Two Years Old Today!!!

Oh my goodness I have only just realised that it was 2 years ago today that my blog was born, where has the time gone?  

I've been looking back at some of my very early blog posts and had to chuckle at my cards, I like to think I have come a very long way since then, and hardly ever use peel-offs any more...lol.

Here are the 2 cards I showed on my very first blog post...

Check out all those peel-offs hehehe!!

Joining the blogging world has been an amazing journey, where I have learnt so much and more importantly made some truly wonderful friends.  To date I have 258 followers and there has been 45,300 hits to my blog...WOW, never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would get that many visits to my blog in a lifetime.  I myself have been a terrible blogger of late I need so many more hours in a day to be able to go visit all the blogs I enjoy to visit, but despite this there are so many of you who regulary pop by and leave such wonderful comments, so thank you to everyone who visits and follows my crafting journey, you make it all so worthwhile.  Hugs xxx

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Before you go I also have a card for today....

RECIPE

Digi Iamge - Pollycraft 'Crystal Fairies 1' (*toot-toot* There's a cool summer sale now happening over at the Pollycraft Store!!)

Papers - Basic Grey 'Sugar Rush' (my new papers from Crafty Emma's Store)

Colouring Mediums - Copics & Promarkers (and a touch of Sakura Stardust Clear)

Ebellishments - Ribbon & Flower from stash. Pin from Crafty Emma's Store

Sentiment Butterfly - Craftwork Cards

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I am entering this card into the following challenges....

Sketch & Stash - Sketch (my new items are the papers and pin)

The Crazy Challenge - Happy Birthday

Digital Tuesday - Dazzle Me (glittery ribbon and stardust detail on image)

Flutterby Wednesday - Open Theme

Paperplay - Anything Goes

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And one last thing....

Just ONE more week to go before the launch of the brand new challenge blog 'Craft Your Days Away'

We still have a fab blog candy going on so please do check it out!!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Hugs

Joanne xxx

Totally Papercrafts Challenge #27

Happy Friday Morning!!

Thank you to everyone who took part in our fruity challenge last week, all very yummy.  This week over at Totally Papercrafts we have a theme chosen by Lols..

GOING TO THE MOVIES

So interpret this as you wish, but please let us know what film inspired your card.

We welcome back our monthly sponsor Simon Says Stamp.

.Do check out my fellow teamies cards, some you'll guess the film straight away others you may not see straight away but once you see the film title you should see it.  Here's mine...

When I first saw this image from Just Inklined I just had to have it as it was finally a cocker spanial that actually resembled my little Mollie Mops, and now it's coloured up it could be her. Paddling in water is her favourite thing, not swimming though...lol, here's a couple of pics taken at Whitby last summer.

RECIPE

Digi Image - Just Inklined 'Cocker Spanial'

Papers - Papermania

Colouring Medium - Watercolour Pencils and Sansodor to blend

Wording - Cuttlebug 'Hippy Chick' Dies

Embossing - Cuttlebug 'Swiss Dots' Embossing Folder

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This is actually Mollie's birthday card for the 16th August hence no unedible embellishments.  She eagerly awaits the postman everyday, brings us the post and then sits and waits for us to give her any junk mail or empty envelopes, which she rips to pieces, but she mormally always leaves it all in a neat pile for us to pick up...lol, so for her birthday she can have her own post.

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Oh and the movie inspiration if you've not guessed is 'Splash'.

We do hope you'll be able for this weeks challenge we can't wait to see what you create and the movies that inspired them.

Enjoy your day!!

Hugs

Joanne xxx

DT Call for Crafty Emma's Store

My buddy Emma has a DT Call out for approx SIX designers for her new challenge blog to run alongside her store.

All Emma asks is that you can do the following:-

1 - Create a project every two weeks, post on your blog to promote the challenge and also my store

2 - Comment on challenge entries on a rota basis

3 - Take your turn to set the theme and write up the challenge post

4 - Have fun!!

There will be freebies along the way for you to work with and a special DT discount for her store...sound good??!! 

 

To apply go visit her Emma's Blog, you have until 8th August.  GOOD LUCK!!!

Pollycraft Challenge #54

Hi everyone, I hope you all enjoyed a pleasant weekend.  It's Monday so that means it's time for a new challenge over at Pollycraft.

Your host this week is Becky and her challenge for you is...

LOVE & MARRIAGE

This week the lovely Wendy from Secret Crafter is sponsoring the challenge.

Be sure to check out all my fellow DT buddies creations, there's plenty to inspire.  Here's mine...

RECIPE

Digi Iamge - Pollycraft 'Cuthbert & Kiki Wedding' (aren't they cute?)

Paper - MyMinds Eye

Colouring Mediums - Copics, Promarkers and Watercolour Pencils blended with Sansodor

Sentiment - Pollycraft

Punch - Martha Stewart

Pearls - Crafty Emma's Store

Other Embellishemnts - Paper Rose from stash, Punched leaves from my buddy Liz

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We do hope you can join us for this weeks challenge.

Have a fab day!!

Hugs

Joanne xxx

Totally Papercrafts Challenge #26

Oh my goodness this is very late.  I had scheduled this post and not only did it not post but it's completely disappeared.  I've been travelling back from Scotland today so hadn't realised until just turning on my lappy now, so on to the challenge...

This weeks challenge for you is....

'FEELING FRUITY'

The DT have all come up with some amazing fruity creations to help inspire you so if you haven't already checked them out you know what to do.  Here's mine...

 

RECIPE

Stamped Image - House Mouse RAK

Papers - Paper Pizzaz & K & Co

Colouring Mediums - Watercolour Pencils blended with Sansodor

Embellishments - Ribbon, Rose & Charm from stash, Red Pearls from Crafty Emma's Store

Border Punch - Martha Stewart

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We do hope you'll be able to join us for this weeks challenge.

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Had a wonderful few days visitng my mum and step-dad up in Scotland, the journey up was a wee bit wet...lol, but it was a lovely day on Thursday for the shopping trip I had with my mum in Stirling, where I was spoilt with some early birthday pressies.  Also enjoyed a lovely evening over at my little brothers in Glasgow and his girlfriend cooked a lovely meal, oh and I beat my brother easily at Mario Cart on the Wii much to his disgust...hehehehe!!  It all went far to quick and after todays journey home I'm pretty cream crackered so I'll leave it there.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Hugs

Joanne xx

New Challenge Blog - Craft Your Days Away

Good Morning All!!

I have some exciting news to share with you....

As many of you may of seen Magical Crafts Fortnightly Challenges is sadly closing after the current challenge.  Well myself and most of the DT have been working hard behind the scenes on creating a brand new fortnightly challenge blog called 'Craft Your Days Away'

We will be kicking off with our first challenge on Saturday 7th August at 9:00 a.m.

It will still be a multi-crafts challenge blog and much the same rules just a brand new name and home, oh and some exciting extra's but you'll have to wait and see what they are on the challenge launch day.

In the meantime we would love for everyone to help us spread the word about the new challenge blog and as a thank you for helping us doing so we have a blog candy running throughout the countdown until the launch day and there are THREE yummy prizes for three lucky winners.

So you need to hop on over to the Craft Your Days Away Challenge Blog, and check out the blog candy post to see what you need to do to enter, it's a really easy task, honest!!

So don't forget to mark on your calenders and in your diaries Saturday 7th August as the launch of our brand new challenge blog.

We do hope you'll be able to join us.  Are you as excited as we are?

Hugs

Joanne xxx

Totally Papercrafts Challenge #25 & Pollycraft 'Flash Those Freebies'

Good Morning All!!

My I'm a tad late this morning with my post for our next challenge over at Totally Papercrafts.  It's been all go for me over the past couple of days. Over the past couple of months I've been doing numerous tests, a telephone interview and then a face to face interview for a job at HSBC, alot of waiting gaps inbetween all of these too...lol.  My final interview was last Friday and finally late on Tuesday I got the job offer...woo-hoo!!  I'll have about a month to get myself organised before going back into full-time employment after a 4 year break.

Well thats my news now onto the TPC Challenge!!

Carol is your host this week and has a recipe for you...

1 IMAGE

1RIBBON

2 PAPERS

3 EMBELLISHMENTS

(it can be either just 3 embellies or 3 types of embellies)

We are thrilled to this week be sponsored by Elizabeth over at Soft Pencil, and the winner will get a $10 voucher to spend in her image store.  Elizabeth also provided us DT with some gorgeous images to work with.  So please check out my fellow DT buddies wonderful work and here is mine...

RECIPE

Digi-Image - Soft Pencil 'Japanese Girl'

Papers - Dovecraft

Colouring Mediums - Watercolour Pencils blended with Sansodor & Promarkers for the skin tones

Sentiment - PC Generated

Embellishments - Ribbon and Flower from my stash.  Pearls & Ribbon Slider from Crafty Emma's Store

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We do hope you will be able to jin us for our recipe challenge, we can't wait to see what you whisk up!!

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POLLYCRAFT

It is Friday but there is no new freebie for you today, unless you do a little work!!  Paula through this week has been running a little challenge called 'Flash Those Freebies', you'll find full details over on the Tales from Pollycraft Blog, taking part means you will get a freebie image emailed to you for the next part of the fun, but there are some strict rules so please read them carefully.  It's been running since Monday, so if you've not popped over and seen it yet you still have a few days left to take part.

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Just one more bit of news......

Some of you may have already seen on the Magical Crafts Challenge Blog that sadly it will be closing after the current challenge.  But don't worry, the MCFC DT and myself are working on a brand new fortnightly challenge blog to launch in August.  Please keep an eye out on the DT blogs next week for more info on the new challenge blog launch and there will be a chance to win some candy too.  So watch this space!!

OK, you can go now...lol, that's all my news for now.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Hugs

Joanne xxx

Pollycraft Challenge #52

Good Morning, bit of a dull and dismal start here, but hey-ho it's Monday so that means it's time for a new challenge over at Pollycraft.  This week the challenge has been set by the lovely Emma and her theme for you is...

BOLD & BRIGHT

So don't be shy and get adventurous with those bold & bright designs and colours.

Emma is also this weeks sponsor with a £10 voucher for her new store..

The DT have all had fun with some amazing inspiration for you, and here's mine..

RECIPE

Digi-Image - Mavis With Love - (Pollycraft)

Papers - Dovecraft

Colouring Mediums - Copics & Promarkers

Sentiment - My Minds Eye

Embellishments - Ribbon, Flower & Card Candy all from stash

Ovals - Nestabilities & Cuttlebug

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We do hope you'll be able to join us for the challenge!!

Have a fab day!!

Hugs

Joanne xx

Magical Crafts Challenge #19 & Crafty Emma's Store is NOW OPEN!!

Good Morning.!!

I can't believe how quick 2 weeks goes, it's time for our next challenge for you over at Magical Crafts.

Well our 'Flower Power' challenge was very popular, a record breaking number of entries.  This time round we are cooling this warm summer weather down with a more festive challenge...

'CHRISTMAS IN JULY'

So we would like to see your festive creations, be it cards, gifts, decorations etc.. Like it or not many of us crafters have to think of Christmas around this time of year if not all year, so if you've not started yet here's the perfect opportunity to get you kick started.

We welcome back Stitchy Bear Stamps as our sponsor and the DT have used images by 2 featured artists Stitchy and Stampin Dragon.  So please check out all the DT's wonderful creations.  Here's mine...

RECIPE

Digi-Image - 'Penny Presents' Stitchy Stamps

Papers - From my scraps stash

Colouring Mediums - Copics and Promarkers

Ribbon, Card Candy and Sentiment - All from my stash

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We do hope you will be able to join us for our Xmas challenge, we can't wait to see your makes.

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I just want to do a quick shout out for my buddy Emma, she has entered into a new venture so...

Is now open for business!!

Now to help Emma spread the word about her new store she has a £10 voucher for her store up for grabs for one lucky winner.  So please go visit Emma's Blog to see how you can be in with a chance of winning.

Enjoy your Sunday everyone!!

Hugs

Joanne xx

Totally Papercrafts Challenge #24 & Pollycraft Friday Freebie

Good Morning All!!

Are we all ready for the heatwave this weekend here in the UK? Oh and the World Cup Final, it's all happening...lol, Spain or Holland, which will you be rooting for?  I'll be rooting for Holland in support for all my dutch blogging/crafting buddies.  Anyway it's Friday so it's time for our new challenge over at Totally Papercrafts, which this week has been set by yours truly, so my challenge for you is...

SWIRLS & PEARLS

Time to get out your swirly papers, stamps, die-cuts etc, and add some pearls.  Easy right??

We are being sponsored this week by Squigglefly and the winner will get to choose 3 images of their choice.

To help inspire you please check out all my DT best buddies creations, but for now here's mine...

RECIPE

Digi-Image - Sqigglefly 'All Dressed Up'

Paper - Papermania

Colouring Mediums - Copics & Promarkers

Ribbon & Pearls - From stash

Sentiment - Craftwork Cards

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We do hope yu'll be able to join us for this weeks challenge, we can't wait to see your swirly pearly makes!!

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POLLYCRAFT FRIDAY FREEBIE

Well with all the football over this past month, and the new football season will soon be upon us (groan), Paula has come up with a fab football themed image, great for any football fans...

This is Football Maurice, and you can grab him for free for ONE week only from the Tales from Pollycraft blog.  Isn't he fab?  As you can see I've altered an old CD into this football themed hanger.  I've used the colours of our local team Hull City.

I'm entering Maurice into the following challenges....

Sketch & Stash - Sketch (Circle) (new image)

Fab 'n' Funky - Get Into Shape

Cupcake - World Cup Wonders

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Hope everyone has a lovely weekend and gets to enjoy some glorious summer weather!!

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs

Joanne xxx

Cute Tilda

Boy, I'm late with this one, I made it this morning, but since then I have had so much on and then I totally forgot to put on my blog, so here it is now....

I've been using one of my many stamped RAK images that I have accumulated for this one, once I've worked my way through them I must have myself a little spend for some magnolia stamps...lol

RECIPE 

Stamped Image - Magnolia RAK

Papers - My Minds Eye (this months freebie in Cardmaking & Papercrafts, very yummy they are)

Colouring Mediums - Copics & Promarkers

Flower Banner Punch - Martha Stewart

Embellishments - Pearls from stash and Butterfly from The Hobby House

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I'm entering this card into the following challenges...

Cards & Things - Sketch

My Time To Craft - Angelic

Aud Sentiments - No Sentiment

Incy Wincy - Punches

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Just a short post will be back in the morning with the new Totally Papercrafts challenge and Pollycraft's Friday Freebie!!

Hugs

Joanne xx

A Spoon Full of Sugar Card Drive for Michelle

Good Morning, I'm feeling a bit poorly today with what feels like a head cold, so not planning to go very far today but I have managed to get one card done so far and it's for a very special challenge going on over at A Spoon Full of Sugar.  Some of you may be aware that Michelle Oatman, a DT member of A Spoon Full of Sugar, Stampavie and Just Magnolia, had a terrible accident a couple of weeks ago which has sadly resulted in Michelle losing her right eye.  To follow how Michelle's recovery is going please do hop on over to her blog 'Stamps, Paper, Scissors and Donkey Smiles', she sure is one courageous lady.  Her fellow teamies over at A Spoon Full of Sugar have set a Card Drive Challenge to last over the next 3 weeks.  They want you to make a card for Michelle and then post it on to her, hopefully she will be recieving sack full's of love and support.  For full details please do pop over to the challenge blog, there are lots of fab prizes to be won.  Also, Melissa Jenkins and Ann Vento,  two artists for Whimsey Stamps have teamed up together to create a sweet donkey image with matching sentiments which is available for free for the duration of the card drive, you can find it over at the Whimsey Stamp Store.

Ok so here is my card for Michelle...

RECIPE

Digi Image & Sentiment - Whimsey Stamps (download for free on the Whimsey Store front page)

Papers - Papermania

Colouring Mediums - Watercolour Pencils blended with Sansodor

Ribbon - Both from stash, white satin for the strip and white organza for the bow

Flower Buttons - Handmade by punching flowers (Woodware) from card covered in DP added two holes on each then sewn thread through each hole of the flowers

Doodled on the sentiment using a Whisper Marker.

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I'm entering Michelle's card into the following challenges...

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Card Drive for Michelle

Sketch Saturday - Sketch

Crazy 4 Challenges - Two or More Ribbons

Paper Sundaes - White + One Other Colour

The Crafty Pad - Animal Fun

Incy Wincy - Punches

Crafty Creations - Make Your Own Button(s)

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I'll be sending my card off to Michelle in the next day or so, soon as I shift this head cold.  Please do check out this very special challenge and send Michelle some love by snail mail.

Enjoy the rest of your day!!

Hugs

Joanne xx

Surfs Up

Well as promised, though a little later than planned, I have another sneak peek of an upcoming Pollycraft release. 

Paula is going to be releasing some fab little sets called 'Mini Doodles'.  This image and sentiment is from the 'Mini Doodles - On the Road' set, there are 3 fab images and 3 matching seniments in each set.  If you check out some of my fellow DT buddies you may well see more sneak peeks of other images in this set as well as some sneaks at the other sets that will be available very soon, you'll find all their links in my left hand sidebar.

RECIPE

Papers - Papermania

Colouring Mediums - Copics & Promarkers

Buttons - From 'The Range'

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I'm entering this card into the following challenges...

Card Patterns - Sketch

Secret Crafter - Water

Creative Craft - Summer Lovin

Dare U 2 Digi - The Great Outdoors

Cupcake - World Cup Wonders (any sports theme, I think surfing is a sport)

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Thanks for stopping by !!

Hugs

Joanne xx

A Sweet Tilda

Good Morning, hope everyone is keeping ok!

Phew, it's much more cooler now, still pleasant but it's nice to have had a couple of nights of a more comfortable sleep, though they say things are gonna hot up again by the weekend.

I was having a rummage last night and found a massive pile of stamped RAK's, I'd forgotten all about them naughty me, so I'm going to start working my way through some of them over the coming weeks.  I've used one for my next card, a sweet Tilda image, I really should start buying some more of these Magnolia stamps, I always think they make such pretty cards and are lovely to colour.

RECIPE

Stamped Image - Magnolia (RAK)

Papers - K & Co

Colouring Mediums - Copics & Promarkers

Faux Stitching - Whispers Markers

Embellishments - Flowers, Pins and Pearls all from stash

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I'm entering my card into the following challenges....

Creatalicious - Sketch & Stitching (real or faux)

Sweet Stampin - Pearls & Pins

Charisma Cardz - Metal Mickey (my metal is the pins)

Oh La La - Simply Summer

Craftalicious - Cute

Papertake Weekly - In Stitches

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I'll be back later with another Pollycraft sneak peek.

Enjoy your day!!

Hugs

Joanne xx

Hippy Chick

Happy Sunday to you all!!

Enjoyed another trip to the beach at Withernsea yesterday, apart from the thousands (maybe even millions) of little bugs, silly me for wearing a white skirt it was constantly covered in the little black blighters.  On the way back we stopped off and bought Mollie a little paddling pool as she loves water and it cools her right down, I know we have a lake at the end of the garden but we don't let her go in that as goodness knows where she'd end up and it would be too dangerous in the winter when it freezes over.  She is good and keeps out of it apart from when she occassionaly falls in when she decides to go take a drink by walking onto a fallen tree thats in the water...lol.  Anyway she loves her paddling pool, so that should keep her happy in this hot weather.

Right, on to my card for you and yep it's another sneak peek at one of the soon to be released new Cherry Kisses images from Pollycraft (apologies to my buddy Shell, as I know I'm getting her into trouble with her hubby with showing all these new images...lol)...

RECIPE

Digi Image - Pollycraft 'Cherry Kisses - Hippy Chick' (soon to be released)

Papers - Bo Bunny

Colouring Mediums - Promarkers

Embellishments - Flowers (Prima), Ribbon and Gems all from stash

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I'm entering this card into the following challenges....

Sketch & Stash - Sketch (new stash is my Bo Bunny paper and of course the image)

Dare U 2 Digi Stamp - The Great Outdoors

Paperplay - Card for a Child or Teen

Craftalicious - Cute

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OK, thats me done for now.  Hope you all enjoy your Sunday.

Hugs

Joanne xx

Whatever!!

Good Morning, I've a sneak peek for you of a new Cherry Kisses image which will be released in a few weeks over at Pollycraft.  Now if your a fan of the Cherry Kisses girlies you really are gonna love the new beauties.

This one is Cherry Kisses 'Whatever', ....lol I bet you were wondering about the strange title I gave the post, maybe you were thinking I was having a teenage strop...lol.  Isn't she fab though?

RECIPE

Digi Image - Pollycraft 'Cherry Kisses - Whatever' (To be released soon)

Papers - Basic Grey

Colouring Mediums - Copics, Promarkers and Chalks

Felt Ribbon & Flowers - From stash

Stitching - Faux using a Whispers Marker

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I'm entering this card into the following challenges...

Tuesday Morning Sketches - Sketch

Crafty Catz - Distressing

My Time To Craft - Zig-Zags

Papertake Weekly - In Stitches

Sweet Stampin - Brown, Blue & Green

Challenge Up Your Life - Vintage

Crafty Cardmakers - Inky Fingers

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Keep a look out for some more sneek peaks of upcoming Pollycraft images to be released soon on here and fellow Dt blogs, you'll find all the links on my side bar.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Hugs

Joanne xx.

It's a Summer Thing

Two posts in one day eh?? Must be this hot weather.  Enjoyed an afternoon of crafting, whilst Steve watched the tennis, what with that and the football I couldn't take anymore...lol.  I also thought if I didn't watch the tennis Murray Mint could well win and get to the final, but nope that theory didn't work.  Though it worked for the football as Holland (or Netherlands if you prefer) won, which for my dutch buddies I am really pleased for.  Anyway enough of my waffle for one day on to a card....

This cute duckie was released yesterday over at Pollycraft and is part of the Summer Things Collection.  Could just eat an ice cream now too, how about you?

RECIPE

Digi Image - Pollycraft 'Summer Things-Duck Icecream'

Papers - K & Co

Colouring Mediums - Copics & Promarkers

Card Candy - From stash

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I'm entering this cute duckie into the following challenges...

Cupcake Craft - Sketch

Kaboodle - Celebrate Summer

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Animal Crackers (also an optional twist of entering a card made by your child.  Well I don't have a child and couldn't borrow one, so will have to skip that part...lol)

Crafty Creations - Ice Cream & Cakes (I don't think you have to include both)

Simon Says - Check It Out

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I think I'm gonna go sit outside for a little while and cool down with a glass of Rose while Uruquay and Ghana fight it out over penalties.

Enjoy the rest of your evening.

Hugs

Joanne xx

Totally Papercrafts Challenge #23

Good Morning!!!

Tut, tut I'm late with my post again this week for our new challenge for you over at Totally Papercrafts, well I totally slept in...lol, I blame Emma and Mel for tiring me out yesterday with a fab day out to The Hobby House and then on for a lovely lunch at Brigg Garden Centre, thank you girls it was a wonderful day!!

Ok, ok I best get on with this weeks challenge for you which is....

'ONE FOR THE GIRLIES'

So if it's for a girl/lady we want to see it!!

We welcome this week a new sponsor to us....

Jules from Daisy Doodles

If you've never visited Jules' gorgeous digi shop then you would certainly be missing out if you didn't go take a little looksies!!  The winner will get to choose one of two wonderful digi-sets, so go check out the challenge blog to see what they are.

Some of the DT have used images kindly given to us by Jules and we also welcome THREE of her wonderful DT as our guest designers for this week, so make sure you check them out too.

Here's my card using one of the Daisy Doodle images...

Now with all this warm weather we are having what girly wouldn't enjoy a lovely cocktail, mmmmm!

RECIPE

Digi Image - Daisy Doodles 'Tropicana'

Papers - Basic Grey

Colouring Mediums - Copics & Chalks

Adhesive Gems - Simon Says

Other Embellishments - Flowers, Spacer, Charm and Button Brad all from stash

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We do hope you can join us for this weeks challenge we can't wait to see what you create.

Hugs

Joanne xx