Di's July #5 Sketch

Here's my take on Di's sketch this week - the first taken with my fabby new camera! I'm still working my way through a bunch of HOTP stuff (it was on my desk from another project!). This sketch is just perfect for using some of the large sentiment quote stamps - this one is from Cloud 9 Design. I've pretty much followed the sketch to the letter (actually, I often do!) cuz I love it the way it is!
And just to prove how fabulous my new camera is ... check out the detail in the close up shot ... if you click to enlarge it, you can see the weave in the fabric flowers, texture of the ribbon 'n all the stuff. Pretty cool huh?
Anyway, check out Di's blog for all the other DT cards, & a proper supply list for this one ... & why not have a go yourself while you are there!

Day #32 - 40 Days Event

Join me over on the DT Blog today for a snappy li'l challenge! Curious? Check it out here

& don't forget to have a go at this month's challenge - you have until midnight BST to get your entries in - there's a free kit, GDT spot & snappy li'l mini album up for grabs!

Have You Found It Yet???

Our brand new challenge blog went live today ... & I'm soooooooo excited about it! By 'our' I mean mine & Colette's. Looooove working with Colette, so when Stella announced she was closing the Journaling Junkie blog I kinda thought we could do better ourselves! So a bit of arm twisting (it was more 'you know you're gonna say yes ... so let's just do it!' LOL) & I managed to persuade (bully/tempt ... whatever!) Colette that she just had to join me on a crazy journey when we both already have so much going on! LOL.
So that was it ... Pen Pals was born. The first challenge goes live on Friday but you can have a li'l nosey around right now ... & don't forget to leave a comment ... you never know when there could be a li'l comments RAK coming ... cuz that's the kinda gals we are!

Another Trio Of Cards

I made these a week or so ago & just hadn't got around to photographing them yet. I'm finding more often that I'll make a few cards all basically to the same design, varying placement & altering papers, embellies etc ... so they still look like three different cards. So kinda 3 on a theme then! The papers & artwork are all HOTP & some of the brads are from personal shopper kits. The flowers are from making memories embellie kits & the li'l felt butterfly is Heidi Swapp ... I luuuurve the brown ones!

I think I'm gonna keep the first card aside as a 'good luck in your new school' card for Fish ... he's soooooo excited about going to his new school. If you wanted to take a look it's this one. I think he's gonna be really happy there - I have a really good feeling about it & he didn't want to come home when he went to try it out for a half day. There will be 9 children in his class - so I'm happy that he'll get plenty of quality teaching there. The uniform is kinda cute too ... I spy a scrapping opportunity on the horizon! LOL.

The other two cards are good all-round any occasion cards, I like the ones that aren't specifically birthday or whatever. Mostly cuz I'm disorganised I guess, so ones like these will suit all the birthdays, thank you's etc that I forget to make a card for! Maybe I should develop a whole range of 'oops, I forgot' cards ... just in case!

Day #31 - 40 Days Event

Off on our travels again today ... all the way to Australia to visit with my French friend Brigitte - I have no recollection of how we first met online ... but I'm so glad that we did!
Anyway, you'll need to check out Brigitte's blog for her 40 day event AND when you post your comment there, use a password - how fun! All the comments will go into a draw for a li'l RAK from Brigitte!

PASSWORD: CUPCAKE

Yummy! Who doesn't love cupcakes????

More stuff to share later ... so visit again soon!

For Colette ...

As I mentioned earlier today, it's my blogging buddy Colette's 29th (!) birthday today. So I whipped up this li'l card for her. We are all set to start an exciting li'l project together ... but it's a secret for now! LOL ... I might just tell by the end of the week tho'
I'm a pretty bad buddy really - rarely actually send cards but I made it & I'm hoping she has a fabulous day... good enough?
The papers were scraps on my desk (still!) from a card I made last week. They are actually from a (HOTP) school theme set but I love the colours & the numbers paper running along the bottom I though was kinda cool for a birthday. The buttons & flowers are from Making Memories Buttons & More kits (2 different ones) ... I've pretty much used them up now but still have tons of buttons & a few of the felt flowers left. Ribbons from my stash.
And just to plug my fabby li'l camera again: look at that detail ... it even picks up the texture of the ribbon - how cool is that? LOL

Happy Birthday Colette ... Luv Ya!!

Be sure to pop over to the Store Blog, where I'll be sharing a sneak peek of some exciting new lovliness in just a li'l while ... go on, you know you want to! LOL

Day #30 - 40 Days Event

Today we are off to visit another special pal of mine over in Phoenix, Arizona: Colette Bate. We haven't known each other long, in fact we only 'met' around 6 months ago while both on the Journaling Junkie DT & currently serve on the C&T Publishing DT together, so it looks like we are destined to be bloggin buddies 4 evah! I am so in awe of her talent & you will be too - this gal can move me to tears with every one of her stories! Pop on over to Colette's blog and see the fabby prize she has up for grabs ... & be sure to leave her some love today ... she's celebrating a birthday too!!

Mini*Mania!!

I just found out about this new challenge blog, so I just had to try out for the DT! Anyway, to save clogging up Janelle's e-mail with far too many images, I've put together a couple of slideshows of the albums I submitted to her.
The first is called 'All Woman' & is all about the women in my life that inspire me. It is the one I did for C&T publishing using the new scallop album (a post about that tomorrow - but here's the pics), currently somewhere in the USA:


The second is the one I made for my MIL - a Bo Bunny My Word book, decorated with Luxe Designs Papers.


Hope you like them!

More '40 Days' Winners!

Remember this recycling challenge for Day #19? Weeeeeell, can you believe I only got 2 entries??? Mad, huh? So: Timi & Bibi, e-mail me your snail mail addys & I'm gonna send you both some alterable goodies!

Lots more challenges coming up ... be sure to check back daily!

Day #29 - 40 Days Event

Today we are visiting my Design Team again ... Elliemook has another recycling challenge for you here. The prize is a li'l bit secret (which means I didn't take a photo yet! LOL) but will be a bunch of alterable goodies!
I have also posted yesterday's 40 Day Event (along with deets of the last round's winners).

And check out this post for even more winners! Phew! Almost caught up again ... can you believe we have been doing this for almost one whole month?????

We are off on our travels again tomorrow!!

I Take Coolpix!

My MIL took me shopping to buy a new camera (an early birthday pressie) when I was visiting last week & I'm now the proud owner of this fabby (& Purple!) li'l camera. Obviously it had to be idiot proof ... with image stability & cool zoom features!
I am so impressed with it! LOL. I'm even taking close up shots of the details on cards etc when I don't need to ... just so as I get to play.
The guy in the store wanted to sell us a rather naff looking 'leather look' camera case ... lotta money for li'l style ... so I made my own that very evening! Granted, I didn't finish until 3 am but it was soooo worth it!
It's actually the prototype for the ones I'm planning on offering in my Etsy store (more about that nearer the time!) & the finished article will have a few improvements ... but it does the job rather well! And in case you aren't a pink kinda person (!) it'll be available in other colours too!

Di's July #4 Sketch

I have been a v. bad DT member this past week - although I made my card on time for Di's #4 sketch, I didn't e-mail it & neither did I blog it ... until now. The piccie isn't all that good either but this is all set to be the last naff image I post (all will be revealed shortly! LOL) All the supplies are from HOTP Kits ... so that's a bit more of my stash used up!!

Anyway, it's a fab sketch & the next one (which I have e-mailed in on time!) isn't due to go live until Wednesday ... so why not have a go!

More 40 Days Events!!

Well I don't know about you but I'm getting a li'l bit confused about which challenges & draws are still open! LOL.
So this extra special post ... & the challenge for day #27 is simple:

Below is a link list of all the events on either this blog, or the Crop 'Til You Drop DT blog, that are still open. All you need to do is enter any of those challenges & post your comment ON THIS POST too to be in the draw to win another bunch of All My Memories Embellies! You have until August 7th, Midnight BST to enter this one - but obviously you will also need to look at the deadline for the challenge you are entering ... if you get what I mean???

Day #25 Win Handmade Etsy Embellies - Deadline: August 8th
Day #24 What's In A Name - Deadline: July 29th
Day #23 Christmas In July - Deadline: July 28th
Day # 22 Use Your Scraps - Deadline: July 28th
Day #17 Birthday Tag - Deadline: August 8th
Day #6 'Best Birthday' Projects - Deadline: July 31st ... WIN A GUEST DT SPOT, FREE KIT & HANDMADE (by DT Member ALIX) MINI BOOK
Day #1 Link List - Deadline: August 8th

While I was putting this li'l list together, I spotted a whole bunch of prizes that haven't been drawn yet - So look out for mega-prize-posts on both this & the Crop 'Til You Drop DT blog tomorrow (which is actually today now! LOL!)

DAY 26 - 40 DAYS EVENT!

JUST A QUICK POST (AGAIN) TODAY. WE ARE OFF TO JAYNE'S WITH A FAB CHANCE AT WINNING A SCRUMMY MEMORY MASTERS BOOK (I WANT THIS!!!)
WILL BE BACK WITH STUFF TO SHARE OVER THE WEEKEND (JUST AS SOON AS I'VE CAUGHT UP WITH MY FAMILY & UNPACKED! LOL)

Day 25 - 40 Days Event

LOL! Sorry guys ... back with me again & I am totally unprepared for today's challenge! I've been thinking a lot about etsy this past few days - technically I have an Etsy store - have done for almost a year & there is absolutely NOTHING in it - absolutely nothing ... nada ... not a bean!

So spur me on here, give me a helping hand & tell me what would you want to buy from my Etsy shop ... assuming there was something in it! For this one, can we have sensible suggestions & who knows ... I might just start turning your ideas into actual products available in my Etsy store ... & maybe I'll even open for business by the time I'm 40!!!
Post your comments before my birthday (august 8th) & I'll draw a winner on the 9th (that's a Saturday) ... you can also post multiple entries for this one ... so long as each has a suggestion for product ideas.

The prize? Well I am working on a li'l handmade range of felt embellies right now & some other li'l bits potentially for my Etsy store ... so how about a selection of those?
Can't wait to hear all your ideas!

Oh! I think I'm a li'l bit late with drawing some winners ... I haven't forgotten but will do it tomorrow (Friday) when I am back at home & will be able to post them out!

Day 24 - 40 Days Event

As promised, we are off to visit somewhere else today ... Phoenix, DT Member extraordinaire (she'll like that! LOL) over on my store DT. Check out today's fun game here!

Day 23 - 40 Days Event

I've been taking part in a lot of 'Christmas in July' challenges of late and as I now have quite a stash my challenge for today is to make something with a Christmas theme - I have been making cards but you can enter layouts, ornaments etc if you wish!
The prize will be a set of Christmas cards in a presentation wallet - handmade by me for you to use of give as a gift.
No piccie as I forgot to take them before I left!!
Post a link to your blog/gallery & I'll draw a winner after midnight BST next Monday!!

Day 22 - 40 Days Events

As promised, this is yesterday's challenge ...
I have a big thing for using up my scraps (although I doubt I'll ever get to the bottom of them!) Today's challenge is for you to do the same: use your scraps & show me your scrappy projects - & as I love the odd multi-challenge attempt, feel free to combine this with as many other challenges as you like, LOL.
Send me a link to your gallery/blog where I can find your entry & I'll draw a winner for some scrappy stash - winner chooses the colour, so no piccy I'm afraid. This one closes midnight BST 28th July (next Monday).
Check back at 6pm for today's challenge!

40 Days Continues ... Normal service is resumed!!

Oh! I have been a bad blogger of late ... so sorry! The upshot is, I have run away from home (LOL) & am currently enjoying some most needed R&R in the peace & quiet of my MILs home. I'll be spending the week catching up on some sleep, a bit of online stuff, as well as taking stock of my life a bit - time to re-assess & set some goals. I can do all that here ... it is quiet, there are no distractions, & there's a bath that's big enough to make me feel positively sylph-like ... & a heated floor to step out on to (woo-hoo).

Anyway, I guess what you really want to know is where all the 40 day challenges have gone since Saturday ... & here they are!

Sunday: Another round of 'Guv's Celebrity Squares' with yours truly!

Monday: Me again! Scroll down to the previous post!

Tuesday: Yup - still me!! I'll be posting today's challenge at 6pm BST on this very blog!



Tomorrow, I promise we'll be off somewhere new!

Thanks for sticking with me - it's been a tough couple of weeks but it's all about to get exciting again!

Day #20 - 40 Days Event

Soooooo sorry to post so late! What can I say? It's been a hellish day at the end of a hellish week! Anyway, tomorrow's another day 'n all that so: Today's event is over at Jay's blog ... and there's card making goodies up for grabs! Check it out here
It's also Alix's wedding today ... I hope you had the most fabulous, special day hun ... Love ya!!

Day #19 - 40 Days Event

Nearly half way through the '40 Day' celebrations, which means it is exactly 3 weeks 'til I turn 40!!!! So today I've picked another li'l challenge that is close to my heart - recycling. I hate waste (a BIG bone of contention in our household!!) so there is nothing I like more than to use my crafty scraps & turn the packaging into something useful too! The pic to the right shows packaging from themed ribbon, a pack of brads & a li'l pack of embellies (forgot to photograph before I started altering! LOL) & the slideshow below shows them in action ... as part of two li'l accordian albums I put together for Auryn's teachers (he had his last day at Tiggywinkles Nursery today).
So today's challenge is to alter/recycle/repurpose something & either link it here or e-mail me if you don't have a blog & I'll pick a winner after July 27th to receive a bunch more alterable goodies! I might even get a pic up for you to see! LOL
And as I'm also the Guest Designer for the Arty Girlz ongoing Recycling Challenge ... don't forget to link your project there too - that's gotta be the easiest multi-challenge project ever! LOL

Oooops! Running Late!

Today's '40 Days' Event will be announced sometime around 5pm BST - sorry for the delay ... I guess it's gonna be one of those days!

Did I Mention That I LOVE Cosmo Cricket?

Those of you who are regular visitors to my li'l corner of blogland might just be aware of how much I love Cosmo Cricket ... & that I didn't get a place on this year's DT ... & that I did get a $5 gift certificate. So this is what I spent it on! OK, you might be thinking that I couldn't possibly have got this whole bunch of yummy scrumptiousness for a mere $5 ... & you'd be absolutely right! But Miss Paper Jane (. com) had a clearance sale on & my credit card did take a li'l bit of a hammering!
Just thought I'd share! LOL
Oh! Forgot to say, these are all 'older' lines that I hadn't got yet - I'll definitely be getting the new CHA releases - & if you are in the UK, they will be available from the webstore ... just as soon as I can get my sticky li'l mitts on them!

Day #17 - 40 Days Event

Today we are going to play Birthday Tag ... & here are the rules:

1. Post your answers to the questions below on your blog (my answers are in brown!)
   
2. Add a link to this post in your blog & make sure that the people you tag also know that they must link to my post to be in the draw
   
3. Tag at least 5 other people (post a comment on their blogs to let them know!)
4. Post a comment on this post to be entered into the birthday tag draw - be sure to let the people you tag know to comment here too
   

There will be a birthday related prize (picture to follow) & I'll add an additional prize for every 40 comments ... so spread the word to increase your chances of winning!

If you are reading this ... consider yourself tagged! LOL

QUESTIONS:

1. What age was your best birthday (so far) & why? My 35th - it was my cut-off for having another child & I'd been hoping for 18month - I found out I was carrying DS4 on my birthday! Although this one is shaping up to be great fun so far! LOL
   
2. What was the worst? Last year ... It's like the entire planet was unaware & nobody remembered (Nope, not even DH)
   
3. What is the best present you have ever received? Nothing particularly expensive ... my Dad bought me my first digital camera about 3 years ago - I desperately need to upgrade (maybe for this birthday?) now but it was fabulous when I first started!
   
4. What was the weirdest? Nothing too weird ... I did have a gas bill paid as a birthday present once (my dad again!) which was the best thing in the world at the time. The girls at the store (when I owned the LSS) used to do weird things for me ... a birthday donut with a candle in it, helium balloons etc ... 'twas all good fun!
   
5. Where would you most like to spend your birthday? I was hoping for an early birthday trip to CHA this year but it didn't pan out that way ... A scrapping cruise would be fabulous ... maybe one day. Realistically, I barbeque with DH's folks, my boys and some of their freinds will be cool too!
   
6. What is your zodiac sign? Leo: Proud, stubborn (i like to call it 'focussed'), determined, a good organiser & loving being the centre of attention. Oh yeah! That's me LOL
   
7. Chinese Year? Ummmm, Monkey! LOL. I have no idea what it means tho'

So post your comments - I'd love to come & read about your birthdays too!

Di's July #3 Sketch

You might have noticed that I'm back on my 'use the stash' mission again right now - & Di's fabby sketch this week is perfect for using up some of the larger ones!
I have quite a collection of HOTP Cardmaker's kits - some barely used, so this week I've been tackling some of those papers. I'll be going for sometime if I'm going to use them all tho'. I hadn't intended sanding the edges but the circle punch I used was a li'l blunt & snagged the paper - after I trimmed it, there was still a li'l bit of white showing, so I sanded all my edges & then inked with the same colour I'd been stamping in. The stamp was free with a magazine about a year ago - still sealed! LOL
Be sure to check out Di's blog & see what the rest of the DT did!

FIVE Challenges in One!!

Yup! You did read that right - I'm taking multi challenge layouts to the next level! LOL
First up, Deanne Burton is hosting today's '40 Days' event. Now I don't usually enter these - doesn't really seem right as I organised the whole event, contacted our fabulous participants and all the other behind the scenes stuff ... but Deanne specifically invited me to play along - & it would be rude not to! LOL
Anyway - the challenge was to create a layout with the word 'happy' included somewhere (1) you can increase your entries into the draw by creating a completely new layout (which this one is) AND by using one of Deanne's fabulous sketches ... which brings me neatly to challenge #2 - posted yesterday, Deanne's mid-month sketch! (2)
Arty Girlz current challenge is to create something with a male theme - that's my littlest man on a playdate with a buddy in the pic (3), Colour Your World are looking for summer themed layouts with sunny colours (I think but my translation could be a bit skewed) ... so that's 4!
Last but by no means least Janean set the following blog challenge (y'all know Friday is Blog Challenge Day, right? ) on the Croppinsville blog ...
For the anagram challenge, I'll select a word. I'll then select an item or two using the first letter of the word. The remaining letters are up to you. You must then use the supplies listed along with items you selected for the remaining letters to create your project. This weeks word is: CROP.

C~
R~
O~Orange
P~

So your challenge is to use something orange. Then you'll need to come up with something for C, R and P. Hope you enjoy!
So I have: C = COSMO CRICKET (like you couldn't see that coming!) R = Red Rub Ons O = Orange P = Paper Punches (Flower & Corner Rounder)

So there you have it! total number of challenges = 5!!!!

HS:MS - RED

I was just reading the HS:MS prompt online, wondering what I could find that is red, when my neighbour arrived with the final picking from her cherry tree. So I guess it is meant to be! LOL.
I didn't take this photo today - this one was taken last week, shortly before I finished off the last bowl of cherries!
You might recognise the pic from a recent layout too!

Day #17 - 40 Days Event

We are off on our travels again today, visiting Newfoundland, Canada & my good buddy Deanne Burton. Deanne is one third of the Sisterhood of Scrap (along with her actual sisters, Carla & Susan) and has her own sketch challenge blog too.
So there's a fair chance that today's offering will be sketchy (but in a good way!) ... & I'm sure I heard mention of my very favourite manufacturer too! Go get the details!

Fab's June Christmas Cards

Here's my entry for Fab's Big Christmas Challenge - this month's nutter level is to make 6 cards - before 25th July, when the next month's challenge will start.
So I'm still on a mission to use my stash ... & I'm still on the HOTP personal shopper Cardmaker's kits ... Ooooooooh it's gonna be a long, long time 'til I use all these up! LOL. I have made 42 cards from 1 kit before - & I have at least 18 month's worth (plus a few ex-display from the store - in varying states of use) so I guess I better start making a whole bunch of cards! LOL
Anyway, these 6 were a good start I think. You might notice a few poinsettias here & there - gotta say I love flowers on my cards just as much, if not more than layouts!
The next 40 days event is coming up later - be sure to check back!!

YAY! It's Christmas!!

... at Croppinsville USA!! Now you are all gonna want to know about this one! If you live within driving distance of Collinsville, Oklahoma, I suggest you get on over to the store this weekend (full address etc at the bottom of this post) BUT ... if you are like me & live a little bit far away to visit in person ... you can join us online!
Croppinsville now has a fully functioning forum & gallery - I'll be there ... will you?

CHRISTMAS IN JULY CROP BLITZZ

Oh my gosh!!!! Allie is out of town for CHA and while the cat’s away the mice (staff) are gonna play! We are in the mood to get Christmas started early this year!!! We will have classes all weekend long (Friday evening until Sunday evening) with projects you can work on for Christmas, including CARDS, MINI-BOOKS and ORNAMENTS. At 5 pm Sunday, we will have a Christmas Card and Ornament Swap. What a great way to get a nice selection of cards and ornaments for family and friends. You will have plenty of time to complete cards and ornaments to swap with the other croppers during classes and crop time so be sure and keep your eye out for the class schedule closer to the date. COST: $12 all weekend or $5 per day to reserve your table and project costs will vary. Snacks will be provided.

Fri. July 18 7 PM – Midnite, Sat. July 19th 10 AM- Midnite, Sun. 10 AM-7 PM.

Ticket vouchers will be given to reserved croppers for snacks and drinks.

Your table reservation fees will apply toward your purchases/class fees only for this weekend.

No credits will be given for future purchases/classes/crops.

CLASS SCHEDULE:

FRIDAY… 7:30-9:00 pm Cost: $2.00 DEXAHEDRON CHRISTMAS BALL

9:30-10:30 pm Cost: $3.00 ORIGAMI GIFT BOX ORNAMENT

11:00-11:30 pm Cost: $2.00 CHRISTMAS CARDS (2 different cards)

SATURDAY… 11:00 am-12:30 pm Cost: $10.00 ALLIE’S STAR BOMB BOOK

1:30-2:30 PM Cost: $5.00 2 PAGE CHRISTMAS LAYOUT

3:00-4:00 pm Cost: $1.00 CHRISTMAS TREE ORNAMENT

5:00 – 6:30 pm Cost: $2.00 DEXAHEDRON CHRISTMAS BALL

7:30-8:30 pm Cost: $3.00 ORIGAMI GIFT BOX ORNAMENT

9:30-11:00 pm Cost: $8.00 CHRISTMAS PURSE WITH 4 CARDS

SUNDAY… 10:30-11:00 am Cost: $2.00 GOODIE BOX CONTAINER

11:30-1:00 pm Cost: $8.00 CHRISTMAS PURSE WITH 4 CARDS

2:00-3:00 pm Cost: $1.00 STAR ORNAMENT

SWAPS…

5:00-5:30 pm ORNAMENT SWAP (FOR EVERY HANDMADE ORNAMENT YOU BRING, YOU WILL RECEIVE ONE IN RETURN FROM SOMEONE ELSE). This will require at least 4 people to participate.

5:30-6:00 pm CHRISTMAS CARD SWAP (FOR EVERY HANDMADE CARD YOU BRING, YOU WILL RECEIVE ONE IN RETURN FROM SOMEONE ELSE). This will require at least 4 people to participate.

Supplies needed for classes: liquid & dry adhesive, black fine tip pen, brown ink

Athene and Your Friendly Crew at…

Croppinsville

1106 W. Main St.

Collinsville, OK 74021

918-371-0071

http://Croppinsville.blogspot.com

Her Space: My Space ... Row

The weather is grey & gloomy here - but the prompt on Her Space: My Space was fortuitous nonetheless. This is DS1 in the garden, preparing rows to plant late crop beetroot, potatoes & a couple of courgette plants that won't fit in the growbags!
HS:MS has been on a li'l break & I haven't played for the longest time! I have it in my google reader now (if you aren't using this, maybe you want to check it out - saves me sooooo much time!) so maybe I'll play along more often!
Back later with that project I was talking about - for now I have to upload more clearance goodies to the webshop! Me? Oh yeah! I live the high life! LOL

Day #16 - 40 Days Event

Off to Manchester, UK today to visit Laura ... who might just have a fabulous mini book up for grabs ;o). What are you waiting for ... GO GO GO!!

I'll be back later with a fabby project to share (I have been waiting to show you this for about 4 MONTHS!!!)

Day #15 - 40 Days Event

Off on our travels again today, to visit with Sharmaine - all the way over in Tasmania! Sharmaine has a fab game to play today - and a fab scrappy prize! Good luck, have fun & don't forget to visit me tomorrow to see where we are going next!

Arty Girlz #42

OK! This is my last post for tonight (yup! I do realise that it is, in fact, tomorrow! LOL) This is my take on the Arty Girlz challenge this week, which was (unusually) a sketch. I'm also going to count this card towards Fab's Big Christmas Challenge ... but I guess I'll get the others made before I link it all up! LOL. It's my own fault for going for the nutter option ... I could just do the one card! LOL.
This is another 'use my stash' card - still working my way thru all that HOTP - but I gotta say, we're not even making a dent in the pile just yet!!! Got a loooooong way to go!

Ismaki Sketch #27 ... With Fairies!

I won a bunch of hand stamped Hanglar images from Jo last week & I've been busy doing a li'l bit of colouring in the evenings ... but this is my first card! I lOVE these (I'm sure I saw a really cool dragon somewhere on their site too!) & am joining the ranks of people who wish they were available in the UK! LOL. Anyhow - DH says he thinks we have relatives in Norway ... so I'll be checking that with MIL on Tuesday!! LOL.
Anyway, the Ismaki sketch this week had the option to include fairies - so this li'l guy is perfect I think. Using up stash again - all the papers, arrow brad & card art are from a HOTP Cardmaker's kit - the flower is from a making memories embellie box & the velvet ric rac is from the yummy stash that Aunit Jane brought me on her last visit from the US (CI Art Bar, I think!) - It doesn't show well in the photo but the heart has a layer of diamond glaze! I'm colouring my images with Derwent Inktense pencils - just fab! & if you give me a few days, I'll be uploading them to the webshop - on a clearance offer ... savings to be had!!

52 Sketches ... 52 Weeks

This is my layout based on Julie's #27 sketch - it's only the second one I've done - how lame is that???? The photos are from 'the stack' (YAY!!) & the papers? Cosmo Cricket! LOL. I'm on a 'use my stash' mission again at the moment (have to make way for all the new yummies I am expecting to arrive shortly!) & these are 'Be Good' - last Christmas's collection (& a sheet of random kraft cardstock - no idea what manufacturer!). I'd already used the 'a' from the button fashions sheet - so I used the negative as a stencil to cut a new one!! The papers are already distressed but I inked them up a bit more with Chestnut Roan Chalk Ink (I use this ALL THE TIME!) - I keep a pad just for inking edges - it's really dry, so gives a really soft finish - useless for stamping, so I have a nice juicy one for that! LOL
I stamped the journal block & added Making Memories (5th Avenue, Elizabeth) Die Cut Brackets ... these are a brilliant buy - there's about 100 die cuts in a pack - I'm nowhere near using them all yet! LOL.
The embellishment in the sketch had me stumped for a li'l while ... I just didn't have the perfect thing & didn't want to cop out & just use a flower - so I made a li'l embellie collage with a Heidi Swapp chipboard clock, Tim Holtz game spinner, adage ticket & trinket pin, a li'l bit of American Crafts ribbon & a Petaloo blossom. Let me know what you think, won't you?

Day #14 - 40 Days Event

Busy, Busy, Busy! LOL. We are still celebrating over on the Store/DT blog today - with a new game & a new host ... ME!!!
Come & join me for our next giveaway & the first round of a new game - you'll need to be in this round to qualify for future rounds! Curious??? Come on over!!

I'll also be announcing the winner of our 10,000 hits RAK! Exciting, huh?

Life Is A Bowl Of Cherries

I noticed today that with all the '40 days' blogging, there has been a distinct lack of eye candy, inspiration, creativity ... call it what you like - there hasn't been any 'stuff'! LOL
This layout is a real mix of product ... really working on using up my stash! And it's a double challenge layout too! I've been missing my play time recently &, taking my cue from Di Hickman (as I often do!!) I have decided to create one thing every day ... if I'm pressed for time, it might be a card or ATC or something - but I will make stuff every day ... even if I can't share it!
So, Color Your World set the challenge to use green & brown (OK, I had to pink it up a li'l bit! LOL) & I just found this new challenge blog today 'Say It In Scrap' who set the challenge to create a layout with something you haven't seen before - I dunno ... does anyone else scrapbook fruit???
In case you want the details - I have a whole bunch of manufacturers here ...
Supplies: Papers & Numeral Stamps: HOTP; Buttons & Paper Flowers: Making Memories; Fabric Flowers: Petaloo; Journaling Ticket & Game Spinner (for clock hands): Tim Holtz; Flourish Stamps: 7Gypsies; Acrylic Letters: Queen & Co.
Chipboard: Letters (Cosmo Cricket); Glittered Cherry (Creative Imaginations); Hearts (Maya Road); Clocks (Heidi Swapp).
Ribbon & Cardstock - unknown

I have an award!!

Not for the messiest scraproom (would win it hands down! LOL) or for the most Cosmo Cricket Stash in one place (I guess it's ditto to that!) but this one ------->>
I was nominated TWICE for the award (look at me! Miss popular! LOL) by Jo & Elliemook ... Thanks guys - sorry it's taken so long for me to blog it!!

Those that accept the award have to follow these rules:

1. The winner can put the logo on his/her blog.
2. Link the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs of the boys/girls you've nominated.

So, I'd have nominated my fabby DT members ... but Elliemook already did that! LOL - luckily that made the choice of seven on my international list just a touch easier!! here goes:
Brigitte
Pam Sandy
Shirley Pando
Colette Bate
Deanne Burton
Sharmaine
Fabrizio

I hope you'll all stop by and visit these guys ... fabulously talented, every one of them!

Day #13 - 40 Days Event

No travelling required today! We are staying over with the DT & this time it is Phoenix hosting a li'l game. Find all the details here!

Don't forget the 10,000 hits RAK - today is your last chance to enter

Sharmaine's Fabulous Adventure!

My blogging buddy & '40 days' supporter Sharmaine is through to round #8 of Project Scrap Away & they have just added the twist of 'blogging immunity' for this round.
So what is this? Well it is the opportunity for all those making it through to round #8 to 'earn' immunity. How? Well, by blogging about it she gets a point, by getting people commenting on her post and by those people going over and commenting on Project Scrap-Away's Blog Immunity post, that's another 2 points AND she gets another 2 points for each person who post about her and Project Scrap-Away including links (the url is http://scrap-n-cropcontest.blogspot.com/ ). So do you want to join the fun?? leave a comment on Sharmaine's post here, then head over to the Immunity Post and leave a comment saying Sharmaine's friend and if you blog about this adventure leave the link to your post as well as Sharmaine's friend in the comments.
If you are feeling pretty lazy (as I am, it's almost 11.30pm here), you can just copy & paste my post (the links will all remain intact) into your own blog & then go add the comments following the links - cool huh? And while you are over at Sharmaine's blog - check out her fab sunrise photos ... & her cool arty stuff!

Stars n Stripes Winner!!

Sorry! A li'l later (it's 10:30pm in the UK - if you are elsewhere then I guess it's maybe not late yet! LOL) than I had planned on announcing our winner - Fridays are busy days for me with classes etc. Anyway - I have a hard time choosing a winner - especially when I know some of the entrants on a personal level. So I decided to use the random integer thingy (my saviour, always) to avoid making a decision at all & numbered the entries left to right as they appear in the picasa album.
It picked #9 ... & that is ...

SHANNON HATFIELD!!

E mail your snail mail addy to me & I'll get your goodies into the post!

Congratulations Shannon - hope you'll come back to play soon!

Do You Have Something To Say?

I have been asked by some of my (more technophobic) ladies to post a bit of an 'Idiot's Guide' to posting comments! Awwww ... Bless Them! LOL. So I got to thinking; although it's easy when you know how, maybe there are a bunch of other people who also want to participate more ... if only they knew how. If that doesn't apply to you, feel free to skip this entire post - I have nothing else of interest to say this time ... but thanks for stopping by!
OK - so here we go with the Baby Basics of Blog Commenting:

1. If you look at the bottom of this post (scroll down a li'l bit) it says: Posted by Beverley Todd, then the time I posted, & then 0 comments (or possibly a number of comments, depending on whether anyone had anything to say yet!)
2. Click on 'comments' & a pop up window will open (you need to have pop ups enabled ... but that's a different issue)
3. If there have been no comments yet, you will see a message box. If there are comments, you can either click 'jump to comment form' or read the messages (some are quite fun) until you get to the message box at the bottom.
   
4. Click inside of the message box, type your comment (add your name too, so I know who you are!!) & then move on to the next step:
5. Near the bottom you'll see a heading 'choose an identity' Click on the li'l circle to the left of 'anonymous' (which is why you left your name with your comment) & then click 'publish your comment'
6. Congratulations - you have just posted your first comment & can now close that pop up down!!
   

You won't be able to see your comment as I read & authorise each one before it is published on my blog.
If you have a gmail (or googlemail) e-mail account, you can log in under the google/blogger identity using the log in details (username/e mail address) & password that you use to access your e-mails.
You will also find that these instructions will not work for some blogs that don't allow anonymous comments ... it might also be different for non-blogger blogs - but this is all you need to do to comment on my blog/the crop 'til you drop DT & store blog/a new bloggy venture of mine launching in August ... Oh wait! that last one is a secret!! Shhhhh ... don't tell! LOL

I'll look forward to reading your comments ... & seeing your entries to all the '40 days' events!
Have Fun & Crop 'Til You Drop!!

Day #12 - 40 Days Event

Back in the UK today at my store blog, home of my fabulously talented (& completely mad) DT. Today, Elliemook is hosting a fab li'l challenge based around one of my fave colours! Can you guess what it is yet?? Off you go, take a look!

& don't forget to check out the 10,000 hits RAK while you are there - there's goodies to be had!

Day #11 - 40 Days Event

Back off to the USA today ... Collinsville, Oklahoma - home of Croppinsville USA! My fabulous boss-lady Allie has a brilliant li'l giveaway for you today. You want a clue? Ok I have a couple ...
1) The challenge is called 10 for the 10th
2) Can you say 'Autumn Leaves Stamps?'

Ooooh! Intriguing huh? Pop on over to the blog for all the deets - & if you didn't already, wish our Allie a happy belated birthday (hers was July 5th! ).
You might want to also pop over to the main site to check out the forums, galleries & the beginnings of the new webstore. And for all you guys that were disappointed that my store doesn't ship internationally - Croppinsville could be your answer!

There's still time (if you are quick!) to join in with the Stars &/or Stripes challenge, which closes midnight (BST) tonight!!

Di's July #2 Sketch

Here's my offering for Di Hickman's Card Sketch DT this week. Loved this sketch - so easy to make a nice n easy card - didn't take me long either (which made a pleasant change!!)
Pop on over to the blog for deets of the free digi template, to join in the challenge & to see the rest of the DTs cards - they ROCK these sketches each & every week!

Cosmo & Mr Poe

I love it when my fave things come together in one place! I love edgar allan poe (particularly, The Raven) & I think everybody got the bit where I love Cosmo Cricket *smile*
In order for any of this to make sense, you need to read this post on the Cosmo Cricket blog - obviously you'll want to take in all the sneak peeks - but you also need to pay attention to the blurb on the Halloween papers.
& because I'm very tired after working in the garden with FIL & DS1 today (the rain was torrential, but we soldiered on!), instead of tidying my scraproom; finishing the blogging backlist; crafting even - I penned this:

Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer
‘Eric’ said I ‘or Julie, give me new goodies, I implore;
But the fact is I was scrapping, & I have no time for napping
Cuz I fear there is a gap in the Cosmo stash upon my floor
& now I start to panic, throwing wide the scrap room door
I need more Cosmo, nothing more

Back into my scrap room turning, all my soul within me yearning
For the CHA releases somewhat newer than before
‘Surely‘, said I, ‘surely that is, my destiny … the fact is…
Only Cosmo lines will satisfy my yearning to explore
Let my heart be still a moment - my inner artist must explore: -
Cosmo Cricket … Nothing more!

Apologies, of course, to Edgar Allan Poe!

Day #10 - 40 Days Event

Wow! 10 days into my 40-day-long birthday bash! That's one quarter of the way already! Today we are off to visit my family in Canada - Sisters, in fact! Now, for those that know me well - you'll be thinking 'you don't have a sister' Ah but I do - a whole bunch of them - & I have the blog button to prove it! LOL.
Yup! Off to visit the Sisterhood of Scrap for a special birthday challenge & the chance to win a bunch of scrapping goodies! While you are there - be sure to check out all the other stuff going on - there are weekly challenges with a chance to become a 'Sister of the Week (so fun!) & monthly stash prizes too!
Don't forget there is still time to enter my Stars &/or Stripes challenge (ends midnight tomorrow), Shirley's Free Class Giveaway, Pam's Supply Challenge, Jayne's Cupcake Challenge, & my Blog Links Drawing.

Thank You Jo!!!

I won some fabby blog candy over on Jo's Blog a li'l while ago & now I have it in my mucky li'l paws (sorry Jo ... I poached your piccy!) Can't wait to have a li'l colouring session & maybe make a card or two!
So I just wanted to say THANK YOU!! I LOVE THEM!!!

I have been tagged & nominated for a couple of blog awards - Haven't forgotten about them ... Not ignoring you ... Just having a bit of a bloggy backlog!
LOL! I have gone from sporadic posting, to daily, to multiple posts per day ... Where will the madness end!

Day #2 - 40 Days Event - International Draw Winner

The Random Number Generator gave us ...

15 

Timestamp: 2008-07-08 21:47:56 UTC

& that was ...

Katie said...

Hi I am Katie from Georgia in the US

02 July 2008 03:33:00 BST

E-mail me your snail mail addy & I'll get your goodies in the post! CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Wanna Swapp?

I really struggled to make anything today - seems my Mojo has left the building. I was reading Heidi Swapp's blog yesterday & realised I'd yet to use the Runway collection. She also reminded me about using 'the stack'. I guess we all have one - that stack of photos (or in my case, 2 A4 boxes) that are sitting, taunting us & waiting to be transformed! Yet still we print off a new batch every time we create a page! LOL.
Now many of you will have read about my PC crash ... & my complete failure to save anything to disk ... so in my case 'the stack' (as it will forever more be named) contains many photos for which I have no other copies!
Anyway, I'm not entirely happy with this page - I smudged ink, got my letters wonky etc but the basic principle was, I think, sound. Did I mention my Mojo is missing? But I guess Friday's class will be happy with it - & they have the option not to smudge ink & do wonky lettering! LOL. I'm thinking I'm gonna use 'the stack' for all my class layouts in future ... until I come across an event that has to be scrapped right now!!
I also used a a couple of Heidi Swapp stamps. I knew that the ink would 'pool' a bit on the 'imagine' stamp - always does with new stamps (you can lightly sand them before first use to prevent that) - but I kinda like that & I'd intended outlining in black anyway, so that was OK. The other stamp is the clock face peeking out from behind the photo mat. The flowers are from a mix of several Dahlia Box blends. My journaling is written along the top of the branch.
I half thought it would be a good idea to stop while it wasn't really working for me - but looking at the leftover papers, I had a couple of card ideas I wanted to try - & you know if you leave it 'til later, you just forget what you had in mind (or is that just me??)
These papers are soooo lovely that you don't really need to add much to make a pretty card. For the second one, I thought I'd try something other than black for the accent colour - love this kinda duck egg blue. The buttons & blossoms were from a Making Memories selection box - the rubs I've had for aaaages! Oh! & the li'l flower gems are also from the dahlia box blends.
By the third card, I think my Mojo was about to make a comeback - I have a huge box of manilla tags (luggage label size) & decided to make a clear pocket with a corner from the Runway Clear Extras. This is soooo thick that my li'l sewing machine's motor (I have one of those mini machines) couldn't cope. So I had to manually operate it (or handsew - didn't fancy that AT ALL! lol.) The tag is covered on both sides, sanded & inked at the edges. The felt flower is from that same Making Memories selection box, layered with a trinket pin (love Tim Holtz for metal stuff & unusual embellies!) & some ribbon (the perfect colours in an old Personal Shopper kit). The rub on alphas I've had forever!
So just as I'd got into 'the zone' I had to stop for family stuff. This evening I'd have preferred to craft some more - but there's much online stuff to be done! LOL
Back soon with a prize draw winner & more bloggy stuff!

Don't You Just Love The Postie?

Any day is a good day when the postie brings a package with these labels. The sender's address is on the front, so I always know where the latest bunch of gorgeousness has come from. This one is from Croppinsville USA (in Collinsville, OK - play on words, geddit?) & I just about managed to contain myself long enough to take a photo! LOL
Inside was this fabulous collection of bright & lovely goodies - ohhhhhhh! where to start! I see mini books, pages, cards ... I even have an idea for the dog theme papers (I don't 'do' dogs - never have, never will! LOL)
I have been having a bit of a crisis just lately - need to lift my game a bit. It isn't enough to be an adequate crafter - or even a good one - I want to be FABULOUS! LOL. So when a top notch designer, with training in graphic design, tells you that you have potential ... it's time to get back to design principles, retrace your steps & find out where you lost your way - and that's where I am right now - back to the drawing board, back to basics and hey! if it doesn't kill me, then it'll make me stronger, better, sharper - maybe even fabulous!

Now I realise there's a whole bunch of blog posts I've been promising (news about blog awards, updates on Fish's school visit, a blogging basics tutorial & the winner of the international drawing from Day #2: 40 Days). They will be coming this evening - for definite! Fact is, I have not crafted since Sunday (& that was just 1 card) & I need to get back in the 'zone' so that I can be nicer to be around (I kid you not!!), so right now, I'm off to play with Heidi Swapp (product, not person! LOL) & maybe I'll have some sharing to do later today!

Day #9 - 40 Days Event

Today, we are staying in the USA - this time visiting the Sunshine State: Florida, home of another great pal of mine ... Shirley Pando. Shirley has a fabulous free place in one of her online classes up for grabs! You can check out all of Shirley's classes here & if you want a chance at taking one for FREE ... pop on over to her blog & see what you have to do!
Good luck everybody!!

Day #8 - 40 Days Event

Travelling across the pond today to visit with my good pal Pam Sandy in Michigan, USA. Now Pam's been a bit secretive about the prize she's offering today but I know it will be FAB!! There were hints about felt ... and maybe beads ... and deffo some ribbon (she's a ribbon queen, is Pam) ... & a li'l challenge for anyone that wants to win it all! If I were you, I'd visit her blog & check it out!
And if like me, you are in the UK (or anywhere that isn't the USA), bear in mind that with the whole time zones thing it could be this afternoon before the challenge goes up! LOL

Edited to add: just been on over to Pam's ... there's a sneak peek of the prize & a couple of clues to the challenge!! Whoot!!

10,000 Hits Giveaway

We are celebrating over on the store blog today too! 10,000 unique visitors to our li'l bloggy! We have a giveaway (of course!) to celebrate, so pop on over & grab your chance to win!! You have until midnight BST Saturday July 12th to enter ... so best do it now before you forget! LOL

Day #7 - 40 Days Event

Today we are visiting Jayne in Bristol for the 7th giveaway - pop on over to see what she's doing with cupcakes!!
And don't forget to come back & visit me daily to where where the next blog-stop will be!
Missed the previous days? find 'em all here!

40 Days Prize Pics To Share

Here's the pics of prizes for the current 40 Days events held on this blog - I hope I'll have them all up to date in future! LOL. I've included links to the individual giveaways & closing dates - you wouldn't want to miss one huh?

The link draw prize: A selection of AMM epoxy stickers & guitar picks. Plenty of time to enter this one ... the draw takes place on my birthday - August 8th
The bonus draw ... international entries only. This one ends on Monday, July 7th at midnight BST.
Stars & Stripes challenge - ends midnight (BST) Thursday July 10th.

Don't forget to check out Blog 'Til You Drop for today's challenge ... I'll see you back here tomorrow for details of the next great competition ... & a li'l extra too!

Winners!!

Time to draw a winner for Day #1 of our 40 day birthday event. The random number generator picked these comments from ...

Sharmaine
my idea for making your 40s fab...Do something new everyday or every week. Doesn't have to be big, just something new... Challenge yourself to find something and do it.
&
Shatfield
Beverly, I don't know how much more I can add to the wonderful comments and ideas for making your 40s fabulous, but I just turned 40 last October so I am on this journey with you! It's a time to start having a new attitude. I started going out and doing things for myself like getting out there to do more serious scrapbooking and papercrafting, meeting tons of new people, taking care of my health, the list goes on... My marriage and my five year old are the best things that have happened to me but It doesn't have to be a child or a husband that defines you as a person (wife, mother). I think that many of the previous posts mention how it's really a time to get to know yourself and do new things and really enjoy new experiences at this time in our lives! Have a wonderful birthday!

Congrats to you both!! I'll be posting a bunch of these chipboard die cuts (40 in fact) to each of you as soon as I have your snail mail addresses.
Thank you to everybody who entered - you all had some fabulous ideas for making - & keeping my 40s fab! There are still lots of chances to win - Find 'em all here!!

Happy Birthday Allie!!

Our very own Allie, Croppinsville USA owner & Forum Mama celebrates her birthday today ... And here's a birthday card I made just for her.
It's another based loosely on Di Hickman's current sketch, using my beloved Cosmo Cricket papers (Fleuriste 8x8 pad this time)
So if you happen to be passing the store today, pop in & say hi to Allie - & if, like me, you are just too far away ... sign up for the Croppinsville forum & chat to her there ... or check out the blog ... or do both! LOL

Day #6 - 40 Days Event

So we are almost at the end of the first week of the 40 days celebrations & today we are off to visit Blog 'Til You Drop ... my webstore's blog & home to the Crop 'Til You Drop DT. Alix has a very special challenge for you all today!
I had hoped to get some prize piccies posted yesterday but the day just somehow got a way from me! LOL. I'm gonna try today ... we are currently experience the glories of a British Summer (it's raining ... hard) so I'm not sure how that's gonna work!
This could be one of my catch-up blogging days ... so you might want to pop back later! LOL

Day #5 - 40 Days Event

HAPPY 4TH JULY TO ALL MY AMERICAN BLOGGIN BUDDIES!!
Now, I mean no offence to my Canadian buds - the difference is I don't get 50 bazillion e-mails from you guys saying 'it's Canada Day, so I'll catch up with you after that!' LOL. Basically, by the time I knew it was Canada Day - it was close to my bedtime & too late to do anything - must try harder ... maybe next year! LOL
Anyway, I'm thinking 4th July ... stars 'n stripes! & being as I am not American, or even living in the US, here is my li'l take on that
for you! I've loosely based the design (all 3, same design) on Di Hickman's current card sketch ... & for the last one, I've made a Christmas Card. Di posted a 'Christmas in July' theme on Thursday & I have pledged to join in! LOL
I guess that's on top of Fab's Big Christmas Challenge - lots of Crimbo cards to come then!
Anyway, I guess you want to hear today's challenge?
We've been posting a lot of 'post a comment' challenges so far, so this time, I have something different for you: Show me your projects using stars, or stripes, or both! Can be papercraft, Tiaras - cupcakes even ... so it really is open to all! Hook me up in the links so I can come see & I'll make a li'l slide show for entries! You have until midnight (BST) Thursday July 10th to get your entries in. No blog??? e-mail them & I'll put them on the slide show!
Prize? How about a bunch of stars & stripes themed stash????
I'll pop off to take a photo & be back with that - & Day #1's winner this evening.
There's lots of comps still open - check out the whole event here
& Phoenix's RAK closes at 2pm GMT Saturday ... So there's still time to get a comment in there too! I know Phoenix is trying to get together a list of 40 great tips ... and, of course, you can enter more than once!! Go on ... you know you want to!
I have a couple of personal type posts to make ... update on Fish's school visit/blog awards etc ... will get to those as sooon as I can! LOL 28 hour day anyone???