Mimi says it's time for cake

The weather has been gorgeous,well if you like warm and sunny, oh I do,but maybe not when I'm gardening.
Went to one of my favourite places yesterday, Llangollon, it was so beautiful there,the green Welsh hills, the lovely gothic style buildings,bustling shops and the fast racing river Dee. The young lads where jumping off the bridge into the icy foaming waters, it makes me feel sick the thought of them landing on the rocks.
Off-course I visited the lovely craft shop,bought a new Nellie Snellen circle die (as used in my card) and various papers. I also bought a clematis called Gillian Blade ,from the fruit and veg shop and a metal wall hanging half price in a sale at a lovely gift shop and some half price Portmerrion plates and bowls.Chips and cider at the pub, all in the company of my lovely hubby Bob, that's what I call a good day.

My card features a penny black stamp called "sweet thing", I've coloured with promarkers and added some fruit punch stickles. The green gingham card is pinflair and the floral DCWV adhesive paper prints. The sentiment is a do craft stamp. I've added 2 ribbons from my stash and some blue gems and the felt flower is a Di namic die cut with a bow bunny brad in the middle.

challenges entered :

sketch n stash : followed the sketch (rotated)

Die cutting diva's : anything goes

pasion for promarkers : photo inspiration (I've took inspiration from the colours)
party time Tuesday : anything goes
ooh la la creations : make it girly

happy crafting janex

Flower Festival, the sunflower and the hydrangea

I don't make that many floral cards, I love them because I love gardens and flowers, but there are many better floral card makers than me. I'm always drawn to cute stuff craft wise,though not so much in my home. Anyway I decided to buy this clear set from penny black called "flower festival".
I stamped in versamark clear ink, then heat embossed using black powder.Because copics smudge with this I used whisper markers to colour the image,the colours look very vibrant so I'm pleased with them.
The sentiment is by craft work cards,the ribbon free with a card mag.The papers are DCWV ,the cafe mediterranean.I used a friscars punch called threading water.

Allsorts : Special Birthday (it's their 3rd Birthday, and there is a blog hop,the secret word is crafting )


My hydrangea card ,follows the above sketch but rotated. The image is from the same pb set. The papers material girl ,g.c.d studio 12x12 papers. The embellishment by craft bitz. The ribbon and sticcker sentiment old stash.

challenges entered :
sweet stop : above sketch
totally gorgeous : something new (new stamp set and new embellishment)

enjoy your weekend, the weather here is hot and sunny, I'm heading to the garden even though the ironing basket is groaning...washing lots of Summer clothes.
janex

Lovely Bubbly

Isn't the weather fab!!!!!!!!!! I got a touch of sun stroke at my new gardening job,on Tuesday, yesterday I gardened in the shade. The garden is so big and full of weeds it's hard to now where to start. I used to think I would love a huge house and garden,not now, you need an army to keep it .
After this post I will be gardening my own little patch, a much easier prospect,but I don't get payed for that.
The glutten free diet has definately helped,but I miss bread....but I don't miss the tummy pains and bloating.
My card today features a great penny black stamp called "lovely bubbly". I've used sizzix dies for the embellishments,words and numbers " girls are weird". The image is coloured with pro markers and the spotty paper K &Co.

challenges entered :
totally papercrafts : animals
crafty catz : card for a man
the squirrel and the fox : best friends

have a great weekend. janex

Beehave

Morning crafters,what a lovely sunny day here,very fitting with my summery card.
It's also a great day to start my new gardening job. I'm not doing the lawns ,just the borders,planting,designing and pruning,all the best bits of gardening. I'm doing 3hours today, so not to0 taxing . I'm going to ask if I can take pictures to show you all.
I'm trying a gluten free diet this week to see if my tummy problems get better. The food is very expensive though and not as nice,you can't have wheat,barley or malt so no normal bread or pasta,all the things we love,still if it makes me well....

On to my card. Another penny black,but no Mimi today just this super doggie with bee on nose,this wouldn't be my Alfie ,he would be snapping his jaws at it with his tail stuck right in.
The stamp is called "beehave", I've coloured with markers. The papers are. Serif ,picnic in the park (green) ,yellow checked we r memory keepers. The bee and sentiment are hero arts clear stamps ,bee happy.

challenges entered :

craft your passion : followed the sketch (rotated)

cupcake inspiration : see picture inspiration
tip top : dig out the old (my stamp and green papers are old old stash.)
stamptacular Sunday : in the garden
secret crafter : in the garden

fingers crossed all goes well in my job today, in the garden so fitting.
Happy Days. janex

Special Delivery

Pretty sure I've got myself a gardening job,I went there yesterday,it's a big Victorian house and about 2.5 acres of land,with streams and a large pond. There is a lot of work to be done but I like a challenge. The lady of the house is very nice,quite young with 2 small children and a Lancashire lass like me. I feel quite excited at the prospect,much better than working in a boring shop and hours to suit me.
I'm feeling a lot better,tummy and back wise though not 100%,the new tablets and a rest have helped. Tests on Monday.
My card features a new stamp called special delivery (you get the sentiment to) from Lili of the valley. I've coloured with copics.
The gingham paper is wildrose studios and the yellow check we r memory keepers .
The star bottons (just love em ) where bought at Happy stampers craft fair , £1 per bag, wish I'd bought more now!
The blue ruffles ,from the ribbon box are as rare as hens teeth ,so I'll be eeking out these pretties.

challenges entered:

The sweet stop : followed the sketch with a spin (ruffles)


Allsorts : buttons and bows
lili's little fairies : bear essentials
fussy and fancy : new baby

well I had planed on a spot of gardening at my own home but it's peeing down here and none to warm....hey hoe another crafting day. Enjoy your weekend. janex

Walk the plank

Second posting today, please look at my previous post if you get chance and click on the pic to get a better veiw of this one, my photo's are rubbish lately....
I bought this stamp at the stamp show along with 4 others,the naughty boy with his dog appealed to my sense of humour. This card will be great for my brother,he loves to chase and torment my white poodle Alfie,he loves it (the dog I mean)!Don't think this little bog is loving the thought of that water though.
The stamp is Lili of the valley,coloured with copics and the edges inked brown.The paper is a 12x12 sheet by 7 gypsies called "life noir". The sentiments are also 12x12 paper K&Co called sea glass.
I've added a life belt embellishment ,just in case the doggy can't swim ....

challenges entered :

Allsorts : boy/man card

Bunny Zoe : any thing goes

Things are still in the balance about my job at the church,may be I could be spared the chop...reduced hours ...who knows...more meetings, that's Methodist for you. My other news is I've just had a phone call from a nice lady with a big house and a very big garden who would like a gardener....will my aching back stand it! going to look at it on Sunday afternoon so we shall see.
have a good weekend.
janex

Sprinkled with fairy dust

Thanks for your kind words about my health girls, it means alot to me.Went to the Doctors yesterday, youngish chap with a very serious dispossion, he poked and prodded my tummy and back,I winced and moaned. He has changed one of my tablets and I have blood tests and samples on Monday. The pain is still there but a little less today.
Onto my card,still in Mimi mode, this little cute fairy is from the Mimi in Paris clear set by Penny Black. I stamped and coloured, with my markers, 2 images and then cut them out,those skinny legs are tricky,and added yellow stickles to the wings.
The paper,show bargain eye candy,12x12 from g.c.d studios.The scallop squares are a woodware punch shapes. The sentiment,another stamp show bargain , cost 50p, and I love it. Stamped perfect first time.
The chipboard glittery cupcake is DCWV,glitter sweet collection.

challenges entered :

crafts 4 eternity : wonderful wings
craft catz : lets here it for the girls
Joanna Sheen : Happy Birthday
Going Buggy : things with wings
Paper sundaes : things with wings

Happy crafting. janex

Birthday Girl... big wish

I have managed to get a doctors appointment today,not my own doctor,but I will see any that will help. My IBS is so bad,my tummy hurts so much and I look 6 months pregnant the bloating is terrible and so are the back pains. Thank goodness for crafting ,you can sit in a chair.

On to my card,told you I've fallen for the penny black mimi stamps. This set "big wish" is so cute,this little girl is my favourite.
The image is coloured with copic and promarkers,touch of stickles on the candles.The papers my bargain from g.c.d studios ,12x12 cloisonne. I've diecut the yellow shapes from spellbinder dies.

challenges entered :

Mojo Monday : followed the sketch above
Simon Says : clean and simple
pile it on: clean and simple

Mimi in Paris and silk flower using Tim Holtz Tattered florals Die

I love making flower brooches, I often wear them on plain cardigans and jumpers,they are a great individual way to dress you out fit up. I usually make mine from felt but my friend Beryl said the Tim Holtz tattered florals was good,so I bought one. Looking on you tube I found this video ,it's easy to follow and I made the above flower on my first attempt. The material I used was an old silky curtain, I'm such a hoarder and don't throw anything away that might come in handy.The feathers where old stash,from the works 99p for a big bag. I pierced a hole through the centre and secured with a pearl brad. I glued a felt circle on the back and sewed a broach pin on.
Hope you like it, they look good on clothes ,gift boxes or cards.


This is one of those cards that looks better in really life,but click on the pic and you'll get the gist.
The stamps used are "mimi in Paris " Penny Black transparent set,the grass/fabric effect is a delta stamp called mesh (50p in a bargain bin). I used the tattered florals die , 3 of the 3rd smallest petals,for the flower. The material is denim,pair of hubby's old jeans,I added a red dotty button in the centre and a few pretty feathers.
The image is coloured with promarkers and the little poodle has heated up fluffy stuff for the fur effect.
The checked paper, is wildrose studio and I've added some red silk ribbon from my stash and a bow to mimi's berret .
challenges entered:
Love to create : bingo card , I did ribbon , punches (the circle) and flowers.
CES: anything goes ,the last challenge
I love promarkers : anything goes
dream valley : case (I've cased Dawn with the red white and blue theme).

cold and cloudy here again. Tried to make appointment with the doctor,it would be easier to make an appointment with the Prime-minister or the Queen. I have been trying for over a week...why we live in this cold,over crowded country is beyond me...and as for the NHS don't plan to be ill ever. Moan over. janex

Birthday calories don't count!!!!

Morning crafters,I'm looking out on another mixed day,sun, wind and showers,I had my big warm coat on for my dog walk and the hood,what a rubbish Spring!,not that the gardens mind,it's just you can only look at the lush Spring growth from the warmth of your house.We had thunder and hail last night.

My card features more of that paper bought at the show, this 12x12 pad has lovely bright psychedelic colours.It's called eye candy by g.c.d studios,the papers are double sided,I used both sides of one sheet.
I cut the cicles with my woodware circle punch,inked the edges with chalk ink,raised them on sticky pads and added some blue gems.
The image is Rosie with cake a lili of the valley stamp. I've coloured with promarkers and added stickles glitter and red liquid pearls.
The sentiment, loved it when I saw it on Jules blog, always with a heart, it's by stampendous.




challenges entered:

The sweet stop: followed the sketch above
lilie's little fairies: favourite tool ( clever cut and woodware circle punch)
passion for promarkers : photo inspiration (see pic above)

happy crafting. janex

Mimi Goes Tandem

Hi Crafters,weather is a bit better,sunny and breezy here,good for drying washing.
I went to the "Happy Stampers" craft fair in Port Sunlight Wirral,about 20 mins from me in the car, on Saturday. It was a great day,but exhausting, met Beryl from Beryls Place and talked to Dawny P who was working hard at the very busy Lili of the valley stand.
I bought alot of stuff but bagged alot of bargains.One of my bargains was the 12x12 paper used in this card, I bought 4 12x12 paper packs that should have been £16.99 each for £10 ....that was for 4, amazing...I gave one to my friend Pam who takes me there twice a year.
I have really fallen for the Penny Black Mimi stamps,so you will be seeing lots of this cute girl on this blog. This stamp is called "Mimi goes tandem", how camp is the little chap in front with his purple hat.My bike has a basket like that but there's no hearts in it only my bag and keys, I did put Alfie in once but he was a bit too big.
The sentiment, isn't it lovely, is a clear set from lili of the valley,bought on Saturday along with 5 new stamps.
The paper is a sheet from the bargain 12x12 pads, cloisonne by g.c.d studios.I've inked the edges and coloured the image with copic markers.

challenges entered
penny black Saturday : in the garden
cupcake inspirations : photo inspiration
crafts 4 eternity: recipe colours, purples and greens
sweet stamping: flower power

happy crafting. janex

Wellington Bear

Morning crafters the horrid weather continues.blowing a gale here.
A cute but manly card today. Wellington bear is a new range from Docrafts,I've used the clear stamp set ,I love the sentiment, and the matching papers and embossed die cut stickers (the little pocket watch). I've added ribbon ,a metal tag and a wooden button,all old stash.

challenges entered:
ready teddy go : bingo ,middle line,ribbon,buttons,die cut
polka doodles : monochromatic shades
totally paper crafts: no pesky girls allowed (male cards)
stampavie and more : monochrome

off to work now,hope I don't blow away. Happy Days. janex

Your So Sweet About Town

I know it's so girly and cute and sweet those ice creams are making me hungry. I love the papers Bo Bunny ,sweet tooth collection just the thing to go with the image "about Town " by Penny Black.
The sentiment is a great impressions stamp.
I've coloured the image with promarkers and added touches of stickles . The flower in her hair is from Thailand and the ice cream sundae embellishment a free gift in crafts beautiful card mag.
challenges entered:
Simon says stamp : sweet tooth
papertake weekly : cute cute cute
The paper shelter : anything goes

I've been cooking today, no wonder I've made a card with food on it! Chicken is roasting in the oven, 9 cheese and onion muffins baked and a cheese and leak puff pastry tart already for the oven....phew...
it's dull here,started off lovely so I cut the front grass ,glad I did,it's raining now.
Happy Days. janex

Party Animals

This is not my usual card,saying that I do like it,so bright and cheerful. I set myself a challenge with this one, no stamp and to use just 12x12 scrapbook papers. So I used 2 different sheets from the Kaiser-craft collection called party animals.
The sentiment was from an old craft mag. The star is a sizzix diecut and the fab giraffe and lion embellies are cuttlebug diecuts with added googlie eyes. The circle behind the star is a woodware large circle punch. I've inked the edges with brown chalk ink and added some red gem stars for a bit of bling.
Let me know what you think of this different card.Click on the pic for a better veiw.

Challenges entered:
lets craft and create : special occasion
one stop craft: celebrations
oldie but a goodie : die cuts and punches

well it started off sunny here but the black clouds are rolling in....off to work while I still have my job.
happy crafting. janex

Uplifting Occasion

Hi Crafters
It's a fair few days since my last post, I've made cards,but just not blogged them. I've got a headache at the moment so I'll keep this brief.
My easel card features a super penny black stamp called uplifting occation, I've coloured with my markers in pale pastel colours to match the pretty papers,rose garden by papermania.The lace punch used was a martha Steward and the other decrative edge was the wastage from a rosset die. All the edges where inked in sour apple colour box chalk ink.
This card is for a special Birthday,my Mum in Law, who will be 70 soon. She loves flowers and ginger cats so I hope she will love this card too. Please click on the image for a better look, the small pic looks rather grainy, my crap photography and the dull day.

challenges entered:

Penny black Saturday : cased Jenny's gorgeous easel card.
Dream Valley : for a special lady
The squirel and the fox : one for the girls
Fussy and fancy: butterflies,ribbon and punches
stamping for the weekend : at least 4 layers

A few pics to show. The flowers where a bargain £1.63 in the asda sale bin,I always look in there. I pepped them up with some cut stems from my garden, they look very pretty in the hall window.
The other pic shows the garden ,the clematist Montana full bloom and growing wildly.




Still dull and chilly here but no rain as yet today.
Enjoy the bank holiday. janex

The Simple Thistle

When my hubby saw this card,he said "very Scottish", well you don't have to be Scottish to appreciate the simple beauty of a thistle. The colours are so right,natures good like that, don't you think!
The stamp is a woodware ,clear magic aptly called Thistle. I've coloured the image with promarkers. The tartan paper is we r memory keepers,as used in my last post. I've added some little buttons and lilac ribbon from my stash.

challenges entered:
love to create: flowers and buttons
Passion for promarkers: bright and light


The weather has been nice today ,for a change, I cycled to work and opened the doors to let some fresh air into the church buildings,even thought the heating was on. I polished the alter brasses ,one of the members came in and we talked about music,gardening and life ,and I thought how much I'm going to miss my job......

janex

In trouble again

No not me the little boy in the image. Isn't he adorable,he looks sad but only because he's been caught and made to stand by the wall instead of running around with the other boys.
This stamp "in trouble again" arrived this morning ,along with another called "half time", they are paintbox poppets stamps,released by crafters companion ,the artist (so talented ) is Christine Haworth.
I ordered them from Joanna Sheen ,with some ez mount,great stuff for stampers, and while they where on special,some of those new fine nibs you can add to your promarker pens. They are in packs of 3 ,I ordered 4 packs as they are only £1.49 each. Would I recommend them a big yes.
I coloured my image with promarkers. The oval is a nestie,the papers we r memory keepers,travel light.The red twine effect is red embroidery twill.

Challenges entered :

Everybody Art : followed Domi's sketch
paper take weekly: anything goes
craft your days away: just for children

Well 1st of May today,I can see plenty of pink and white blossom ,the stuff that blows along the paths my son and I call wendy comfort,this was because when he was a little boy ,we walked past a church where there had been a wedding, confetti and an empty box of it lay on the ground, "look " said Sam "wendy comfort", and the name stuck. So we have the May blossom, can we please have some May sunshine!

happy crafting. janex