Happy New Year!

Wishing all my readers a safe and happy New Year. I am working tomorrow but will be back soon with some cards. Thank you for your support once again this year and see you in 2009!

Elzybells Challenge 10 - Frances Sketch

This fortnight the challenge is a great sketch by Frances. I have used football boy and coloured him in with Copics; mounted to blue CS and 3'd to base. Base is more blue CS on to a white card blank and adding a layer of Pebbles Inc 'Snow Fun Stripes' paper. Message stamped and cut out and 3'd also. Green brads added to finish. Please check out Elizabeth's blog for all the other DT creations, oh and Merry Christmas!

STAMPS: Elzybells Art Stamps. INK: Airondack Pitch Black. CS: Anita's, Doodlebug Designs, patterned paper by Pebbles Inc. ACCESSORIES: Doodlebug Brads, Copic markers.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

This is a photo of my tree, sadly not a very good one! Every year we get a real one, this year it is massive!! It is about 6 foot but about 6 foot wide too!! I love the smell of Christmas trees. For the decorations we have gone for clear glass and purple with a bit of sparkly added in for good measure!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my readers this year, to all that have supported me since the beginning and to all my new readers as well. I really appreciate you visiting my little grotto. A big thank you also goes to all the lovely people that sent me Christmas cards, they are all up in my front room :0)

I wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

~ xxx ~

Elzybells Voucher Holder

I have made this voucher holder for my Sister In Law for Christmas, I thought it would be nicer than the shop ones you get, to give her the vouchers she wanted from my mum and myself. I have made the holder using a piece of Elegant Eggplant CS and added paper from Partners over the top flap and rounded the corners. Elzybells penguin stamped and coloured in with Copics adding glitter to his hat; cut out with Nestabilities and added to the holder with 3D foam pads. Elzybells message stamped to the side and gems added to finish. I have added Basic Grey magnets to the inside of the holder, they are so strong that they can be inside paper/card and still hold togther which is great :0) The bottom picture shows the inside of the holder. I hope she likes it! As I am working Christmas Day and Boxing Day we will be exchanging presents with my brother, SIL and niece this evening.

STAMPS: Elzybells Art Stamps. INK: Airondack Pitch Black. CS: Stampin' Up! Partners patterned paper. ACCESSORIES: Nestabilities dies, Stampendous glitter, Papermania Adhesive Gems, Copic markers.

FF Birthday Bear

I have stamped the very cute Forever Friends image and coloured her in with Coloursoft Pencils and Sansodor adding glitter to the cake with my Spica pen; cut out and corners rounded added to base with 3D foam pads. The base is made by layering up pink CS with the corners rounded and a panel of Rob & Bob paper. Message has been printed from PC and cut out using a Nestabilities label die. Gem stones added to finish. Thanks again to Natty K for the layout.

STAMPS: Forever Friends. INK: Stazon Jet Black. CS: Anitas, Bazzill Basics, Rob & Bob patterned paper. ACCESSORIES: Nestabilities dies, Papermania Adhesive Gems, X Cut corner rounder punch, Copic Spica At You glitter pen.

Crazy For Cupcakes

This card has been made for my cousin using the Crazy For Cupcakes set from Stampin' Up! I have stamped the image and coloured with Coloursoft pencils & Sansodor adding glitter to the frosting; cut out, corners rounded and mounted to base with 3D foam pads. Base is made by layering up DB Lilac & Gumdrop CS with the corners rounded. One of the panels is embossed using the Swiss Dots embossing folder. Craftwork Cards message and gem stones added to finish. A big thank you goes to Natty K for the great layout.

STAMPS: Stampin' Up! INK: Stazon Jet Black. CS: Craftwork Cards, Doodlebug Designs. ACCESSORIES: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, Papermania Adhesive Gems, X Cut corner rounder punch, Copic At You Spica glitter pen.

Merry Christmas Mum

This is the card I have made for my mum using the gorgeous Elzybells Juggling Eskimo stamp {my fave of this year I think!} I have stamped him out and coloured with Coloursoft pencils and Sansodor, adding glitter to his coat with my Spica pen, cut out with Nestabilities and added to base. Base has been made by layering up DB Lilac CS and Sprinkles paper. Sizzix swirls cut out with white and added behind snowflakes - some of which are 3D mounted and cut with glitter CS. Gem stones and pearls added to finish. Are you following the Elzybells Advent Calendar?

STAMPS: Elzybells Art Stamps. INK: Stazon Jet Black. CS: Craft Creations, Doodlebug Designs, Doodlebug Designs Sprinkles paper, Doodlebug Designs Sugar Coated. ACCESSORIES: Sizzix Snowflakes #15, Sizzix Decorative Strip 'Swirly', Nestabilities Dies, Doodlebug Designs Sugar Coated brad, Papermania Adhesive Gems & Pearls, Copic Spica At You glitter pen.

Reindeer Games

This card is made with the fab High Hopes stamp Reindeer Games available at Dies to Die for. I have stamped the image and coloured with Copic markers and glitter added to Santa's coat and hat, cut out and added to base with 3D foam pads. Base is DB red CS and SU! Dashing paper. Craftwork Cards greeting and gem stones added to finish. Again, sorry for the dark photo.

STAMPS: High Hopes. INK: Airondack Pitch Black. CS: Anitas, Doodlebug Designs, patterned paper by Stampin' Up! ACCESSORIES: Craftwork Cards Mini Message, Papermania Adhesive Gems, Stampendous glitter, Copic markers.

PTW - Dawnys Sketch #4

I have made this card for my Grandparents following the fab sketch over at PTW. The image is Elzybells coloured with Copics with the star gliittered, the paper is SU! Dashing Designer. Snowflakes die cut and layered up with a Dew Drop on the top, sentiment is also Elzybells. Apologies for the dark photo.

STAMPS: Elzybells Art Stamps. INK: Airondack Pitch Black. CS: Anitas, Bazzill Smoothies, patterned paper by Stampin' Up! Designer Dashing Series. ACCESSORIES: Sizzix Snowflakes #15, Dew Drop, Stampendous glitter, Copic Markers.

Thanks Notecards

These cards are made from the Missy B You're Bugging Me Set {available from DTDF}. I thought they were perfect images for little thank you notecards. I have stamped them and coloured in with watercolour pencils and gone over the wings with my Spica glitter pen {which sadly does not show up in the photos but looks pretty IRL}. I have cut them out using Nestabilities and added to the bases with 3D foam. Message stamped and cut out using Nestabilities Label die. Ribbon and gem stones added to finish.

STAMPS: Missy B Designs. INK: Stazon Jet Black. CS: Craftwork Cards, Doodlebug Designs. ACCESSORIES: Nestabilities dies, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, ribbon by Ribbon Oasis, Papermania Adhesive Gems, Copic Spica At You glitter pen.

Olivia's Cupcake

I have made this card using the CC Designs Olivia's Birdies set {available from DTDF}. Instead of Olivia holding a birdie I thought it would be cute for her to hold a cupcake! I have coloured Olivia in with Copics and added the cupcake {from It's My Birthday set} on top. Mounted to lilac CS and added to base with 3D foam pads. Base is made by layering up more lilac CS with Doodlebug paper, wrapped round with ribbon, greeting popped behind image and flower added with glitter brad.

STAMPS: CC Designs, Woodware. INK: Airondack Pitch Black. CS: Craftwork Cards, Doodlebug Designs. ACCESSORIES: Ribbon by Ribbon Oasis, Prima Flower, glitter brad by Lakeland Ltd, Copic markers.

Spiral Whisper Sneak Peak

Soon to be released by Spiral Whisper ... aren't they some of the cutest designs you have ever seen? Go check out the blog to find details on how you can win some of the new releases.

Buzzin' By To Say Hi!

Another card made with the very cute CC Designs Bear Hugs set - available from Dies to Die for. I have stamped the bee out and coloured him with Copics adding glitter to his wings, cut out with Nestabilities and added to base with 3D foam pads. The base has been made by layering up yellow CS on to a white card blank and adding a strip of dark yellow which has been run through my Cuttlebug using the Swiss Dots embossing folder and then cut in a wave freehand. Message printed from PC {HoneyLight font used} and cut out using a Nestabilities Label die, added to base with 3D foam pads. Gem stones added to finish.

STAMPS: CC Designs. INK: Airondack Pitch Black. CS: Craftwork Cards, Doodlebug Designs. ACCESSORIES: Nestabilities dies, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, Papermania Adhesive Gems, Stampendous glitter, Copic markers.

Elzybells Challenge 9 - Red, Gold & Green

This fortnights challenge has come from the fabulous Steph. The challenge is to use red, gold and green on your card and of course Elzybells stamps. Here is my card. I have used the ever so cute Reindeer & Sleigh stamp and coloured with Copic markers adding glitter to the sleigh with my Copic Spica pen. I have added to base with 3D foam pads. The base has been made by layering up red CS on to a DL card and adding a strip of SU! paper down the middle. I have then wrapped ribbon around and added a snowflake. The snowflake has been cut from opaque acetate using a Sizzlits die and gold ink rubbed on. I do like this card even if I do say so myself!! Sorry the pic is so small but 'cos the card is so long it won't fit! Go check out the full details of the challenge and the amazing cards by the DT on Elizabeth's blog.

STAMPS: Elzybells Art Stamps. INK: Airondack Pitch Black. CS: Anitas, Doodlebug Designs, Stanpin' Up! Dashing patterned paper. ACCESSORIES: Sizzlits Snowflake #15 die, Ribbon by Papermania, Copic Spica At You glitter pen, Copic markers.

Bear Hugs Baby Boy

I have made this card from the very cute CC Designs Bear Hugs set - available at Dies to Die for. I have stamped the sitting bear out and coloured him in with Copics, cut out and mounted to base with 3D foam pads. The base has been made by layering up SU! Bashful Blue patterned paper and CS with ribbon wrapped around. A Muse message has been stamped then cut out with a Nestabilities Label die. Brads added to finish.

STAMPS: CC Designs, A Muse. INK: Airondack Pitch Black. CS: Craftwork Cards, Stampin' Up!Stampin' Up! Designer Series patterned paper. ACCESSORIES: Nestabilities Label trio dies, Ribbon by Papermania & Ribbon Oasis, Doodlebug designs brads, Copic markers.

Little Reindeer

Another card using the great CC Designs North Pole set available at Dies to Die for. I have used this cute little Reindeer and coloured him in with Copics. I have mounted him to green Bazzill Swiss Dots CS and added to base with 3D foam pads. The base is simply red Bazzill Swiss Dots CS {available from Dies to Die for} added to a white card blank, ribbon wrapped around and charm {from http://www.charmsupplies.com/} added. PTI greeting stamped in corner.

STAMPS: CC Designs, Papertrey Ink. INK: Airondack Pitch Black. CS: Anitas, Bazzill Swiss Dot. ACCESSORIES: Ribbon by Ribbon Oasis, charm by Charm Supplies, Copic Markers.

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

For this card I have used to gorgeous CC Designs Santa from the North Pole set - available from Dies to Die for. I have coloured him in with Copics, glitter added to coat cuffs and hat, mounted to red CS and added to base with 3D foam pads. Base is red CS with Doodlebug paper {sorry you cannot see the lovely delecate pattern in the pic} Ribbon wrapped around and message stamped {from the CC Designs Christmas Around The World set} and cut out with Nestabilities and added to ribbon with a Doodlebug button. Go check out Dies to Die for for loads of other gorgeous Christmas stamps.

STAMPS: CC Designs. INK: Airondack Pitch Black. CS: Anitas, Doodlebug Designs, patterned paper by Doodlebug Designs. ACCESSORIES: Ribbon by Ribbon Oasis, Stampendous glitter, Doodlebug Designs button, Nestabilities Label dies, Papermania Adhesive gems, Copic markers.

Plane Riley

I just couldn't resisit Riley anymore! I caved in and ordered a couple. I have used Plane Riley for this card for a male family friend. I have stamped him out adding the 'happy birthday' message using clear Elzybells stamps, coloured him in with Copics, mounted to blue and added to base with 3D foam pads. The base is made with Piggy Tales {The Frog Prince Collection} papers. Dew Drops added to finish.

STAMPS: Hanna Stamps, Elzybells Art Stamps. INK: Airondack Pitch Black. CS: Anitas, patterned paper by Piggy Tales. ACCESSORIES: Copic markers, Dew Drops.

PTW - Ready Steady Cook!

"This weeks challenge is to use the following on your card: 1 ribbon, 2 rectangles and 3 small round embellishments"

STAMPS: Elzybells Art Stamps. INK: Stazon Jet Black. CS: Anitas, Doodlebug Designs, patterned paper by Stampin' Up! ACCESSORIES: Nestabilities dies, Ribbon by Papermania, Papermania Adhesive Gems, Copic Spica At You Glitter pen.

Awards, Awards, Awards!

I have been given some lovely awards whist I have been MIA. I have been given this lovely award by Vicky {Vickys Collection}, Cass {Pour Some Sugar On Me}, Sue {Hello Gorgeous}, Tracy {Blue Daisy Crafts} and Michele {Shelley's Papercrafting Paradise}. Thank you all so much ladies, it is very much appreciated :0)

This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships!These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind blogger's aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight blogger's who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.

I have also been given the I love your blog/happy autumn award from Cass and Kreativ Blogger award from Tracy - thank you so much ladies :0) I pass it on to alll those who read my blog, thank you for your support.

PTW Sketch

Sorry I have been MIA lately. I have been so busy with work. I have made some cards but haven't had the time to take photos or publish them - typical!! Well I have been taking the time to take photos today so they should all be published daily. I have had some bad news that I will be working Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day which isn't great but never mind! I have been given a couple of awards while I have been away and will add them asap - thank you and hope to visit you all to leave comments soon!

First up is a card for PTW sketch challenge last week {yes I know I am WAY behind!}. I have used my fave Juggling Eskimo stamp from Elzybells {coloured with Coloursoft pencils & Sansodor} and combined it with Cuttlebug embossing, Doodlebug buttons and Papermania gems.

STAMPS: Elzybells Art Stamps. INK: Stazon Jet Black. CS: Anitas, Doodlebug Designs. ACCESSORIES: Cuttlebug Snowflakes embossing folder, ribbon by Ribbon oasis, Doodlebug buttons, Papermania gem Stones, Copic Spica At You glitter pen.

Elzybells Advent Calendar

Well the shop may now be closed for Christmas/moving but don't dispair 'cos the wonderful owner of Elzybells Art Stamps that is Elizabeth is doing an Elzybells Advent Calendar for the month of December. You know the advent calendars you get with the chocolates? well this is SO much better! Elizabeth will be giving away some goodies everyday to christmas - isn't she so generous? One of the goodies is some NEW to be released stamps! Quick go to her blog for more details and have a Happy Elzybells Christmas :0)

Snowmen Families

I have made these cards with the gorgeous PB images Vicki sent me {thank you so much Vicki} I have coloured the images with Colousoft pencils and Sansodor and added glitter to their hats {which sadly can't really be seen in the pics} I have them nounted them to CS and added to base with 3D foam pads. The bases have been made by layering up shades of CS and running them through my Cuttlebug using the Snowflakes embossing folder. Greeting stamped and cut out using Nestabilities ribbon slider die and added with ribbon, gem stones added to finish.

STAMPS: Penny Black, A Muse. CS: Anita's, Doodlebug Designs. ACCESSORIES: Cuttlebug Snowflakes embossing folder, Nestabilities dies, Pebbles Inc chalks, Stampendous glitter, ribbon by Ribbon Oasis, Papermania Adhesive gems.

Elzybells Challenge 8 - Christmas Ornament/Decorative Item

The challenges at Elzybells are changing slightly from now on. The Elzybells DT will start the challenge and provide sample for inspiration then you all have 2 weeks to do the challenge. I completely struggled with this one. I wanted to make a candle {have you seen Steph's? it is gorgeous!} but I didn't have time to get one to alter so I thought about what would be both practical and decorative? Place cards for the table! I have kept these quite simple buy folding the CS in half and cutting out with Nestabilities making sure not to cut through the top fold. I have then printed the names from my PC and cut out/embossed using the Nesties. I have stamped the small snowflake over with chalk ink and added little gems - I thought they were quite sweet until I saw what FAB creations the other DT members have come up with!! Happy Thanksgiving to my US readers :0)

STAMPS: Elzybells Art Stamps. INK: Colorbox Warm Violet. CS: Core'dinations. ACCESSORIES: Nestabilities dies, Papermania Gem Stones.

Elzybells Challenge 7 - My Sketch

This fortnight over at Elzybells was a sketch challenge designed by me! I have stamped out Baby Teddy Towel and coloured her in with Coloursoft pencils and Sansodor, cut out using Nestabilities dies and added to base with 3D foam pads. The base has been made by layering up pink CS on to a white card blank with spots stamped on using VersaMark ink. I have then stitched on two white buttons in the corner. {I originally wanted to sew around the panels of pink CS but my mum's old sewing machine just did not want to do it for me. Me thinks there will be a mini sewing machine on my Christmas list this year ... !!} Please check out Elizabeth's blog to see all the other creations from the DT. The challenges are changing slightly at Elzybells to make them more user friendly, check back later to see what I mean!

STAMPS: Elzybells Art Stamps, Papertrey Ink. INK: Stazon Jet Black, Versamark. CS: Anitas, Core'dinations. ACCESSORIES: Doodlebug Designs buttons, white embriodery thread.

Under The Weather?

I have made this card using the very cute Elzybells 'Rainy Days' stamp. The image is coloured with Coloursoft pencils and Sansodor {I am loving using these again recently!} and cut out using Nestabilities. The base has been made by adding a piece of Bazzill card which has been run through my Cuttlebug using the Swiss Dots embossing folder and wrapped with ribbon {I have changed the colour slightly by colouring it with one of my Copic markers} A muse sentiment added to finish.

STAMPS: Elzybells Art Stamps, A Muse. INK: Stazon Jet Black. CS: Anita's, Core'dinations, Bazzill Basics. ACCESSORIES: Nestabilities dies, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, ribbon by Ribbon Oasis, Copic marker.