Allsorts Challenge 469

It is saturday again and that can only mean the start of the new challenge over at Allsorts.  This week my lovely teamie Tracy M is the host and she has chosen

Bugs, Bees, Butterflies & Insects

Check out what my lovely teamies have to share with you here along with all the challenge details. I had a few choices of stamps but went for a new one that has been sitting on my desk a few weeks.....along with several other stamps.

Stamps by Sheena Douglass

White embossing powder

Aquatints & distress ink

I stamped the cow parsley in clear ink and embossed with white powder.

Added a light wash over with an aquatint colour, distressed around the edge when it was completely dry.

Aquatints direct to butterfly stamp, dried & pulled in colour.

Added a ribbon band and bow and a little gem in centre

We have a lovely stamp sheet from Rare Earth Stamps for one lucky winner.
 

Whats happening in the garden this week?????
With the daffodils finished and the tulips almost done it is time for the alliums to shine. Lots of perennials are shooting up and hopefully will cover the foliage from the spring bulbs.  The forget me nots have been splendid but are almost ready for pulling out. For next year l have decided to plant more Queen of the Night tulips (dark purple) along with white tulips and more alliums - can't wait for the garden centre to get them in. My giant sunflowers are ready to go in but hubby says they can't go in the border.....watch this space lol.

This is what the border was like 16 months ago, a massive hole and not a single plant. Seeding the lawn has been difficult but we are getting there. The trees are down too and it opens the area up lovely.

Hope to see you over on the challenge x Susan x

Allsorts 468

It is saturday again and this week is a special one as it is our 9th Birthday over at  Allsorts.  and we have lots of lovely prizes in celebration. The theme this week is......

Happy Birthday

Check out what my lovely teamies have to share with you here along with all the challenge details.

Stamp Sunflower by Sheena Douglass

Aquatints

Glamour dust

This is the lovely prizes up for grabs ........that's right 9 prizes


Looks like we are in for a glorious weekend of sunshine, the grass was cut yesterday and all is looking beautiful in the garden, the blossom trees are shedding it like confetti so l could close my eyes and dream l am at the Royal Wedding, so a nice relaxing day (for a change) and maybe a bit of crafting later.

Hope to see you over on the challenge to celebrate Allsorts 9th Birthday x Susan x

Allsorts Challenge 467

It is saturday again and that can only mean the start of the new challenge over at Allsorts.  This week it is my turn to host and l have chosen.....

In The Pink

I want to see predominantly Pink, Check out what my lovely teamies have to share with you here along with all the challenge details.

Stamp by Sugar Nellie

Distress Ink

Coloured with Copics & Prisma pencils

Martha Stewart punches to create frame

Stickles & Glamour dust

I think l have only used these punches once before but they make a lovely shape so you will be seeing it again, l have another set like a fan shape that l have also only used once before. 

We have been generously sponsored by Stamp Addicts with a voucher for one lucky winner.

Next week Allsorts will be celebrating 9 years of challenges and we have some fantastic prizes, spread the word and take the banner

Hope to see you over on the challenge x Susan x

May Penny Black & More Challenge

Hello my lovely crafty friends. The first sunday of May is here so time for the new challenge over at Penny Black & More @ Allsorts and this month the challenge is

Anything Goes

The Design Team have been hard at work with their Penny Blacks and have some gorgeous inspiration to share with you over on the challenge blog here along with all the details.  You can use any brand of stamp except digi (NO DIGI IMAGES), the focal point of your project must be stamped to be in with a chance of winning one of our fabulous prizes. One lucky winner using a Penny Black stamp will be chosen to be a Guest Designer on a future challenge.

Stamps Penny Black 4155L Flower Amongst Flowers

Die Penny Black Flicker & Flutter

Aquatints & Sparkle Pens

Gems

We have been generously sponsored by....

Penny Black 

Crafts U Love

Another glorious day here so as the grandchildren are here for a stay we are heading south to the Highland Zoo and hoping for a glimpse of Hamish the new baby polar bear, we are taking a picnic and making a day off it.

Thank you for stopping by and for your comments x Susan x 

Allsorts Challenge 466

It is saturday again and that can only mean the start of the new challenge over at Allsorts.  This week my lovely teamie Mervi is the host and she has chosen

Fancy Folds

Check out what my lovely teamies have to share with you here along with all the challenge details.
As l have an old pack of gate fold cards it made sense to use one of them. I decided to go all out with the inks for this one, be gentle as still practising. I used drawing gum for the first time - just wish l had more time to play.

Stamps by Sheena & CC & Stampin Up

Sparkle pens & Aquatints

Gold embossing powder

We have been generously sponsored by DigiStamp Boutique

Looks like we are in for a lovely weekend, we have the 3 grandchildren staying with us for 5 days while parents having a break in London so it is a bit hectic hereas school is having a long weekend (Fri & Mon). With the dry weather at least they can play in  the garden, you can see Esther & Rosie at bottom of the border.  Here is a picture of the long border l created last year, when we moved in there was not a single flower here just a massive hole the previous owners dug to create a sunken garden then dumped rubbish in it !It cost a fortune to have it filled, l planted some perennials and 1000 + spring bulbs - most of them here. My dining room is currently full of seedlings and getting bigger every day.

Hope to see you over on the challenge x Susan x