting each other with it!

The evening was spent in front of the TV watching the finals of Britain's Got Talent! I luv that show and I was so pleased that Diversity won. They thoroughly deserved it as their dance cheorography was simply mind blowing and amazing! And the fact that the whole group consisted of guys of different ages and yet their dance routine blend them in effortlessly! Just fantastic! Felt sorry for Susan Boyle as everyone touted her to win but hey, I'm sure she will get contracts regardless of a 2nd place position!

Today was a great day! Wish there was more such sunny days. Tomorrow the boys are playing in a concert somewhere in Leicester! Best get my SD card ready! TTFN!

>>> Oh No! Not Friday Again! <<<

Eek! Half term is almost over. Had so much fun staying at home with the boys.

Hubs was back early and he brought me out for a ride on the Vespa! Left the boys with their nan. Gosh, it was exhilarating! I luv it! We ended up in Touchwood, Solihull where we had dinner there at La Tasca. We tried the tapas meal for 2 persons and it was amazing! The food was ever so good. Waiter informed us that the menu was new, came out only 2 weeks ago. Definitely be going back for more!

All I need is a new helmet. The one I was wearing was wayyy too heavy! One thing for sure, will definitely be going out more on that baby! Now all we need is to name and bless it. Where's that holy water..... TTFN!

>>> 365 Cards Day 89 & 90 <<<

Day 90 challenge calls for 'I See Your "Two" Colours' whereby you have to 'Use only 2 colors on your card (images may be stamped in black and cardstock may be white)'. Not an easy one as I'm so used to colours. Anyway, a challenge is a challenge so here's my take:

Patterned paper by Fancy Pants (not sure which collection). My chosen colours... white & brown. Stamped image by Unity, using their May KOTM set. A very simple card.


**************************

Day 89 challenge is 'Imagine This: Watermelon'.

The Challenge: Watermelon is the inspiration - use the colors or an actual image of a watermelon on your card

As I don't have a watermelon image, I chose the colours of it instead. So here's my red and green with splatters of black card! Patterned paper by Daisy Bucket Playlist collection. For the red background, I brayered Tim Holtz' fired brick inkpad and splitzed with water. Then I stamped the birthday sentiment on it. All stamped imaged by Unity May KOTM set and water-coloured using Tim Holtz' inkpads.

TTFN!

>>> 365 Cards Day 87 & 88 & Mojo Monday Wk 88 <<<

Created a card that combined 2 challenges, 365 Cards Day 88 and Mojo Monday Week 88. Sheesh, isn't it coincidental that both are 88? The Chinese believe that the number 8 is a lucky number and having it double.... double the luck!

365 Cards Day 88 is 'Quite A Pair'. The challenge is to design either an anniversary or an engagement congrats card but no wedding card! Now doesn't the double 8 resemble a pair??? Another sheer coincidence? :)

Mojo Monday week 88 is based on a sketch:Looking at the sketch, don't you see a pair of rectangles? Gosh, so spooky! :)

Without further ado, here's my card for both challenges. Believe me, before spotting all these coincidences, my aim was merely to kill 2 birds with one stone. Now putting them down into words kinda opened my eyes a wee bit :

This is an Engagement Congrats card.
Patterned papers by WRMK Boho Chic collection. Stamped image by Label Tulip and sentiment by Purple Onion Designs.


******************************

Here's is 365 Cards Day 87 challenge which is entitled 'The "Eyes" have it'. Strange challenge but one is required to have the word 'eye' on the card! Got me stumped for a while and pondered the whole day until just before I was about to go to bed, it suddenly occured to me! I had this perfect image for an eye candy!!! Obviously as dawn was about to break, I had no choice but to go to bed and did it this morning:

Well, a brightly cheerful image requires a brightly patterned paper, from American Craft Teen collection. Stamped image by Unity, coloured using Promarkers. The sentiments reads 'What an eye candy!'

TTFN!

>>> On Display! <<<

Here are some LOs that I've done over the past few weeks for various challenges:

This LO was done for Banana Frog's May Colour Focus challenge as seen here. Made use of BF It's All About Stars stamp set. Patterned papers by Basic Grey.

This 8x8" LO was done for my A-Z BOM album, currently still running at BackPorch Memories forum. It has taken a while but I'm determined to get to the end! Made use of Scarlet Lime May kit. Map paper torn from an old atlas book.

This LO was done for UKScrappers Scrap Like You Mean It (SLYMI) week 20. The challenge was to 'scrap with a pen' so I did just that... doodled onto the patterned papers. LO created using stash from Scarlet Lime April kit and the borders are from LilyBee.

This LO is for SLYMI wk 21: Scrap a Song Title. LO created using Scarlet Lime April kit. Probably one of the busiest LO ever created!

TTFN!

>>> Blog Makeover! <<<

I thought it was about time my blog had a makeover. It was looking a wee bit dated and I found a couple of blogs that provided images for the makeover. Firstly, I got the background vintagy image from Background Fairy and the banner from Banners of Blessing. Maybe one day I will make my own banner but for now, this will do! I had to upgrade my blog as well so that it would make the makeover much easier. I started my blog before the new changes took over. It was a simple matter of pressing a button and viola, blog updated! Pretty impressive and now making changes is so much easier! Kinda like the new look and have updated links as well. TTFN!

>>> 365 Cards Day 86 <<<

Today's challenge is 'This Will Be Grape Fun'. It's Cutting Cafe week and the DT members have been highlighting images from there. The challenge is to use purple as the primary color, and incorporate at least 5 circles on your card.

Here's my take on it:

Managed to find a purplish paper from 3 Bugs in a Rug Sugar collection. The buttons form the 5 circles. Sentiment from Unity.

TTFN!

>>> Rambling! <<<

Day turned out lovely although hardly any sunshine but at least it didn't rain. Woke up with a searing pain in my back and that was it! Hubs applied deep heat on it and it was great and I spent the day in bed as I couldn't sit without winching in pain. Thankfully the pain eased in the evening, allowing me to sort the laundry out. Blame it on yesterday.... had to accompany Zac in the playground and we had to climb and crawl our way out of a maze. Should have known better than to do such things. Definitely need to do more yoga to ease the stiffness of my body. TTFN!

>>> Ragley Hall! <<<

Another great sunny day and we lost no time in heading out towards Ragley Hall for a day out. Brought along a picnic bag, ball and frisbee. There was a classic car show there as well. The boys were more interested in playing in the Adventure Land which had loads of playground equipment to keep them occupied. Ollie even made a friend there whose parents were showing off their classic Jag.

Hubs and moi found a shady spot just under the tree and set up our picnic area. Sorry but I'm no sun worshipper as much as I like the sun for warmth, you will never ever catch me sun-tanning! It was such a lovely day and we sat down, had our picnic and even took a rest. We did pop over to see the classic cars exhibition and those old cars were lovely. There were stalls around and Hubs managed to find a Vespa keychain for his scooter, moi a sun hat, Ollie a jumbo ball and Zac a Power Ranger toy figure.


We left around 5ish and got home just in time to catch Night at the Museum on Channel 4. What a coincidence that it was shown as we wanted to see it after having seen Part 2. It was equally funny and I can't decide which is better. I think both are equally good. TTFN!

>>> 365 Cards Day 85 <<<

It's 'Super Sketchy Sunday' today and the challenge is based on this sketch:

Here's my take on it:

Patterned paper by GCD Cloisonne collection. Stamped cupcake image by Banana Frog's That Takes The Cake and coloured using Promarkers. Added beads to decorate it. Sentiment by Unity.

TTFN!

>>> What A Fabulous Day! <<<

So hubs has been keeping a secret from me! Found him acting rather suspiciously and decided to check the garage! Guess what! He had taken stock of his new Vespa scooter yesterday and kept it mum. Not to mention he spent the early morning (like 6am) riding it around! Cheeky sod!

Have to say, it's a beauty. Maybe, just maybe, I might be able to learn to ride it as I don't need a separate licence for it. Watch this space...

In the evening, we headed towards our friend's place for a curry nite. I use the word curry loosely as our friend couldn't bring herself to order curry and had come up with a mediterranean meal which suited the weather perfectly. We sat outside to eat and the boys had great fun playing with water and water bombs with the gals!

Throwing water bombs at each other!

Just wish there were more of such a weather. Makes such a big difference to people's moods. TTFN!

>>> 365 Cards Day 83 & 84 <<<

Day 84 challenge is 'Card Recipe #2'. Here is the recipe:

1 3x3 card
1 flower
1 brad
1 piece of ribbon
1 stamped sentiment
and NO PATTERNED PAPER!

Arghhh! No patterned paper... I live on those! So went off to put my thinking cap on and here's my take:

Made use of Inque Boutique stamp and sentiment by Fontwerks. Background sprayed lightly with glimmer mist. Have to say, probably one of the smallest card I've ever made.

*****************************

The challenge for Day 83 is 'Make It Match'. We are supposed to decorate the envelope to match the card. Here's mine:

I decided to do a la Tim Holtz' style although I'm no where near his level! Inked and distressed the background with TH distressed inkpads. Did the same with the tag and stamped Xmas trees image from one of his stamp set. Now the red blob is candle wax that was stamped with a 7 Gypsies Xmas seal with the word 'joy'. The background of the card was stamped with Purple Onion Designs postage stamp set and the script image is from 7 Gypsies Nottinghill stamp set. Did the same for the envelope too.

Thought it was time to do an Xmassy card... Nearly half the year is gone and it wouldn't be long before Xmas comes around ... again! TTFN!

>>> TGIF! <<<

Hooray! It's the last day of the school term and it's feel good to know it's half term next week! No more rushing around in the morning or trying to drag the boys out of their beds! Strangely enough, they seem to be able to get up early during half term!!!

Hubs came home early today (for a change) and we headed out to the movies to watch 'Night at the Museum 2'. Zac refused to go so we left him at his Nan's. At Star City, hubs and I managed to grab a bite at the Indian cafe next to the cinema. I had always wanted to try out the food there and it was fab! I had dosa filled with potatoes and spices. It was simply delicious. We had 2 platters of different stuff and it was great. Will definitely eat there again. The movie was funny and we had a good laugh. Will have to catch the first one as we missed seeing it.

Weather's predicted to be hot and sunny tomorrow! Can't wait! TTFN!

>>> 365 Cards Day 81 & 82 <<<

Two cards on offer today. I was just too knackered yesterday to do the challenge. Just so glad one more school day to go... it's so tiring getting up early in the morning (I'm an owl... no problem staying up late).

The challenge for Day 82 is 'Living on the Edge'. Basically the challenge is to decorate at least 3 sides of the card. Here's my take on it:

I used a template to cut the above shape and then decorated the edges with stickler. Patterned paper by Paper Trunk Fashionista collection. Stamped images by Unity, coloured using Promarkers.

Just realised that this card fits Caardvarks: Shape Up challenge which is to create a shaped card other than square or rectangle.

****************************

Day 81's challenge is 'It's Hip to be Square'. The challenge is to use 5 squares on the card. Here's my take on it:

Patterned paper is Autumn Afternoon collection. Not sure the make of the background paper. Stamped image by Unity. Pearls by Kaiser.

TTFN!

>>> Road Closed! <<<

I was bringing my boys to school and noticed this gush of water flowing down the road on both sides. Uh oh! Water pipe burst! Anyway, Water Trent was quick on the scene and closed the road so that they could dig up. Now my road happens to be a well-used road especially at prime time. It's a road where loads of drivers use it as short cut and despite having 2 ramps, still speed up and down like a mad hatter. So the bottom of the road was blocked off with a large sign saying 'road closed', not completely as they left a wee gap for residents on that road.

Now you would think drivers would take notice of the sign but noooo, you get idiots who think they are above the law and drive through only to find that they have to make a U-turn and go back! Sitting by the window, I easily counted 10 smart-arsed drivers in half an hour who ignored the sign! Seriously, did they think that the sign was there for other drivers and not them???

Anyway, I had a walk and past the hole they had dug up. Let's hope they don't take too long to fix as the water pressure is pretty low at the moment!


Having the road closed certainly have made it rather quiet! However, this means it will take longer for me to go to school tomorrow as I've to take a slightly longer route! Thank god it's Friday and last day of the school term! TTFN!

>>> Card Challenges! <<<

Killing 2 birds with one stone here and completing 2 challenges with 1 card! Firstly, the challenge at 365 Cards Day 80, entitled 'You're So Plaid'. It requires you to create a plaid pattern on the card. My first thought when I saw it was to make use of Chatterbox papers, not the recent ones but those that came out in 2005/6. There were lots of plaid patterns in almost all the old Chatterbox collections. And yes, I've been hoarding a fair few of them.

Secondly, the challenge at Card Patterns Sketch #15. Here's the required sketch:

Here's my take on both challenges:

Patterned papers by Chatterbox Sun Burst collection. Stamped image is Lola with bird by Rachelle Anne Miller (purchased secondhand) and sentiment by Unity. Also made use of Cuttlebug embossing folder and Stamping Up border punch.

TTFN!

>>> 365 Cards Day 78 & 79 <<<

Day 79 challenge is 'Monday's Manufacturer' and the challenge is to use your favourite manufacturer in in the majority of the card. Well, I've got so many favs but had to go for Basic Grey as firstly I've got tons of their papers and secondly, their papers are just so easy to use. So here's my card made entirely using their papers:

Patterned papers by Basic Grey Urban Couture collection. Stamped image by Magnolia (just had to get at least one image of her to play and colour with) and sentiment by Purple Onion Designs.

Incidentally, this challenge is also done for Basic Grey challenge #35 - Ice Cream. Found this site a few weeks back and they host challenges encouraging you to use Basic Grey stuff. Well, this week's challenge is to take inspiration this particular image (note: you don't need to use the image in your card):

No problem here! When I saw it, I immediately thought of Banana Split as that was what I used to order whenever I had ice-cream like that! So that was how my card came about... made use of the colours found in Banana Split (usually 3 different favours, chocolate, vanilla & strawberry ice-cream, topped with bananas, nuts and cream.... yum yum!). At times, I did request for mint-chocolate chip favour! Hence the lime green! :)


*********************************

Day 78 challenge is 'Super Sketchy Sunday'. Here's the sketch:

Here's my take on it:

Patterned paper by Crate Paper Lemon Grass collection. Stamped image by Unity.

TTFN!

>>> Sunday Fanfare! <<<

Zac was invited to his classmate's toboggan birthday party held at the Ackers Adventure. Weather was crap but it didn't bother the kids one bit. As soon as they laid their hand on the toboggan, they were off to the slope, squealing down with delight as they made their way down. At the beginning, it was kinda messy, with the kids falling over each other but they somehow got the hang of it and after that, they made sure as soon as they were at the bottom of the slope, they got off quick. It drizzled at the beginning, then stopped and then started again towards the end of the party. But the kids thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Zac had boundless energy... he carried on and on and at one point, even went down backwards! I leave with some photos of the event....

My wee li'l one trying a backward stunt!

Ollie whizzing down

The two boys. They certainly enjoyed it and I thought it was a brillant idea too. Goes to show you don't need snow to toboggan!

The boys doing it together. Later we found out they weren't allowed to share a toboggan.

An overview of the venue.

Just a li'l toot... got an email to say I made it to the Bellaboo design team. Cleo, the owner, does kits and I can't wait to work with the June kit which will be featuring My Mind's Eye papers. TTFN!

>>> On Display! <<<

I was asked to be a guest designer for Scrapagogo kit a while back and got their May kit to play with.

Papers

Embellishment

Go to Pieces (embellishment kit)

Stamp

Here's what I did with them:

Documenting Zac's birthday

Zac & his 'girlfriend'

Ollie, pic taken at Conkers, a huge park with interesting activities for the family

My project: created a mini brag album that I hang on my handbag.

The front

The back

A last minute project using the Go to Pieces kit. Let's just say my craft area was covered with glitter despite being extra careful with it! Note that the wire and beads were from my own stash.

TTFN!

>>> Caardvarks Challenge - Don't Quote Me But...! <<<

The challenge at Caardvarks is to use a quote on the card. The sponsor for this challenge is none other than Unity Stamp Company. Having received a quote bundle recently, I just had to use one of them for my card.

Patterned paper by Cosmo Cricket Dapper Dan collection. Stamped image & quote from Unity. Coloured using Promarkers. Gemstones by Kaiser.

TTFN!

>>> New Fad! <<<

Hub suddenly decided he fancied a scooter and has been spending the past few days looking into it, in particularly the above one! So today, we went scootor hunting around the West Midlands, heading towards Wolverhampton, then Dudley and finally back to Birmingham, not before stopping at Cadbury World to get some choccies! When I said 'we', I meant him actually. Left him to go into the shop while the boys and myself waited in the car, playing our DSs! He finally decided on a particular model that he liked. Now to see if he acts on it....TTFN!

>>> 365 Cards Days 76 & 77 <<<

Day 77's challenge is 'Make A Note Of It' which asks for to incorporate a note paper on the card. It takes inspiration from the note sheet seen in scrapbooking layouts. No problem for me as I've got loads of journaling pads (one of my weakness) and here's my take on it:

Patterned paper by LilyBee French Couture and note pad from Making Memories Animal Crackers. Quote image from Unity. Background embossed using a Cuttlebug embossing folder.

***************************************

Day 76's challenge is aptly entitled 'Four Corners'. The challenge is to keep embellishment in the four corners of the card. Here's mine:

Patterned papers by Fancy Pants Summer Soiree and Pink Paislee Fetching collections. Robot image came from a ZingBoom kit (doesn't exist now) and sentiment from Unity. The background came about after spying these cut off strips leftover from a LO that I did. Not wanting to waste it, decided to use them on a card. The 'thingies' at the corners are old stash that I found in my embellishment drawer and thought it would make an interesting feature.

TTFN!