Hot Chocolate and Stampin' Up Workshop Nottingham

No not the band that sung ' you sexy thing' it's the theme this week over at Die Cut Dreams Challenge! You can interpret 'Hot Chocolate' however you like, use chocolate, wrap chocolate or go for a chocolate coloured them - it's up to you. Have a go and have a look to see what the rest of the DT have created - they're all yummy!



I made a card featuring a mug of hot chocolate with chocolate papers too. Mmmmm!



I'm popping this in for these challenges:

• Stamp with fun - Christmas
• Doodle Palace - Pink Christmas (I won last week - yey!)
• Cuttlebug Challenge - Glitter
• Creative Inspirations - Sketch

I love this Emma stamp, she's so cute. She's got lots of glitter on her coat and boots and the patterned paper is sprinkled with glitter too, although I'm not sure it shows up very well.

As some of you know, I'm now a Stampin' Up demonstrator and I'm holding my first workshop on Saturday 12th December and I have a couple of places spare, if you'd like them please drop me an email (contact me details on my side bar), places are limited as I only have enough kits for 10 people and the first workshop is free! So first come first served!

Thanks
Victoria
x

Cupcake Crafts Challenge

This is my last card as GDT member for Cupcake Crafts Challenges - I've really enjoyed myself so thanks for having me ladies!

Our challenge this week is 'red and green' - shouts Christmas to me!



I made this card using everything digi! Except for the ProMarkers which are my favourite colouring tool this week - next week who knows???

I followed these challenges to make my card:

• The Pink Elephant - Favourite colouring medium
• Friday sketchers - Sketch
• Sunflowers and Dragonflies - Polka dots
• The Corrosive Challenge - Red and green

Pop and see what the rest of the DT have created - they're fab.

Sorry I haven't yet mailed everyone who I've received cards off for my blog candy, I'm on the case, time just ran away with me this morning. I received a box with 51 cards in today off two very lovely ladies - thank you :)

Victoria
x

Mojo cocktail

Oooh I just lurve these colours together!



I've made this simple card for these challenges:

• Mojo Monday - sketch
• Lucy's Cards - Pink, aqua and kraft
• Allsorts - Buttons
• Crazy 4 Challenges - Punch happy
• Little Red Wagon - Buttons
  

The gorgeous cocktail stamp is from the 'Cheers to you' set by Stampin' Up, I just love it and you can own this set too by contacting me as I'm now a Stampin' Up demonstrator (I'll be creating a new blog especially for SU stuff soon). I also used Pixie Pink and Tempting Turquoise card stocks and matching grosgrain ribbon too. So lovely to have everything co-ordinated.

I had to 'nip' out this morning to Argos to collect a V-tech camera I'd ordered for Zac's second birthday on Friday. I thought it would be a good idea to take him with me (don't worry he hasn't seen the camera!!) as it was raining a bit and he loves splashing about in puddles. So wellies and raincoat on - out we went. It took me flippin' forever to get from the car to the shop and back because he had to stop and jump in every puddle and say 'hello' and bye-bye' to every poor soul who walked by us. Then we nipped in Boots to get some ointment for Blake and he discovered the 'hidden' cupboards on the front of the pharmacy counter. I nearly died when I looked down and he'd strewn about 500 flyers and leaflets all over the floor!

Next time we'll take the buggie!

Victoria
x

Vintage Anya Fakes it!

I really enjoyed making this card which is good as when I saw 'vintage' I shrivelled in fear, bit like distressing to me that is. So I hope I've captured vintage with my colours and choice of papers.



This is for all these challenges!

1. Anya Ink - Vintage
2. Roses on Paper - Romance or sweet - I went with sweet 'cos Anya is
3. Digital Tuesday - Thank you
4. A Spoon Full of Sugar - Pink and brown
5. Passion for ProMarkers - Vintage theme, any colours
6. My Time to Craft - Very vintage
7. Flutterby Wenesday - Angels, fairies or butterflies and circles
8. La-La Land - 3 papers, 2 card stocks, 1 embellishment
9. Three Clovers - so thankful
10. Polka Doodles - 3 different papers and a rubber stamp
11. Stampin' B's - Thanksgiving
12. Unscripted - Sketch
13. Anyone for Anya - Fake it
14. Our Creative Corner - Colours (used but added pink too)
    

I thought these digi papers looked pretty vintage and shaded Anya to match. Oodles of glitter as usual.

Can you spot my faked bit? The ribbon and bow are made out of papers too! I made the brad to match from a kit but I cut the 'legs' off the back and stuck it down on 3-D foam. I distressed some of the edges of the papers and ran around with an ink pad too.

Doing the happy dance today as lost another 2lbs last night, only 1 and a half to go and I've lost a stone! I made some fake fererro rocher chocolates yesterday, low syn value for any of you following SW too - so scrummy. May post a pic of them tomorrow, good job I took it yesterday 'cos I took the choccies to class and they all got eaten!

Blake is a happy little fella this morning, back to his giggly and smiley self.

Victoria
x

Paperplay

Fab news - the Dr said that Blake's lungs 'are a million times better' so not more drugs and my boy's on the mend! Phew.

So on a happy note, here is my DT card for Paperplay this week. We have a fab sketch for you to follow.



I'm also joining these challenges:

• Cute Card Thursday - Card for a younger boy
• Charisma Cardz - Anything Christmas
• Colour Create - Green, red, white and Christmas
• The Treehouse - Old olive, Real red, black (sentiment!) and white
  

My patterned papers were free with a magazine, not used to working with shiny papers but worked out OK! I had to add a glitter gem for his nose too.

Got to blog and run or I'll be late for fat club tonight. I have received loads of cards and gifts for my Charity Candy and will make sure I email those of you who've sent them over the weekend so you know they've arrived safely. If anyone wants a chance to win and haven't entered yet - there's still plenty of time - look here.

Thanks
Victoria
x

P p p pick up a penguin

Ooh almost forgot to post this today! I'm two steps forward 3 steps back at the moment!



These are some of the cards I've made for my nephew to give out to his classmates this Christmas. I've made 30 in total.




Very therapeutic shading in all those penguins last night it was.
I'm popping my name down for these challenges:

1. Papertake - Christmas crackers
2. Everybody Art - Christmas
3. ABC - Indigo blue (bit of artistic licence here as it's on some but not all the cards!)
4. Simon Says - Winter Love

Blake had a much better night last night, Dr's tomorrow to get him checked out.

Don't forget to have a go at winning my charity candy, still plenty of time to enter.

Victoria
x

Merry Kiss-Mouse

Morning - I'm posting this with bleary eyes as I've been up most of the night with Blake. Not so much his chest infection which seems to be improving, just he didn't feel like sleeping and wanted to chatter away. So I went downstairs with him and whilst he lay chatting in his rocker chair at 3am, I was cleaning the kitchen!

This is my DT creation for Creative Card Crew where this week we challenge you to 'use your favourite things'! The DT were also given some fab digi images to work with, aren't we lucky? My favourite things are buttons, ribbons, bows, glitter gems and glitter to name but a few! Pop over to see what the rest of the DT have created.



I'm having a go with these challenges:

• Copic Buzz - Red
• Quixotic - Kraft and red
• C.R.A.F.T. - Inspiration from photo - I chose red
• PaperPlay - I missed the DT deadline for 'read all about it' - sorry ladies!
• Crazy 4 Challenges - Sketch
• Pollycraft - Christmas
• My Grafico - PIE recipe - I used, Papers, Inks and Embossing
• Little Paper Shop - Kraft, red and brown
  

I used red and kraft card for my layers, and embossed the kraft layer for texture before topping with noel text patterned card. The cute little mouse is shaded with Copics and I added a red glitter gem to his nose to make him more Christmousey (ho, ho, ho). Lots of glitter and a button and a bow and a computer generated sentiment to finish it off.

Right, chores to do and a friend is bringing her little fella for a play date with Zac so I need to create some space!!

Victoria
x

GIft Card Holder and Workshop News

This is my GDT creation for Cupcake Crafts Challenge where we challenge you to make a gift card holder.



I followed a tutorial off Splitcoaststampers for this. I didn't have any money envelopes, so made my own. I'm entering this for these challenges:

• Tuesday Morning sketches - 3 decorative papers, 1 flourish, 2 embellies
• The Treehouse - Treat Holders
• Hand Full of Stamps - No plain ribbon
• Creative Inspirations - Want to see a pocket (I won last week - yey!)
• Chorrosive Challange - Let's go to the Movies (I picked 'The Gift')
  

View of the inside - you'll notice a lack of gift card in mine as I don't have one!



And the stamped card that also fits inside:



Opened out view:



All products are by Stampin' Up except the ribbon and glitter gem. I used Pink Passion and Only Orange card stock which I stamped with Baroque Motifs stamp sets. I used a Versamark ink pad on the outside and went over the images with Stampin Pastels in orange using a cotton ball!
I hope the inside with the stamps around the edge counts as my third patterned paper!

I'm also running my first Stampin' Up workshop on Saturday December 12th, so if you're in the Nottingham area and fancy making a Christmas gift, a few cards and some gift tags, please drop me an email. My email address is in my profile.

Thanks
Victoria
x

Die Cut Dreams Puppy Love

Our challenge at Die Cut Dreams this week is 'Puppy Love'. Susie is offering up some fabulous snowmen and snow globes as a prize too. Take a look at all the lovely DT creations here.



I'm entering this card for these challenges:

• Allsorts - Christmas carol (I've used a song!) Fairytale in New York
• Caardvarks - Colour it
• Papertake - Sketch
• Simon Says - Animal antics
• Flutterby Wednesday - fairy, angel or butterfly
  

I shaded this sweet image and added loads of sparkle. Thought she looked best left delicate.

I'm going to try and play catch up this week if I can so hopefully I'll be looking at all the lovely stuff you've created. I'm starting to feel much better, I just need Blake to be better now.

Victoria
x

Another Fake Cake

Afraid I have to blog and run again today. I made one of these cupcake gift card holders before and a friend ordered one from me to give a friend for her 40th with a matching card. So yesterday evening whilst the rest of the UK was probably tuned into Strictly Come X-Factor with a TV Burp, I was leaning over my hot glue gun!



I used really glittery pink ribbon, glittery card and a glittered glass bead - you'll have to take my word for it as the photo doesn't show it all up.



I'm entering this for these challenges:

• Stampavie and More - Brown plus one (pink for me)
• Alphabet Challenge - F for flowers - used loads cut in half as icing on here, as well as the punched ones.
• Sassy Designs By Susie - Pink and Sparkly. Susie also has some fab candy up for grabs!
• Polka Doodles - Sketch and not for men
• Sunflowers and Dragonflies - Let them eat cake
• Lots to do - Open theme
• Pile it on - Rub ons
• Die Cuts R Us - Girly project
  

This gave me a good excuse to use another of my Stampin' Up stamps, the cupcake stand is from the Crazy for Cupcakes set (which you can get from me!). The glittery cupcake is a rub on and so is the '40'.

Thanks for stopping by, promise I'll catch up soon.

Victoria
x

Bee Sparkly and Copic Tutorial

Here is my Design Team card for this fortnights challenge at Bee Crafty which is 'Add some sparkle'. You'll need to use a digi image somewhere too, but it doesn't have to be a Bee Crafty one. The prize is a Bee Crafty download. Have a look at the fab creations by the Design Team.



Sorry about my too bright pic, I didn't have time to take another one, lucky I've got 10 minutes to post this!



I'm entering this for these challenges:

• Digital Tuesday - white, purple and gold or silver
• Doodle Palace - Purple Christmas card with extras if you have them!
• Creative Inspirations - Sparkle
• Crafty Creations - Metal or metallic finishes
• Three Clovers - Christmas card- no red or green
• Dare U 2 digi stamp - Glitter
• Creatalicious - Christmas, snowflakes, sparkle and glitter
• One Stop Crafts - Snowflakes
• Saturday Spotlight - Ornament or feature an ornament

I used the Fluffy Bunny Christmas image as I though the little fella sorting the baubles was so cute. I've shaded him with Copics and added loads of Glamour Dust for sparkle, although it was so dark when I took the photos. The sketch is one of my own (shock - horror!) and I used purple glittered card and ribbon too. Finally a metal snowflake charm, hanging off a sparkly brad.

And here's how I shaded Fluffy Bunny, using Copic Ciaos C1, C3, C5 and C7 for the greys. I decided the light was shining from the left and popped the darkest shade on first. Each time I add a lighter colour, I used circular motions with the pens to blend them in. I use the reverse side of the white linen card from The Paper Mill Shop as it's nice and absorbent.




Once the three darker greys are done, I coloured over the whole lot with the lightest grey (C1). Typically it ran out whilst I was doing this so not quite the effect I wanted to show you! Finally shades the baubles and ribbon in purples and then I went around the edge of the image with the lightest shade of purple I have. I think you can click on the photos to see a close up.



Well Blake seems to be responding well to the antibiotics, although he had a terrible night. We're all a bit tired so I apologise for my lack of comments this weekend. I will try and catch up over the next few days. Thanks for all your get well wishes for him.

And Lynn - so sorry I missed you this morning, I'd just nipped out - sorry, sorry, sorry and thanks for bringing your scrummy cards round.

I have a fabulous collection so far for SANDs, thank you soooo much, Please check my first post to join in my charity candy - you have ages yet and the candy is yummy.

Victoria
x

Cupcake mystery and bubs

Sorry no card from me today, unless I get a spare hour tonight.

I received some very lovely cards for the SANDs charity today but I don't know who they're from! If you sent me six gorgeous cards, two with beautiful cupcake stamped images on them, please let me know so I can tick you off on Mr Linky - they're beautiful by the way, thank you!

I took baby Blake to the Dr's this morning and his cold has developed in to a chest infection. Poor tiny pop is on antibiotics and I need to watch him carefully. Fingers more than crossed that the meds work. He's got to go back for check up next Thursday and the Dr also said if his bowels don't improve she'll refer him to the hospital to see a specialist.

Right, off for some cuddles with my little man. Check back tomorrow for a DT card and a Copic tutorial too.

Victoria
x

Stampin'Up and no challenges!

Right, don't laugh as this is my first ever Stampin' Up project. I wanted to use items purely out of the starter kit which was actually really good fun and took me right back to basics. I even have ink all over my fingers (and there was some on the kitchen floor where I was working but I've cleaned that off now!).

I made 4 sets of little cards using Love Notes. These are in Tempting Turquoise.



These are Pixie Pink (worth becoming a demo to type the fab names!)



Lovely Lilac.



And Green Galore.



I used stamps from A Beautiful Thing and Baroque Motifs and created the background patterned paper using the It's Beautiful roller wheel. I used the same wheel to decorate the envelopes to match. I might make a matching box if I get time over the next few days too.

Great fun.

No blog hopping for me tonight I'm afraid (unless I can stay awake very late), off to fat club for my weigh in - fingers crossed!

Victoria
x

Card and Candy Update

I got some wonderful news in that one of the lovely Mummy's I met through SANDs has given birth to her third son. So very lovely to be able to have such joy after loss. So before I even made a congratulations card, I made a Christmas card for him because I just had to use this digi image from Jenni at Card Mad Fairy's Creations. My friend was telling me on the phone yesterday about a pram suit someone had given her for bubs and I think this will make her giggle!



I'm entering it for these challenges:

• Mojo Monday - Sketch
• A Spoon Full of Sugar - Baby's first Christmas
• Stampin' for the weekend - Big celebration cards
  

The image is coloured with ProMarkers and Glamour Dust for the sparkle, I printed the sentiment myself and used a scrap of ribbon for the tag and wrap. I embossed the white card stock to match the patterned papers, so glad I now know how to do continuous embossing with this folder, it means I can emboss larger sizes of card than the folder - at last!

And I have an update on my Charity Candy

I'm getting lots of entries and tons of stuff arriving via the Postie - thanks so much!
The candy has now been added to!

My friend Sally-Ann is donating a £15 online gift voucher to the lucky winner to be spent at Silly Monkey Crafts! When the winner is selected, she will purchase the voucher in their name, how very lovely is that? Thanks hun, you're a gem.

You still have loads of time to enter the candy, please look at the top post on my blog if you haven't already.

Victoria
x

Pillow Box

At Creative Card Crew this week our theme is 'Strings attached'. We want to see fibres or thread or twine etc - it's up to you. We're sponsored by Simon Says Stamp and have a fab prize up for grabs. So pop over and see what the rest of the Design Team have created.



I've made my first ever pillow box and am submitting it to these challenges:

• Pink Petticoat - Make a pillow box!
• Little Paper Shop - Die cuts
• Crafty Angels - Anything but a card
• Stampin' B's - Anything but a card
• One Stop Crafts - Gift - bags or images
• Crazy 4 Challenges - Acetate
• The Corrosive Challenge - Emboss something
  

I enjoyed making this following the template Liz provided, it's much bigger than I expected and so I got loads of strawberry and cream sweeties inside. I cut the window and popped some acetate behind it and then an embosses border around the edge. I used Fairy Lights papers over the top flap and some spotty PP paper but I can't remember which collection it's from! The lovely bright pink is 'orchid' - my favourite shade from PP.

I think these coloured sentiments make great tags and it's attached with some pink fluffy fibres.

I'm feeling a smidge better today - so glad, sick of being sick!

Cards are starting to arrive already for my charity candy - thank you so much, If you haven't already entered, you can read all about it here.

Victoria
x

Cupcake Crafts

Here's my GDT card for Cupcake Crafts this week.

Our challenge is 'Digital Images' and we are sponsored by Sketching Stamper and have been lucky enough to use Chris's images on our creations. Chris is offering the lucky winner 6 of her digi stamps as a prize this week!



I used 'Vicki' image. She's paper pieced with Basic Grey papers and shaded with Copics. I used some Prima flowers and spacers and brads to finish off.

The sketch is this weeks challenge at Friday Sketchers, really easy to work with too.

Sorry another short post, as soon as I feel better I'll resume blog hopping and leaving lots of comments.

Victoria
x

Meet Santa

That's Ms Santa!!



This is my DT creation for Die Cut Dreams where this week our challenge is 'Santa'. There's a scrummy prize up for grabs off tons of Christmas papers and............Vikki has designed her first digi stamp and is giving it away for FREE!!! So pop over, see what the team have created and grab yourself Vikki's FREE digi image.



I'm also entering this for these challenges:

• A Spoon Full of Sugar - Create a scene
• Copic Colour Challenge - Colour combo
• Stamp Something - Sketch
• Kraftin' Kimmi - Lotsa circles
• Winter Wonderland - St Nicholas (or Nicola in my case!)

I used three different stamps on this one, the parcels, Emma and the greetings. I think I've included enough circles too!

I'll be back later with more, remember to go and grab your FREE digi image from Die Cut Dreams and to enter our challenge too.

Victoria
x

Gorjuss Blue

A quick post from me today as really should be resting to feel better.



This is for these challenges:

• The Sugar Bowl - Sketch
• Totally Gorjuss - Blue Christmas
• Allsorts - Made for a child

I used a Gorjuss Girl and did a spot of paper piecing on the dress. I've had these papers for ages and it's the first time I've used them, the brads too!

Victoria
x

Aytumn shades

Sorry this is later than normal today, my cold just seems to be getting worse instead of better, I've got a nose like a Belisha Beacon!



This is for these challenges:

• Passion for ProMarkers - Any colours and sketch
• All That Scraps - Thanksgiving
• Secret Crafter - Four seasons
• Just Us Girls - Dry embossing
• Lots to do - Embossing
• Cafe Mojo - Fall
  

This is Emma from CC Designs winter kit, I shaded her with ProMarkers and then doodled with a white gel pen to match her top up with the background paper. I printed the sentiment on the PC and the scalloped circle has been embossed with swiss dots.

Finally got to use this lush patterned paper from Basic Grey.

Hope you all feel better than I do!

Victoria
x

She's behind you

That's what we all want to be shouting at Panto anyway! And that's the extra option at Winter Wonderland this week too.



So the challenges for this card are:

• Roses on Paper - A Christmas card
• Crafty Angels - Blue, red and white
• Doodle Palace - Red and white Christmas card
• Quixotic Challenge - Stitching
• La-La - Land - Get Punchy
• Hand Full of Stamps - Getting ready for the Holidays
• Frosted Designs - Bling it on
• One Stop Crafts - Cards for kids
• Winter Wonderland - Sketch and Panto
• Anyone for Anya - 3 pieces of paper or card, 2 buttons and 1 bow
• Creative Inspirations - Doodling
  

I received this cute stamp in a swap - I've got to post my images in the morning. I thought she was just perfect for the theme of this card. I drew the Santa hat on the little froggie to Christmas it up a bit!

Luckily I has this red ribbon with white stitching on in my stash so I teamed it up with some organza and doodled some red and white stitching around the image to match.

I've already received the first parcel for my charity candy! How fab is that, remember you have until 9th December to enter and send your cards or gifts. Details at the top of my blog.

Victoria
x

Christmas rectangles and news

This is a bit of a long one, I've got six cards here. They're all made using the latest digi images from Lily-Boo Boutique, Christmas Rectangles. Aren't they fab?



Here's a close up of the cute little robins:



I'm submitting these for the following challenges:

• Card Patterns - Sketch
• Papertake - Digi and sparkle
• Digital Tuesday - Holiday wishes
• My Time To Craft - Tags so much
• Creative Inspirations - New or neglected
• Crafty Creations - Snowy creations
• Cute Card Thursday - Glitter me silly
• Charisma Cardz - Merry and Bright
• C.R.A.F.T. - 1 tag, 1 sentiment, 1 ribbon (the Santa card has these!)
• Paperplay - 2 patterned papers, 3 buttons, 1 ribbon
• Three Clovers - Birds or bugs (we have robins!)
  

I'm also thrilled to announce that Paperplay have chosen me as one of their new design team members, I was too late to be on the team for this weeks challenge so entered it instead!



The two patterned papers are by Pink Petticoat. All the images are shaded with ProMarkers and highlighted with tons of Glamour Dust which really doesn't show up on these photos.



The buttons also have glitter gems stuck in the centres.



I made all the images in to tags and used an embossing folder on the plain card.



I'm blown away by the response so far to my charity candy post. So many of you have emailed to say you're posting stuff - some sending an enormous amount of cards. I can't thank you enough, please spread the word as it's such a wonderful charity and you could win some fabby candy.

Victoria
x