.

C is for...

2011-05-01T09:29:00.001-07:00

carpet of bluebells..
I've never been one to fully appreciate the outdoors, but since we've had Henry I've really started to notice things I hadn't before.
We often go walking in the local woods and now the bluebells have come out it feels really enchanting.
This digi layout is made from a kit by Scrapbookgraphics, called Dreaming of Spring.
Hope you like it.

Ally

Penguins!

2011-04-27T11:15:00.001-07:00

Do you have a favourite animal or bird? I just LOVE penguins. I don't know why but I always have. My children in my class by me penguin gifts, my family buy me penguin gifts. I love love love them!
I was at a craft fair in Braintree back in January or February and there was a decopatch stall there. Have you heard of them? Basically you buy a bare object and special, very thin paper. You tear the paper up and then stick it on your object. They had a penguin there so I just had to buy him and make him.
Here he is ...

He is sooooo cute and sits on my windowsill. It was ever so easy to do and didn't take that long, but the best bit was that I found it extremely therapeutic.

I've also covered a notebook now and am going to cover a heart next.

If you haven't had a go, give it a try.

Ally

B is for blossom

2011-04-22T01:23:00.000-07:00

I've never been an outdoorsy kind of girl. I grew up in Felixstowe, which is a seaside town in Suffolk. Being able to go to the beach whenever I wanted to when I was younger, meant that I never really appreciated it.
Now that I have Henry and get out for a walk most days (albeit it's always to the same place), I seem to be growing to appreciate the outdoors much more and am taking more notice of what's around me. This is my second digi layout in my A to Z of photos and is called B is for Blossom. I used a page template from Jessica Sprague.
I'm not overly happy with the background paper. I changed it numerous times, but just couldn't find the one I liked best. I settled for this one, but now I've come back to put it on the blog and looked at it again, I'm not so sure. But then that's the beauty of digi scrapping. If you don't like something, it doesn't matter, just go ahead and change it. You haven't got to worry that it's already stuck down!

The 2 week easter holiday is almost over! Where has the time gone?!!
I planned to do so much and have barely touched the surface!
Note to self - I really must organise my time better.

Ally
xx

Blogging about blogging

2011-04-19T04:46:00.001-07:00

Okay, so at the beginning ot the easter holidays I said that I was going to dedicate more time to crafting in some form or other and then blogging it. Have I done that? Well about twice. So I've decided to have a think and dip into Shimelle's class, A Year of Blogging, to see where I want my blogging (and crafting) to go.
When I started this blog, I wanted it to be a place where I could show what I had made. But now I've realised that I don't make things often enough to warrant it really. So what do I want from my blog now?
Well, I think it's going to still be a place to share makes, but maybe also a place to share photos I've taken and just some general musings about everyday life.
Do you plan what goes in your blog?
Do you blog for a reason?

So this photo is one that represents me at home. Laptop is on, crafting tools are out and cup of tea ready (My name is Ally and I'm a cup of
tea-aholic and proud).
This is how many an evening starts off once school work and housework is finished (ok, so that's another reason why not much blogging and making goes on - daily life gets in the way. HMPH). Laptop will be on, tea and tools ready ... and then I start surfing! I normally start by looking on UKS and reading the threads on there and once I start clicking I can't stop. Before I know it I've ended up on the Internet somewhere completely different to where I started, time for bed and no making done!! Sound familiar?

I have no doubt that I will still have plenty of evenings that travel along this same path but I am going to try and be a little more focussed.

Note to self - spend any spare time in the evenings being more productive!

So that's enough waffle from me. Let's see if this at least gets me on a more focussed track. Let me know your thoughts and feelings about your blog and why you blog too. I'd love to know (ok so I'm a nosey parker too!).

Ally
xx

Let's start at the very beginning

2011-04-14T01:44:00.000-07:00

So obviously I'm quite late starting this but hey ho. Also, knowing the way I work, will I finish it? Well the betting starts now, how far through the alphabet will I get?
So I've started taking a photo with each letter of the alphabet and then doing a digi layout of it. There is a thread over on UKS for the more determined than me, but I shall just plod along in my own merry way.
I don't have a digital camera so I'm using my phone to take each of the pictures (hence the poor quality - or is that just the photographers skills I wonder?).
So I had to start with A for Ally. To be honest I didn't really want to, because, as the journalling says, I have to be THE most unphotogenic person I know. I HATE having my photo taken, but I didn't really have a choice. So there I am, rough and ready, in my slob gear as normal.
I used a template that was on UKS back in January and then used a kit by Shabby Princess called 'Express Yourself.'
Hope you like it
Ally
xx

I've crafted whoop! whoop!

2011-04-11T06:32:00.001-07:00

Well here I am and it has been sooooooooo long since I've been here. I'm fully recovered now but found that I had no energy at all once I was back at school. Crafting has had to take a back seat unfortunately, but it's school holidays now so I'm determined not to spend it all working! So here is my digi image. I've used a template by Jessica Sprague and then used a kit by Dawn Inskip called Heart and Soul. As the title says, it's a layout of my mum. I don't see her very often as she lives in Wales but speak to her on the phone quite a bit. So, hopefully I'll be around a bit more over the next 2 weeks. Hope you like the LO. Ally xx

A walk in the woods

2011-02-22T03:57:00.001-08:00

Another digi layout from me, and of course it's another one of Henry.
There is a lovely walk near us where we can walk through the woods. Henry just loves it. He goes off scampering and rummaging and chasing the odd squirrel or pigeon (he never catches them though in case you're worried).

This was a rare moment when he sat still while we were out, so we grabbed a quick photo. I've made the page using Crush by Dawn Inskip.
Hope you like it
Ally xx

Love you

2011-02-14T07:48:00.000-08:00

As the journalling says, Simon and I aren't into all the squishy love stuff but we know exactly what we mean to each other.

I made this digi layout using a kit designed by Dawn Inskip, called Crush.

Hope you like it.

Ally

Bath time!

2011-02-09T04:35:00.001-08:00

I'm really enjoying scrapping digitally. I'll be honest and say that I never thought I would, but it just makes designing your layout so much easier! I thought I'd finished this one, and now I've put it on here, I think I've decided that I want to move the pictures over to the left a bit...
well guess what? ... when I'm ready to, I CAN! That's definately an advantage for me.

So here are the credits,
I based the layout on a scrap map by Sarah (15-21 Jan) shown on Creative craft world.
I've used a kit called Spontaneous Delight by C Stephens and was a free download from Shabby Princess.

As the journalling says, Henry loves water. He'll jump in streams and play in puddles. But when it came to Si and I giving him his first bath, we were just a little bit cautious as to how he would be. We completely emptied the bathroom and Si got in with the shower. He turned it on and Henry couldn't wait to get in with him! (1st photo). He loved having the shampoo on and being rinsed off, even though he did soak us both in the process!
When it came to drying him though, we had a different battle. Henry HATES the hairdryer. He kept barking and snapping at it. It took us ages to dry him off. I think we have to work on that bit.

Hope you like it.
Ally

Snow time

2011-02-05T11:24:00.000-08:00

Do you remember back to Decemeber when we had all the snow? Difficult to forget really. I hate the snow, I hate being cold ... but Henry just loved it.
Another digi layout for you but I forgot to note down the kit I used.
Think I'm getting the hang of this digi lark now, I haven't done any proper paper crafting for ages!

Hope you like it
Ally
xx

Christmas!

2011-01-30T13:09:00.000-08:00

Yikes! Just when you thought it was not going to be mentioned again for at least another 6 months, here I am with the dreaded 'C' word!
Obviously it's a LO with Henry and it's another digi LO, but I have to admit that I kind of cheated for this one.
I used a 'plopper' for this. For those of you that don't know, a plopper is a ready-made digi LO that you just have to add your picture and journalling to.

I downloaded this plopper for free from Free Digital Scrapbooking and is called Holiday Joy, designed by Marie Stones.

Having had 3 weeks off recooperating, I'm back to work tomorrow. I'm incredibly nervous, although I don't know why. This will also be the longest car journey I will have done on my own since the accident, which scares me a little. I drove at night for the first time yesterday though! Hopefully it won't be too long now before I'm back and feeling confident behind the wheel.

Ally xx

So this one didn't take me very long to do and it's not my design but I still like it.

Here's Henry

2011-01-26T13:48:00.000-08:00

Another digi LO. Remember that I am only just beginning so I'm still on basic steps. I haven't learnt anything new yet from the last digi LO but I wanted to make sure I really know what I'm doing before I move on.
Will I ever really know what I'm doing? ... well that's debatable!!!

So here's Henry again. My lovely labradoodle. Do you notice a common thread with him? Both these pages have been about where Henry is not supposed to be!! He's such a monkey but so adorable.

Hope you like it.

Ally xx

Digital LO

2011-01-24T01:34:00.000-08:00

I bought myself a new laptop before christmas and it came with Adobe Photoshop Elements. Seeing as I'm still off work recooperating, I thought I'd have a little dabble. It really is quite tricky, but the more I use it the easier it will get.

I'm following a course from last year over on 2 peas in a bucket called digi 101 which takes you step by step on how to make digi LOs. It was a monthly course last year, but as it's finished, I've downloaded each month so I can do them at my own pace.
So this is the LO from January (I shall do a couple more so I really get the hang of it before moving on).

I don't think it's too bad for a first go.

Ally xx

A card for mum

2011-01-18T08:39:00.001-08:00

This is the birthday card I have made for Simon's mum (the mark down the length of the ribbon is where the glue hasn't dired - I was too eager to blog it!!)
The stamp is by Penny Black and is called Garden Gossip. I've coloured it with promarkers and cut it out with a nestie (I so love my nesties!)

I'm going to enter this card into 2 challenges. They are:

A gem of a challenge - sketch

Craft your passion - Button up (use buttons)

Hope you like it

Ally xx

A LO for a change!

2011-01-15T03:27:00.001-08:00

So we have a new addition to our family. Say hello to Henry. He is a labradoodle and is just gorgeous. I've never known a dog with such a wonderful temperament. He adores cuddles and craves attention, yet is lively and playful too. We have soooooo many pics of him; he's like a new baby to us!

Look out for lots more lay outs with Henry in!

Ally

New baby card

2011-01-11T04:51:00.001-08:00

Here is another card for you. I've used a Pollycraft digi image which I've coloured with promarkers. I'm entering this card for 5 challenges. They are:

Wild Orchid Challenge - sketch
Simon says Stamp - New Beginnings (new baby)
Cupcake Craft Challenge - Something new (new baby)
Pollycraft Monday Challenge - New Things - never used this digi stamp before
Passion for Promarkers - Baby card

Hope you like it
Ally
xx

Oh dear

2011-01-09T12:35:00.001-08:00

I expect you're wondering about the title post. Well it was my birthday on Friday and it was a birthday to remember. I had a very nasty car accident.
I hit the central reservation of a dual carriageway, then the kerb and flipped the car. We rolled a couple of times and landed upside down in a ditch. Both my son and I were hanging upside down by our seatbelts. The rescue services were able to get my son out, but I had to be cut free.
Neither of us have serious injuries, not even broken bones. Ryan had a cut on his head which just needed glueing together. I had to stay in as I've hurt my head and neck but nothing serious.
How it wasn't worse I will never know.

Anyway, the oh dear, relates to this card. I was meant to blog it on Friday and enter it for some challenges, but I was rather busy at the tim. So here it is now.

I have used a Sugarplums stamp called Winter Emma which I have coloured with promarkers.

I am going to enter this for 4 challenges. They are:

Passion for promarkers - Thank you phrase

Papertake weekly - Anything goes

Fab n funky challenges - Anything goes

Totally papercrafts - Say thank you

I've got a week off work recooperating so I'll see if my neck will let me do extra crafting. Here's hoping!

Ally

1st card in ages!!!!!!!

2010-12-27T10:40:00.000-08:00

Well it's been ages since I've blogged. I've moved house and then done Christmas. Must admit that it's not the best time of the year to be moving as it was very hectic, but glad it's all done now.

I had to put the crafting on hold for a while, but I'm up and running again, so here is my first card.

I've used a stamp from Little Claire called 'Blissful' and coloured her with promarkers.

I'm entering this card into 4 challenges. They are:
Simon says challenge - Anything goes
I love promarkers - Anything goes
Cute card Thursday - sketch
Moving along with the times - Anything goes (no xmas)

Hope you like it.
Ally xx

been away!

2010-11-13T02:44:00.000-08:00

Hi folks,
I just wanted to say that I am still here!
I've been mega busy at work, the extension is nearly finished and I'm moving in a couple of weeks so it's all go.

Because of all this, I haven't done any crafting at all for ages (sob sob) but I'm hoping to be set up and raring to go in the new year.

Ally xx

It's a boy!

2010-09-26T06:26:00.001-07:00

A friend of mine is expecting again. As she's already got 2 boys, I jumped the gun and made a baby boy card, only to find out on Friday that she's expecting a girl! That'll teach me!

Anyway, I'm going to enter this card for 2 challenges:

Pennys paper-crafty challenge - anything baby

Cute card Thursday - sketch

This is a digi image by Meljen's designs and is called cuddle cloud baby. It's so cute and I've coloured him using promarkers.

Hope you like it.

Ally

Just can't find the time!

2010-09-25T02:06:00.001-07:00

Work, work, work ... blimmin gets in the way of the crafting!!
I'm going to enter this card into 2 challenges this week. They are:
A Spoon full of sugar - anything goes
Totally papercrafts - magic
I really like this stamp. It's by Little Claire and I coloured her with promarkers.

Hope you like it

Ally

Twit twoo

2010-09-20T13:32:00.001-07:00

I just love this stamp. This owl is just so cute. It's by Penny Black and is called Nocturne. He is coloured with promarkers.
I'm going to enter this card into the Cute card Thursday challenge where the theme is Tweet and a flutter.

I can't help it, he just makes me smile every time I look at him.

Hope you like it too.

I'd just like to say a big thank you for all your lovely comments. I read them all and I'm so glad you take the time to write to me.

Ally

A cute one

2010-09-19T01:33:00.001-07:00

I haven't used this stamp in a while and I forgot how cute it is! It's by Rachelle Anne Miller and is called Lily and Teddys Travels. She's coloured with promarkers and I'm going to enter this card for 2 challenges. They are:
Papertake Weekly - photo inspiration
Secret Crafter - anything goes
Here's a close up of the image

Hope you like it

Ally

Just a quickie

2010-09-18T00:40:00.000-07:00

As the post title says, this is just a quickie from me today. What with work, being ill and one thing and another, I haven't been up to much crafting, so this is a card I made in the summer hols but haven't yet blogged.

I'm going to enter this into Gingersnap creations challenge which is red and black. This is a very simple card and I've used a PEnny Black stamp called fantasy which I embossed in solver.

Hope you like it

Ally

Making the most of the weekend

2010-09-12T05:09:00.001-07:00

So it's the weekend - hooray!
This card I've made is going to be entered for 3 challenges. They are:
Passion for promarkers - sweet treats
Papertake weekly - sketch
Totally papercrafts challenge - dots

I've used a Penny Black stamp called Sweet Thing which I've coloured with promarkers.

I couldn't get a decent close up of the image for some reason today - not too sure what's happened there. Promise to do better next time!

I really do appreciate all the comments that are made. Some of you have mentioned that I've done a couple of Christmas cards already. I've only done 2. I really can't get in that mode yet although I did buy some Christmas papers today.

Hope you like the card

Ally

At last!

2010-09-11T04:11:00.001-07:00

Oh my goodness. I have withdrawal symptoms from cardmaking. We've been back at school for just over a week and I either haven't got the time or the energy to do any crafting!
This little card I've just made is for the Pollycraft challenge (I should get it in just in time - fingers crossed), where the theme was Christmas without red or green. I've used the penguin (did you know that I absolutely LOVE penguins?) from the Little Claire set - All set for Christmas and coloured him with promarkers. The stamp was also from the same set.

Hope you like it.

Ally

Another card

2010-09-05T03:23:00.001-07:00

So, another little card today.
I'm entering this one for 3 challenges. They are:

Passion for Promarkers - Teddybears
Pennys paper-crafty challenge - birthday
Moving along with the times - stitching The image I have used is a digi from Pollycraft called Cuthbert for you. I've coloured him with promarkers.

Hope you like it

Ally

Music card

2010-09-04T02:19:00.001-07:00

Oh my goodness. I've been back at work for 3 days, the children have been in for 2 days of that and I'm absolutely shattered. I think a lot of it is nervous energy but I have bags under my eyes that a sack os spuds could easily fit in.
The challenge over on The Stamp Man was music. I'm in card making mode at the moment so that's what I made.

Hope you like it

Ally

Blog candy!

2010-09-02T11:59:00.000-07:00

Ooooh!!!!
Pink Gem have some lovely lovely blog candy on offer. " stamps of your choice, a set of promarkers, flowers and charms.
Yum. Yum. Yum. Yum. YUM.

Ally
xx

diamond topped card

2010-09-01T11:49:00.001-07:00

Well for some of us, today was the first day back at school. Admittedly there were no children (they are in tomorrow) but I still had to set the alarm. True to form, I didn't sleep at all well either so I'm tired already!!
Anyway, the Lots to Do challenge blog theme was fairies or angels.
I've used this very cute Little Claire stamp and coloured her with promarkers.
Here's a close up of the image.

Now that my leisure days are over I'm going to try and post as often as possible but I'm pretty certain it wont be every day, as it has been for a while.

Hope you like the card.

Ally

Cute card

2010-08-31T01:52:00.001-07:00

I really like this image. It's a digi stamp from Whimsy Stamps. It's by Meljens Designs and is called A girl and her kitty. She has been coloured with promarkers.
I'm going to enter this card into 3 challenges this week. They are:
Cute Card Thursday - Dieing for a punch (No punches allowed)
Cupcake challenge - Going digital (use something digital - I've used the image)
Papertake weekly - Just the one (one image and one large flower gem)
Here's a close up of the image

Hope you like it

Ally

Autumn Milly again

2010-08-30T04:40:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I told you that Autumn Milly wouls be appearing again ... and here she is.
I've entered her into 2 challenges:
Pink Gem - sketch
Pollycraft challenge - nature
I've coloured Milly with promarkers. The image just lends itself to oranges and yellows.

Hope you like it

Ally

Pink Gem

2010-08-29T01:23:00.001-07:00

I was lucky enough to win a Pink Gem stamp so I've used her on this card. As I only have this one stamp (so far!), you'll see her come up on another card shortly.

Passion for promarkers theme was a sketch and to use autumn colours.I coloured Autumn Milly with promarkers and kept to oranges and browns for this.

Hope you like it

Ally

Tim's Tag

2010-08-28T02:09:00.000-07:00

The challenge over on Simon Says Stamp and Show was to make anything in the Tim Holtz style.
I've made this tag. I spludged the colours on my craft sheet and spritzed with water then dipped the tag in. When dry I stamped and edged it. The crown and key are grunge board elements. The crown was inked and then covered with rock candy stickles and I painted the crown with gold acrylic paint. Hope you like it
Ally
xx

Labour of love

2010-08-27T14:33:00.000-07:00

Now here's a story - do you know how much trouble I've had trying to get the pva crackled paint technique to work? I followed the instructions in the magazine and it just would not work, no matter how much I tried. I put out a plea for help and in steps the wonderful Hels Sheridan to my rescue. She gave me a different set of instructions to follow!
Now as you can probably see from the photo that I still haven't got it anywhere near right. Rather than crackles, I have deep plough tracks but hey, I think I'm nearly there!

H As a thank you (errr... sorry it's still not quite right Hels but I'll keep trying)I've put it into Hels own challenge. The theme was flowers.

The heart in the middle looks purple in the photo but it isn't in real life.

Hope you like it

Ally

Under the weather

2010-08-26T01:36:00.000-07:00

Oh dear. I'm full of cold and feel awful. I was meant to go and see my friend Alana yesterday, but had to let her down. How bad do I feel. I was in bed by 9.30 last night and feel just as rough today.
Whilst feeling sorry for myself, I did make one card (even tho it took me hours and hours to do through lack of energy). I'm entering this for 2 challenges this week.
A Spoon full of sugar - 3 flowers, 2 buttons, 1 ribbon
Papertake Weekly - 3, 2, 1
The image is from Penny Black and is called Sweet Thing. She has been coloured with promarkers.

Hope you like it,

Ally

Tilda easel card

2010-08-24T00:56:00.000-07:00

I seem to go through phases. Sometimes I'll have a run on scrapbook pages, sometimes the run will be of ATCs, others will be tags or postcards. Right now, I'm back into cards.
So this little easel card is being entered for 3 challenges. They are:
Just Magnolia - sentiment
Lots to do - buttons or beads
Wild Orchid - make it sparkle
Here's a close up of the sentiment. I just typed it into word and then printed it off (why haven't I thought of doing that before?!!!)

This is cosyTilda, coloured with promarkers. Her fur trim is blue glitter, which I've also used to edge the sentiment.

Hope you like it.

Ally

It's Tilda!

2010-08-23T01:26:00.000-07:00

It's such a wet and miserable day today and I can't believe that this is the last full week of the summer holidays left!
Anyway, here's another card which I'm entering for the Cute Card Thursday challenge where there was a sketch to follow this week. The stamp is Baking Tilda with a wooden spoon and I coloured her with promarkers. I'm loving pink and green at the moment!

Hope you like it

Ally

Another card

2010-08-22T04:14:00.001-07:00

The theme over on I love promarkers this week is the seaside. I used one of my Sugarplaums stamps called Bathing Beauty Emma and coloured her with promarkers.
The backing paper is quite water like.

Hope you like her.

Ally

Christmas!

2010-08-19T02:28:00.000-07:00

When I was at stamperama on sunday I was overwhelmed by the amount of Christmas themed stamps. It's August and despite the weather being not so summery, I still can't get my head around christmas things yet. But I did succomb and bought 1 stamp!
It's calles Warming my cockles by Little Claire and it's just lovely. I've coloured it with promarkers.

I'm entering this card for 4 challenges this week!
A spoonfull of sugar - xmas card
Passion for promarkers - winter blue
Papertake weekly - sketch
Moving along with the times - glitter

It just so happened that the themes all fitted together nicely.

So there it is. My first christmas card of the year.
Hope you like it.
Ally
xx

Something different

2010-08-18T02:26:00.000-07:00

Oh how I think Wendy Vecchi makes the most beautiful art. At Stamperama on Sunday I looked at a lot of her stamps, my gosh they're expensive. Simon says stamp and show's theme was something in the style of Wendy Vecchi. So without stamps I had to go for style.
So i cut a piece of card with a nestie and coloured it using antigue linen, rusty hinge and vintage photo distress inks. I then overstamped this with a flower background stamp.
I cut out a smaller nestie, inked it in the same colours and added an adage ticket.
The flower was stamped and then inked and I used one of those hat pin things (what are they called?) for the flower middle.

I like it and I hope you do too.

Ally

Moving along with the times challenge

2010-08-17T05:13:00.000-07:00

Here's another card for you. The theme over on Moving along with the times was a sketch to follow. So off I went ...The stamp I used was Sunglasses Emma by Sugarplums. I went for a lovely summery image just to remind myself of what summer is!!
She is coloured with promarkers.

Oh where has the summer gone?

Hope you like her.

Ally

Sweet Tilda

2010-08-16T07:52:00.001-07:00

Here I am again - just like a bad penny!
Today I've made a card for the Just Magnolia challenge. The theme was a sketch and an ideal opportunity to use my new nesies!
Tilda is coloured with promarkers.
Here's a close up of Tilda.

Hope you like it.

Ally

Zentangle

2010-08-15T07:08:00.000-07:00

Oh what a busy day today!
Alana and I met at Stamperama and I think it's fair to say that both of us spent a lot of money!
We had a lovely time though and it's great seeing all the things available and wishing I had a bottomless money pot!

Over on the Lots to Do challenge blag this week, the theme is zentangle. I have to admit that I've never made one before so this is my very first go.
I used a black pen for this but next time I think I need to use one with a much thinner nib. It was very therapeutic to do and think /i'll be having more goes!
This is done on an ATC blank and then double mounted on white and then black.
Hope you like it.
Ally
xx

Scrapbook page

2010-08-14T03:33:00.001-07:00

Hello again!
No I haven't forgotten about scrapbook layouts, I just seem to have been bitten by the challenge bugs again, but here is one I made a little while ago.
Simon and I were out shopping and wandering around (as you do) when we came across storm troopers, R2D2, K9, Darth Vader, and many many more. There was some kind of convention on and there was autograph signings as well as many picture opportunities!
There's a bit of a glare fro mthe flash of the camera I'm afraid but it's the best I could do.

It certainly livened up our Sunday afternoon!

Hope you like it.

Ally

Here's a tag

2010-08-13T02:22:00.001-07:00

The theme over on Tag Tuesday is crowns. Whilst rummaging through my odds n sods box the other day I came across these crowns. I have no idea where they came from but they're die cut and already glittered - bonus! Cosmic shimmer background with vintage clipart stuck on, followed by the crown. There's a little bit of bling and a post mark daty thing!

Hope you like it
Ally
xx

a card for a change!

2010-08-12T01:52:00.001-07:00

The theme on passion for promarkers this week is 'music'. I don't have a stamp directly related to music so I had to think a little more outside of the box.
This is my first attemp at an easel card and it isn't too bad even if I say so myself! I covered the card in a piece of sheet music and then went over it with weathered wood distress ink. The image is coloured with promarkers.

The two butterflies are more of a purply colour but the camera seems to have turned them pink!

Overall I think it's darker than I anticipated but not a bad effort I guess.

Ally

Fly away home

2010-08-11T04:59:00.000-07:00

The challenge on Simon Says Stamp and Show is 'things with wings'. I've made an ATC for this one with a cosmic shimmer background, overstamped with a flower background.
I 'found' this die-cut butterfly in my odds n sods box. I have no idea where it came from but fits beautifully.
I've stuck her on using sticky pads so it stands out.

Hope you like it?
Ally
xx

Monogram Tag

2010-08-10T01:49:00.001-07:00

Morning everyone. It's very wet here today, in fact the downpour woke me during the night it was so heavy!
The Tag You're It challenge this week was 'monogram'. I covered my tag in cosmic shimmer paper (that makes a change doesn't it?) and then used some scraps with a martha stewart punch to make the borders, which were then layered with lace.
My initials are cut from grunge board and coloured with distress inks. I then stuck some mulberry roses on with silicone glue.

Hope you like it!

Ally

I got the music in me

2010-08-09T01:40:00.000-07:00

Over on Sunday Stampers this week the theme is "music". I decided to use a postcard for this one. The back is covered with a piece of sheet music and then inked with antique linen distress ink and vintage photo on the edges.
The flowers were cut from a template on my bighot and coloured with weathered wood and bundled sage. They were given a little sparkle with rocky candy tickles and secured with a brad. The frame at the bottom was also cut with my bigshot but I really don't seem to have that many sentiments or sayings stamps so this was the only one that I could find that vaguely fitted.

There's a piece of rafia at the bottom just to finish it off.

Hope you like it

Ally

Time Flies

2010-08-08T05:05:00.001-07:00

I told you yesterday that this months theme over on The Stampman is "time". Today I've made mine to send off. The background are cosmic shimmer sprays with a stamped clock face from Paperartsy. I then printed and cut out an old pocket watch image and just coloured it with a distress ink.

This was then stuck on using foam pads to give the card some depth.

Hope you like them.

Ally

Back from holiday!

2010-08-07T02:20:00.001-07:00

So I'm back from my lovely holiday. We went down to Minehead again (we like it there) and lazed our time away. We had lazy days and late nights, swam lots, read lots, drunk lots (!!!) and ate lots. Diet starts now - hmph.
In my postbox when I got back were these 3 lovely ATC's. I told you about the ATC's that I sent in on a previous post, and these are the beautiful 3 that I received back. I'm really pleased with them.

Next months theme on The Stampman ATC swap is "time". I'll be entering and maybe you will too.

Ally

Quotes swap

2010-07-29T01:28:00.001-07:00

Over on UKS I entered an ATC quote swap. I've just had some beautiful pieces of work back (and I'll blog those after my holiday), but I thought I'd show a couple I sent out. I'll post some of the others as well at later dates, but here's 2 to be getting along with.

The backgrounds are made from sprayed cosmic shimmer mists which is then stamped on top. Collage image printed and cut out as well as the quote.

Hope you like them

Ally

Little green fairy

2010-07-27T11:59:00.001-07:00

I'm off on my hols on Friday for a week and have done one last challenge before I go. The theme on Passion for Promarkers this week is to use green as the dominant colour. I've used a digi stamp from Pollycraft for this one and coloured her with promarkers (of course!). Lots and lots of buttons too, but all very green.

She's a little cutie I think.

Hope you like her too.

Ally

The Stamp Man ATC swap

2010-07-26T08:13:00.001-07:00

As some of you already know, The Stamp Man are holding an ATC swap. The theme was wings and I made 3 for the swap. Here they are.
The backgrounds are made from cosmic shimmer sprays (I love these at the mo!). I then stamped and embossed the plant with copper embossing powder. Finally, I covered the chipboard dragonflies with fired brick distress ink. I then stamped and embossed a pattern and added some silver stickles.
I'm really looking forward to seeing what I get back.
Hope you like them.
Ally
xx

A card for a change!

2010-07-24T05:18:00.000-07:00

I haven't made a card or used my Tilda stamps for ages so it seemed time to get her out.
I coloured her with my promarkers, keeping the shades quite muted to keep the distressed/vintage feel.
You can see her more closely here.

I'm going to enter this card into 3 challenges this wee:

Gingersnap Creations - the theme was markers

Passion for promarkers - the theme was distressing

Just magnolia - the theme was vintage

Hope you like it

Ally

Origami flowers

2010-07-24T03:49:00.000-07:00

So my operation was a success, my recovery period is well and truly over and I'm back into the land of the living.
I spent a few days recooperating at Simons house and whilst he didn't buy me flowers, he did actually make me some!
These photos don't actually do the flowers justice. He used origami paper and patterns. They are actually really intricate when you look closely.

Flowers that last for ever!

Ally xx

By the beach

2010-07-12T13:03:00.000-07:00

I wont be posting for a few days now as I've got to go into hospital and I'll be staying at Simons to recooperate.
So I need to get this post in. Over on Tag, you're it, the theme is By the Beach. Now I knew I had a shell stamp that came with craft stamper mag and I had my tag all mapped out. But could I find the stamp (I've recently been transferring all my stamps into cd cases but that's a story for another day), could I heck. I searched high and low but it was nowhere to be found. Do I have any other beachy type stamps I asked myself.? No. Obvioulsy I looked anyway but the answer was still a resounding no.
What to do? I huffed and puffed, shrugged my shoulders for a bit and decided that I wouldn't take part this week.
So there I was, flicking through some of my vintage images when I came across this lady. She was sitting on the beach. AHA!! Eureka moment! So off I set to work. Yellow cosmic shimmer background. Lady sitting on the beach stuck on, a red sun (yes I know it's really a flower stamp but it looks like a sun to me!) and a couple of stamps.

Oh dear. What a pants tag! Never mind. Things can only get better!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ally
xx

Blue bird

2010-07-11T08:00:00.001-07:00

I haven't done a Sunday Stampers challenge before so I thought I'd have a go. The theme was blue, coming from the song 'song, sung, blue'. I couldn't find a picture of a bluebird so I had to use a little more imagination!

I've used a postcard today, so working slightly bigger than normal. The background is made from sprayed cosmic shimmers in 2 blue shades. When dry, this was then stamped with a flourish stamp. I then cut out the bird and flower and stuck them on, followed by a couple of black flying birds.

Hope you like it.

Ally

Going for a run

2010-07-10T07:08:00.001-07:00

Some of you know that I have taken up running. Well, when I say running, I'm actually using the term loosely! I started with a walk run plan and am still not getting very far! But this is where I run. It's such a beautiful place and with my mp3 player on, it's lovely to just lose yourself. It certainly beats running around the streets thinking that everyone is looking and laughing!!

Hope you like it.

Ally

4th of July

2010-07-05T10:46:00.001-07:00

Look at me go - 3 posts in 2 days!!
So, over on Tag, You're It, the theme is the 4th July and this is the little number that I've come up with.

The background is inked with distress inks and the stars are then stamped and embossed with pearl. The collage was then added on top and a ribbon for good luck!

The photo is not all that clear, sorry, but hey ho.

Hope you like it.

Ally

Wedding tag

2010-07-04T04:04:00.000-07:00

Over on Tuesday Taggers, the theme was weddings. The sponsor this week is the craft barn, who are offering a £15 voucher for the winner. Obviously I chose to go for a vintage take on this and have come up with this tag.

The background was made with cosmic shimmers and then overstamped with a script stamp and the edges were inked in the same colour. I added a ribbon knot and some cream mulberry flowers plus a couple of pearls.

I really quite like this one and hope you do too.

Ally

LOVE chipboard album

2010-07-04T02:33:00.001-07:00

I bought the bare love chipboard album by Papermania the other week. I covered all the letters and backboard with paper, sanded the edges and then inked them to get the shabby look.

Once assembled I think it looks really pretty. I haven't done anything else with it yet because I'm not sure what I want to make it into! But it's currently sitting on top of my tv unit, looking lovely.

Hope you like it.

Ally

Shades of blue

2010-06-26T11:33:00.001-07:00

A new challenge over on Gingersnap Creations is called Shades of Blue. Pretty explanatory I know and the DT work was as stunning as usual, but could I think of anything? Could I heck!!!
So this is it. I covered a tag in broken china and weathered wood, then a light spritz of cosmic shimmer mist. I then used a script stamp on top. I cut the flower out of old sheet music anf then used the same 3 blue colours, but with slightly more cosmic shimmer mist this time. There is a little blue button in the middle with a string knot through the middle.

The heart was coloured with weathered wood and broken china and then some rock candy on top.

I'm still not totally happy with it because I think it looks bare still, but just didn't know what to do. So after lots of humming and harring I decided to leave it!

Ally

Loving orange and green

2010-06-26T01:29:00.000-07:00

You know how you go through fads of liking a certain mix of colours? Well I'm back to orange and green again. When I first started using the Tim Holtz distress inks, spiced marmalade and shabby shutters were 2 of the first colours I bought. I go through fads of putting them together and, oh what a surprise, I went right back there for this little ATC.

So, 2 old colours and an old stamp, but I still love using them.

Hope you like it.

Ally

Stamp man ATC swap

2010-06-22T12:04:00.000-07:00

The stamp Man is going to start hosting an ATC swap again. To celebrate, they have some lovely blog candy up for grabs. Take a look at their blog and join in!

Ally
xx

Porlock

2010-06-19T01:43:00.000-07:00

Here's another LO for you. It's yet another page from my holiday book. Porlock is just beautiful. It reminded me of a jigsaw box picture. Quiet, serene, tea shop, glass blowing, crafts, water ...

The pearl swirls, blue pebbles and rub ons came from one of the surprise grab boxes that I bought a while ago.

I'm really into rub ons at the moment and I'm not sure why. I have to find space for at least one on my pages at the moment!
Hope you like it.
Ally
x

Proud as punch

2010-06-15T04:31:00.000-07:00

Well if you look over to the right of the page you will see that this week I have been picked as a ginger gem!!

Woo Hoo I am so pleased!!!

If you scroll down. the boxer with the quote ATC got picked as a piece that exemplified the challenge.

I have to say that has made my day I shall smile for the rest of it!

Ally
xx

wings

2010-06-10T23:02:00.000-07:00

Here's another ATC I've made for a Gingerscrap creations challenge. The theme was wings. The background paper I made by spraying it with different blue cosmic shimmer mists and then gold cosmic shimmer. I then scrunched clingfilm and lay it on top to get the crinkles and let it dry naturally.

The wings were inked with fired brick and then a layer of rock candy stickles over the top. I took a piece of vintage clip art of a cute little girl, stuck her on and painted her a hat with green metallic acrylic paint.

Something a bit different but I like it and hope you do too.

Ally

Gingersnap creations

2010-06-06T08:02:00.000-07:00

Gingersnap Creations is a blog I have followed for a long time and have always admired the different, yet wonderful pieces of art that get displayed.
It's time to bite the bullet. Admiring is one thing, putting yours out there for others to see is quite another but I've come to the conclusion that what I do is what I do. To some it might be great, to others, not so great, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder so they say and it's what I think that counts.

The theme was quotes. I've made an ATC for this challenge. The background is made from sprayed cosmic shimmer mists. I then stamped a text script and embossed it in gold. I then added a collage image, computer generated text (this is a boxing quote by Alexis Arguello - a Nicaraguan boxer ) and stamped the key and stamp.

Well, that's it.

Hope you like it. Any comments, whether positive or negative are welcome as well as any suggestions in how to make my work better.

Thank you for looking.

Ally

Another couple of ATCs to share

2010-06-05T02:02:00.000-07:00

So here is another couple of ATCs I made for the ATC trail over on UK Scrappers. I used distress inks for the background and also for the stamped images at the back. I then used a vintage lady image that I had, cut her out and just painted in the roses and then stuck her on.

Voila!

I think she's quite sweet. What do you think?

Ally

A scrapbook page for you

2010-06-02T01:15:00.001-07:00

2 scrapbook pages in a week! Shock, horror!

Wonders never cease, I know but hey ho. So just a simple little LO of Si and I having coffee whilst on holiday.

I loved this patterned paper and didn't really want to do much else to it, so I've just added the photo, title and journalling and that's about it.

Hope you like it.

Ally

A day in London - eventually!

2010-05-30T02:58:00.000-07:00

Well it's taken a while, but at last I have scrapped the lovely day out I had in London with Alana (Gingerscraps). We had a great day, we walked miles and miles in circles (it didn't help that I left the map in the pub) and had fantastic Italian ice cream.

I love these little pebbles.

Thanks for a great day out Alana. Can't wait til we do it again.

Ally

Paper bag album

2010-05-25T10:10:00.000-07:00

Well hello! Had you wondered where I was? probably not I'm guessing!! I've been extra busy at work and just haven't had the time or energy to do much crafting in the evenings. When I have though, I've been making this paper bag album. I started with 6 paper lunch bags... and turned it into this. We went to watch a medieval reinactment which was just great fun.

I cut the handles off and folded the bags. (I followed a tutorial on youtube), and then stuck them together. For the pages of the book, I've only used photos of Joe in the museum in the grounds. The small inner parts of the pages (these are the bottom of the bags) I kept for the journalling.

Inside there are spaces for inserts. I've slightly pulled out this double one. There are photos on both sides and they just slip in and out.

This is one of the completed inserts, taken out.

Here you can see the top of the book. This shows how you can still see that this was really made out of paper bags! I used my cropodile to put in an eyelet in the top of each insert and the attached some fibres and ribbons for pulling out.

And there you have it!

Hope you like it.

Ally xx

Just for you

2010-05-16T06:12:00.000-07:00

Here's a card I've made for the I love promarkers challenge blog. There was a sketch to follow too.
Ally

More ATCs for you

2010-05-12T10:09:00.000-07:00

I really like these ones and have to say that I actually considered making different ones because I wanted to keep these for myself. I used distress inks for the background and used a darker distress ink to stamp the flower and sentiment. The edge was doodled. I covered the chipboard butterfly in distress inks and then stamped over the top. It was then covered in glossy accents with a light sprinkling of fine glitter.

Ally

Another 8x8

2010-05-09T01:55:00.000-07:00

Here is another 8x8 of Ryan that I made (sorry about the glare of the flash on this photo), Ryan is in the middle. Ryan is always happy. As a child he never stopped smiling and has been the easiest son to bring up. He always had to have his friends around and him and still does. He's such a social boy and is at his most happiest when he is off doing sporty things with all his mates. (He's 18 now just in case you're wondering.)

He is still friends with Ryan and Luke now. I think this photo was taken when he was in year 3 of primary school.

I'm really enjoying using this cosmo cricket set and am in the process of making a mini album out of paper lunch bags and covering with these papers. I'll show you that when I'm finished.

Ally

Lady in Red

2010-05-04T12:21:00.000-07:00

2 more ATCs to show you. These went out a little while ago now so I know the recipients have them.
I used fired brick sponged onto the background and then also used the same colour for the flower stamp around the edge. The crowns are grungeboard that I have inked, again in fired brick and then spritzed with pearl glimmer mist.

I attached the lady using mod podge and then also put a layer of this of the top to deal it. Crown then affixed and Bobs your uncle!

Hope you like them

Ally

Read the instructions!

2010-05-02T04:11:00.000-07:00

Ok, so as you know, I do try to enter the Passion for Promarkers challenge blog whenever I can. So there I was on Tuesday, avidly reading what the challenge was and deciding whether or not to enter. I decided that I didn't have the time this week so put it to the back of my mind.

Along came Saturday and I found I had some time, so off I set to make the card.

I knew I had to make a handmade flower, and rather go for the normal type that I generally make, I thought I'd have a go at something slightly different. So I got out this Sissix die which is of hearts.I cut out 3 sets of hearts in 2 lots of pearlised card. You can see here how the hearts look when they come out straight after cutting.I then popped out the middles. Because the hearts are quite big, I put the hearts to one side to use another time and layered the middle parts to make the flower.I used a lovely Anya stamp and coloured her with promarkers (of course). and finally I assembled the finished card.

Ta da!! All done.

So why is the title of this post called 'read the instructions' I hear you ask.

After the card was finished I went back to the blog and found that not only did I have to make my own flowers but there was a SKETCH!!!!!

So after all that, I can't enter the challenge after all. So the moral of the story is - READ THE INSTRUCTIONS!

Ally

Full steam ahead!

2010-05-01T02:08:00.001-07:00

Guess what? - yes it's another holiday photo!!
I looked at the photo and pondered and pondered. How on earth will I scrap this? I had a good old rummage and came up with this little combo. I wanted quite 'manly' papers or colours and focussed on the red at the front of the train. I think I mentioned before that I have a real thing for buttons at the moment. Can't seem to do a page or card without at least 3 on!

The flower is just a sticker and then I added some depth to it by sticking a button (yes I know!) in the middle.

Finally, here's a close up of the photo and journalling.

Whilst I've added a flower border, I dont think it detracts from the more male type of theme.

Hope you like it.

Ally

2002

2010-04-28T13:05:00.000-07:00

This another 8x8 of my baby and obviously he's a lot younger in this one! I have kept this page very plain as I feel it suits this photo.

I really like this picture. I wish I could turn back time sometimes. There are a few photos of Ryan when he is younger, but I dont have many. So these I treasure. Long story and not for here.

Oh dear, it's bringing tears to my eyes. Time to go.

Ally

In the Garden

2010-04-25T07:27:00.000-07:00

This week I have entered the Passion for Promarkers challenge where the theme was @In the Garden.' I just love this Penny Black stamp. It's so versatile and can be used for so many different occassions.

Hope you like it

Ally

On my travels again

2010-04-24T05:18:00.001-07:00

Yet another holiday photo - ho hum!
Watchet is a little harbour village in Somerset and Simon and I really like it there. We'vre wandered around the quay many times, watched the steam train come in and once visited a little craft fair. In there was a lady demonstrating parchment craft. I was totally transfixed watching her and that led me on to me buying my first ever crafting magazing along with making my first ever card. I used a huge chipboard flower in the corner. It's a basic grey one I think and then added a button in the middle. (Ihave a thing about buttons at the mo!)

I still can't yet manage to delve that little bit deeper with my jouranlling. Hopefully as time goes on, I'll get better at it.

These are just little prima flowers with buttons in the middle.

Quite a busy page this one, but I like it. I hope you do too.

Ally

Tag swap

2010-04-21T10:08:00.000-07:00

Over on UKs we had a tag swap within our team. We all made a tag, sent it off to our 'team captain' who then shared them out and sent them back so we had one each from evryone who took part.

As you can see, I now have a lovely variety of tags showing each members individual talent and style.

You can tell I'm back at school as the blog posts become more sporadic. I've only been back 3 days and I feel like I need a holiday!!
Ally
xx

More ATCs

2010-04-19T11:01:00.000-07:00

So I've made a couple more ATCs. I'm really enjoying coming back to this small size. The hope tag is one of Sir Tims adage tickets whuch I've just edged with distress ink.

The face stamp was free on Craft Stamper magazine.

These have reached their new owners now so I hope they like them as much as I enjoyed making them.

Ally

Another 8x8 of Ryan

2010-04-17T02:04:00.001-07:00

So I promised another LO of my beautiful son (you can tell I'm his mum can't you!). This one was taken in 2006 when Ryan was playing for Trimley Red Devils. Ryan eat, drank, lived and breathed for his football. I said that I was going to keep these 8x8 LOs really simple because I want the photo to be the main element.

These little gems are each slightly smaller than the one to the left and the third was put on a little wonky. Hmph!

This is a chipboard embellishment that came with the kit.

Some of you may be thinking that the backgrounds and embellies are a bit too flowery for pages all about a boy, but these pages are for me, just so that I can pick them up and flick through whenever I want to.

Hope you like it.

Ally

Blog award!

2010-04-16T03:09:00.000-07:00

Yippee! This is my first ever blog award and I'm supposed to now tell you 7 crafty facts about me. 1. I don't have a desk or a craft room. I have a cupboard and boxes in the corner of my living room and I work on my coffee table (when my back allows) or on a lap table.
2. I've made cards for a few years now and that's where my crafting obssession started.
3. Years ago I made and swapped ATC's. I found the appeal of them again lately and have got back into this and started swapping again.
4. I find it really diificult to transfer my craft skills and knowledge into my teaching. I'm just find it really hard to be creative at school and this is something that really gets on my nerves!
5. My uncle and my cousin are both artists.
6. My mum used to make all of me and my sisters clothes. We were always dressed identically!
7. I also dabble in cross stitch and currently have a latch hook rug on the go.

I now have to pass this award on to 3 people. Hmmm... who to choose?
These are the people I'm going to pass the award on to:
1. Debra at http://debscards.blogspot.com/
2. Sandra at http://allthingspretty-sandra.blogspot.com/
3. Cath at http://2010-theyearforchange.blogspot.com/

Thank you Alana for the award.
Ally
xx

Scrapping my son

2010-04-14T06:13:00.001-07:00

As many of you know, I'm new to the worl of scrapbooking, coming from a card making background, and I am totally hooked! Lots of you out there who have been doing this for years will have already scrapped your children, but obviously I haven't but now I've made a start!
I'm going to call it 'The many faces of Ryan' and I have 2 8x8 cosmo cricket albums that I'm going to use. It is going to be slightly different to regular pages though in that I'm not giving each one a title and journalling, I'm just adding the year (and month if I have it).
So this is my first page.The page is a lot browner in real life than the photo shows.
Now I think I had an absolute bargain from QVC. I don't tend to buy that much from them as they can be quite expensive but every now and then something comes along that you think 'I must have that!' and this was one of those things. It's a 9000 piece Cosmo Cricket set for £35. There's so much in there, including 2 boxed 8x8 albums, a cube to make, brag books, magnetic frames, alphas, double sided papers, adhesive ribbons, ordinary ribbons, embellies etc etc This flower I had from my own stash.

As are these little gem flowers. I used my MArtha Stewart punch for the border.

So watch out for more pages and you'll see how he's changed over the years.

Hope you like it.

Ally

Stash box

2010-04-11T06:02:00.001-07:00

Ok..so this is a secret between you and me and I'll only tell you if you promise not to tell Simon.
I succombed and bought a stash box from Sarah's cards. The offer is you get a minimum of £75 worth of stash for £25 - such a bargain that I just couldn't resist! And just look at what I got. What you can't see underneath were about 16 sheets of12 x 12 bazzil card stock and 16 pieces of 12 x 12 patterned paper.
Anyway ... remember the deal .... sssshhhhhhhhhh.... it's a secret!
Ally
xx

ATCs

2010-04-10T01:46:00.001-07:00

Many moons ago, I used to make and swap ATCs and have a HUGE folder of those that I've received. I think I tend to go through phases, as I then went into the cardmaking phase, now followed by the scrapbooking phase.
What I'd really like to do is mix the three phases up so I do a bit of each all the time. So to get me going back on the ATC swaps, I joined the trail over on UKS. You only have to make 2 (1 for the person above you and one for the person below you) and they can be of any theme at all.
Now that I know my recipients have received theirs, I can post them on here. I had a play with my distress inks and stamping. I also used grungeboard precut shapes, which I then inked and sprayed with gold glimmer mists.

I enjoyed making them again and want to build this back up again. It's quite lovely to not only make something but to then receive a little something back as well.

If you haven't tried it, have a go!

Ally

Another holiday page

2010-04-09T06:07:00.000-07:00

Yes I know it's yet another holiday LO but I have lots of photos to scrap and catch up on!

Some of you may recognise the photo of me in this LO as this is my profile pic. Simon and I were just sitting outside one afternoon, having a drink, chatting and people watching (oh we're EXPERTS at that!).

The journalling part was cut using a die on my bigshot using two papers so that I could use all parts. Having said that, I actually don't like it now. It was fine when I placed it, then afting glueing and coming back, it just didn't look right - hmph

The papers are from my Cleo crafts kit and are American Crafts collection called Letterbox.

I really value all your comments and take on board what you say, so come on ... be honest ... what do you think?

Ally

Thinking of you card

2010-04-08T09:20:00.000-07:00

I've had this kit for a while a bring it out every now and again.

As the title says, this is a thinking of you card. It's for a friend who has been diagnosed with breast cancer and is facing a major operation on wednesday. She loves elephants so I thought these little ones from the dandelion and pickles range were cute.

passion for promarkers

2010-04-07T03:53:00.000-07:00

As you know, I like my promarkers and I will sometimes enter the passion for promarkers challenge, depending on the theme or colour challenges and what I have at home.
The theme this week is 'The Young Ones' and I thought that this stamp called Sweet Kiki La Rue by C C Designs fitted the bill. I've used little mulberry flowers from my stash which I've attached using silicone glue.

And here is a close up of the coloured image,

I think it's a sweet card and I hope you like it too!

Ally

Living in Braintree

2010-04-05T05:45:00.000-07:00

So, I've lived in Braintree for 18 months. Don't get me wrong, it's quite a nice little town, but there's not an awful lot going on!

As I was waslking down one of the side streets off town the other day, I cam across this sign, on a shop wall. Well obviously I just HAD to take a photo and scrap it!

Here is a close up of the (minimal) journalling on this page.

And the buttons.

Perhaps I need to go out and about a bit more and see if I can find something better in Braintree to scrap!

Ally

Bookmark swap

2010-04-03T06:13:00.001-07:00

I entered my first swap over on UKS. A group of us bookworms get together to make a bookmark for each other. Unfortunately I don't have a final photo of the bookmark that I made fpr everyone else (doh!) but these little beauties arrived in the post this morning. Aren't they lovely? Thank you to all the lovely ladies that were in my group. They are all just super pieces of art. I hope mine was ok!!

Ally

Sport relief

2010-03-28T11:35:00.000-07:00

I try to keep the things at school separate from my crafting but every now and then an opportunity arises for a great photo!
We all (well when I say all, I actually mean the children) ran a mile and paid to wear sporty clothes. A lot of my class were wearing the official sport relief socks (including me) so I got my trusty LSA to take this photo (yes my lovely feet are in there too!).

I thought I'd share with you how I made the flowers. I used my bigshot and the layered flowers die. As there are 3 parts to each flower, I cut the flower 3 times on coordinating paper so that I could mix and match each one.
I then used brushed corduroy to ink the edges of the petals and then used a red cats eye chalk ink to just highlight the tips.

After all the inking, I used my embossing tool to curl the petals so the flowers had added depth and then fastened them together with a brad.

Hope you like it.

Ally

It's spring!

2010-03-27T06:20:00.000-07:00

Well spring has finally sprung. After what seemed like an eternally long winter I think we've made it through to the other side!

This page I've made for the weeks challenge over on UKS. The theme was spring, to use colour to match the theme, to distress and to include a spring themed quote. I think I've covered all the options!!

I looked through lots of spring quotes, all of which sum up the season beautifully, but eventually settled on this one. I think it matches how I feel about spring as well.

Hope you like it.

Ally

Spring card

2010-03-23T12:06:00.000-07:00

Yay! I've made something - whoop whoop.

I've been so bogged down by school work and making tags and bookmarks for swaps that I joined that I kind of got cardmaking and scrapping block! I also had no energy or inclination to get all the paper bits and bobs out after busy busy days.

However ... today I've joined the passion for promarkers blog challenge.

There was no colour scheme but it was to be spring themed and must include an animal.

So here is my entry.

I haven't made a card for ages so it's quite a simple one but hey ho, I like it. Hope you do too!

Ally

not been blogging :(

2010-03-22T14:16:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,
Just to let you know that I'm still here! Work has been extremely busy this last couple of weeks. Why does work life get in the way so much? Grrrr. Can't I stay at home, scrap and make cards and still get paid what I do? Can someone find me a job that pays what I get now but which I don't have to take home with me evry night?

So anyway, there is light at the end of the tunnel and the easter holidays are nearly here (hooray!). Whilst I've got lots of work to do in the hols I plan to craft in the evnings. Can't wait!!

Ally
xx

Shimelle: Something from almost nothing

2010-03-13T01:47:00.000-08:00

I've decided to take the plunge and I've signed up for Shimelle Laines online course called Something From Almost Nothing.

The idea is that you use the stash you already have so you don't have to buy anything specifically for it. You can make your own separate album but I'm just going to add to the albums I already have on the go.

So along came prompt one and it was to use anything metal. There were designer pages to look at for inspiration (and yes they were just lovely) and lots of ideas. I have loads of brads so I decided to use them on my next page.

I'm not really a brad person, but that's the whole point of the course as it encourages you to use things that just lay around!

Prompt 2 has arrived. I'm not going to reveal what it is just yet as I want to make a page first.

Ally
xx