To brighten my day

It's so dull and dismal here I wanted to make something summery to lift my mood. This is for 3 challenges, Stamp Something ' Birthday', Sugar Bowl - sketch (to include hand made flowers) and Charisma Cardz 'lemon, pink and green':



It's one of my Gorjuss girls stamped and donated by my buddy Sue. I coloured her with Copics and cut the flowers from a Cuttlebug die, popping a few glitter gems in the centre. The rub ons and glitter brads are from Doodlebug.

The colours have turned out a bit dull looking on here, not sure where I'm going wrong with my photography and photoshop at the moment - I need someone to come and give me lessons at home!

Victoria
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Pamper time

This is still one of my favourite 'Lola's' from Pink Petticoat and is for two challenges. Cute Card Thursday 'Lazy Days' and Mojo Monday 100 sketch 5:



The digi stamp is Lola Bubbly from Pink Petticoat and shaded with Copics and a smidge of Glamour Dust. The background spott paper is also from PP but not sure what as I already had it printed off. The blue circles have been embossed in the Cuttlebug and I stuck various size glitter gems on to look like bubbles. Finished off with a faux bow.

Had a friend to visit this morning with her son, it was lovely to see them as we live in different cities and I haven't been out much recently!

Glad it's Saturday tomorrow, James gets to take Zac to the monthly toddler and Daddy club in the morning - so I get some time with just me and Blake.

Victoria
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3 in 1

I've actually managed to make a card and combine it with three challenges. Mojo Monday 100's day 4 sketch, Stamptacularc Sundays 'Beary Special' and Just Magnolia's 'Friendship':



The Tilda in the bear suit is a Magnolia stamp, shaded with ProMarkers mounted on various layers of Core'dinations brights papers. For the stripey background on the sketch, I used a selection of Cuttlebug embossing borders and sanded the paper down afterwards. The friendship sentiment ticket is cut out of a Hot of The Press friendship pad. Never used it before so today it made it's first outing!

Victoria
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Truly Scrumptious

Ooh I found a challenge blog I've not joined before. Truly Scrumptious, this week it's to make anything but a card. So I did:



I made a gift bag and matching tag. The tutorial for the bag can be found here . I used some Bazzill card stock as it was already the right size for the tutorial - very lazy of me! The decorative edge and the mats were made using a Fiskars punch, if you want to have a go, cut a
cm square of card or paper and line up as well as you can centrally before punching. I've done this before with a square edge but not cut away completely like this.

The flowers are from my stash and I think the brads are Papermania. I think this is one of the tidiest bows I've managed to do so far. Shame I've got to undo it to pop some goodies in the bag to give as a gift!

Victoria
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Mojo Monday Day 3

Made day 3 of the Mojo 100 week:


Doodlebug papers, Pink Petticoat image, Copics, punches

Really quick to make this one as I had the image printed and shaded ready and not used! The image is from Pink Petticoat, shaded with copics and the patterned papers are Doodlebug. Lots of punching on this one and half a cuttlebug flower, been wondering what to do with it as one of the petals had torn off.

Victoria
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Christmas Double Challenge

Well it's a gorgeous sunny day here so why not post a chilly Christmas card? This is for two challenges - Creative Card Crew and Simon Says Stamp. Both challenges are 'Christmas in August'. Creative Card Crew have extra prizes this week and some of the DT from Simon Says Stamp have blog candy too so pop over and take a look.



This is based on a sketch by Dawny P. I didn't get on the the DT at Anyone for Anya but I did smuggle myself a guest DT spot so looking forward to that. The first challenge starts this Sunday so if you're into Anya's and Greetings Farm have a go and join in the fun.



The background patterned papers are by DCWV and I think Dovecraft. The plain blue card was embossed through the Cuttlebug and highlighted with glitter gems.



Well Zac is out playing with his grandparents again today - he's a lucky lad. I've got the health visitor coming round in a bit to weigh and measure Blake for his 6 week check. I think he must be at least 13lbs already. I'm going to need a fork lift truck soon to help me out the way my boys are growing!

Victoria
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Frillie Millie's back!

Mojo Monday turns 100 this week and are posting a different sketch challenge each day. This is day 2 - yes I'm behind already!

I turned the sketch on it's side to make this:



The image is a digi stamp and it's brand spanking new from Pink Petticoat, it's one of the newly vamped Frillie Millies and I got my mitts on all four about an hour ago! This one is called 'Ladybird' so I thought I'd use some ladybird papers to match.



The pink paper is orchid, also from Pink Petticoat and the patterned paper is from DCWV. Ribbon is from my stash and the image is shaded with Copics and ProMarkers. Finally the punch is Fiskars. Thanks Liz for some more fab inspiration!

Now I must thank the lovely Chrissie for this award:



To officially accept the award I have to do the following:

1.Thank the person who nominated you for this award
2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog
3. Link the person who nominated you for this award
4. Name seven things about yourself that people might find interesting
5. Nominate seven Kreative Bloggers
6. Post links to the seven blogs you nominate
7. Leave comments on all seven blogs letting them know you nominated them

So without further ado, here are 7 things about me

1. I studied textile design at uni but dropped out at the end of the second year (shame on me!)
2. My first job was working in an indoor laser game site
3. My favourite two films are 'Saving Grace' with Brenda Blethin and 'Fever Pitch' with Colin Firth
4. I own 5 pairs of Birkinstocks Madrid sandals in various colours
5. I'm currently reading Fern Britton's autobiography
6. The last book I read was 'Scar Tissue' autobiography Anthony Kiedis
7. The last time I went to the theatre was to see Russell Brand live
   

The 7 people I'm passing this award to aren't my usual suspects, but people who's work I am in total awe of or have recently started to follow their blogs:

1. Dawny P
   
2. Liz
3. Kim
4. Sarah
5. Lisa M
6. Marcea
7. Bee

I won't get chance to let them know until this evening as the boys will be awake soon

Victoria
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Happy Birthday Cupcake Crafts

Cupcake Crafts are celebrating their 1st Birthday this week and have loads of goodies to give away and a fab blog hop to take part in too. Visit Cupcake Crafts to join in the fun.

These cards are for two challenges, Cupcake Crafts 'Something sweet' and One Stop Crafts to use pink and black:



I made a set of six cards as I love making sets and haven't done so in ages. Being as they're pink I got a bit carried away!



I'd run out of my favourite pink card so I printed these on white linen card using Pink Petticoats Orchid paper. Yummy isn't it? Goes so well with the cupcake image which is also from Pink Petticoat and lazily already coloured ready to print. The scalloped mat is made using a Fiskars punch and the other shapes are Nestabilities and punches.




The ribbon is from Debbie Moore I think and attached simply with a staple. I printed a few extra cupcakes to decorate the envelopes.

Hope to get some quiet time this evening to blog hop, so much going on and I'm missing it all

Victoria
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I found my 'Oooh' and 'Zac in a box'!

Well losing my 'oooh' was quite short lived!!

I took advice from Sharon and Lynne, left my craft room in a tidy(ish) state and came downstairs and phoned a friend, not to win a million unfortunately, but to ask for some bubs related advice. Anyway I went back upstairs and my 'oooh' was waiting up there for me.



This card is for two challenges, Secret Crafters and Our Creative Corner. The challenges are 'Fancy corners' and 'Christmas in August'. I found the majority of my 'oooh' by visiting my friend Sue's blog and seeing her rather fabby recessed window cards. You can see them here, please take a look.



The tutorial to make a card like this can be found here. I changed the measurements and did a double crease down the spine of the card to give it more depth and support. I used papers from a 6x6 stack I have but the cover is missing - sorry, the image is a digi stamp from Willow Designs and I fell a bit in love with him! Shaded with Copics and ProMarkers and highlighted with Glamour Dust. My decorative corners are the glittery holly as I don't own any corner punches or flourishes or anything remotely fitting in the decorative corner box! Hope this will do.

Here's the inside:



And to finish and hopefully give you a bit of a giggle:



Zac-in-a-box! He took the lid of his activity cube and climbed inside. He did actually get stuck but I managed to take a photo before we rescued him. He was properly wedged in bless him. I wish I'd popped my camera onto video mode but sometimes I'm just not quick enough in the brain cell department.

Victoria
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Two challenges

This card fits two challenges today, Passion for ProMarkers and Creative Card Crew.


Digi Stamp Boutique, Nestabilities, Patterned paper

The image is a digi stamp from the Digi Stamp Boutique. Shaded with ProMarkers in Cocoa, Henna, Rose Pink, Blossom, Ivory and Blush. The patterned paper and border are both digi papers from Daisie Company. I thought the papers were spot on for colour match but somehow the whole card looks a bit dull on this photo. It didn't in photo shop so may have another tinker with it later.

Doh - I've edited this post, those of you who visited earlier will have seen a request here for a stamped image of Surfing Ian. Well, ahem, I've had a total 'Mumnesia' moment and realised I got my dates totally wrapped around my head and I can wait for the stamp to come in stock. Sorry and thanks for helping!

Well, hubby is working today (groan) and I'm more than ready for him to come home and help out with the boys. Blake actually slept through us eating tea last night which was a welcome first! Long may it continue.

Victoria
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3-2-1

If you're the same age as me or older you probably have a mental picture of Dusty Bin in your head after my post title! It actually refers to the challenge at Stamptacular this week to use 3 brads, 2 patterned papers and 1 flower.


K&Co stamps, Pink Petticoat papers, papermania brads

I really like this one although I admit I seem to be doing a good line in monochrome cards after stating a while back that I found them really difficult. Eat my own words and all....

The stamped flower and sentiment are by K&Co, the papers are from Pink Petticoat and the brads are by Papermania. I saw a similar sketch on a challenge somewhere that I missed and this gave me some influence on the layout. Sorry I can't remember where I saw it.

Me and Mum went out this morning in the pouring rain to the shops with the double buggy, bit of an experience for me getting the boys ready together and into the car, bit of a test run for when I'm on my own. Friday is my first day solo with no help!! Mum goes back to Spain tomorrow afternoon.

Right, off to pop my feet up whilst I still can

Victoria
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Charming award

Wow Summer's officially back! Maybe only for a day or two but the sunshine always puts me in a good mood. This card is for the Stamp Something weekly challenge which is to stamp something and include a charm:


Hero arts, inks, charm

It's a special card for a special little baby girl who celebrates her Angelversary tomorrow. I made some very precious friends when my first baby son died and we always send cards on special dates to keep our babies with us.

The stamping is the pattern at the bottom. I used some dot stamps from Hero Arts and a selection of pink inks. How cute is the little teddy bear charm?

I just received this award from Pascale so thought I'd pop it on now while I remember! Thanks Pascale, such a thoughtful award to be given. If you haven't seen Pascale's blog before, where have you been looking? Pop over and take a peek!



In turn I'm going to pass it on to the first three blogging buddies to comment on this post and then I'm going to take some inspiration from their blogs in return.

Victoria
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Christmas in July?

I finally caved and joined a Christmas challenge over at Winter Wonderland! The theme is 'Twinkle, Sparkle' and the title made me smile.....


Ribbons, glitter paper, punches

So simple to make, so hard to photograph without bright sunshine! I used glitter paper to make the mount and the snowflakes and popped on some gorgeous glittery ribbon I think is from Trimcraft with some satin ribbon over the top. Quite like it actually!

And here's a Birthday card I've just made for my hubby from his boys:



I can hear my boys waking up, they've both been asleep for two hours .........sheer bliss, but I'd better go and rescue my Mum as she's looking after them both in the other room!

Victoria
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Two very cute lil bugs

The first lil bug is the card I made for Secret Crafters Challenge which is 'Cute as a bug'


Alota Stamp Image, DCWV papers

I set myself a second challenge not to use Doodlebug papers or pink. Think I've been getting a bit samey - if that's a word! The stamp is from Alota, I think called Lily Ladybug and it comes as part of a set. Shaded with Copics, to match the DCWV papers which I've had for ever and never used.

The second lil bug is much cuter and is a photo of Zac having his first dip in the paddling pool - the best £2.99 I've ever spent. He loved it, especially going down the slide and landing with a splash.



Dinner was scrummy last night and I'm looking forward to another slice of chocolate fudge cake in a while.

Victoria
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First dip in the Sugar Bowl!

This is the first time I've joined a challenge at the Sugar Bowl. Basically because I don't have any Sugar Nellie stamps! This stamped image is another one kindly given to me by my friend Sue.


Sugar Nellie stamped image, Doodlebug papers, Copics

I shaded the image with copics and then used various Doodlebug papers to follow the sketch. Not sure if I like this one, feels a bit 'busy' for me!

News of a new challenge blog. For those of you who like images by The Greetings Farm, Dawny P has set up a blog 'Anyone for Anya'. Challenges start on the 25th August.



Busy day today, friends visiting this morning then I become Domestic Goddess again as cooking birthday dinner for my hubby, his parents and my mum. His birthday isn't until Monday but celebrating tonight. I'm making, baked breaded Camembert for starter, then steak with potatoes dauphinoise and various veg followed by home made chocolate fudge cake, providing I can follow the recipe I've found!

Wish me luck, it could be a stressful one!

Victoria
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Floral Summer Fantasy

Sorry no blogging from me yesterday, sleep deprivation got the better of me I'm afraid. This card is for 2 challenges, Papertake Weekly where the challenge is 'four seasons' and A Spoon Full of Sugar's 'Floral Fantasy':


Pink Petticoat image, various flowers, Fiskars punch, Doodlebug papers

The image is from one of the first I got from Pink Petticoat! Lola at the beach - summer is my chosen season! I think the colours are lovely and summery and the sunflowers speak for themselves. How much I'd love to be in a bikini (obviously without the baby sag!), by a pool with a cocktail in my mitts. Hmm, maybe next year!

Poor Blake's been constipated but I fixed that by eating a curry last night, it took it's time getting to work on him but believe me when I tell you he's better now!

Victoria
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Somewhere beyond the sea...

The lovely Joey set this weeks challenge at Creative Card Crew - 'Under the Sea'. In a bit of a beach mood after my flip flop card I came up with this:


Pink Petticoat images, Copics, Doodlebug papers, Nestabilities

The digi images are from Pink Petticoat, shaded with Copics and mounted on mats cut using nestabilities. The torn patterned paper and the plain card are from Doodlebug - what a surprise!

Had an interesting day, we had planned a trip to a fun day at our local children's centre but it was raining heavily. Rather than stay couped up all day, me and Mum got the boys ready in the double buggy under the rain cover and ventured out! I got flippin' soaked through. Zac went to have his face painted but wouldn't sit still so just had a snake painted on his face instead, which he rubbed before it had dried. Then, with his reigns on he made a dash fop the outside play area just as it really hammered it down, dragging me behind him with no coat on. Drowned rat springs to mind.

Here's to a dry day tomorrow!
Victoria
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Guess the baby weight blog candy

Oooh this was a tough one for me. Cupcake Craft Challenge this week is beach themed. Eventually I came up with this:


Border punch, dimension sticker

I rummaged through my stash for beach themed stuff and found I had no beachy stamps and I didn't fancy the digi images I had today. I have a drawer full of bits and bobs from a holiday nearly two years ago waiting patiently to be put in a scrapbook and found some dimensional stickers and tags. So I cropped the tag down and popped the flip flops on. Then the umming and aaahing commenced as I couldn't decide what to do next. So I didn't.

We went to get Blake weighed then picked Mum up from the airport and then I finished the card with my new Fiskars sunshine border punch.

So, I am offering up some mystery blog candy to the person who guesses correctly or closest to Blake's weight today!!! His birth weight was 9lbs 9ozs and he'll be four weeks old tomorrow.

Please leave me a comment and have a guess at his weight in pounds and ounces only and I'll reveal the winner and the candy along with his weight tomorrow after 8pm. I'm the least technical person I know so if one or more of you guesses right or close, I'll pop the names in hat and get my Mum to draw the winner out!!

Victoria
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Gorjuss girl

Well I think she's a Gorjuss girl anyway! She was a stamped gift from my friend Sue. Anyway I thought she'd be perfect for this sketch challenge from Mojo Monday.


Sugar Nellie Stamp, Copics, Cookie Cutters, Nestabilities, Doodlebug paper

I chose the paper first! The colours feel so summery as was the weather this morning. I chose the image to match and then worked on the layout. I just can't do anything except square cards, so adapted the sketch a little.

I shaded Gorjuss girl with Copics (I hope I'm improving now) and used Quickutz Cookie Cutters to cut out the rounded edge squares and Nestabilities for the circles. The backing card is coordinations and the flower is from Papermania, although the colours weren't right so I altered them with Copics.

Well, my Dad and step mum are on their way and the boys and hubby are fast asleep - alright for some eh? We've got a busy day tomorrow - dropping Zac off at his Grans, take Blake to baby clinic to get him weighed etc and then pick my Mum up from the airport. Great she's coming, rubbish as James goes back to work on Wednesday - boo hiss.

Victoria
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Cherry on top...

Well that's better - the sun is shining, all I can hear from outside is the whirr of strimmers and lawnmowers. Summer has returned if only to be interrupted by the yell and howls of my two little fellas!!

I've decided to brave it and enter a Design Team call (eek!). It's for the Creatalicious Challenges Blog. To be in with a chance, you need to make a card based on the sketch provided and this is my entry:



Doodlebug patterned paper, CC Designs Stamps, Copics, Nestabilities



I've popped two photos on for a change thinking I'd show the layers I added on the flowers but they don't show up very well! The stamped image is from CC Designs Gingersnaps Celebrate set. I love these and can see I'll get lots of use out of them.

I stamped the images with Memento ink and then shaded with Copics to match the Doodlebug paper. Yes it's the same paper I used for my card yesterday! The mini cupcakes were punched out and layered on nestabilities Dahlias to look like the flowers on the sketch. Finished off with a trio of glitter gems. Fingers crossed......

And before I go I thought I'd brave it and pop a few pics taken earlier today. Very brave of me as I don't like having my photo taken, let alone sharing.


Me and my 'tiny pop' Blake


Me, Blake, Daddy (James) and Zac - Zac wanted to escape to play with Grandma and Grandad!
Victoria x