My lovely followers

Friday 27 February 2015

Happy Candy Draw results - It's you Pauline!!

Hi All

Thank you so much to everyone who entered my 

Happy Candy Draw


I really enjoyed reading the happy comments you all left
and visiting all your lovely blogs
I now have some lovely new blog friends too

So all in all my happy candy brought me more happiness!!

I'll have to do it again

But now for the all important winner
drum roll.....

Drawn at Random number Generator.com

Random number generation / Random Numbers

Generate a random number between  and   = 7   


That's you Pauline!!

So email me within in the week Pauline and my happy candy is yours

hugs 
Judith xx




Come and share my Happy Candy


Good morning all

Today is a "Happy Day!!"

....for all sorts of reasons : )

I celebrated my 3rd blogaversary in January
its February!
I tidied up my blog and feel happy blogging!
I just won Kate's WRS candy at her Downright Crafty blog! 
I won three other challenge prizes this week and I love them all!
I just bought some lovely fluffy angora wool in a sale to knit a gorgeous cardi!
I've just walked along the beach with my dog and it's my favorite place!
I have lovely friends and family!
I love my dog!
the sun is shining....

ha ha - it doesn't take much to make me happy

So I decided to share the happiness with some candy to celebrate


The candy includes

Ity bitty bow dies - by Sue Wilson for Creative Expressions
Heart Circle nestability dies - Spellbinders
"Happy Day" paper pad from MME
Selections of WOC flowers, charms, mdf frames and gems
American crafts ribbons 
Lily Rose clear stamp set and matching papers -(I got these free with a magazine and when I opened it there were two sets - so now they can make you happy too!)
and a surprise!!

To enter my candy

You must be or become a follower of my blog with Google friend Connect
and add your link to the linky below
you don't have to post a link to your side bar - but you can if it makes you happy : )

I will post worldwide so all are welcome

You have until 5pm Friday 27th February to enter - I  will draw the winner at random and announce it on my blog that evening

Hope you'll join in and spread the happiness
- oh and if you're happy today - tell me xx

Happy hugs 

Judith : )))



Thursday 26 February 2015

Football bears! - show us some sport at MAWT this week

Good morning all

Hope you're having a great week - I've had such a busy time this last week and yesterday I just got myself something else to take up lots of my time - though it will be great when it's all done!!

My youngest son Tom has severe physical disabilities and although he can speak and we have no problem understanding him at home, his speech can be slow and sometimes hard to understand especially in a large environment.  He has been waiting for a while now to get an "eyegaze" communication aid - this will help him hugely especially with his Uni work when he has to do presentations and generally speak out at uni.  - Well it finally arrived yesterday and we had a whole team come to set it up!  Bars to mount it on his power chair, another guy giving some basic training on how it works and a speech therapist - just because that's what speech therapists do!! - For those who haven't got a clue what I'm talking about  - think Dr Stephen Hawkins operating a speech aid with his eyes - that's what we're talking here!! - technology is a wonderful thing ....sometimes
There's a huge amount of work to do to set it up to his requirements and that 's mostly my job I think, but I used to  devise training programs for new computer sytems when I worked in staff training a few years ago- so I sort of know where to start - but I think it will keep me busy for a while - 
so if I'm missing for a while I'm on a computer - just not this one!!

But in the meantime .....Its a time for a new challenge over at

Moving Along with the Times 

and our theme this week is 

Show us some sport

I chose a cute little image from

I really enjoyed making this card -very straightforward and fairly CAS - it's a birthday card for my nephew - who is a total Newcastle United nut! - so of course it must be black and white. I cut the happy birthday die cut twice (once black and once white) and layered them to create a shadow
 -that's probably the most complicated part of the whole card
  I think its a bit of a - says what it is on the tin card lol
football - birthday - black and white
that's it - no more to say!!

There's only a couple of days now to enter my happy candy - so if you want to join in here's the link
HERE

Here's what I did....

Image - Crafters Companion Mulberry Wood - Champion
Papers - happy - from MME Vintage
Coloured with copics and Spectrum noir pencils
Gems and Ribbon from my stash
Birthday die - tonic
Glitter glue - stickles


Hope we see you with your sporty cards over at MAWTT this week

Challenges I'm entering with this card

Crafty ribbons - Black n White
Seize the birthday - masculine birthday

Hugs
Judith xx


Wednesday 25 February 2015

Let's see your snowflakes over at Fab'n'Funky Challenges this week

Good morning blog friends

I hope you're all well this morning

It's another Wednesday and time for another challenge at 

Fab'n'Funky Challenges

and this week our lovely Pat has chosen the theme 

***Let's see some Snowflakes***

can you believe another month has gone by
 and as usual our last challenge of the month
is a Christmas one

I used one of my favourite digi images for this card
together with my favourite snowflake border die
it's a lovely big 8x8 inch card


This cute image is Snowman hold my heart from Crissy Armstrong
I don't think it's available anymore since Whimsy stamps stopped their digital sales this year due to the new VAT rules
 - such a shame

Our lovely sponsor this week is the fabulous 

Bunny Zoe's crafts

gif maker

who are offering a prize of


How good is that!

There's only acouple of days left to enter my Happy candy draw
just follow the link HERE
This is what I did....

Image - Snowman hold my heart by Crissy Armstrong
Coloured with copics and spectrum noir pencils
Papers and dome stickers - 12 days of Christmas from docrafts
Die cuts - large snowflake - Memory box Bianca Snowflake
                Border - Snowflake border from Whimsy Stamps
                Heart die - Memory box
                Merry Christmas - Britannia dies
                stitched Square from MFT blueprints 14
Ribbon from my stash

Hope you'll join in with us a t Fab'n'Funky this week - a great way to get a head start on Christmas this year - at least that's what we want you to do!

Challenges I'm entering with this card

ABC Christmas challenge - D for die cuts
Simon says - anything Goes
digi chooseday - anything goes
Di's digi design - lots of embellies




hugs
Judith x


Wednesday 18 February 2015

A little magic of the animal kind - and some ribbon and lace!

hi all

Click HERE to enter my 'happy candy' draw

I hope you are all well this sunny morning - the weather has been lovely here for the last couple of weeks now - still cold - but lovely days for walking and getting out into the fresh air. I was out with the larks with my pooch Glenn yesterday and Monday - I walked about 5 miles each day - with a coffee stop - it really blows the cobwebs away. We have to sit outside because we have Glenn with us but when you're dressed for it it's just lovely!

I'm here today with my DT card for 


where our challenge theme this week is

Animal Magic
(have an animal on your card)

I used the cute image Oh My! - available from TPS HERE


I used the pre coloured version of this digi set -the colours are so lovely and I thought it would look perfect with vintage type papers with a little distress ink - so that's what I did

I also thought I'd take the opportunity to use this card for the challenge at

Fab'n'Funky Challenges too!!

It's not my week to post over there but as the card fits the challenge
(and it wasn't even planned!)- thought I may as well use it for both

The challenge is

Ribbon and Lace

I got these lovely flower dies over in the recent sale at Sizzix - so pretty and so many ways to put them together - I'm sure you'll see more of them from me.  

As always we have a fabulous prize on offer at The Paper Shelter

Challenge prize badge

and at Fab'nFunky
our fab sponsor

is offering the winner 4 digis of their choice
So go on - one card will do it!
-Animals and ribbon and lace and you can enter both lol!
This is what I did....

Image - Oh My! from TPS
Papers - Panduro Tilda papercraft pad -"lavendar" 
Cardstock - Bazzill Basics
Flower dies -Summer Florals strip die by Brenda Walton from Sizzix
Butterfly punch - Martha Stewart
Sentiment stamp - Whimsy stamps vintage birthday tags
Gems - from my stash
Organza ribbon - Carnmeal Cottage
Lace - the ribbon girl
Distress ink - TH vintage linen

I hope we'll see your lovely animal creations over at TPS this week
- and ribbon and lace at Fab'n'Funky challenges

Challenges I'm entering with this card -

Crafting for all seasons - punches and dies
Fresh brewed designs - animals
Rubys rainbow - anything green
Crafty gals challenge - bingo (ribbon/rhinestones and flowers)
Crafty Sentiments - bling it on
Just inspirational challenge - handmade flowers
Papertake weekly - bingo (ribbon/gems/punches)


hugs
Judith xx


Thursday 12 February 2015

What's on your TV!

hi all

Click HERE to enter my 'happy candy' draw

So sorry I'm a bit late with my post today - I've had a busy time these last couple of days that as kept me away from my blog (and most other things!)  My regular visitors will know that my youngest son Tom has Cerebral Palsy which causes him to have severe physical disabilities - but he's also very bright and is now in the second year of his masters degree.  I regularly support him in his studies by acting as a reader and scribe.  He's been working on his dissertation proposal this week so it's been a busy old week work-wise - and not over yet! 

None the less I've eventually escaped
to share my card for this weeks challenge at

Moving Along With The Times

Our theme is 

Square Eyes
(your favourite TV programme)

I have to say I'm a bit selective with my TV viewing
but I do like a good old murder mystery!


I like programmes like Broadchurch and Silent Witness
but also the good old Agatha Christie one like 
Miss Marple and Poirot

I think this card is more Miss Marple than Silent Witness!!

It reminded me of when first started work and used to travel there on the bus - I used to read Agatha Christie books to pass the time - I must have read dozens of them and they were really good!
I haven't read an Agatha Christie book for years now - happy days!!

I made this card with another of those fab Sheena Douglas stamp sets - they're such good quality and stamp beautifully every time.  I think this card is more masculine than feminine - but could be used for either as it has a definite vintage look - its a large 8 inch card  and looks quite good IRL.
I did think abourt adding some flowers but decided to leave it as it was to keep it simple!

This is what i did..

Stamp - Mystery Author from Sheena Douglas a little bit sketchy range
Sentiments - top of card Sheena Douglas 'I say' from a little bit sketchy range
                     bottom of card - produced in word
Ribbon - Crafty ribbons
Lace - Creative expressions
Papers - LOTV father knows best
Charm - from my stash
Pins - from my stash
Dies - Flag tail MFT
Perfect pearls and TH distress inks Tea dye, vintage linen

We'd love to see you at MAWTT to show us your favourite TV programme

Challenges I'm entering with this card

Incy wincy challenges - use punches or dies
open minded crafting - no pink no red

Hugs
Judith x



Wednesday 11 February 2015

Come on - charm us!

Good morning all

Click HERE to enter my 'happy candy' draw

It's Wednesday all over again! - where do these weeks go!!

I'm back today with my DT card for

Fab'n'Funky Challenges

where our lovely Alison is hosting the challenge for the first time 
and a great job she has done too!

The theme this week is

Charm Us
(use a charm)


a close up of the lovely verse

I made this card for my husbands birthday back in January - its made with a lovely Sheena Douglas stamp called Visitor available HERE and the sentiment and verse on the tag are from The Journey by Tim Holtz at Stampers Anonymous  - I just love that inspirational verse.

My card is another of those large 8 inch square cards, I love using these
 - so much more space to play with!

our lovely sponsor this weeks is

Inspired by Stamping

visit at the links below to see the lovely goodies they have in store



This is what I did....

Stamp -A little bit sketchy - Visitor - by Sheila Douglas
Coloured with Tim Holtz distress pens
papers - LOTV father knows best and country gent
Sentiments and clock stamp -The Journey set from Tim Holtz at Stampers Anonymous
Key charm - from my stash (ebay i think!)
Ribbon - Brown silky Crush from Creative Expressions
Corners - Michaels and distressed with TH white distress paint
Banner dies- whiff of Joy

Challenges I'm entering with this card

Incy wincy challenge - use a punch or die cut
Addicted to stamps - lots of layers
The ribbon girls - it's charming
Chocolate baroque - colour inspiration     Current Challenge

I do hope you'll come and charm us with your lovely cards this week

hugs Judith xx



Tuesday 10 February 2015

Craft storage idea


Hi blogfriends

I just thought I'd do a quick post to share my craft storage idea with you

I was flicking around the TV channels a few days ago and happened to see part of a programme on Create and Craft about mobile craft storage  - and they were showing a craft pull along with differnt compartments and yes it did look nice and was a pretty pink or purple I think wiyh zips and bags and stuff.  What wasn't good was the price - I think around £120!!- it might have been by We r memory keepers - though I'm not totally sure on that.  Anyway it got me thinking about sharing what I use which has more strorage and is a lot more substantial than they were showing and at around a quarter of the price!!  Its a Stanley tool storage box meant for work tools but is great for crafty stuff. 



 I like to craft at the dining room table in the evenings so I can watch TV along with the family and craft at the same time - but my hubby gets annoyed if I leave my stuff all over the table, so this is the perfect solution. I can load all my stuff in there that I'm going to use and a lot of it like scissors, glue, sticky pads,inks stamping blocks blenders - you know those odds and ends you reach for all the time, well I just leave it in there in the removable tray and everything is handy.

Its on wheels and has a handle to pull along 


and lots of little compartments that fold out  I put charms, my perfect pearls, cosmic shimmer glue, guilding wax - all sorts of little containers in there.


Then the in the top compartment it has a removable tray - handy for pens and pencils, blending stubs, paints and brushes and reels of twine and ribbons etc.  In the compartment under there I tend to keep my glues and scissors, stamp blocks and change around according to what I'm making at the time


This top box clips off and the bottom box is a large deep box.  I keep my copics in wallets in there that I'm using and that's where I tidy everything away into when I'm finished ready to put back into its home back in my craft room - stamps, dies, punches, papers stuff like that - here you can see all three separate compartments of the box - In the bottom box there are wallets with over 200 copic pens in, a box of pencils and glue spays and a large pencil case - you can see the dies and stamps on top of those - all just ready to clip together and wheel off - or just stand to one side ready to use next day - it takes very little space


It keeps me from getting into trouble for making a mess - though I confess it doesn't keep my craft room tidy!!  It would be great to use if you're going to a craft class.  I have the box by the table c and my guillotine and portable die cutting machine on the table and it really is a portable craft room!!

Now for the best bit : ) - it cost £24 when I bought it at B & Q a couple of years back - I looked around an found it on Amazon HERE  for just £27.50 with free delivery - its  still in B&Q for £28 HERE  - and you can collect in store or have it delivered - I would totally recommend it!

Just want to say that I'm not being sponsored or paid in any way to recommend this, it is not even meant as craft storage, but it works for me - just sharing a great idea  mainly because its a whole lot cheaper than the craft alternative!

hugs 
Judith  



Saturday 7 February 2015

Inspirational post for Buckwells Craft Supplies

Good morning all


Click HERE to enter my 'happy candy' draw



I have a cute card to share with you this morning 
it's for my inspirational post for this month for 

Buckwells Crafty Challenge

There are some fab crafty goodies available in the Buckwells Craft shop
one of them is the cute stamp I used here

From Crafters Companion Scruffy Little Cat 
this is Ashleigh available HERE


She also comes with a whole set of cute sentiments -including the one I used

I also used papers from Buckwells

Beauty

and 

Solid Square


There's also a great challenge going on over at 



where the theme this month is 

RED/LOVE

Here's how I made this card

Image - Ashleigh by Crafters Companion Scruffy Little Cat 
Coloured with Copics and Spectrum Noir  pencils
Papers - Beauty and Solid square from Buckwells Craft Supplies
Kraft Card - MFT
Dies - Vine leaves from Sue Wilson at Creative expressions
            Dienamics elements 14 from MFT
            Dienamics stitched labels from MFT
Twine - from my stash

Hope you'll join in our challenge at Buckwells Crafty Challenge this month

Challenges I'm entering with this card

Left of centre -Glamorous girls
Sassy design studios - anything goes
Fantastic tuesdays - A- G - with twist -lets see some purple (tues)
Papertake weekly - Anything goes (tues)
Scrappers delight - anything goes


Hugs
Judith xx






Thursday 5 February 2015

An easy peasy pastel card - Pastels at MAWTT

Good morning all

Click HERE to enter my "Happy Candy" draw

Good morning all - hope you are all well this lovely morning!
It's the first morning I've got up this week that we haven't had a covering of snow, it seems a lot milder and there's even the odd bird up and about today - it looks like it might be a nice day

I've got a quick and easy card to share with you today made with
a really cute little rubber stamp set 
from the Everyday Moonbeam Meadow collection 
 from Crafters Companion  -  it's called Hugs and Kisses


I just decided to stick to  very simple and uncluttered
and add a couple of pastel die cuts  to fit in with our challenge at


which is simply

~ Pastels ~

you can't get much easier than that!

I can't remember the last time I made a card so quickly - my cards often go on for days!
The image was so easy to colour just with a few copics as the shading is already there really - so that saved me at least one day lol.  Then I just mat and layered in a pretty pale pink and cut the large heart  from Memory box precious hearts dies and the "with love" from spellbinders sentiments three ( I trimmed the curly bits off so it would fit over in the top corner).  I think it took me longer to get that sentiment out of the die than anything else.  The first one tore but I put some cut rite paper through with it the second time which helped. I then added some tiny pearls and that was it - easy peasy : )

Hope you'll join in with us at MAWTT this week

Hugs Judith xx

Challenges I'm entering with this card..

Perfectly rustics - hugs and kisses 6/2
the shabby tearoom - I [heart you] 15/2
Without words - Je t'aime 
Aud sentiments - Valentine sentiments 11/2







Wednesday 4 February 2015

Be my Valentine -challenge at The Paper Shelter

Good morning all

Click HERE for my Happy Candy

It's Wednesday again and time for team A at

The Paper Shelter

to challenge you again

This week our  theme is 

Be my Valentine

There are so many lovely valentine images to choose from at The Paper Shelter shop, some cute and cuddly, some beautiful and romantic - I was having a real struggle trying to decide what to use for this challenge - then Veronica sent out this gorgeous image 

The Fairy and theWizard and the matching digipaper available HERE

Isn't it just such a lovely image.  now I have to confess I'm not totally happy with this photo  - for one thing the card looks black but its a lovely dark brown and tones beautifully with that ribbon. I think you can see the sparkle but the colours are also  a bit muted - hey ho, I suppose it's the light at this time of year but it's much prettier IRL.


As always there is a fabulous prize on offer from Veronica and Pedro at the Paper Shelter

The gift voucher


This is what I did....

Image and papers - The Fairy and the Wizard digi set from TPS
Coloured with copics
Card -Bazzill basics
Ribbon - silky crush from Creative Expressions
Lace from my stash
Dies - Sizzix 
Stickles glitter glue

Challenges I'm entering with this card

Crafty Sentiments Designs - Include a heart
Bunny Zoes - Hearts
Crafty boots challenge - Hearts and valentines
Dream Valley challenges - Valentines
ooo-la-la creations - love
The ribbon girl - Romance is in the air
Dis digis - include a heart
Fantasy stampers - ps I love you

and don't forget the happy candy!

hugs 

Judith xx






Sunday 1 February 2015

I'm so excited to tell you my news....


Hi crafty friends

Just thought I'd let you know my latest exciting news!
I've just been asked to join a lovely new DT over at


Buckwells Crafty Challenge Badge

It's a monthly challenge blog and I'll be starting  from 1st March
but will be here with some Buckwells Crafty inspiration for you next week!

In the meantime if you want to join in the latest challenge over there

The Theme for this month is 

LOVE/RED

a really easy one for this time of year

with a fabulous prize of 3 digis provided by our sponsor


We hope you will come on over and support our lovely new challenge HERE

Hugs
Judith xx