New Year New Focus

 So, I wasn't sure whether to continue with my blog or not - I just don't get the time lately to make cards, and I'm also trying out other crafts, so my focus has shifted a bit. But - I got some 'stuff' for Christmas which is a shame not to use, and I've also had a mad idea of doing some running exercise this year and trying for the 'couch to 5K' challenge.

To keep a record of my journey/progress, I have upcycled a notebook I picked up for free at a jobs fair...

What I used:

Number dies -     Stephanie Weightman

Coloured/mirri card -     from stash

Title -     created in Publisher using Copperplate Gothic font

Silver dots -     peel-offs

I'm playing along with the challenges at:

Love to Craft Challenge #84 - AG

Time Out Challenge #279 - Beginnings

Just Us Girls #756 - AG/use dies

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge #746 - AG

Crafting Happiness #207 - AG

Thanks for visiting - happy crafting in 2025!

Sharon

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Lucy is Sweet 16

It's Monday which means there is a new challenge at Dream Valley Challenges ...

This week we don't have a sponsor so the challenge is just for fun. The theme is:

ANYTHING GOES

As always the design team have come up with some inspiration to get your creative juices flowing - here's my card:

I needed to create a card for my Niece, Lucy, who turns 16 this week. She's a very girly girl - loves everything pink, pretty and sparkly. I kept the design layout simple but added fancy touches with the scalloped die and the sparkly gems. I love these NitWits papers - so pretty! 

What I used:

Papers - NitWits

Gems - from stash

Scalloped die - Spellbinders

Number dies - Stephanie Weightman 

Greeting - Copperplate font

I'm entering this card into the challenges at:

A Cut Above (August) - AG with a die cut

Daring Cardmakers - Lucky numbers

Try It On Tuesday - Make it feminine

Creative Fingers #283 - AG

Paper Minutes - Birthday

Creative Friday #366 - Square

Crafty Calendar August - AG

So have a pop over at the Dream Valley Challenge Blog to see some more lovely inspiration from my teamies on the design team and have a chance at winning a prize.

Thanks for visiting

Sharon

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Big 5-0

It's Monday which means there is a new challenge at Dream Valley Challenges ...

This week we are being sponsored by Hetty Clare who has kindly provided images for us to use. This week's challenge is:

Two or more patterned papers

Unfortunately I am waiting for a new printer to arrive so I had the extra challenge of not being able to print!!

As always the design team have come up with some inspiration to get your creative juices flowing - here's my card:

What I used:

Patterned papers - Grunge Basics by Craft Sensations

Silver Mirri Card - from stash

Silver vellum - from stash

Number dies - Tattered Lace

Happy Birthday die - Sue Wilson

I'm entering this card into the challenges at:

Creative Fingers #269 - AG

Unicorn Challenge #94 - Birthday

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #222 - AG

Make My Monday #217 - Happy Birthday

Pammie's Inky Pinkies #2403 - AG

So have a pop over at the Dream Valley Challenge Blog to see some more lovely inspiration from my teamies on the design team and have a chance at winning a prize.

Thanks for visiting

Sharon

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Rainbow 50th Birthday

A quick CAS 50th birthday card for a friend from work...

 

Patterned paper - Papermania

Happy Birthday die - The Works

Number dies - unbranded

Embossing folder - Jellybean Crafts

I'm playing along with the current challenges at:

Pammie's Inky Pinkies #2223 - AG

Alphabet Challenge - E is for embossing

Through The Craftroom Door (7/6) - AG

Crafter's Cafe #285 - sports or stripes

Thanks for visiting

Sharon

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40th Birthday Bling

It's Monday which means there is a new challenge at Dream Valley Challenges ...

This week the theme is:

Add some bling

As always the design team have come up with some inspiration to get your creative juices flowing - here's my card:

What I used:

Number Dies - Tattered Lace

Greeting die - Crafts Too

Patterned paper - the Range

Corner dies - Wish

Vellum

Gems - Home Bargains

I'm entering this card into the challenges at:

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #177 - anything goes

A Perfect Time To Craft - March challenge

Fab N Funky #546 - dies or stencils

Creative Fingers #226 - anything goes

Time Out Challenge #208 - Birthdays (Happy 8th Birthday!)

So have a pop over at the Dream Valley Challenge Blog to see some more lovely inspiration from my teamies on the design team and have a chance at winning a prize.

Thanks for visiting

Sharon

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Fancy Die-cut Floral 70th Birthday Card

Yesterday was my Mam's 70th Birthday so I can now share the card I made for her - I went for a sunny shade of yellow to brighten up a day with very dull and dreary weather...

What I used:

The fancy dies - very old set from Spellbinders

Number/circle dies - unbranded

Linen card - The Range

Pearls - The Range

Greeting - Paper Flowers font

The yellow was much brighter in daylight - it looks almost a mustard shade in the photo. My Mam loved it and it really stood out!

I'm playing along with the following challenges

613 Avenue Create - AG (January)

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #173 - AG

Unicorn Challenge #72 - lots of layers

Pammie's Inky Pinkies #2202 - AG

Cut It Up Challenge #242 - birthday cards

A Perfect Time To Craft #1-2022 - AG

Thanks for visiting - stay safe

Sharon

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Fabulous 40th

 One of my lovely work colleagues is celebrating her 40th Birthday this week - we share the same birthday - so I've made her something a bit more adventurous than my usual cards...

It's my take on a stepper card - the first one I've made from scratch. A lot of lessons were learned here but once you get the measurements right the rest is a doddle. In hindsight I should have made the side 'steps' a bit taller - there's another step the same size as the front step behind the balloon step.

Still - I'm very happy with the result. I used:

Black and white polka dot patterned paper mounted on black card

3 shades of pink glitter card

Unbranded balloon dies

Spellbinders Lacy Circle dies

Gemini 'Celebrate' greeting die

I'm playing along with the challenges at:

Alphabet Challenge - X is for extra folds

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #152 - anything goes

Inspired By... - take a number

Time Out Challenge - birthday card

As You Like It Challenge - favourite reason to send a card. I always enjoy making and sending 'big birthday' cards - there's something about having a number on a card that takes people back to their childhood. Even for random birthdays like 27th! Also, I seem to collect number dies and it's a great opportunity to use them!

Thanks for visiting

Sharon

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Star Embossed 21st

Today's card is for a work colleague to give to her Grandson for his 21st birthday - the brief was to make something in navy and aqua - the colours of his Sunday morning football team!

I've used a navy card base with aqua star embossed card with white matting. The silver star has also been embossed with a random square folder, Finally I've added die cut navy numbers and a wavy line die under the star.

I'm playing along with the challenges at:

Creatilicious Challenges #181 - AG with embossing
Allsorts Challenge #559 - dies or punches
Watercooler Wednesdays #258 - all about occasions
A Place To Start - Feb - masculine card
Crafty Calendar February - use dies or punches

Thanks for visiting

Sharon
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Amy's 18th

I've been making cards for my best friend's daughter since she was a little girl - I can't believe she is now turning 18...

The cute digi is Party Phoebe by Digistamp Boutique and I've paper-pieced her dress to match one of the Dovecraft Piece of Cake backing papers.

I've added die-cut numbers and some copper coloured flat-backed pearls as embellishments.

I'm playing along with the challenges at:

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends #125 - anything goes
Paper Shelter #412 - use a digital image
A Bit More Time To Craft #109 - anything goes
Crafters Cafe Challenge #235 - anything goes
A Gem of a Challenge wk 3 - anything goes

Thanks for visiting

Sharon
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Masculine 40th

It's my partner's brother's 40th in a couple of weeks time and I wanted to make something special without it looking fussy.

So I've gone for texture - a lot of it - in shades of charcoal. The background paper is actually a piece of very expensive wallpaper. the other two black and white papers are from The Range.

I've used linen textured silver paper for the matting and added a die-cut greeting in shiny white card.

I'm playing along with the challenges at:

Daring Cardmakers - layer it up
Creative Fingers #178 - anything goes
Creative Knockouts - birthday wishes
Krafty Chicks #492 - anything goes
Little Red Wagon - aw, man!

Thanks for visiting...

Sharon
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Lovely Bubbly Birthday !

Today's card was a request from a friend at work - to make an 18th birthday card based upon a card she had seen in Clinton's card shop..

So I took the main elements: the vellum balloons, the present and the champagne glass and created this:

I used a lovely stripe embossed card for the base card and used various dies to make the tiny parcel embellishments for the elements. The balloons and champagne glass are also die-cut and I've added loads of tiny gems to add some girly sparkle.

I'm entering this card into the challenges at:

Crafty Challenge Calendar - cute and girly
Creative Fingers #175 - anything goes
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge #536 - make embellishments
Southern Girls Challenge - anything goes
Craft Rocket Challenge #65 - happy birthday
Crafting With An Attitude #57 - anything goes
Little Red Wagon Challenge #524 - you say it's your birthday

Thanks for visiting

Sharon
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CASE-ed 21st Card

Back to card making after a three week break with relaxing holidays in Bulgaria and Marrakech - I've a couple of special orders to make then I'm in full Christmas card mode!

I was inspired to make today's card after finding a card using the same stamp by Donna at Donna's Doodles (sadly no longer posting):

I loved the layout of this card which I have kept but I've changed the colours, the background die to a circle, the position of the greeting and the Card Candy placement.

I have had this old Woodware '21st' stamp for about 5 years - I've coloured with vivid blue and lime green pro-markers, then carefully fussy cut. The patterned backing papers are from a DCWV  pad and I've added a greeting created on the computer in Publisher.

Finally, to make the numbers really stand out I've added some Card Candy, also coloured with the same pro-markers and attached with foam pads.

This card is soooo bright!!

I'm playing along with the challenges at :

Retro Rubber #120 - anything goes
The House That Stamps Built DCC 0219- circles
A Perfect Time To Craft - anything goes
The Paper Shelter #400 - let's celebrate 400 challenges
Addicted to Stamps #361 - anything goes
Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday - October Challenge

Thanks for visiting

Sharon
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Star-themed 21st Birthday Card

I was asked to make an un-fussy birthday card for the grandson of a colleague at work for his 21st birthday and I turned to my collection of dies and embossing folders for inspiration...

The star embossing folder inspired me to use a star as background for the die-cut numbers. I added the swirly lines die behind the mirri star and a simple greeting created in Publisher.

It was very simple to make but the heavy embossing and shiny star make it look 'special'.

I'm playing along with the challenges at:

Arty Divas Challenge #2 - anything goes
Creative Knockouts Challenge #311 - sparkle and shine
Southern Girls Challenge - masculine TOP PICK
Allsorts Challenge #532/3 - sun/moon/stars/baby TOP 5
Dragonfly Dreams Challenge August - no patterned paper

Thanks for visiting

Sharon
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Another 70th Birthday

A quick share today - another 70th birthday card for a friend to give her Mam...

I've kept the design simple but used pretty floral papers (Papermania) and intricate corner dies to add some interest.

I'm playing along with the challenges at:

Crafty Sentiments - anything goes
Die Cuttin' Divas #431 - anything goes
Inkspirational #192 - fold (easel fold card)
2 Sisters On The Blog #29 - for a lady
Lil Patch Of Crafty Friends #110 - anything goes

Thanks for visiting

Sharon
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Gran's 70th Birthday

Today's card is for a friend's children to give to their Gran on her 70th Birthday.

I've used a variety of fancy dies and some lovely papers from a pad from The Range. I've created the greeting in Microsoft Publisher using KG Be Still and Know font and added a few flat-backed pearls as embellishments. All the layers have been mounted using foam pads to add depth.

I'm entering this card into the challenges at:

Crafty Friends #114 - use 2 or more patterned papers
Love To Craft #36 - July AG
A Bit More Time To Craft #96 - AG
Creative Inspirations - July AG
Brown Sugar #291 - AG
Simply Create Too #151 - AG + patterned paper

Thanks for visiting

Sharon
x

Simple 50th

So I'm back in the craft room after a lovely relaxing holiday in Mexico - Puerto Vallarta is becoming our second home!

I needed a 50th birthday card for a friend at work and I've obviously left my mojo sunbathing as I couldn't manage any more than this billy basic card...

I'm really struggling with inspiration at the moment! It looks quite pretty in real life - I've used sparkly patterned scraps from my bits box - but it's just boring!

I'm entering this card into the challenges at:

Pixie's Snippets Challenge #347 - use snippets
Creative Fingers #159 - anything goes
A Perfect Time To Craft #3 - anything goes

thanks for visiting

Sharon
x

Party Chris

A strange request to start the year - a 21st card for a young lady who loves Chris Hemsworth...

Well being the boring fart that I am, I had to Google who he was!! I then came across this fab pencil drawing effect image of him through Google images, printed and framed it then added a quirky birthday hat and random stars. The numbers are die-cut and I've added a computer generated sentiment (I believe it's 'Mountains of Christmas' font)

What else could I have done with such a bizarre request?? I thinks it's a fun card and the recipient won't have anything else like it!

I'm entering this card into the challenges at:

Crafty Sentiments Challenge - anything goes
Creative Moments Challenge #160 - anything goes
Watercooler Wednesdays - All about occasions WATERCOOLER ROCKER
Dream Valley Challenges #193 - anything goes
Crafting From The Heart #234 - anything goes TEAM FAVOURITE
Get Creative Challenge #76 - anything goes

Thanks for popping in

Sharon
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Stripy Sixteenth

I'm back in the craft room today after a lovely holiday in Tunisia - nothing like an all-inclusive break in a beautiful hotel to get my mojo back!

Today's card is a last minute make for a neighbour to give to her grandson...

I used grey textured card for the base and added a wide strip of grey and whited striped patterned paper with a black border. I die-cut and matted some stars and added the die-cut numbers for the age of the birthday boy. The greeting was created in Publisher and I added some black gems to the points of the star.

I'm entering this card into the challenges at:

Watercooler Wednesdays - masculine anything goes
The Corrosive Challenge #9 - anything goes
Crafting By Designs - you're the man
Avenue 613 Create - anything goes / CAS
Craft Rocket Challenges #52 - boys or men
Lil Patch Of Crafty Friends #90 - anything goes
Crazy 4 Challenges #453 - cards with a number

Thanks for visiting

Sharon
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