Penny Black Hedgies

Snow, snow and more snow - enough of the white stuff.

I love this hedgehog on snowball and it sums up things at the mo!!! I have made this for Incy's challenge over on do crafts along with the tissue holder which was very easy to make. It makes a lovely little stocking filler gift and hopefully will make a few more at the weekend. The backing paper is some old paper l found a few weeks ago and l think these colours work really well together. MS snowflake border punch and also stamped a few red flakes onto paper.

Wrap up warm and keep safe x Susan x

How time flies

I can't believe it is a month since l have been here. I must have been very busy lol. Christmas shopping almost done, just as well with all this snow. Tree up, cards made just need to decide who gets which card.

Have you all managed some craft time because of the snow????

On with the card. I made this card for the Tilda challenge over on do crafts earlier in the week. This Tilda is so cute with her antlers, l kept up the reindeer theme with the paper border at the bottom which is MME and the stripe paper is from the same range. I added a reindeer charm dangling from the flower but it is behind flower on back of card doh... The snowflakes are a MS punch, sentiment LOTV. Added lots of glitter and sparkle and some pearl around Tilda's neck.

Off for a stroll around blogland x Susan x

Sweet Little Milton

Hi everyone - hope you are all keeping wrapped up on this blustery day. I made this card for a challenge the very talented Teresa is hosing on Do Crafts - it is a sketch. I look at these and find them soooo difficult and whenever l layout different papers they always look a mess, so kept it simple.

The backing paper is from a paper stack last year - love the blues for xmas.

Then l put ink onto my CB folder added the white card and ran through CB. This leaves the snowfalkes white but colours the background - easy peasy. Used 2 different pieces of vellum but the snowfalkes did not show through on one piece so stamped some on in white ink.

Coloured Milton with copics and added flowersoft to hat. Added sparkle here and there.

Enjoy your day - whatever you are doing x Susan x

Hello - hope veryone has had a good day, l am finding my crafting very theraputic at the moment - just wish we had more daylight hours. As it is now dark l can't photo my card for today so l am showing a card l made earlier this week for the Tilda challenge l am hosting over on do crafts = all things chocolate. I made the card after l decided on the theme and did not realise l had some much choc stash.

The papers are delish and are from a pad l bought in America earlier in the summer. I coloured Tilda with distress ink and H 2 o's. Coloured a doily and hey presto - it all blends well.

Tomorrow my theme is floral. Off to do a bit of hopping now x Susan x

Not been around for a while again - l always have intentions of posting everyday and then life just gets in the way. Should have more time to craft soon as the bleakness off winter sets in, l have almost got allotment sorted for the winter with not much growing now.

On with the card.... This card is for a challenge on do crafts SS Challenge which was to use a animal stamp and a punch. The stamp is a Peachy Keen one l bought last year and never inked up - frightened myself by opening a box and there were so many stamps unused and waiting to be put away.

The image is coloured with distress inks and H 2 O's with a bit of flower soft on hat. The papers l think are Heidi Grace and are just gorgeous - my favourite ever xmas paper and l will have to see if l can get some more. I think this colour combo is beautiful and the biggest compliment ever came from Hubby today - his fav card ever!

Thanks for dropping by and off to do some catching up x Susan x

What a cracker

What has happened to the nice weather we were supposed to be having today? Was going to get out in the garden but stayed in and played instead. My card today is for a Tilda challenge over on do crafts hosted by Incy. The card had to be in the shape of a cracker. I seated Tilda on a giant Tilda bauble which l stamped on glitter paper then continued the bauble theme with the paper and stamped 2 baubles and embossed in white.

As this won't fit in an envelope l think l will use it as a decoration for the door of the cabin for our christmas holiday.

Hope you are all enjoying a crafting weekend x Susan x

Friday Feeling!

I have been on this computer for hours - my mouse is playing up and l think l will have to replace it. Thanks for the kind messages my legs are slowly getting better - the antibiotics are kicking in as my legs have bad infection in them and have never experienced anything like this before and hope never to again.

My cards - The blue christmas one, l love these stamps they are from a christmas set by butterfly kisses and the ticket is a pink gem desingns. I stamped snowflakes in the corners so simple to make but it is quite elegant if l say so myself!! She says blowing her trumpet lol x

The poppy card... well this started off as my challenge card on do crafts (floral) but l think l was supposed to use a printed image (whoops) I decided to get the brayer out to make a green background (adirondack- meadow) and used same ink for poppies along with adirondack red pepper. The poppy stamps are Lavinia (1st time using) that l have had for ages. Not my normal style but l thought (wrongly) that it fit the challenge.

Thanks for looking - yours in crafting x Susan x

Lovely Surprise Today

When l came home from the school run an enormous arrangement of flowers waiting for me on the doorstop. I had been having such a rubbish day - my legs are red raw and burning and l wondered if l had a reaction to the cream the doc gave me last week and resorted to ice packs last night. Anyway.... l have an infection in my legs and am on anti biotics (no alcohol for me for a week). My brother in laws funeral has been arranged for next tuesday so feeling rubbish. My link worker came for her monthly visit today and must have taken pity on me - bless her.

Sorry for rambling....... The card l made this for my challenge on do crafts PB the chall was to send a card to next on list. I have not used this image before - how sweet is she. I enjoyed making this card and was pleased with the result. Sarabee l hope you like it x

Off to check out some blogs while l have time - no tea for me yet, weigh in night at slimming club (put 2lb on last week but still lost over 2 stone)

x Susan x

Well autumn is definately here today, not seen the sun or any blue sky. My legs are on fire today and driving me nuts - had to go to docs last week before l scratched all my skin off, apparently l have bacteria of the hair follicle but am sure the cream is not doing the job right.

Anyway no more moaning life is too short. x

Today l am showing a card l made for the Forever Freinds challenge over on do crafts, the chall was ruby (colour) and diamonds (shape or glitter).

The backing paper is some l stroked in a box ages ago but could not remember the colour - but l think it fits perfectly. I coloured with distress inks and twinkling H 2 O's. Used my crop o dile which has not been out of the cupboard this year! Finished off with a bit of candy and glamour dust. Was not too sure at first but it is growing on me.

Happy blogging - l am off to catch up x Susan x

Catching up on xmas

Well today has been a bright sunny but cold day. think it has been better than the forecast. I don't seem to have got much done today just pottering around and spending too long on here as usual. I am just a little behind with the christmas cards now and having shut myself away last night managed to do 3. I am still using new stamps l bought at Harrogate and have still got quite a lot to go at. I love the set from Butterfly Kisses with the snowfalke background it is so pretty.

I have not done multiple uploads before so here goes.......... x Susan x

Such a sad day

My brother in law Jim passed away this morning after being for about 6 weeks. Hence todays card is the hardest one l have ever had to make in my life. When you struggle for words l said the ones that come from my heart to my sis in law - thinking of you.

Embosing folder swirls lightly chalked to tone with bazzill and a simple white bow.

I was so pleased that Jim was well enough to see the card l sent last week with the hugs.

All for now x Susan x

B is for Black

Hello - is there anyone there??? Do you wonder this too??? Hope you are all ok, Last night we went to see Thriller at the Alhambra here in Bradford and it was amazing. By far the best show l have ever been too - the whole cast were brilliant and l only wish l could go again tonight!!! Even my husband said he enjoyed it - now that is unusual.

On with the card - Angie over on do crafts is hosting the ABC colour challenge and it is B for Black and l think this card fits it well. It is for my lads 14th birthday and he loves footie, the image is a LOTV stamp and only requires minimum colouring, the backing paper is???from my stash. Embossed 14 on front added a bit of ribbon and there you have it.

Thanks for looking x Susan x

Christmas again !

Managing a card again - l am on a roll whoo hoo. I thought l was getting along nicely over on docrafts and almost catching up on the card a week for christmas until Snoflake told me l had missed wk 29, How did l do that???? Anyway to put things right l did another christmas card last night. I used another of my new stamps from Harrogate, This adorable stamp is called Deck The Horns and he is from Little Claire. I was not happy with it last night but it is growing on me - what do you think of it??? Happy crafting everyone x Susan x

Blue Monday

Hope you all had a good weekend. I have just spent ages looking at some of your lovely blogs that all my 'free time' is almost up, l can't leave the kids standing at the scholl gate now can l ???? On with the card - this is for my brother in law - l just struggle with mens card so kept it clean and simple, l hope he likes it.

The stamps l have used are from Stampin up and are very versatile l just stamped with diffferent shades of blue added a ribbon and sentiment and hey presto done in no time at all. Just need to remember to post it.

Thanks for taking the time to look at my blog and l appreciate you dropping by x Susan x

Tilda in frame

Happy weekend everyone, hope you are having a good one. Still not managing to update daily and have just spent ages catching up on some other blogs and thay are all looking good.

This card is for a do crafts challenge hosted by the lovely Tilda Queen - Teresa (craftingallday) it also covers snofalkes christmas challenge.

Now the boys are back at school and l am getting into a routine l made myself some free time to craft. The challenge was Tilda in a frame and l am not sure if l have got it right - l coloured with distress inks and H2 o's which l love to use when l have the time.

The sentiment is a WOJ

Papers Magnolia

Hope you like it x Susan x

Hello Bloggers, l am pleased to see a change in weather again, yesterday was awful and today sunshine. Thought l would need my wellies in the allotment this morning but it was not too bad. On with the card:-

This is a Penny Black stamp called Snowy - l think he is my favourite snowman. I am so far behind with snoflakes weekly christmas card challenge (29 when it should be 36) that l will be on christmas for a couple of weeks to catch up. This also fits Sarabees PB challenge blue & silver over on do crafts. The sentiment is from Stampin up. Hope you like it.

I bought so much stuff at Harrogate this weekend l am still trying to find place for it all and have loads to play with

Take care x Susan x

My last post went on ok but l am still a bit rusty. A couple of weeks should see me navigating around much easier and back into the blogging world!

My card for today is for my sister in law and her partner Jim who has a terminal illness. I sent it just to say hello and send them hugs and l am sure they will appreciate it.

Stamps - both penny black

Paper - stampin up and bazzill

Colour - copic.

Thanks for looking and l hope you like it x Susan x

Right here goes - not been on here for ages and not sure if l remember how this works.... I have not played for a long time and after going to the show at Harrogate this weekend and spending a fortune l found a bit of inspiration. I bought this gorgeous wreath stamp from Butterfly Kisses and just had to use this first there sample was stamped on vellum and was much prettier than mine but l am pleased with the result. Stamped three in a row and embossed on reverse for effect, think this stamp will be popular. Hope you like it, and thanks for taking the time to peep x Susan x

Photo from last post x

Just can not seem to keep up with a daily posting. Two cards to upload today - christmas again. How much christmas stuff dose a crafter need????? Loads lol.

The papermania bauble card is quick and easy. I used white bazzil textured card then inked the inside of folder and away you go. Just added glamour dust to the swirly bit, the base card l inked the same colour and then stamped with a gorgeous stamp it is a swirly snowflake from a set of stamps from elusive images a couple of years ago. The sentiment matches perfectly it is from a goody bag from craftwork cards l got ages ago.

The second card ... how sweet is Milton the bear in his santa hat. As soon as l saw this stamp l had to have it and l stamped him up straight away. Coloured with distress inks, lots of sparkle added, think l am going to send this card to .......me. Thank you for looking and for any comments you may like to leave x Susan x

Joined the GG challenge over on do crafts hosted by Irene. A lovely challenge - strawberries & cream or peached & cream, l came up with this creation but can't get on to do crafts to upload it. This is the first time l have used this stamp and decided to paper piece her dress with the strawberry paper by Magnolia, l also used a piece on left side of card. The other strawberry background l stamped using a WOJ strawberry stamp and a swirl then coloured, glittered and distressed. Not too sure on the card but it fits the challenge.

Hope you have all managed some craft time this weekend, take care x Susan x

Happy weekend everyone, yet again another hot day. Only two weeks to my hols and am now starting to count down.

Hope you are not all fed up with christmas.... almost caught up with snoflakes chall on do crafts, think l am only one week behind now. This Tilda has to be one of my favs, l have coloured here with distress inks and H2'0 s and added a touch of gold glamour dust.

Flowers... Prima calypso, doily spritzed, small punched holly, card candy, The red backing paper is gorgeous foiled embossed holly. Thanks for looking and for any comments you may leave. Happy a fun weekend x Susan x

Don't know what happened to photo - trying again

Good evening Bloggers!!! Thanks for dropping by hope you are all managing some crafty time. I don't want to revisit my day so on with the card,
I am still catching up on christmas cards on the challenge over on do crafts, l made this one last night using another Penny Black stamp - how sweet is the little mousie (l so hate the real thing), punched a few snowflakes and hey presto - job done.
Thanks for taking the time to look and for any comments you may leave x Susan x

What has your weather been like today??? Not too good here in Birkenshaw today - dull, showers and not too warm - perfect for tidying up a few crafty things. Decided to tidy some ribbons and did not realise how many pink ones l have. My craft table is now unusually tidy so will have to put that right and mess it up again or l won't be able to find anything.

The card.... l made this last night for my lads friend at school - Mel, she is 15 today and she loved the card. I used Kanban cake stamps from a set l bought a while ago and had not used, l coloured them with distress inks and added glamour dust and just kept it simple - l think they look ok and will be using them again soon. The papers and ribbon are the new stampin up colours that l bought in a share offer and l stamped her name from some CD stamps l bought years ago and again never used.

I think l should challenge myself to use something l have not used before each day and see how long it lasts for - could be a year or so lol...

Take care and happy crafting x Susan x

I was lucky to have a fairly relaxing weekend just pottering around and running kids to there various activities. The wind kept me indoors yesterday for a change. Another card to catch up with Snoflakes Christmas card challenge over on do crafts site. The stamp is a penny black coloured with H2 0's, sentiment stamp from butterfly kisses. The background has been through with cuttlebug with ink in the folder - l learnt this lovely effective technique last week (thanks Liz) and am sure l will be using it again. Nearly caught up so only 2 more christmas cards this week!!!

Hope you have all had a crafty weekend, thank you for popping in and for any comments you leave, x Susan x

Im Back!!!

I have not been here for weeks as l have been so busy with all that life throws at me. The allotment is taking priority at the mo and l am starting the reap the fruits of my labour. Today l am posting a card l made a couple of weeks ago for a mum to be., then dashing off to catch up on a couple of chaleenges l am running late on. Thanks for looking and any comments you leave are appreciated x Susan x

What a scorcher this weekend has been - far too hot to sit out in. Never happy are we? I am just posting very quickly as time at a premium at the mo. This card was going to be for Magnolia challenge but just not enough time this week to craft and going away tomorrow for a week to Scotland and not even packed yet and cleaning to do.

Paper - Magnolia & Bazzill

Coloured with copics (still practicing)

Sentiment not showing clearly but says - A Fairy Wish for You

Thanks for looking and happy crafting x Susan x

What a gorgeous day here in Birkenshaw. Have been sitting in the garden in me t shirt so here is my card snow............ This card is for wk 20 Snoflake challenge on DC. This stamp was a bargain 2.49 from Dunelm Mills a month or so ago. Off to a craft class now, we are using shrink plastic today, l love it - easily pleased thats me lol.

Stamp - Hampton Arts - Frosty, sentiment LOTV

Papers - Dovecraft & Bazzill

Happy crafting x Susan x

Good morning all in blogland... what is happening with this weather? it started off bright and sunny and now the rain has arrived, well at least it will do the garden some good.

Todays card has to be my fav stamp, this hedgie is so cute. I am entering this card in Penny Black saturday challenge which is flowers - think l have added plenty also for docrafts PB Chall which is a baby card without using blue or pink.

Stamps - PB Baby Hammock & sentiment WOJ

Papers Bazzil & craftwork cards (the foiled dots are delish)

Puncheds - various

Hope you all manage a spot of crafting today x Susan x

http://pennybfriendssaturdaychallenge.blogspot.com

Done it at last - l have been trying for a week to add magnolia banner to my blog and failed every time but at last hooray. Today l am adding a gift l made for my sister in law, she has always remembered every birthday, anniversary and occasion and sent cards but money istight so l have made her this set of Just to say cards and a box and will put a little book of postage stamps in for her too.

I used my new stampin up stamps and love them, two different sets that go together very well. Quick to make too, hope she likes them.

Today is a beautiful day and spent lots of time in the allotment and garden at home so l deserve some crafting time. Take care eveyone x Susan x

Summer on its way!!!

At last l think it is on the way, after a few cold nights and slight frost it is starting to warm up (fingers crossed) have been spending time this week helping out with my little ones- Esther has not been well and is due to go back into hospital next week for an op.

Also been working hard in my allotment and card making has been neglected, must sort that out.

This is a card l made for yet again a do craft challenge - Gorjuss Girl pass it forward, a lovely idea from Kay (Incy). my card went to Maureen (Cakelady)

Cuttlebug folder distress inked on reverse - just love the effect, l took the idea from craft stamper.

K & Co papers & Bazzill

Stamps - Gorjuss Girl & Stampin up flowers, sentiment Lili of Valley

Colouring - distress inks.

Butterfly punch - woodware.

Enjoy your weekend everyone.

Good morning everyone. What a miserable monday here in Birkenshaw, cold and wet. The card l am posting today is for a customer and l almost forgot to make it after being so busy this weekend trying to work out how to add the gorgeous banner at the top of my blog that the lovely Angie over on do crafts made for me, she is so talented thanks Angie.

WOJ Willow with shopping bags coloured with distress inks (no time for H20's)

My minds eye papers.

Sentiment craft work cards (from a goody bag)

Flowers Prima & wild orchid crafts.

Have a good day x Susan x

Tilda Christmas

Happy Sunday to all out there. Still struggling to get the hand of this blogging lark but with a lot of help from my lovely do craft friends l should get there (hopefully) I made this card yesterday with the intentions of entering it into the Just Magnolia Challenge. The challenge is for 2 Magnolia images, l have used this lovely Tilda and bench

Papers - Magnolia & co-ordinations

Flowers - Prima

Colouring - distress inks and H20's

Punched snowflakes

Thank you for stopping by. x Susan x

Penny Black Saturday Challenge

Good afternoon callers, l can not believe how cold it is today, freezingggg. I have made a list of the cards l want to do in the next few days and am pacing myself. I am on the comp l bought at christmas and have not properly worked out how to load pics to this one yet so it has been trial and error... lots of errors. Anyway here goes - todays card l have made for the saturday penny black challenge, (sorry don't know how to link words yet).

The challenge is a sketch and then a blog hop. I love this cute hedgie in poppy fields.

Coloured with distress inks and H20's

Papers - My Minds Eye.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend and thanks for stopping by.

Susan x ....Note to Helen l want my circles back!!!

Esthers card

Good morning everyone. Have so much to catch up after the birth of my grandaughter on Monday. Esther made a very quick arrival at hospital just giving Helen 24 mins to get herself ready for the birth. She is gorgeous and both are doing very well, they have been reunited with little Isaac back at home and John will be very busy!!!

This is the card l made ready on sunday, just in time lol. It is also for the PB challenge over on do crafts and l am going to try enter the PB saturday challenge as well, first time entering any other challenge as l have only done do crafts.

PB image Baby Hammock

Distress inks & h2'os

MS flower punch & lace doily. xcut small flower. Butterfly punch

Bazzill & DP by Kaisercraft.

Pearls & ribbon from stash.

Thank you for dropping by, please leave a comment so l know you called x Susan x

Baby on way!!

Hopefully our new grandaughter will be here today. Been on stanby for a while now anfd the pains have started at last.

Bank holiday Monday today, breezy but bright. Onto my card for today - again a docrafts challenge this time a Tilda. Had to be citrus colours and l had some out already for my forever friends card so am feeling fruity lol. This is the first time l have used this gorgeous new Tilda.

Coloured with distress inks and H2'os added glamour dust and stickles.

Paper Magnolia vanilla dots

Is'nt it amazing when you start looking through your stash what you find???

Thank you for visiting - please leave a comment so l know you have passed by. x Susan x

Good morning everyone. Still on standby for baby.... So onto Sunday, it is dry but cold today so a bit of crafting and thne onto the garden.

My card for today is a do craft challenge again. As my previous 2 cards are forever friends l thought l would join in the FF challenge which was grenn/yellow a ribbon and buttons. This image is the last of the 3 l bought over at the glitterpot for half price. Green is not a colour l use as main colour but was quite pleased with the result. Hope you like it too.

Happy Sunday x Susan x

Hello to all crafty bloggers out there, I am just enjoying a few hours to my self so decided to finish off my card for the floral challenge over on do crafts site and l can't believe l stuck it down the wrong way so l had to cut it off and turn it into an easel card. These stamps are from a Kay Carley set and the are gorgeous. I inked the background using distress inks and stamped an image on there too. The challenge was to use an oval, have ribbon and butterflies. Enjoy the Bank Holiday, stay home and craft and avoid the busy roads!! x Susan x

Friday Feeling

Winding down for the weekend .... l wish, we have a grandaughter due any day now so all jobs upto date and on standby. I am a bit behind with my crafting but these things happen. Just caught up on do crafts snoflake challenge, l bought these gorgeous forever friends bear stamps from the sale at glitterpot (half price) and will be using these for our grandchildrens cards. I coloured the images with distress inks and twinkling h2O's and added the essential glamour dust, l don't feel my cards are complete without it. Hope you all enjoy the long weekend, happy crafting x Susan x

Tilda Challenge

I have made this card for the Tilda Challenge over on do crafts. The challenge was purple & green, spots and a ribbon. The paper is Magnolia Blueberries but they look purple and match Tilda's dress perfectly. Not much green leaves on blueberries and punched leaves, wires and ribbon on the spoon. This is the second time of using my copics in one week, they have previously been sat on the shelf for over 6 months collecting dust. Still need lots of practice with these.

Thank you for looking and enjoy the day whatever you are doing. x Susan x

Oh What A Beautiful Day

The sun is shining, the dust is sparkling and the inspiration is flowing. For today l have used my Kay Karley stamps that l bought a month or so ago. I made the backgrounds using distress inks and stamping the swirls from the same set. The flowers are coloured with copics, l think l need to use these more otherwise they will be a bad spend - maybe l need some more colours to see how they work together. Stickles around main image and glamour dust on small flowers. The sentiment was from a free set on a Creativity mag.

Thanks for stopping by x Susan x

Happy Tuesday

The sun is shining, this is day 2 of blogging and l have an amazing 21 followers, thank you for joining me and l hope you enjoy dropping in from time to time. I have joined most of your blogs too and will work out the ones l have not got around to yet and will be joining you soon!!

Today l am sharing a very quick card. I have used bazzill swiss dot for the backing and doodlebug dots. The bear image is a Milton stamp and is adorable and no colouring required on this one. The flowers are punches - MS and small x-cut. Sentiment is WOJ. Thank you for looking and happy crafting x Susan x

This is a card l did some time ago for a do crafts challenge and am using it as my test to upload to my blog... hope it has worked

This is a test to see if l can upload an image and post text x Susan x

I am finding this difficult and think it may take some time to set up properly.