Thank you boy

Yesterday I had a fab time with my Dad and Step Mum. If you're reading thank you!!! I gave them a handful of thank you cards to take home with them to give out to family for birthday presents for Blake and other gifts the boys have been lucky enough to receive. This is one I made for Zac's cousin Alex because Alex always gives Zac some clothes or DVDs and he even gave him his Thomas the Tank Engine scooter!! So here's a thank you card for Alex:

I've used the Thank You boy image from the Digi Stamp Boutique and coloured him with ProMarkers and Copics. The papers are from my stash and I think are Doodlebug and the brads were lurking in a drawer somewhere too!

I love this image, there's a Thank You girl one available too. I'm joining in with:

• Papertake - 3-2-1 (3 brads, 2 die cuts, 1 image)
• Totally Gorjuss - Star
• Rosie Dees - Male card (it's also their last challenge so please join in)

 Well, I'd better go and make my boys some breakfast now before they start shouting at me!

Hugs
Victoria
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Whoopie Dad

It's Fathers Day here in the UK and this is the card I made for my Father in Law from Hubby:

I've used Football Jim from the Digi Stamp Boutique and he's brand new for June. For the main image I shaded him with Copics and cut out with nesties ovals. I didn't have any football paper or stamps so I coloured another Jim in on the PC and popped him on at different angles to make my own paper. Simples! The sentiment is from Stampin' Up! as is the real red card.

We're off to the park soon with the boys, but I have to share with you what I've baked this morning. Hubby requested these whoopie pies after hearing about them on the radio:

The cream filling is made with melted marshmallows and butter - so sickly sweet!

If you want the recipe you can get it off the Sainsbury's website - enjoy!
Hugs
Victoria
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One for the Boys

It's challenge time at Cupcake Craft again and this week our theme is 'One for the boys'. I've made a Fathers Day card and matching gift card wallet. I think I might put photos in it instead of a gift card though!

The faux leather look has been achieved by embossing some tan card in a cuttlebug folder, daubing over it with So Saffron, Close to Cocoa and Soft Suede inks and then rubbing a Versmark ink pad overthe top and heat embossing with clear powder. I've seen lots of other examples and had to have a go!

The sentiment is from Occassional GreetingsI've added some faux stitching by pricking the card and using a white gel pen to look like cotton. I've used a tag punch a a jumbo eyelet to create a wallet style closure for both the card and the gift card holder. All products are Stampin' Up! except the embossing folder. Here's the inside of the gift card holder:

Now the card has had a bit of an accident since I took the photo - I dropped it in the washing up bowl whilst it was full of soapy water! Somehow it has survived and the ink only bled a teeny little bit! I'm going to join in with these challenges:

• ILWS - Stitching real or faux
• Sweet Stampin - Doodling
• Totally Gorjuss - For the boys
• If the shoe fits - Navy, dark green and tan
• Stamp Something - Happy somethings
• Alphabet Challenge - Green
• Crafty Catz - Embossing
• CRAFT - Fathers day
• Crafts and Me - Friends and family
• Double Dutch - Dad's treat
• Creative Craft - For the man in your life
• Caardvarks - Embossing

Oops - didn't get to publish this yesterday as Zac has come down with whatever Blake had. We've been to the Drs - I said we should set up a camp bed in their waiting room and is on the same medication Blake had too. Here we go again....at least they didn't both get it at the same time and Blake is good and well  now.
Hugs
Victoria
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Maxwell and balloon

I made this card yesterday afternoon ready to share today, this is using Maxwell again from the Digi Stamp Boutique - this time with a balloon:

Some challenges inspired this card, firstly the sketch which is from I love promarkers, I sketches which result in me making uncluttered cards and this worked for me. Next an unusual challenge from Passion for ProMarkers to make your own background. I actually headed to the Letraset website for this and found a really good tutorial that suited my style! So the striped paper behind Maxwell is the one I decorated myself by drawing stripes with both the thin and fat ends and adding some dots too.

Digital Tuesday challenge asked for paper piecing and a digi image so I've paper pieced Maxwells tummy and his balloon in lovely Stampin' Up! papers. I used the same paper for the background.

My colours came from the Color Throwdown challenge blog, not my usual colours at all but I like the result! I printed the sentiment and the ribbon is from my stash.

Thank you sooo much for all the well wishes for my Dad yesterday. I spoke to my Step Mum last night and his operation went well and he's in the high dependancy unit for 24 hours for now. Hopefully she will get to see and speak to him today, soI'll wait for my phonecall later on.

Hugs
Victoria
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More Marty

You seem to be loving the new Marty and Matilda images from the Digi Stamp Boutique so here's another one for you. This is Marty with present:

I like the way he seems to look a bit like he's done something naughty on this one! All the card and papers are by Stampin' Up! as is the sentiment stamp, ribbon and clip. The ribbon was white so I ran it along the inkpad to get the shade I wanted.

Remember Marty and Matilda are on offer this month. I'm joining in with:

• Sweet Sketch Wednesday - Sketch
• Sweet Stampin - Mans world

I think I'm going to leave you with some photos of our trip to the park this morning. It was soooooooooo cold! Here's Zac - the king of the castle:

And here's the reason we haven't had more than two hours sleep at a time at night for the last 3 weeks:

Blake doesn't nap much at all, even during the day so this was a pleasant surprise! Now if we could just get him to do that from 7pm to 6am I'd be laughing!
Hugs
Victoria
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No Flowers Challenge

This week at Die Cut Dreams our challenge to you is 'No Flowers'. As a prize we have some gorgeous paper flowers to make up for not using them this time!

 

Susie suggested making a card for a chap so I did! It's my Father in Laws birthday this week and this is his card from his Grandsons. The scrummy image was a present for me by Sally-Ann at the Digi Stamp Boutique. I've wanted an image for a while representing my two little boys and their angel brother - you can't buy this image as it's just for me, but there are loads of  others to choose from. I'm going to love using this image again soon. Righto, these are the challenges I'm joining in with:

• Double Dutch - Boys only
• Kaboodle - Happy Birthday
• Sketch Saturday - Sketch
• Allsorts - Just for men
• Saturday Spotlight - Friendship
• Crazy 4 Challenges - Paper piercing
• Lots to do - Distressed

 

I had great fun making this one, for my distressing I roughed up the edges, popped a wet coffee mug on the top righthand corner to create a stain and rubbed a wet tea bag around the centre image after I'd shaded it. I should really have rubbed it with marmite, dribbled on it and dropped it on the floor to have distressed it in the way I imagine my boys would have done!

I paper pierced around one side of the main image and wrote the sentiment out with my laft hand. Zac can't say Grandad yet but can manage Gan-Gan so that's what we call him now. Gan Gan in return calls us 'the Elm Grove People' - apparently quicker than trying to remember all our names! Please pop and look at the rest of the design team creations and stay with me as I'll be uploading my Cupcake Craft Challenge creation in a bit too.

Hus

Victoria

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Mikey Monkey

It's my hubbys Dad's Birthday on Monday and I've had to make three cards for him, one from us, one from the boys and one from Hubby's Mum too. This is the one from us:

 

I used Mikey Monkey from The Digi Stamp Boutique - a perfect image I do believe lol! I've had these papers a long time and thought they looked good with Mikey. The plain rust card has been embossed with a stitch embossing folder - the lazy girls guide to sewing today! I'm popping it in for a couple of challenges:

• Little Paper Shop - Sketch
• One Stop Craft - Sewing

Hmm, I've got to master getting photos off the PC on to a digital keyring now as a present for James' Dad. We're all going out for lunch tomorrow in the village where I'm having a stand at a craft fayre next week so it will be a good opportunity to have a look around in advance!

Hugs
Victoria
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One for the boys

I'm so late posting today, just haven't had time to get myself sorted!

 

I've made a boys birthday card with this image of Max which was given to me by the lovely Susie. I never have enough boys cards in my stash so when I saw a challenge to make one I figured it would be sensible to join in! 

 

These are the challenges I'm joining in with:

• Roses on Paper - A card for a boy
• Copic Colour Challenge - YG03, Y17, C7
• Truly Scrumptious - Sketch and birthday
• My Graphico - Chipboard

I got these papers in some candy from Steph and the chipboard I've had in a kit for so long it's untrue! Have to say it made a nice change to make a blokey card.

Before I go, if you want to grab a bargain, my stash items on ebay are due to finish tomorrow. You can view them all here.

Hugs
Victoria
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Get Well Soon

This fortnight our challenge at Creative Card Crew has been chosen by Claire and the theme is 'Get Well Soon'. Here' my Design Team Creation:

Yes it's a hangover kit! I thought this would be a good birthday kit for my father in law as he's off on holiday in March to celebrate! I used an old bit of acrylic food packaging (I never throw anything like this away) and filled it with a coffee sachet, some paracetamol, chewing gum, sugar and a mini bar of chocolate. Wrapped it all in a bit of red card, some blue stitched ribbon and Nurse Anya! Please check out the other fabulous design team creations, you'll get some great ideas.

I'm also joining in with these challenges:

• SophistiCat - Stitching
• La-La Land - No designer paper
• Charisma Cardz - Male, something for the boys
• Stampin' B's - Red, white and blue
• Crazy 4 Challenges - Red
• Saturday Spotlight - Use a household item (hope my packaging and all the contents count!)

Well so far it's a gorgeous sunny day and my parents are coming to visit. I've dosed myself up with paracetamol and have some fab soup for us for lunch. Me and Zac are about to bake some cheese and chive wholemeal rolls to go with it - yum. No pancakes for pudding though, saving those for tonight!

Happy Pancake day!
Hugs
Victoria
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Meet Mungo

Meet Mungo, he's one of the fab new digi stamps available at the Digi Stamp Boutique.

 

I made this card following the sketch at Our Creative Corner. I've had this paper for ages and never used it so finally it's seen the light of day!

 

I'm more of a cat person but I do like this little fella and I love his name too!

This afternoon I have a lady from SANDs coming to visit and to collect all the cards you guys sent in for the, to sell on and raise funds to set up new groups. I added around 300 cards myself so I hope she has plenty of space in her car. There are eight boxes full! I'll let you know any feedback I get back from the chairty.

Have a fab day.

Hugs

Victoria

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One for the guys

This week at Cupcake Craft Challenge our theme is 'Red and white all over'. Some of the design team have used digi images from this weeks sponsor. Here's mine!

 

The rest of the Design Team have come up with some fab creations - take a look.  We also say Bye bye to Tammy this week so as it's Tammy's theme, we're hoping for lots of entries to send her off in style. Catherine has been our GDT for the last couple of weeks and we're lucky to have her join us full time now - yey!

I'm joining a few challenges for a change!

• Our Creative Corner - Masculine valentine
• Rosie-D's - Just for men

I'll be back later with my DT project for Die Cut Dreams.
Hugs
Victoria
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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
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All about the boy

Ta-Dah..I have made a card for a boy! One aged 11 - 16 who's not into sports as that's the type of card Juyle wants us to make at Doodle Palace. I won their challenge last week and not only do I get to pick a couple of their fab digi images, I get to set a challenge too!



I used the fab sketch from Friday Sketchers, the colour combo from Color Throwdown and Our Creative Corner and Copic Buzz say any image but no patterned papers.



I've used an Hugh stamp from The Greetings Farm, shaded with Copics and mounted on various cards, some embossed through the 'bug. The label die is a Quickutz cookie cuter and the letter stickers are from a Brenda Pinnick kit.

The Doctor has said Blake could be suffering for up to another week bless him, he's too small to be so poorly. I'm feeling a little better but tired from all the coughing - good job you can't catch my germs over 'tinterweb!!

Victoria
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It's raining men

Well it's raining on Edwin anyway! Susie and Vikki set the title of this challenge at Die Cut Dreams and I think I've taken it a bit literally! The sketch is from A Spoon Full of Sugar (I'm doing a one week guest design team spot with them soon :) and Stamp with Fun, My Time to Craft and Creative Inspirations all have the Autumn theme so I'm combining - not to be confused with combine harvesting ha, ha.....



I have to say I groaned at the Autumn theme as these just aren't my colours (and I have another Autumn post coming up in a bit) but I gave it a try. I was happy until I added the glittery swirls, they're not 'me' and I don't like them but I can't get them off without tearing everything up.

I used Edwin from Magnolia and shaded him with ProMarkers, the papers are a candy win from Evelina and are My Minds Eye. The leaf brads I've had ages - I think from a Papermania kit and the sentiment is Hot Off The Press.

Zac is tons better today, thanks so much for all your well wishes, he's given it to me now which is one way of getting rid of it I suppose. I've cheered up by seeing that I've won a guest design team spot with Allsorts for the whole of October - how exciting is that?

Victoria
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Spangly Sixty and a winner too!

My Mum in Law asked me to make a 60th card for a friend's Husband:



I think I like it! I went with four challenges, Cupcake Crafts set the colour combo -'red, white and blue', Our Creative Corner have the theme - 'stars and stripes', ABC challenge say- 'D is for die cuts' and finally this is my interpretation of the rather fab sketch over at Inspirational Card Sketches.



I changed the squares on the sketches to stars, hope that's OK? The 60 is printed from a Pink Petticoat monogram set, coloured flat with Copics and coated in Glamour Dust, I prefer to say it spangles rather than sparkles as it's a card for a chap!

The star mounts are Nestabilities and the little metal star is a WR Memory Keepers Grommet. It was pink and blue, but changed to red with the help of a ProMarker. It's the first time I've used a grommet (they came with the Big Bite) and I had to google the instructions on how to set one. It's a good job I did too. Added lots of 3-D foam to give this one some extra dimension.

And another reason to smile today, I won last weeks challenge over at Creative Inspirations! I've got a fabulous goodie bag of ribbons coming my way. Thanks so much Rach.

Might be back with more later, going to meet my crafting buddy Sue later on for lunch, got to smuggle her out of the office first though!

Victoria
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Copic Colour Challenge Guest DT Spot

This is what I created for my Guest DT spot over at Copic Colour Challenge:


R27, R29, R02, BG05, B05, BG01, Y15, Y08, Y02, E51, E22, C1, C3

I was thrilled to get the GDT spot but so worried when I got the colour combo through as these aren't my usual shades! The rest of the DT cards are brill.

Still a challenge is a challenge for a reason so I thought a kids card would be a great one for these colours. So I'm entering this in to the Allsorts Challenge this week as the theme is 'Something for the boys'.

Pirate Josh is available to download from the Digi Stamp Boutique, I love him! The patterned paper is American Crafts, I printed the sentiment on the PC and found the little square adhesive gems in my stash. Perfect match.



Yesterday went much better than I thought it would, thanks again for all your lovely comments and thoughts. Quite a few of us went up to my baby boys grave after the wake (my Husband's Gran) to put her flowers there. They are beautiful and so many of them too. Zac and Blake left a gorgeous little blue teddy bear for their big brother too.

We ended the day with a surprise visitor too - a frog hopped into our living room! We don't have a pond and nor do our neighbours so not sure if he lives close by or not.

Victoria
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Pink Elephant Sketch Challenge

I saw this sketch challenge and thought I could achieve a really clean and fresh look with it. Joanna Sheen is sponsoring this challenge over at Pink Elephant too.


Image Pink Petticoat, paper Doodlebug, brads, rub ons, Copics

I chose my patterned paper first and matched everything else with it. The brads are papermania I think! The image is from Pink Petticoats Big Fella collection. I liked the finished result so much that I made another one in blue as it's my husbands birthday soon and I always get stuck when it comes to making cards for him.



The boys have gone for their nap again and I have to confess I'm going for one today too. We didn't get much sleep last night at all and we had one of Zacs playmates around this morning so I don't have the energy for anything now!

I've had lots of questions about Blake - he's doing great thanks. A fab feeder, now weighing in at 9lbs 15oz! His big brother is really gentle with him and constantly wants to kiss him and stroke his hair. Here's a little pic of him admiring his Daddy:



Victoria
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Happy Birthday Little Guy

A special card fro my special little guy.


Nestabilities, Digi Boutique, Penny Black

My first child Flynn should be three years old today. I know I've mentioned him here before but for those of you who don't know, my little guy didn't make it. He died in my arms and my husbands when he was just two days old after suffering too many complications at birth. He was our perfect little guy. I won't go into details here, that's not what my blog is about but today can't go by without me doing something here to celebrate his short but complete and special life. He was the bravest little boy and just perfect.

On Tuesday it will be his third anniversary and on Wednesday I go into hospital to have his second little brother or sister. What a week. I'm so lucky to have Zac, Flynn's little brother who is making these days so much more bearable and helps me to smile.

I'm popping this card onto Dare U to Digi as their challenge is to emboss.

Hopefully my next post will be to share some lovely news with you all.

Victoria
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Party Animal

It's taken me a few days to post this one! The challenge at
this week is 'Party Animal'. I was going to use a Penny Black image I love but one of the DT had already used it so I opted for Fluffles instead:


Stampendous stamp, Copics, Nestabilities, Rub ons

Really simple card, just stamped and mounted on layers with a message.

I waddled down to toddler group this morning - glad I did as Zac had a great time playing in all the water and I got splashed too which was nice and cooling. One of my friends walked home with me to make sure I didn't pass out on the way in the heat, bless her.

My friend Sue came round after she finished work yesterday and gave me a lovely card and a carton of chocolate mini rolls - yum. Thanks Sue. You can see said very lovely card here.

Right I'm off for a big rest now whilst Zac naps. My Mum arrives later and I can't wait. Hope you all manage to stay cool somehow.

Victoria
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Delightful Download

Dawny's gone digital with this weeks challenge at Papertake. Was a good excuse for me to use this cute whale image from Pink Petticoat.


Image - Pink Petticoat, papers Doodlebug, Nestabilities

I must start with an apology for my lack of leaving comments with everyone else for the last few days. I've just been/ am too tired to do much at the moment, which I know isn't likely to improve! So I have been looking and admiring, just not leaving my usual comments.

This was a really quick card, image printed and shaded with Copics and mounted on nestabilities ovals (so glad I made the purchase!). I'm loving the blue wavy paper from Doodlebug, I wish they did it in more colour combinations. Finished with some rub ons and glitter gems.

So looking forward to Wednesday next week, my Mum is flying over from Spain to help look after me and Zac until Bubs arrives. I'm glad she's coming as she'll also be here to help me through some tough days I also have to face at the start of July.

Victoria
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