We Have A Winner!...

OK, just a quick break from my washing mountain to draw the winner of my blog candy. Well in retrospect, I should have used Mr Linky or something. But anyway, not a problem! I had 57 comments, 3 of which were from duplicate persons, plus one accidental comment (comment was meant for another post) . So that makes 53 entries right?

So I used the Random.Org number generator. For the life of me I could not figure out how to post the Random.Org result to my blog, so you'll just have to take my word for it!

So I entered...min 1....max 53.....and the winner was............16

Excluding the non entrants, that makes Maureen the winner!!

Congrats!! Please email me (sidebar) with your name and address asap so I can get your prize in the post.

Thanks to everyone for entering!
Bfn,
Jenny xx

Hello!...

Well I have just got back from our holiday to Skegness. So glad my scheduled posts went to plan, and thanks for popping by to comment on them :-)

Glad to be back, but you should see the mountains of washing on my kitchen floor...not a pretty sight! I think it will be several days before I make any cards or do any proper blogging as I need to battle my way through that lot first.

I actually took my Promarkers on holiday and some images to colour but I did not get them out once! Oh, except for 'True Blue'. Now take note of this handy hint. When I go away, I take a needle with some white and black thread with me in case of a sewing emergency like a hem coming down etc. Well, my 2yr old sons blue rain coat tore all under the armpit and down the side when his Dad was lifting him into a little ride. As I only had black and white thread, I had the brainwave to colour the white thread with true blue Promarker and it worked a treat. You can't even tell where the rip is now...a perfect colour match!

Our holiday got off to a shaky start, (and I will never live this one down). To cut a long story short, after a long four & a half hour drive we arrived and were looking forward to settling into our Butlins apartment....then disaster! I had left the key to our cars roof box at home!! Everything was in the roof box, including my husbands coat, which contained the spare roof box key! I could have cried.
I phoned my Mum back home, who then went to our house to search for the key. I had a plan that she could post it by special delivery to where we were staying, and at least we would get our luggage the next day. But she searched high and low...no key!
So plan B. We drove to the local Halfords in Skegness, as it's a Halfords roof box. The helpful man tried lots of keys, none would fit. He could order us a spare key but that would take a week!! Our hol would be over by then. So he said he could bust open the lock for us if we didn't mind our £350 roof box being ruined! We were just wondering what to do when I reached into the depths of my trouser pocket and FOUND THE KEY IN THERE!!!
I swear it wasn't there the first time I checked! Oh dear, I will never live it down!

Anyway, thanks to everyone for entering my blog candy. The draw is now closed and I will draw a winner at random as soon as I can, hopefully over the weekend, once I've got the washing out of the way.

Thanks for stopping by, I hope to catch up with you all soon!

Jenny xx

Winter Mimi....Pink Gem Designs DT Card!

Hi all!

Hope you're having a good week?

If it goes to plan, this should auto post on Wednesday, as I will not be around in blogland for a few days, so I've tried to plan ahead. It's also mine & hubby's 9th wedding anniversary today....presuming this posts when it should, lol! So maybe we are having a nice meal or something as you read this, I don't know, I will let you know when I'm back online.

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I just wanted to remind you that A GEM OF A CHALLENGE 7 is now well under way. But you still have plenty of time to enter. This month is my turn to host. Here is my sketch to follow, and I have added the optional extra of using some material on your card. So on my card I have used snowflake ribbon, a felt border and pom pom trim.
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I have used the lovely 'Winter Mimi' polymer stamp from Pink Gem Designs.
I have used Promarkers to colour, and you can also get these at Pink Gem Designs, with 10% off them until the end of this month!

I have used an 8x8 card blank. The wonderful papers are My Mind's Eye Colourful Christmas.

I have also used my Martha Stewart snowflake 'punch around the page' punches.

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As I said, I won't be around for a few days, so will catch up with your all your blogs, commenting and post any recent creations as soon as I can.

Thanks so much for stopping by and for any comments you might leave!

Jenny xx

A Pink Gem Designs Sneaky Peek!...

Hi all!

Well hopefully this should auto post on Monday (fingers crossed!), as I want to tell you about the brand new polymer stamps due for release really soon over at Pink Gem Designs.

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The bit I love most about being on the DT, is when I get to play with the new designs before anybody else! How lucky am I? lol!

Meet Chloe & Penguin, just one of the cute new designs.

I have used Promarkers to colour, which are on special offer with 10% off at Pink Gem Designs right now!
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The gorgeous papers are Dovecraft Premium Let It Snow.

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I have also used:

Gemstones cardstock,

Nestabilities lables 4,

Cuttlebug snowflake embossing folder,

Martha Stewart icicle border punch,

Craftwork Cards 6x6 card blank, card candy & sentiment,

Ribbon.

.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

I will catch up with you all as soon as I can, as I won't be online for a few days. How will I cope?!....lol!

I have the odd 'auto post' lined up though, so please look out for those if you can, and I'll be back in blogland soon!

Jenny xx

Miss Evie Ahoy!...

Ahoy there!

I'm here once again with my Saturday Squiggle Stamps creation. This weeks card features the delightful Miss Evie Ahoy digi stamp, and you can get her for yourself right here. Check out the other latest releases too...they are fab...how will you resist?!

I just love these Basic Grey 'Oliver' papers, and thought they went so well with this tom boyish image. I randomly stamped skull & cross bones onto the blue paper.

I also used;

Promarkers (10% off these at Pink Gem Designs!),

Free ticket sentiment found here (printed onto Bazzill kraft),

Nestabilities lables 13,

McGill pine branch punch,

Woodware Pirate stamp set,

Paper flowers,

Card Candy,

Red coral lacey ribbon (from cuddly buddly),

Black raffia,

Charm,

& pins

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I will enter this into;

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I LOVE PROMARKERS.....at the seaside

DARE U 2 DIGI STAMP......blooms & charms

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Why not visit the Squiggles blog where you will find lots more DT inspiration and also the monthly Challenge. This month is a recipe challenge by Karen; 3 pieces of patterned paper, 3 flowers and 3 brads. There is an amazing prize up for grabs including an October Afternoon paper pack, embellishments and four fabulous Squiggle stamps!!I nearly followed the recipe, but silly me missed off the brads!

Bye for now, see you again soon, and thanks for looking!

Jenny xx

Awards All Round!..

Right! Awards time!

"Big thanks" to both the lovely Kelly and Angie for thinking of me with this award.

Here are the rules of this award........

1. Thank the person who gave you this award.

2. Put the award on your blog

3. List 3 things about yourself.

4. Post a picture you love.

5. Tag 5 other people for the award.

Well here goes...

1. I feel very lucky to have four children, and 2 of each is just perfect!

2. I have always been an insomniac. I feel tired most of the time, but my brain is always working overtime. It's past 3am now lol!

3. I briefly ran a successful online craft shop but had to give it up when I unexpectedly found out I was having my 4th child, as I ran it alone 24/7 (hubby busy with his own work). I used to pack parcels and upload new stock in the dead of night (my insomniac side was useful here!) It was impossible to continue with a new baby. I still have some 'stock' stashed away which I am slowly using up, lol!

Now a piccy I love. Hmm, this was hard. Having four kids I have lots! But this one is really special to me. It is our eldest Son giving me a kiss on my wedding day (9 years ago on the 25th of this month!). He was age just 3 at the time, and was very stressed out all day as he hates social, noisy gatherings. We now know this is because he has aspergers syndrome. But although he didn't really enjoy the day, he still gave gave me a lovely kiss and the photographer caught the moment. I treasure this photo, because he hasn't given me a kiss in a few years now. He says he is too old for that! (He's 12, lol!) Lucky I still have my younger ones who love to give mum a kiss!

Now I hate this bit where I have to pick people to pass it on to. I have to pick 5, but I got this award TWICE, so does that mean I pick 10?? Well it does now!

So a completely random choice ( as you ALL deserve it lol!)......

1. Amanda

2. Lizzy

3. Sarpreet

4. Jenny

5 . Rebekah

6. Carol

7. Mel

8. Susie

9. Poppet

10. Julie

.....and this award was given to me by the lovely Noreen. Thank you Noreen! I simply have to pass it on to 7 favourite blogs. I have lots of faves, but I do get a lot of inspiration from the following.......

1. Lindsey

2. Shelly

3. Faye

4. Debby

5. Netty

6. Coops

7. Sally

I could pick more, I really could, but I'll stick to the rules this time..lol!

Thanks for stopping by.

Jenny xx

Fab'n'Funky Challenge #36...Flower Power!...

Hi all. Hope you 're having a good week. Firstly I must apologise for a serious lack of comments from me this week. I've not had much time to mooch online. We were out for a fun day at Alton Towers on Monday. Then I thought I should make a start getting stuff ready for our holiday. It's amazing how much stuff you need for four kids.

Well on to my card. Today I share my DT card for this weeks Fab'n'Funky challenge ,'Flower Power'. We just want to see flowers on your creation....simple! We also have a really fab of prize of embellishments up for grabs this week from our very generous sponsor ;

CRAFT BRULEE

I have used the lovely Coco bear from Digistamp Boutique as my image.

I have coloured him with Promarkers. I used the Ice grey shades plus a splash of colour.

Don't forget there's 10% off Promarkers at Pink Gem Designs right now!

I have also used;

Craftwork cards papers,

Card Candy,

ribbons,

paper flowers and a large pearl brad

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Just before I go, I'll leave you with some pics of my hubby and eldest two on the Pirate Galleons at Alton Towers.

I don't know if you can tell from the pics, but they were soaked from head to toe! I was foolish enough to go on it last year, so sensibly opted out this time and stayed on dry land with the others. It's no fun walking around all day with wet knickers, I can tell you!

Thanks for popping by and for any comments you are kind enough to leave. I'll try and catch up with you all by the weekend!

Bfn,
Jenny xx

Flower Power! (Squiggles Stamps DT Card)...

Hello again!

Time for my weekly Squiggle Stamps card and my regular Saturday spot over on the Squiggles blog. This week I am very excited as I was given the brand new Miss Evie digis and backgrounds to play with, I couldn't wait to use a couple on this weeks project! Decisions, decisions!...but I decide to go with Miss Evie flower power and the summer meadow background.

Make sure you pop over to the website to check out all the other new additions....they are fab!

I coloured them with Promarkers.

I also made this card with the I love promarkers acetate challenge in mind, so made an aperture with Nestabilities, and added an acetate window. I have had it in my stash for years. It's by Dawn Bibby Designs, and is embossed with silver butterflies.

The papers are Forever Friends Pink Parfait.

Oh before I go, I must remind you about the Squiggles August Challenge. This month is a recipe challenge by Karen; 3 pieces of patterned paper, 3 flowers and 3 brads. There is an amazing prize up for grabs including an October Afternoon paper pack, embellishments and four fabulous Squiggle stamps!!

I'll be back next Saturday with another Squiggles creation to share.

In the meantime, please pop over the the Squiggles blog for lots more DT inspiration!

Bye for now and thanks for looking!
Jenny xx

Why I Love This Stamp...

Hi all! Hope you are all well?

Today's card is a card I made just because I felt like it.

It fits the following challenges though;

creatalicious challenges for 3D

papertake weekly Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed & Something Blue (I used blue)

Allsorts challenge. Primary Colours

Just cute bears for a 'bear plus someone else'.

pennys papercraft challenges anything goes.

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This has to be my all time time favourite Sugar Nellie stamp. I could make card after card with it and never get bored. It's called 'Worried', is by Kathy Hare, and can be found here at Funky Kits.

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Just look at this pair! How adorable! I have used Promarkers, chalk and Memento inks to colour them.

If you are after some Promarkers, Janet at Pink Gem Designs has a fabulous offer of 10% off the full range at the moment!

The gorgeous papers are Basic Grey 'Oliver'. I love it when I find 'male' papers that I actually like!

I have also used;

Martha Stewart zig zag punch,
Crafts Too stars embossing folder (though most of the embossing is now hidden beneath ribbon and flowers!),
Nestabilities Labels 1,
Papermania Relations stamps,
Ribbons, flowers, buttons, twine, charm.



Now I'll show you just why I love this stamp so much.....


.....because it reminds me of my youngest son Ben!



Many thanks for stopping by! Can I also thank and say 'hello to all of my new followers. I was on 200 last time I looked!! Thank you so much. You may have to bear with me with the school hols and all, but I will get around to visiting you all asap...promise!

Jenny xx

Fab'n'Funky Challenge #35...Simply Colour-rific!...

Hi all! It's Wednesday, and so a brand new challenge over on the Fab'n'Funky blog.

This week our theme is;

Simply Colour-rific!.......

...simple!! You just need to use your favourite colours!

One of my favourite colour combos on cards is pink and brown. So that's what I've gone with today.

I have used the fabulous 'Uplifting Occasion' (aka 'Cat In Bra') stamp by Penny Black. I have had this stamp for years and thought it was due a dusting off and using!

I have used Promarkers as my medium. I then hand stitched around my image.

My papers are DCWV Garden Party.

I have also used;

Martha Stewart heart lace border punch,

paper roses,

raffia lace & ribbon.

I will enter this card into;

cupcake craft challenges. for lace...I have used raffia lace and lace border punch.

papertake weekly for Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed & Something Blue (my stamp is old)

cute card thursday whateva!

Thank you so much for stopping by again! I will be playing catch up with you at some point this week, when I get a minute to myself lol!!

Bfn...

Jenny xx

Meg In Hat & Scarf! (Pink Gem Designs DT Card)...

Morning all! Yes another Christmas card from me today! I am so organised this year for like the first time ever!! Though it's probably down to all the fab Christmas images I have been lucky enough to work with just lately.This is a fab new digi download is from Pink Gem Designs and is called 'Meg In Hat & Scarf'.

I have coloured Meg with Promarkers. I have sponged the edges with Brilliance ink for a bit of pearlescent sparkle. I found some little self adhesive, semi transparent glossy dots in my stash, and stuck them on top of the snow fall.

The papers are My Minds Eye Colourful Christmas, which I just love at the moment!

I also got some kraft card and a snowflake Cuttlebug folder. I rubbed a white pigment ink over the inside of the folder (on the raised snowflakes) before I embossed the kraft card. Then inked around the edges, again using the pearlescent Brilliance ink pad.
I also used my Martha Stewart zig zag punch, ribbon, Craftwork Cards card candy & sentiment.

Many thanks for looking, and for all the kind comments you always leave me.
I must go now before the children totally wreck the house!
Bfn...
Jenny xx

A Gem Of A Challenge 7...My Sketch!....

Whoop, whoop-e-do! Can you tell I'm excited lol? This month it's my turn to host 'A Gem Of A Challenge'. This is my sketch below. I have added an optional extra to use some material on your card. This could be anything, such as felt, lace, tulle, ribbon etc...

I have used this adorable Pink Gem Designs 'Chloe With Kitten' stamp and coloured her with Promakers.

The luscious papers are My Mind's Eye Wild Asparagus.
I made the little border with my Martha Stewart Embossed Scallop punch.
For the material optional extra I used blue tulle and added some fancy pins.

There is lots of DT inspiration on the challenge blog. Please pop over and take a look!

Hope you will join in with my challenge. I am really excited to see what you come up with.

Remember, you don't have to use a Pink Gem Designs image to win a 'Top 5' blinkie!
But if you do use a Pink Gem image you have the chance to win a prize.

Janet is giving away a lovely Pink Gem digi on her blog at the moment, which you could use to enter if you like!

Challs entering into;

creative card crew ......cute & girly

by the cute and girly.....animal antics

Well, that's all for now. Please join in the challenge if you can! Off to get some dreaded housework done now!
Thanks for stopping by!
Jenny xx

Skating With Gifts (Squiggle Stamps DT Card)...

Hi all!

Saturday again already?! Goodness me! It's time for my weekly Squiggle Stamps card and my regular Saturday spot on the Squiggles blog.

This weeks card features the very cute "Skating With Gifts", one of the fab new designs in the Lilliput's range. You can find her here in rubber, or here in digi format.

This week I have gone along with the theme of the August Challenge. This month is a recipe challenge by Karen; 3 pieces of patterned paper, 3 flowers (I have layered mine up) and 3 brads. There is an amazing prize up for grabs including an October Afternoon paper pack, embellishments and a few stamps, including the one I've used today!

INGREDIENTS;

Promarkers,

Brilliance ink applied with sponge daubers (for image backround),

Dovecraft Premium 'Let It Snow' papers (totally gorgeous!!...thoroughly recommend!!...you can get them here),

My Mind's Eye 'Colourful Christmas' (for the scarlet paper),

Nestabilities Labels 3,

MS border punch,

Marianne Design Poinsettia dies,

Snowflake punches,

Sentiment from an old See D's set,

small hot pink brads,

large fabric brad,

pink gems,

ribbon.

Challenges entered into;

creatalicious challenges for 3D

cute card thursday for whateva!

Thank you so much for peeping!

I hope to do my usual weekend catch up with you all later.

Bfn...

Jenny xx

Rocky & Family (DigiStamp Boutique GDT Card)...

Hi all!

Just a quick post to show you another card I made using the 'Rocky & Family offer of the month' from the DigiStamp Boutique. You can find them here. There is also a more summer themed offer of the month if you prefer.

Don't forget you get an extra 10% off all digis until the end of today (6th Aug)!

These cute robins were a joy to colour using my Promarkers. I used a sponge dauber and Memento inks to colour the background of the image. I stuck them onto my card using lots of foam pads in the middle only, to add dimension.

The papers are a new Premium range by Dovecraft. You can find them here.
The flower is by Prima. The gold centre is from my stash. I love picking up little bits and findings from Hong Kong via ebay.You can get some real bargains!

I also used;
velvet ric-rac,
pearl brad,
mirror card,
Craftwork cards sentiment,
gold elastic,
Nestabilities labels 2,
Cuttlebug snowflake folder.

If anyone knows of some Christmas challenges I can enter this into, please could you let me know...pretty please...thanks!!

Edit...thanks for the challs you have told me about...and I have found a couple too. So...

I will enter it into the following challenges;

creative craft challenges.....animal antics

our creative corner.....Christmas in July

moving along with the times.....Christmas

Thanks for looking today, and for any comments you might leave.
Off to clean up the dishes from tea now!
Jenny xx

Milly & Snowman! (Pink Gem Designs DT Card)...

Hi all! Yet another rainy day. What happened to summer?!

Anyway, on to my card. I coloured in a load of images at my Mum's on Sunday, so I made this card quite quickly last night as the main work was already done.

I am in love with these 'My Mind's Eye Colourful Christmas' papers at the moment. The colours look beautiful against crisp white.

The mega cute stamp is 'Milly & Snowman' available here in polymer at Pink Gem Designs.

I used Promarkers to colour, and stardust Stickles to highlight. I sponged around the edges with Brilliance ink.

The 'Let It Snow' sentiment is a Sizzix Sizzlits die.
The lovely poinsettia is a Marianne Designs die. I added a Dovecraft snowflake punch out and fabric brad to the centre. I added gems to finish.

Well, off to make the beds now and do a bit of housework (boo!)
Thanks for looking.
Jenny xx