tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62507117562529540972024-03-13T07:04:43.230+00:00Anne's CornerAnnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15067961982153809244noreply@blogger.comBlogger308125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250711756252954097.post-91872970692180403912015-01-03T16:34:00.000+00:002015-01-03T16:34:14.298+00:00It's that time of year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k5mGWW3Q0T4/VKgXD6Xd2bI/AAAAAAAAEP8/M0T29FON6Y0/s1600/header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k5mGWW3Q0T4/VKgXD6Xd2bI/AAAAAAAAEP8/M0T29FON6Y0/s1600/header.jpg" height="640" width="550" /></a></div>
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Groan..... I hate it when all the Christmas decorations have to come down and everything goes back to 'normal'. However, it has to happen so today I've made a start. Once all the decorations are put away, I usually like to throw myself into a project to take my mind off Christmas and get back into the crafting spirit. So when Ru at <span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://mysvghut.blogspot.co.uk/">My SVG Hu</a>t</b></span> sent me the file for this gorgeous Cuckoo Clock, I was thrilled. There's quite a lot of pieces to cut, but it was incredibly simple to assemble (psssst.... don't tell Ru, but I only looked at the instructions just the once, when I got a bit stuck with the little box section at the top!) I thought it was that easy, and pretty self-explanatory to put together. I did envisage spending several days making this though, but in fact I managed to get it finished this morning. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HSnmOK48bxc/VKgYNfITq4I/AAAAAAAAEQI/FDMOL7-rqx4/s1600/My%2Bclock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HSnmOK48bxc/VKgYNfITq4I/AAAAAAAAEQI/FDMOL7-rqx4/s1600/My%2Bclock.jpg" height="640" width="468" /></a></div>
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I didn't however have a clock mechanism, so while I was out shopping this afternoon, I had a brainwave. I decided to buy a cheap clock from a 99p shop which I pulled apart when I got home and used the mechanism in this!<br />
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It was a lot bigger than I expected it to be too - I thought it would be about 6-8" high; it is in fact just short of an A4 card size. Here's another pic of it with my prize for completing it, to show you how big it actually is:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4_-wcrA3IjU/VKgZN5RWCqI/AAAAAAAAEQQ/qZs7HipsN_k/s1600/My%2Bclock%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4_-wcrA3IjU/VKgZN5RWCqI/AAAAAAAAEQQ/qZs7HipsN_k/s1600/My%2Bclock%2B2.jpg" height="640" width="568" /></a></div>
The decorative panels are Graphic 45's French Country papers. The little cavity in the top is just perfect for hiding a couple of truffles if you are giving it as a gift. This little beaut is staying here with me though - at least until I've made another, which I may be tempted to give away - watch this space!<br />
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Thanks for stopping by, and I would love it if you would leave some feedback, or if you have any questions you'd like to ask about it, and I'll definitely get back to answer them.<br />
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Have a great day! xxxAnnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15067961982153809244noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250711756252954097.post-14067789710666863632014-12-31T09:24:00.000+00:002014-12-31T09:27:23.794+00:00Happy 2015!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MJKRIuzQC3I/VKO64PlDc1I/AAAAAAAAEPI/ZpxUVQb1vm0/s1600/Let%2Bit%2Bsnow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MJKRIuzQC3I/VKO64PlDc1I/AAAAAAAAEPI/ZpxUVQb1vm0/s1600/Let%2Bit%2Bsnow.jpg" height="640" width="550" /></a></div>
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Just putting my feather duster away after brushing off the cobwebs on my blog. It's been a while since I visited here with anything to share, but I have found my way back, cleaned up the blog a little, and I have great news to share which will see me visiting my blog much more regularly in 2015. Yesterday I received some very exciting news. Ru at <span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><a href="http://mysvghut.blogspot.co.uk/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">My SVG Hut</span></a> </b></span>posted on Facebook that she was looking for a couple of people to join her Creative Team. I only discovered <span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><a href="http://mysvghut.blogspot.co.uk/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">My SVG Hut</span></a> </b></span>just a couple of weeks ago, but am already besotted with her files, so I put my application in, and was delighted when she congratulated me and offered me a place! Ru's cutting files are so simple to assemble and look stunningly effective once completed. This is one of the many luminaire box cards that were introduced to the shop before Christmas. I made a couple of these for friends and myself and they were well received.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oztVGjeBRb0/VKO7yxdUl_I/AAAAAAAAEPQ/Kr33Xs0Qp5U/s1600/Reindeer%2BCard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oztVGjeBRb0/VKO7yxdUl_I/AAAAAAAAEPQ/Kr33Xs0Qp5U/s1600/Reindeer%2BCard.jpg" height="640" width="566" /></a></div>
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Doesn't it just conjure up a picture of serenity? As you can see from this picture, there is a space at the top of the box which houses 5 holes. This is so that you can drop in a battery operated tealight and direct the light wherever you want it to shine on your scene.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lm_l8hoaEcE/VKO89SFUpCI/AAAAAAAAEPc/9D3BboNirhQ/s1600/top%2Bof%2Bbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lm_l8hoaEcE/VKO89SFUpCI/AAAAAAAAEPc/9D3BboNirhQ/s1600/top%2Bof%2Bbox.jpg" height="280" width="320" /></a></div>
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After the success of my Luminaire's, I was really keen to try out another of Ru's files, so I went ahead and bought Secret Garden within about an hour of her releasing it in the store. I really love this one</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Gs8xsMmv6s/VKO9oyKc_pI/AAAAAAAAEPk/uC5eVMp4zxs/s1600/Secret%2BGarden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Gs8xsMmv6s/VKO9oyKc_pI/AAAAAAAAEPk/uC5eVMp4zxs/s1600/Secret%2BGarden.jpg" height="634" width="640" /></a></div>
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I was instantly drawn to this one by it's air of mystery. Ru's own photo had a ghostly ethereal look about it that made it look so exciting, and it reminded me of a picture I used to look at in a book I had as a child, that always made me wish that I could open those gates and walk around and explore it's overgrown and unkempt gardens without being seen by whoever it was that lived in that ramshackled old house behind it.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vnQPaHB16DE/VKO-wMmI47I/AAAAAAAAEPs/8HB7_h2JluI/s1600/Secret%2BGarden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vnQPaHB16DE/VKO-wMmI47I/AAAAAAAAEPs/8HB7_h2JluI/s1600/Secret%2BGarden.jpg" height="636" width="640" /></a></div>
This picture tells it better!<br />
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Well, much as I would love to sit here rambling on and on, I have to go and get myself ready to share a New Years Eve coffee with friends, and hopefully get back in time to go for New Years Eve lunch with other friends. A family meeting was called earlier this week to discuss NYE celebrations and the vote was overwhelming. Tonight we are going to order a big Chinese buffet, and sit around the table, me and my gorgeous boys, and we will toast the New Year in together, just the family, just the way we like it!<br />
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I would like to say a huge Thank You to everyone who has popped in here and taken the time to leave feedback. It is so greatly appreciated, and it not only keeps me motivated, but it shows the people who's creativity I am showcasing how much loved their products are, so please go and see for yourself what other goodies are on offer after you've been here.<br />
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-size: x-large;"><b>HAPPY 2015 TO ALL OF YOU,</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-size: x-large;"><b>WISHING YOU LOVE, LUCK, PROSPERITY AND HAPPINESS!</b></span></div>
Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15067961982153809244noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250711756252954097.post-5570409690637864322014-08-19T08:33:00.002+01:002014-08-19T08:33:36.085+01:00There's a wee nip in the air....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EmOgjlX-mLo/U_Lxq7iU0wI/AAAAAAAAEN8/7dwYJVhjM8g/s1600/header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EmOgjlX-mLo/U_Lxq7iU0wI/AAAAAAAAEN8/7dwYJVhjM8g/s1600/header.jpg" height="640" width="552" /></a></div>
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Happy Tuesday all, and brrrr..... are you feeling a bit of a chill where you are? There's a smell of Autumn in the air which I love but it feels a bit too soon for it to arrive. I do love this time of year because it gives me the chance to go foraging for 'Free Food'. I seriously believe it is (wo)man's natural instinct to gather and preserve food for the winter months as soon as the temperature begins to drop. This week I have gathered Blackberries and Cob nuts, along with Elderberries. The blackberries, I have noticed, are not as good quality this year for some reason. There have been a lot of grubs among them too which has been a bit off-putting. But I have begun the process of preserving as for the first time ever I made Chilli Jam. OMG, why have I never done this before? I LOVE chilli jam with a nice chunk of cheddar cheese and freshly baked crusty bread - mmmmm comfort food at it's best. So began the process. I followed Nigella's recipe online and it was so unbelievably simple that I cursed myself for not having made it sooner.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rgH474LQ3-k/U_LzfvsY4MI/AAAAAAAAEOE/t2MubYWMne0/s1600/cheddar%2Band%2Bchilli%2Bjam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rgH474LQ3-k/U_LzfvsY4MI/AAAAAAAAEOE/t2MubYWMne0/s1600/cheddar%2Band%2Bchilli%2Bjam.jpg" height="546" width="640" /></a></div>
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I need to experiment with different chilli's now. These were just standard red chilli's from Morrisons, but I think I need to seek out other types and see what happens. Also this week I have made and bottled crystalised rose petals, and dried other rose petals (they shrink so much!!) for cake decoration. I am also trying to get hold of some damsons, as I used to be pretty adept at making pickled damsons and I have a penchant to do it again. I have also promised my boys that I will make my own tomato ketchup. Oh yes, I am looking forward to the autumn!</div>
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However, the coming of autumn does mean saying goodbye to the summer, and that's why there was a tinge of sadness in my heart as I made this piece for the current <a href="http://www.midweekmagnolias.blogspot.co.uk/"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><b>Midweek Magnolias</b></span></a> challenge, which is to <span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><b>decorate a gift bag or box</b></span>. I chose to make a<b><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> Pocketful of Memories of Summer 2014</span></b>:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s6_ez4H3JwQ/U_L3q90pJSI/AAAAAAAAEOQ/VV85WxY7yto/s1600/A%2BPocketful%2Bof%2Bmemories%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s6_ez4H3JwQ/U_L3q90pJSI/AAAAAAAAEOQ/VV85WxY7yto/s1600/A%2BPocketful%2Bof%2Bmemories%2B1.jpg" height="616" width="640" /></a></div>
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Friends/colleagues beware because I feel a few more of these coming on to give away as end of term gifts as they can be adapted for each season. I created the pocket not really knowing where I was going with this. I knew I wanted to not do a standard bag or box, but certainly something that held a gift. After a rummage through my box of images that I've coloured up but not used yet, the idea suddenly came to me. I made the entire project using my Silhouette (my BFF!!). Once the pocket had been created and decorated I had the idea to make a tag saying "A souvenir of my holiday" but as we haven't been away this summer it seemed a little sad. However, it has been an eventful summer and I suddenly hit upon the idea of creating journal cards so I could remember the details of my summer and smile about them once the frost begins to fall!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MNO1SJsPgLE/U_L5UzMS3yI/AAAAAAAAEOY/hPVvG5kCbPc/s1600/A%2BPocketful%2Bof%2Bmemories.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MNO1SJsPgLE/U_L5UzMS3yI/AAAAAAAAEOY/hPVvG5kCbPc/s1600/A%2BPocketful%2Bof%2Bmemories.jpg" height="482" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here is the project in it's entirety - I think it's really cute and I'm going to go and make a couple of Christmas one's now! My frugality has extended to Christmas cards and I have gotten into the habit of buying mine in the post-Christmas sales, so there will be very few handmade cards from me, but I do intend to make as many gifts myself as possible.<br />
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I am sharing this also with <a href="http://stampandcreatewithmagnolia.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/challenge-42-for-teacher.html"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><b>Stamp and Create with Magnolia</b></span></a> for their <span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><b>For a Teacher </b></span>challenge as a copy of this and future ones will be given to my colleagues at school.<br />
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Enjoy the rest of the week and thank you for stopping by! xxxAnnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15067961982153809244noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250711756252954097.post-78255240004252290232014-08-07T07:40:00.002+01:002014-08-07T07:40:38.686+01:00A birthday card<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2-nIzVsRJTs/U-Mcktq_VGI/AAAAAAAAENY/Cl_mCrGOjqw/s1600/header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2-nIzVsRJTs/U-Mcktq_VGI/AAAAAAAAENY/Cl_mCrGOjqw/s1600/header.jpg" height="640" width="552" /></a></div>
Just a quick pop in here to share my card with you for the<span style="color: cyan; font-size: large;"><b> <a href="http://simplylessismoore.blogspot.co.uk/">Less is More</a> </b></span>challenge which this month was a colour themed challenge.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k0rahn5_fCU/U-MdbskoPLI/AAAAAAAAENg/NnwfFJ_C2Q4/s1600/Mojito.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k0rahn5_fCU/U-MdbskoPLI/AAAAAAAAENg/NnwfFJ_C2Q4/s1600/Mojito.jpg" height="289" width="320" /></a></div>
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I actually stumbled upon this blog by accident on my travels yesterday while I was looking for a 'proper' challenge, and not just a theme. These are not colours that I would normally work with - I would go so far as to say probably never work with, so for me this was a 'proper' challenge. I had to make a card for a friend's birthday so I chose this challenge as my inspiration. Here is the card:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Muo8Cr7_3KY/U-MelXzBH9I/AAAAAAAAENs/bQe0rfI9zMA/s1600/DSCF2839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Muo8Cr7_3KY/U-MelXzBH9I/AAAAAAAAENs/bQe0rfI9zMA/s1600/DSCF2839.JPG" height="640" width="614" /></a></div>
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Clean and simple is also something that I tend to struggle with and as much as I love it when others do it, that huge white area is screaming to me "FILL ME!!" It's possible my friend will never receive this card in it's current state! LOL!</div>
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Thanks for stopping by, enjoy the sunshine! :o) xx</div>
Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15067961982153809244noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250711756252954097.post-14921365451681866302014-08-05T12:32:00.000+01:002014-08-05T12:32:17.061+01:00Post Early for Christmas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well lookie here, 2 cards for one challenge - there's a first for me! I am just loving the summer holidays, even though I'm not going to get away this year (violins out!!). Any day now I am going to start doing what I'm meant to be doing - having a clearout and makeover and NOT sit with paper, glue and scissors!! I have been feeling a little Christmassy this last few days though. It always happens to me during the summer holidays, I get the urge to start Christmas Crafting. So I've chosen <a href="http://www.midweekmagnolias.blogspot.com/"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">Midweek Magnolias</span></b></a> <b><span style="color: #ea9999;">Easel Card</span></b> theme again to get me in the mood. I saw a card in cyberland that had used some of a <a href="http://www.nitwitcollections.com/shop/"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">Nitwitville </span></b></a>collection and immediately this idea sprang to mind<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rVvZW_wIQTI/U-C-mY9mroI/AAAAAAAAENA/HnhE2rSsmJg/s1600/Edwin's+early+post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rVvZW_wIQTI/U-C-mY9mroI/AAAAAAAAENA/HnhE2rSsmJg/s1600/Edwin's+early+post.jpg" height="640" width="592" /></a></div>
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The card in my head was just chocca with embellishments though, but once I'd begun assembling, I found it didn't really need anything more than the gorgeous pieces that came with the digi kit! And Edwin sporting his parcel was just the most perfect thing to take to my Post Office!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NmtfnrlebQM/U-C_J2vjlGI/AAAAAAAAENI/kceaVkDF7TI/s1600/Edwin's+early+post+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NmtfnrlebQM/U-C_J2vjlGI/AAAAAAAAENI/kceaVkDF7TI/s1600/Edwin's+early+post+2.jpg" height="640" width="622" /></a></div>
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You can't really tell from my photography, but the ground that Edwin is walking on is actually a photograph of real footprints in the snow. I used one that I'd taken along the footpath that runs alongside my house and cropped it down to size. The sign above the door did say Nitwitville Post Office and I wasn't too keen on that, so I made my own. Unfortunately, the glossy accents I used hadn't quite set when I began pressing out the seams and posing it, hence the bleurgh! in the middle of the word! T'uh!!!</div>
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That's me done for today. Thanks for stopping by and have a great week! xx</div>
<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15067961982153809244noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250711756252954097.post-58170887912337932892014-07-30T14:54:00.000+01:002014-07-30T14:54:51.259+01:00Time for tea...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I soooo love the summer. This year it is especially gorgeous because, unlike last summer, I have a garden that I have been able to sit out in and enjoy the gorgeous sunshine we've been having. I have planted new roses and a grape vine, and I've enjoyed a bumper crop of raspberries and blackcurrants this year. <br />
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My favourite thing though has been sitting out in the garden early in the morning enjoying my breakfast and cup(s) of tea in the warmth of the sun, listening to the bees buzzing and frogs croaking while the pungent aroma of honesuckle has wafted all around my garden. Heaven!<br />
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All this has inspired the card that I have made for the current <b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.midweekmagnolias.blogspot.com/">Midweek Magnolia</a> </span></b>challenge, who's theme is <b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">Easel Cards. </span></b><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lahId7XO6FU/U9j4O2hADcI/AAAAAAAAEMo/3f7YDVykCk8/s1600/Teapot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lahId7XO6FU/U9j4O2hADcI/AAAAAAAAEMo/3f7YDVykCk8/s1600/Teapot.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
I also want to share this card with <a href="http://totallytilda.blogspot.co.uk/"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">Totally Tilda</span></b></a> challenges who have an <span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><b>Anything Goes</b></span> theme, so I hope they like it! <br />
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Thanks so much for stopping by. Hope you have a good week. :o) xxAnnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15067961982153809244noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250711756252954097.post-84102897286635674592014-05-29T11:55:00.002+01:002014-05-30T09:04:31.186+01:00I'm back!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Blimey, it's a while since I was last here! So long in fact that I had forgotten my password and had to reset the whole thing! And now that I'm here, I'm trying to remember how to post something on blogger!!!<br />
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I haven't been idle - I have been playing around with many different crafts, mainly baking, but recently have rediscovered papercrafting thanks to my lovely boys buying me a Silhouette Portrait machine for Mothers Day. I just love it so much and it's re-awoken my lust for cutting and sticking!<br />
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Despite many attempts at getting my pencils out and playing with my Maggies again, I have finally managed to do it. I'm suffering with a lousy, stinking cold at the moment and feeling sorry for myself, I tucked myself up on the settee last night and began colouring. I created this card which I am sharing with two Magnolia challenge blogs. First up is my lovely 'old' buddies at <a href="http://www.midweekmagnolias.blogspot.com/"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">Midweek Magnolias</span></b></a> who's theme is <b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">Shaped Cards</span></b> <span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><b>only</b></span>, and also with a brand new Magnolia blog <a href="http://magnolia-for-ever.blogspot.co.uk/"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><b>Magnolia Forever</b></span></a> who's theme is <span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><b>Anything Goes</b></span>.<br />
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The card shape is one that I created using my Silhouette studio, as is the frame and bow. The roses were printed onto Core'dinations and "fussy cut" (I need to work out how to do this on my Silhouette!!). I used my old favourite Faber Castell pencils to colour Tilda, but I need to get practising again I think! <br />
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I hope you like my card, and I would like to say Thank you for stopping by. See you soon!<br />
Editing Slightly here - Thank you <a href="http://auntysuescraftcavern.blogspot.co.uk/"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><b>Sue</b></span> </a> for pointing me in the direction of<span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><b> </b><span style="color: #ea9999;"><a href="http://divasbydesignchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/"><b><span style="color: #ea9999;">Diva's by Design</span></b></a>.</span></span><span style="color: #ea9999;"> </span> I am going to share my card with them also!Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15067961982153809244noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250711756252954097.post-84971586007349317642014-01-26T20:36:00.001+00:002014-01-26T20:36:51.970+00:00Back on Blogger<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Wow!! It's quite a while since I was last here - where does the time go? Well I haven't been lazing around, that's for sure. I've only been and gotten myself a brand new passion - biscuit decorating! I've always loved to bake but mainly it's been cakes that have emerged from my oven. However, after accidentally tripping into a couple of amazingly gorgeous biscuiteer's websites, I found myself hankering to have a bash myself.<br />
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My new passion has taken off with great gusto. My stamps, papers and pencils have, for the time being, been boxed up and stashed out of sight while I concentrate on my new craft. It all began with these baubles which I made Christmas 2012<br />
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I remember feeling rather proud of them at the time, but then I discovered websites like Sweet Ambs and Sugarbelles, and I wanted to take it up a notch. In October I studied a video, took a deep breath and immersed myself in a bucket-load of royal icing, a batch of freshly-baked teapot biscuits and I locked the kitchen door while I produced these:<br />
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I felt pretty chuffed with myself, I can tell you, so off I went again to create another variety<br />
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However, these were nothing at all like the biscuits I had in my head. Nevertheless, I showed them off on my FB page and my lovely friend Teresa commented "Tilda Cookies" and that was it - a new idea was borne. <br />
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I went away, created several more biscuits (mainly for Christmas) and I thought and thought about how I was going to do this. Then I discovered the art of creating royal icing transfers, so with several tiny paper cones and lots of icing, I created my very first Transfer biscuit! It was a little over-ambitious for a first time, but I feel so proud at having been able to use my beautiful Tilda Celebrates Summer stamp.<br />
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This has got me all excited now as it's given me a chance to give my old stamps a new lease of life. It's not without it's problems though, but I was completely aware of them as I went along and know exactly what to do to put it right next time. <br />
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I want to show this off at the <a href="http://magnoliadownunderchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/mduc-challenge-227-summer-delights.html"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><b>Magnolias Down Under</b></span></a> challenge blog for their Summer Delights theme, and the <a href="http://timeformagnoliachallenge.blogspot.co.uk/"><b><span style="color: #ea9999;">Time for a Magnolia Challenge</span></b></a> blog, who's current theme is to create a project using Tilda with something on her head or in her hair.<br />
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I am going to try and be a better blogger in 2014, and I will definitely be back with more Tilda biscuits. Thank you for stopping by, I hope you're leaving with a smile :o) xxxAnnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15067961982153809244noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250711756252954097.post-42658384828185719532013-10-09T16:19:00.000+01:002013-10-09T16:19:20.012+01:00The candle burned out long before the legend ever did.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy Wednesday peeps! Here I am once again with some of my crafty offerings - sadly minus a Papermill DT badge, but hey-ho! Onwards and upwards.......<br />
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It's been quite a roller coaster couple of weeks here. Following a steady deterioration of health and old age, my dear old Mom-in-law sadly passed and last week we said goodbye to her in a beautiful family ceremony that she would have thoroughly approved of and enjoyed. It was also the day that we met our gorgeous new great-nephew, Jerry, for the first time which sent my maternal hormones racing! What an absolute darling he is, and I could have snuck him in my handbag and brought him home with me!<br />
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This week I have been baking once again. This time I have been salivating over some of the most delicious iced cookies (although we call them biscuits here!) and have been desperate to try my hand at them. However, having never done any 'proper' icing before I was a bit tentative. My friend next door gave me a tutorial on how to make icing bags with parchment paper (I know, pretty basic but I just wasn't getting it!!). So armed with my newfound skill I spent Friday night knocking them out like I was on piecework! Saturday morning came and I baked my first batch of biscuits. Typical me, didn't bother following a recipe so had to guess at the oven temperature and time. I think I overbaked them by about 10 minutes because the almost black bricks that came out of the oven indicated that I needed to make some adjustments. So I turned the oven down slightly and baked them for much less time. This time I only overbaked them by about 3-4 minutes. But they were OK enough to start icing. EEEEEK!! Virgin territory. I made a batch of royal icing, split it into 4 different bowls and coloured each bowl a different colour and set to work. Here's what I came up with:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aiMTgS3AIkY/UlVwA0vMB3I/AAAAAAAAEIo/_nz-OMmlyaM/s1600/My+teapot+cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aiMTgS3AIkY/UlVwA0vMB3I/AAAAAAAAEIo/_nz-OMmlyaM/s640/My+teapot+cookies.jpg" width="606" /></a></div>
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I have truly not been this excited about something for such a long time! I couldn't believe that I'D made these!!! Of course the boys wanted to tuck in immediately, but I made them wait until they were completely dried and set so that they would taste better (plus I just wanted to keep gazing at them!! LOL!!!)</div>
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So now I'm chomping at the bit, desperate for a bit more 'Me' time so that I can have another bash at another lot.</div>
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I've also managed to get a little papercrafting done since I last blogged. This adorable little caravan is something that I created for a lovely lady that I work with:</div>
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and then last night, at the 11th hour, I finally got to put the finishing touches to my card for this week's <a href="http://www.midweekmagnolias.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><strong>Midweek Magnolias</strong></span></a> theme which is <span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><strong>Song Birds</strong></span>. I had a rummage through my stamps to see if anything sprung up and as soon as I saw this stamp, I began singing Candle in the Wind, so I used this sweet Tilda to make this card, and I sang the song over and over while I was colouring her with my pencils!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vS9sNXPwGlw/UlVx1_oMPtI/AAAAAAAAEI8/ynXz1FPvVr0/s1600/Candle+in+the+wind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="590" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vS9sNXPwGlw/UlVx1_oMPtI/AAAAAAAAEI8/ynXz1FPvVr0/s640/Candle+in+the+wind.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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OK, that's my lot for today. I'm off to gather inspiration for my next batch of cookies (or biscuits!) Please pay a visit to <a href="http://www.midweekmagnolias.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><strong>Midweek Magnolias</strong></span></a> where you will see the most amazingly delightful samples that our wonderful DT have created for your inspiration.<br />
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I'm showing off my card in the <a href="http://timeformagnoliachallenge.blogspot.co.uk/"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">Time for a Magnolia</span></a> challenge this week too. They have a Bingo board, and I opted for the bottom line, Flowers, White and a Tag. Also I am sharing with <a href="http://marvelousmagnoliachallenge.blogspot.co.uk/"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">Marvellous Magnolias</span></a> as they have a Christmas theme.<br />
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Thanks for stopping by and have a great week. :o) xxAnnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15067961982153809244noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250711756252954097.post-2847257503347314352013-09-19T17:39:00.002+01:002013-10-09T06:41:09.783+01:00Autumn Treats<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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Oh my goodness, where did summer go? I seem to recall I was walking around work in a sleeveless top just over a week ago. This morning I hesitated before putting my scarf on! Hesitated because I don't want to give in to the freezing cold just yet, but sadly, the temperature was below my chill threshold!</div>
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I have been really excited all week because I have been planning my submission for the <a href="http://papermilldirect.co.uk/community/new-design-team-member-challenge-autumn-theme"><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><strong>Paper Mill Direct</strong></span></a> DT call. After all, who wouldn't want to create for such a massive name in the industry we love? Blogging about their products would be the easiest thing as I have been a customer of theirs for as long as I have been crafting, and I still have boxes and boxes of their cardstock to get through!</div>
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The theme they have set is Autumn (naturally!) and I wanted to create something different from a card, so out came my trusty "<a href="http://mytimemadeeasy.com/"><span style="color: #f6b26b; font-size: large;"><strong>My Time Made Easy</strong></span></a>" <strong>Trendy Tote</strong> template and I created another of these yummy treat baskets. I created the tote using Paper Mill's own white cardstock and made decorative panels from Graphic 45's French Country papers. My Tote is filled with a bag of mini chocolate bars and a jar of honey from my friend's very first harvest. I have been dying to open the honey and taste it, but not until I'd finished my project! LOL! Here is my tote in it's full glory:</div>
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I used some pumpkin buttons to embellish the side panels. The apple is something that I created from plaster of paris a few years ago. I painted it up and loved it so much that I didn't want to use it until the time was right, and I felt that this project was just the thing I've saved it for:</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zQaz9B8TtX4/UjsmvrolmcI/AAAAAAAAEHw/wRYkfb5Doyw/s1600/Close+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="516" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zQaz9B8TtX4/UjsmvrolmcI/AAAAAAAAEHw/wRYkfb5Doyw/s640/Close+up.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Anyway, I am keeping ears, eyes, fingers and toes crossed on this one, so please wish me luck! </div>
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Also today I want to show off my Midway Reminder for the current <a href="http://www.midweekmagnolias.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><strong>Midweek Magnolias</strong></span></a> theme which is (coincidentally!) also <span style="color: #b45f06;"><strong>Autumn Colours</strong></span>.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2u-03zcf48k/UjsnhQDyErI/AAAAAAAAEH4/URf6h8JGa28/s1600/Autumn+colours2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2u-03zcf48k/UjsnhQDyErI/AAAAAAAAEH4/URf6h8JGa28/s640/Autumn+colours2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Again I created this using my French Country papers and a gorgeous template created by wonderfully talented <a href="http://www.simplyinger.blogspot.co.uk/"><strong><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">Inger</span></strong></a>, who kindly offered this free template on her amazing blog, and granted me permission to use it. I hope I did it justice! My fabulous teamies at <span style="color: #783f04;"><strong>Midweek Magnolias</strong></span> have also been creating amazing samples and I hope you can find time to visit them all to see for yourself if you haven't already done so.</div>
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Well that's my all for today. It would be wonderful if I had some good news to report next time I blog.</div>
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Thanks for stopping by, and have a fabulous week! xxx</div>
Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15067961982153809244noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250711756252954097.post-19792938386054063032013-08-28T10:04:00.004+01:002013-08-28T10:04:38.537+01:00Once Upon A Time........<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Oh I can't believe the summer is almost over. Any day now I will be clearing my lawn of the Gazebo and furniture, ready to pack away as we wait for the shedding of leaves and changing colours of the season. I hate dark nights, but I am really looking forward to cosying up to the fire and cooking hot meals again. I have been living on salads for weeks and weeks now and I'm looking forward to tucking into roast potatoes again!</div>
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I have done an awful lot of baking this summer and have loved every minute of it - so have my boys! Yesterday I made a great discovery in a charity shop in town. I went in on a whim knowing full well that I wouldn't come out empty handed! And as luck would have it, I found this gorgeous glass plate stand which I picked up for an unbelievable bargain of £2.95:</div>
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<em>(PS my windows are not really that grubby, but the angle of the pic has accentuated the cobwebs OUTSIDE my house! And the moment I spotted them, I quickly whizzed out and cleared them! Honest! LOL!)</em><br />
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It was a little shabby when I brought it home - it had a brownish/yellowish tinge all over it, but lots of hot soapy water and a good sponge, it scrubbed up a treat and I love it! But you can't have a cake stand with no cake, so I went and baked this vanilla sponge with amaretto cream to adorn it:<br />
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Today is going to be spent getting uniforms and school bags ready for the start of the new academic year. The holiday seems to have just flown by, but it's been great fun. We took the tent down to Devon for a week and were rewarded with gorgeous weather, and I have discovered Totnes!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WHR_LaFlwEY/Uh25caUwNmI/AAAAAAAAEFw/kOrfGJS-aFs/s1600/100_2037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WHR_LaFlwEY/Uh25caUwNmI/AAAAAAAAEFw/kOrfGJS-aFs/s640/100_2037.JPG" width="478" /></a></div>
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I can't believe in all the years we've been going to Devon that we've never visited Totnes! I loved the place. It's very 'new-age'y with lots of gorgeous shops, but we went on the Sunday when they had the most amazing market which stretched the entire length of the street! </div>
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Summer has gone by so fast and I have had very little time with my precious stash. I have one or two half finished projects which are very much 'work-in-progress' and hundreds of ideas that I want to try out.</div>
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One project that I have managed to complete is my card for this week's <span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><strong><a href="http://www.midweekmagnolias.blogspot.com/">Midweek Magnolias</a></strong></span> theme which is <strong><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">Once Upon A Time</span></strong>. Here it is:</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1SBANXZVSqU/Uh27YYbT7nI/AAAAAAAAEGE/DQMy8_9IvBI/s1600/Once+upon+a+time+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="584" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1SBANXZVSqU/Uh27YYbT7nI/AAAAAAAAEGE/DQMy8_9IvBI/s640/Once+upon+a+time+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I used some of my favourite Websters Pages bg paper mixed with scraps from my Graphic 45 Ladies Diary papers. Tilda was coloured with pencils and everything is finished off with a touch of my homemade frontage. The butterflies and embossed card are Tim Holtz/Sizzix and the big die cut that Tilda is standing on is Marianne's (my favourite die of all time!).</div>
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Please go and visit <a href="http://www.midweekmagnolias.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><strong>the blog</strong></span></a> as it will lead you to the many wonderful projects that my fab teamies have created. There is a wealth of talent and inspiration just waiting for you over there and you go with the promise that you will not be disappointed.</div>
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Thank you for stopping by and have a great week!</div>
Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15067961982153809244noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250711756252954097.post-7745940187131390842013-08-03T08:40:00.002+01:002013-08-09T10:16:35.001+01:00Prima Dolls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ySDrYxJWS0Q/UfywwxlVPjI/AAAAAAAAEEM/rJAzJ7HW-00/s1600/header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ySDrYxJWS0Q/UfywwxlVPjI/AAAAAAAAEEM/rJAzJ7HW-00/s640/header.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
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OK, anyone who knows me knows that I am always the last to discover stuff in the craft world. However, I can say with my hand on my heart that I actually discovered Prima Dolls quite some time ago, but in truth I really didn't like them at all. However, I saw them in my local(ish!) shop,<span style="color: #ea9999;"><strong> </strong></span><a href="http://pinktulipcreations.sharepoint.com/Pages/default.aspx"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><strong>Pink Tulip</strong></span></a> and I thought "My God, they're HUGE!" and I changed my mind about them, so I got a couple. However, they've been sitting gathering dust waiting for me to find inspiration, and at last I've got them out and made something - with this one at least.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0DkH2BnAsXI/Ufyx51gfJ2I/AAAAAAAAEEc/mc7Jafb2_KA/s1600/Prima+Doll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0DkH2BnAsXI/Ufyx51gfJ2I/AAAAAAAAEEc/mc7Jafb2_KA/s640/Prima+Doll.jpg" width="332" /></a></div>
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Now I know they don't have faces, but honestly the temptation was too great - I didn't want to go mad and put all the fine detail in, so with my Watercolour Teacher's words ringing in my ears, I put a 'suggestion' of a face in. She is coloured using pencils and the bg papers are 5th Avenue. The die cut roses are just vintage clipart images that I printed onto Bazzil and fussy-cut (I love that expression! LOL!).</div>
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Thanks for stopping by my blog, Have a great week! :o) xx</div>
Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15067961982153809244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250711756252954097.post-88908752996677545912013-07-31T09:42:00.001+01:002013-07-31T09:46:52.973+01:00Fancy Folds and New Lawns<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2RbHAqVVoBw/UfjGEBS6mKI/AAAAAAAAEDc/1RRSfJdWVoM/s1600/Fancy+Folds+Header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2RbHAqVVoBw/UfjGEBS6mKI/AAAAAAAAEDc/1RRSfJdWVoM/s640/Fancy+Folds+Header.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
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My word, the Wednesday's seem to be coming around rather quickly right now. It was my intention to use some of my holiday time just creating with card and papers, but already a week has passed by and I've only made one thing - this card! I have however been busying myself around the home and I have singlehandedly ripped up, dug over and am about to turf my entire front garden! This is one of my rare smug moments and Oh Boy, am I enjoying it, and I feel I completely deserve it! It was no mean feat let me tell you and I thought my back was going to break at one point, but I have managed to fill 10 - yes <span style="font-size: large;">10</span> garden refuse bags with the old grass, weeds, plants, clay balls and natural debris that was no longer required, making my front garden look beautiful again. Hubs in the meantime decided to dismantle his man-shed to replace the floor and roof, dumping the entire contents under my gazebo and has turned my back garden upside down! I've been to neater looking tips than this!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bTwpKpoBj3g/UfjJzKOzw4I/AAAAAAAAED8/5ZoszFbs968/s1600/100_1879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bTwpKpoBj3g/UfjJzKOzw4I/AAAAAAAAED8/5ZoszFbs968/s640/100_1879.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was so depressing! However, the shed is now repaired and rebuilt, most of the rubbish is sitting in council skips, but I think it will be some time before my lawn is completely over the shock of this gross disruption. Particularly the part which he scorched with the incinerator while getting rid of the old roof and floor!!! Boo Hoo!! He's gone back to work today and I was looking forward to having breakfast in my gazebo again, but I woke up to rain today so it's breakfast with Daybreak for me today!</div>
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So here is my card. Over at <a href="http://www.midweekmagnolias.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><strong>Midweek Magnolias</strong></span></a> our theme for the next fortnight is Fancy Folds. This is only the second Z-Card I've ever made but I am really pleased with how it turned out. My amazing teamies have created some stunning projects which I would urge you to take a look at, if you haven't been there already.</div>
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I've not been out and about in blogland for a while so I am going to share this card with a couple of other Magnolia challenges to show that I am still alive! I'm sharing it with <strong><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><a href="http://magnolia-liciouschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/tuesday-challenge-anything-goes.html">Magnolia-licious</a></span></strong> challenge blog who's theme is <span style="color: #ea9999;"><strong>Anything Goes </strong><span style="color: black;">and <a href="http://lovely-haenglar-only.blogspot.co.uk/"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><strong>Lovely Hanglar and Sweet Magnolia</strong></span></a> challenge blog who have a Bingo Board currently running, and I fitted in the bottom line </span></span><span style="color: #ea9999;"><strong>Sparkle, Ribbon and </strong></span><span style="color: black;"><strong><span style="color: #ea9999;">Flowers</span></strong>.</span></div>
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Well that's my lot for today. I have to brace myself for a couple of hours of turfing now so I figure I deserve a cup of tea before I get going. Thank you for dropping in. Have a great week! :o) xxAnnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15067961982153809244noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250711756252954097.post-83898030904622616122013-07-26T16:56:00.004+01:002013-07-26T16:56:38.940+01:00Buttons and Bows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DMtFtpWnZbc/UfKYIC9_rKI/AAAAAAAAECk/OdybuJqGBws/s1600/Buttons+and+bows+header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DMtFtpWnZbc/UfKYIC9_rKI/AAAAAAAAECk/OdybuJqGBws/s640/Buttons+and+bows+header.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
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Well hasn't it been a long time since I was last here? Just dusting a few cobwebs away whilst I reflect over the last couple of months. Oh boy, it's been busy! Having two growing boys takes up a lot of energy and time, but I wouldn't have it any other way. At last summer is here though and we now have a few glorious weeks to fill with domestic chores and hopefully a few fun days away. My main objectives this summer is to have a huge craft clearout. Having done my job for a year now I can safely say that I have too much stash, and too little time to use it so it's a good time to downsize. My kitchen and utility are in dire need of a makeover, and my garden is desperate for a little TLC! I am busy filling in the gaps with my pencils, prepping images for future <a href="http://www.midweekmagnolias.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><strong>Midweek Magnolia</strong></span></a> challenges while I have the time. Here is my offering for the challenge <a href="http://midweekmagnolias.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/buttons-and-bows.html"><strong><span style="color: #ea9999;">which is currently running</span></strong></a> until Tuesday. The theme is <strong><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">Buttons and Bows</span></strong> and this is my card:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4raGIYpkhIs/UfKbBuKUsdI/AAAAAAAAEC8/jYvtys0YY1Q/s1600/Buttons+and+bowa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4raGIYpkhIs/UfKbBuKUsdI/AAAAAAAAEC8/jYvtys0YY1Q/s640/Buttons+and+bowa.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My gorgeous teamies have created some amazing samples for your inspiration also, and it would be fab if you would visit them and send a little love their way.<br />
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Whilst I have been typing this, the glue on next week's card has been drying beautifully so I am going to head on back to my next project while the house is quiet and nobody notices that I am not outside with my spade!!<br />
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Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by! xxxAnnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15067961982153809244noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250711756252954097.post-67235172301675747202013-06-19T17:54:00.002+01:002013-06-19T17:54:56.801+01:00Summer at last!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy Wednesday, and thank goodness it's a hot one! Long may it last, I hear you cry?</div>
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Over at <a href="http://www.midweekmagnolias.blogspot.com/"><strong><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;">Midweek Magnolia's</span></strong></a> this week we are celebrating Summer, whether that be BBQ's, Seaside Trips or just what summer means to you. Well, we're fast approaching the end of the academic year and it's time that I started making my cards to give out to friends and children at school, so this week I began that process with this card.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_FcOWjSNPU0/UcHgumJPBSI/AAAAAAAAECE/Jd2CwvBkdc8/s1600/summer+fun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_FcOWjSNPU0/UcHgumJPBSI/AAAAAAAAECE/Jd2CwvBkdc8/s640/summer+fun.jpg" width="626" /></a></div>
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This card was borne our of the desire to try out colouring on Kraft card, and I was surprised at how different it is, and how 'forgiving' Kraft card is! I could quite easily become an addict! This is one of my most favourite images to colour and I loved watching her come to life on the Kraft. I decided to go for a clean and simple look because I wanted to see as much of the Kraft card as possible. Tilda was coloured with my pencils and the bg sun was shaded with Copics.</div>
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Please pop over to the blog to see what my amazing teamies have created also, you won't be disappointed, I promise!</div>
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Thanks for stopping by, and have a great week! :o) xx</div>
<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15067961982153809244noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250711756252954097.post-70026833592518498872013-06-05T21:14:00.001+01:002013-06-05T21:14:39.731+01:00A touch of Frantage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A very brief post from me today as there is a queue for the computer! I just wanted to show my DT piece for this week's <a href="http://www.midweekmagnolias.blogspot.com/"><strong><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-large;">Midweek Magnolias</span></strong></a> theme which is Anything Goes, but with the option of adding a Vintage look or Frantage - I went for the Frantage because I'm enjoying a great romance with it at the moment - you could call it a Fr-omance......grooooooaaaan!</div>
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Anyway, the girls have come up with yet more <em>amazing</em> inspirational samples so please do go check them out. Here is my offering for this week's theme:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aI_DMOXpkAw/Ua-Z5wIb3LI/AAAAAAAAEA8/8NFacnlyyTs/s1600/Frantage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aI_DMOXpkAw/Ua-Z5wIb3LI/AAAAAAAAEA8/8NFacnlyyTs/s640/Frantage.jpg" width="530" /></a></div>
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I've only ever done one criss-cross card before, but our lovely Teresa makes them a lot and seeing her recent beautiful pieces has inspired me to have another go. Here's the insert:</div>
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It's really difficult to see on the photograph but I tried something new this week. Tilda has been embossed to give her some shape and dimension - you have to trust me when I say this looks more effective in real life.</div>
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I also want to show this off at <a href="http://magnolia-liciouschallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/tuesday-challenge-butterflies.html"><strong><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-large;">Magnolia-licious Challenges</span></strong></a> too as they have a Butterflies theme this week, and this gave me the opportunity to use my newly acquired butterfly edge, a die that I have uuuummed and aaaahhed over for such a long time, then I took the plunge last weekend - expect to see it some more! LOL!</div>
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Well that's my lot for today. Thank you so much for stopping by. If you have time, please pay my lovely teamies a visit too as they have worked their socks off once more!</div>
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Have a great week and see you soon! :o) xxx</div>
<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15067961982153809244noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250711756252954097.post-51880098544405939212013-05-11T07:49:00.000+01:002013-05-11T07:49:13.722+01:00Butterflies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy Saturday blogland! I was meant to post this yesterday but unfortunately life got in the way again making me late again. I've had an interesting week learning how to colour digitally and I used my newfound skills to colour in this gorgeous butterfly from Teri's<span style="font-size: large;"><b> <a href="http://deliciousdoodleschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Delicious Doodles</span></a></b></span> for my DT offering this week. Now, simple as it may look, this little fella learned a lot of new, colourful language from me during the creative process. The theme this week is <span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Anything but a card</b></span>,</span> and I had this brainwave, as you do when you're sitting outside in glorious sunshine! This year I have been making a lot of my own garden decorations and I was thinking "wouldn't it be lovely to have a nice suncatcher-style mobile with lots of butterflies on" and that's how this week's project began. Having mastered the colouring process, I then copied my butterfly and pasted it a number of times, changing the sizes from quite small to huge. I printed my first batch out onto overheads but unfortunately the colours just bled and looked a mess. So I ended up taking a printout into work and photocopying them instead. This time they looked great - so great that I cut a number of them out and stuck them onto my classroom window to brighten up my Spring Display!<br />
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I digress - having now successfully printed out my acetate sheets, I set about cutting them out. I did put glitter glue on a few wings, which instantly fell off the moment it dried! So then I began threading them onto invisible thread. This wasn't as painless as it might sound either as I ended up with a very sore finger and a lot of blood dripping! First string of my mobile finished I proudly held it up to the light.......... Uh oh! I completely misunderstood the rules of mobiles! My butterflies just pointed straight up to the skies - I didn't take into account the balance. D'oh. So I tried again using TWO strings of invisible thread - still no success. By this time, I had spent so much of my week with my batch of butterflies, one way or another, I threw the towel in and as time was running out I set about thinking of what else I could do with them. Then I had another brainwave (I've actually had quite a few this week!!) and I dug out this old basket which I rescued from going onto a skip many years ago. I loved it for it's rustic-ness and every Christmas it gets an airing when I fill it with aroma-soaked pine cones and tartan bows. But I decided to give it a facelift.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6wfhUc3rfUE/UY3ofgwiMVI/AAAAAAAAD_g/xACEA9C-518/s1600/Butterflies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6wfhUc3rfUE/UY3ofgwiMVI/AAAAAAAAD_g/xACEA9C-518/s640/Butterflies.jpg" width="608" /></a></div>
I gave it a coat of white paint, wrapped some pale pink satin ribbon around the handle and decorated it with flowers and the butterflies. It is now a home for my pretty fat quarters which so far have been sitting in a cardboard box somewhere, and my lovely old rustic basket now has a beautiful shabby-chic look and I have fallen in love with it all over again!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7YuW9LFSWCU/UY3pHW2fPwI/AAAAAAAAD_o/4RJ1Nx2qJSk/s1600/Butterflies+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="550" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7YuW9LFSWCU/UY3pHW2fPwI/AAAAAAAAD_o/4RJ1Nx2qJSk/s640/Butterflies+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
At the moment is is sitting pretty on my window-sill, but by the end of the weekend, it is going to be the centrepiece on my beautiful painted dresser. It will look perfect there!<br />
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Well that's my lot for now. Thank you for stopping by and I hope you like what you see. I'm going to go and try and find a place for the other 16 butterflies that I have cut out now! If I find a suitable home, I'll be sure to show you where they've adorned! Have a great week. :o) xxAnnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15067961982153809244noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250711756252954097.post-24554938468010296752013-05-08T18:40:00.001+01:002013-05-08T18:40:41.154+01:00Late again!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aUGZh1BhyAE/UYqKyB07UvI/AAAAAAAAD9I/nen0GNHooOY/s1600/header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aUGZh1BhyAE/UYqKyB07UvI/AAAAAAAAD9I/nen0GNHooOY/s640/header.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
Phew! At least I made it before Wednesday was over, because I wanted to get DT offering for this week's <a href="http://www.midweekmagnolias.blogspot.com/"><b><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;">Midweek Magnolia</span></b>s</a> theme posted on the day the theme was published! Our theme this week was <b><span style="color: #e06666;">Die Cuts and/or Punches</span></b>. Well I used both! Our fabulous DT have been hard at it again creating yet more spectacular entries to entice you to play along. This was my creation:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F2rFZM9_e5o/UYqLeYVoVUI/AAAAAAAAD9Q/pisHPI9L09c/s1600/Using+punches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="632" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F2rFZM9_e5o/UYqLeYVoVUI/AAAAAAAAD9Q/pisHPI9L09c/s640/Using+punches.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Once again I used one of my own bg papers topped with some embossed velum which I thought gave a pretty lacy effect. The flowers are my own again too, made using my 'ancient' punch. I made them using white cardstock and tinting the edges with distress inks, like so:<br />
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I made the bunting by punching out a tiny bird punch and rough-cutting the pennants around it by hand. <br />
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The whole thing, including the metal corners, is finished off with a sprinkling of shabby blue frantage!<br />
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I'd like to say a huge Thank You for stopping by my blog, and send out a huge plea to you to go and visit my fab teamies at Midweek Magnolias, if you haven't already done so.<br />
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Have a great week, see you Friday! :o) xxAnnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15067961982153809244noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250711756252954097.post-22129497206667063262013-04-30T17:26:00.002+01:002013-04-30T17:26:43.630+01:00Marianne's Design Diva's<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l6d5EXq9rig/UX_u15X396I/AAAAAAAAD8I/aR9J7_F533s/s1600/Mum+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="636" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l6d5EXq9rig/UX_u15X396I/AAAAAAAAD8I/aR9J7_F533s/s640/Mum+card.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Happy Tuesday - I am right, it is Tuesday, isn't it? I don't know whether I'm coming or going at the moment, it's been so busy. <br />
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I have been asked to make a couple of cards for a friend at work so I thought I'd use the theme for this week's <a href="http://mariannedesigndivas.blogspot.co.uk/"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"><b>Marianne Design Diva's</b></span> </a>challenge which is '<span style="color: #e06666;"><b>Make it Girly</b></span>' and I came up with this for my first card. I just love any excuse at all to use my Oval frame - it is far and away my most favourite die in my whole collection! Here is the card in full:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-quGKLjy4UpQ/UX_v9AIrUdI/AAAAAAAAD8Q/8KbUF4SGPY8/s1600/Mum+card+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="636" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-quGKLjy4UpQ/UX_v9AIrUdI/AAAAAAAAD8Q/8KbUF4SGPY8/s640/Mum+card+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My friend who asked for this card wanted something floral so I chose to use text in the frame instead of an image, and just added the vintage die cut roses with some flowers and ribbon. Coupled with ivory pearls and stickles glitter, I reackon it was girly enough.<br />
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Hope you like! Thanks for stopping by and have a great week! :o) xx<br />
<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15067961982153809244noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250711756252954097.post-21068947188998945092013-04-24T16:59:00.003+01:002013-04-24T16:59:47.670+01:00A-a-a-a-CHOOO!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zDD8LAeQWd0/UXd57hdF6uI/AAAAAAAAD7I/usdiUXednV0/s1600/Bingo+Header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zDD8LAeQWd0/UXd57hdF6uI/AAAAAAAAD7I/usdiUXednV0/s640/Bingo+Header.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
Phew.... Excuse me, I just can't stop sneezing!! I don't normally 'suffer' with hayfever - OK, I get itchy nose and eyes occasionally, but for some reason, this year I am really, really bad! It began on Sunny Saturday when I sat outside to do my work for a couple of hours. My eyes and nose are just like someone's turned a tap on and I'm sneezing like a hundred times a day!!!! OK, that may be a slight exaggeration, butI've never had hayfever like it before! It's weird, it's like I've got a really bad cold with none of the aches and pains that go with it, just a permanently red nose!<br />
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Anyway, over at<strong><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"> </span></strong><a href="http://www.midweekmagnolias.blogspot.com/"><strong><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;">Midweek Magnolias</span></strong></a> this week we have a game of <strong><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;">Bingo</span></strong> for you to play. Our lovely Cathy has created this fab bingo board and you need to choose a line across, down, or diagonally in any direction, or, if you're feeling very adventurous and creative, why not go for a full house! <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nw0bO3Y8Zk8/UXd-2kPaSAI/AAAAAAAAD7o/LPb1mQRWXwg/s1600/MM+Bingo+Board+4-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nw0bO3Y8Zk8/UXd-2kPaSAI/AAAAAAAAD7o/LPb1mQRWXwg/s400/MM+Bingo+Board+4-24.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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So, eyes down and off we go. I opted for the top line and went for <span style="color: #e06666;"><strong>Pink, Ribbon and Die Cuts/Punches</strong></span>. Here is the card I came up with, complete with my home-made Frantage - gosh, I love this effect! So much so that just about everything in the house is getting the frantage treatment at the moment, including the metal corners on my card.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n4_7ZAbtCkw/UXd-PnnqsdI/AAAAAAAAD7Y/EH4_9KFgoCQ/s1600/Bingo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="632" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n4_7ZAbtCkw/UXd-PnnqsdI/AAAAAAAAD7Y/EH4_9KFgoCQ/s640/Bingo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
The flowers I made myself with a punch that I've had for absolutely years - probably ever since I first began crafting at home. I've never done anything quite so adventurous with it before though, but I love the effect of the flowers so much that I'm punching away like crazy every spare moment I get and making these by the sackload! The bg paper is also one of my own again -all in all it'a a totally a DIY creation really! LOL!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TyhsuSjdZPs/UXf_3tGmzFI/AAAAAAAAD74/Il0eKU5EOHA/s1600/Paper+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TyhsuSjdZPs/UXf_3tGmzFI/AAAAAAAAD74/Il0eKU5EOHA/s640/Paper+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Frantage I made with some white and gold UTEE, a splash of pink embossing powder and a little glitter. But, a little goes a long way so I think I'm going to be Frantage-ing for quite some time yet. I'm going to be sharing this card with <a href="http://totallytilda.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/challenge-70-heat-embossing-with-tilda.html"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"><strong>Totally Tilda's</strong></span></a> challenge this week - I've not participated for a while, but I like their <span style="color: #e06666;"><strong>heat embossed</strong></span> theme this week so managed to tie it in with my <span style="color: #e06666;"><strong>MWM</strong></span> dt piece.<br />
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Anyway, that's about my lot for today. I've rambled on for far too long. Thank you for stopping by here, and I wish you a good week! :o) xxAnnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15067961982153809244noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250711756252954097.post-80613176247958199942013-04-10T14:16:00.000+01:002013-04-11T07:12:47.738+01:00April Showers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy Wednesday once more to all who stop by here. April is a mental month for me because so many of my close friends and family members have birthdays in April and every year it catches me out and unprepared!! This year is no exception :o( I've got a busy time over the next couple of days as I have a few cards to get made. I've also got an exciting function to prepare for later this year too as hubs and I are celebrating 15 years as Mr & Mrs. After a lot of chat (from me) and a lot of listening (from him!) we have decided to have a Mad Hatter's Tea Party by way of celebration and I am having the best time making the preparations. The only thing we can't rely on is obviously the weather, so I'm putting a contingency plan in place too! Ideally we will have a lawn back by then - just now it is a sad and sorry excuse for a lawn and I am planning on getting out there to repair it over the next few days. Very little rain coupled with lots of snow and ice have pretty much decimated our lawn and all that is left is dry burnt grass, lots of moss and tons of dandelions and dock leaves trying to break through.<br />
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Onto my card this week. Over at <a href="http://www.midweekmagnolias.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"><strong>Midweek Magnolias</strong></span></a>, my fabulous teamies have created a wonderful selection of inspiring samples to get people to join in with our <span style="color: #e06666;"><strong>April Showers</strong></span> theme. Here is my offering:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xY_fXNvtXaY/UWVlJ3eACNI/AAAAAAAAD3o/i1D1S8RrHpY/s1600/April+Showers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="638" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xY_fXNvtXaY/UWVlJ3eACNI/AAAAAAAAD3o/i1D1S8RrHpY/s640/April+Showers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Once again the bg papers are my own creation, and Tilda is coloured with my Faber Castell pencils. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s6qG4dGms_k/UWZUOLcENBI/AAAAAAAAD4A/8EaCN6QKp78/s1600/My+paper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s6qG4dGms_k/UWZUOLcENBI/AAAAAAAAD4A/8EaCN6QKp78/s400/My+paper.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I've even been and bought a couple of purple pencils this week - eek! I am hopeless with purple but I really want to give it a go! I did use it on the flowers though:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pSv0d07wAcc/UWVlhZPBm4I/AAAAAAAAD3w/6YntDrV6-94/s1600/Close+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pSv0d07wAcc/UWVlhZPBm4I/AAAAAAAAD3w/6YntDrV6-94/s640/Close+up.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
I probably should consider moving away from blues anyway - it's my favourite colour but I tend to use it too much.... <br />
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Well that's my lot for today - I have a couple of calls to make, a couple of cards to make, and a few pressies to wrap! It feels like Christmas round here!<br />
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Have a great week and thanks for stopping by! :o) xxxAnnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15067961982153809244noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250711756252954097.post-69892972489877903612013-04-03T08:28:00.003+01:002013-04-03T08:39:20.053+01:00Is it Summer yet??<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Brrrr.... Judging by the look of my car, I would say not! It's so confusing for the wildlife - I've woke up listening to birds singing, but not as excitedly as they normally would. My daffodils popped their beautiful golden heads out, only to be beaten back down again by snow and I am just desperate to get into my garden and make a start on getting it ready for the summer, but that wind is so cold, even in the sunshine! Maybe next week?<br />
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In the meantime I shall have to content myself with indoor projects. I have a few ideas of things that I want to get on and do, but first I want to show you the tag that I made for this week's <a href="http://www.midweekmagnolias.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"><strong>Midweek Magnolia</strong></span></a> theme which is "<span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"><strong>How Charming</strong></span>", and we are asking you to use a charm somewhere on your project. The girls have been busying away like mad to create some amazing inspirational samples which I urge you to go and check out for yourself. Here is my offering:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KMi-rxOiAMU/UVvU6kAWRXI/AAAAAAAAD2A/OR-EYglwjDc/s1600/Charming+Tag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KMi-rxOiAMU/UVvU6kAWRXI/AAAAAAAAD2A/OR-EYglwjDc/s640/Charming+Tag.jpg" width="338" /></a></div>
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The papers I used are WAY off the mark for me - I don't recall ever using mint before, but they work so beautifully. They were a sample that a friend sent to me many years ago and I've just never got round to using them because they're not my usual taste. I've always thought they were gorgeous, but a little too 'modern' for me, but I decided that they would be perfect for this tag, and they are so Spring-like and cheery. Unfortunately, I've covered all the beautiful birds that lie underneath the image - the paper normally looks like this<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XrPnlbQoACA/UVvX0Fl0opI/AAAAAAAAD2Q/wLyqwwGreOk/s1600/chick-a-doo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XrPnlbQoACA/UVvX0Fl0opI/AAAAAAAAD2Q/wLyqwwGreOk/s320/chick-a-doo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Beautiful, isn't it?<br />
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I'm sharing my project today with themes over at <a href="http://lovely-haenglar-only.blogspot.co.uk/"><strong><span style="color: #e06666;">Lovely Hanglar or Sweet Magnolia</span></strong></a> as they have the theme <strong><span style="color: #e06666;">Butterflies or t</span><span style="color: #e06666;">hings</span><span style="color: #e06666;"> that flutter</span></strong> and with <a href="http://marvelousmagnoliachallenge.blogspot.co.uk/"><strong><span style="color: #e06666;">Marvellous Magnolia</span></strong></a> who's theme is <strong><span style="color: #e06666;">Wings</span></strong>(my charm and the invisible birds on my paper!) and with <a href="http://youmeandmagnolia.blogspot.co.uk/"><strong><span style="color: #e06666;">You, Me and Magnolia</span></strong></a> who have a <span style="color: #e06666;"><strong>Spring</strong></span> theme.<br />
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And that's my lot for today. I'm off to meet a friend for coffee soon which I have been looking forward to for the last week! Hope you're having a good week wherever you are, and thank you for stopping by! :o) xxxAnnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15067961982153809244noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250711756252954097.post-18915376605857730422013-03-27T08:30:00.000+00:002013-04-03T17:01:39.128+01:00Favourite Stamp<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GzASW_Xy3ZY/UVHUf06H8cI/AAAAAAAADyg/Lgpz1xoyNBM/s1600/Favourite+image+header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GzASW_Xy3ZY/UVHUf06H8cI/AAAAAAAADyg/Lgpz1xoyNBM/s640/Favourite+image+header.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
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Happy Wednesday to all who pass through here. This week at <a href="http://www.midweekmagnolias.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"><strong>Midweek Magnolias</strong></span></a> we are asking you to use your favourite stamp and tell us why it is your favourite. I chose this Tilda which I think is actually from a Christmas collection, but I don't care because I think she can be used all year round. The reason I have chosen this one is because I love the way her dress scallops and bumps making it easy to colour, and I love the bow in her curly hair - it reminds me of my first perm! LOL!! So I used this image on my project this week which is a Milk Carton which I wanted to make to fill with goodies for my friend who is about to hit the 'big one' in a couple of weeks time.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FBQ2WYry6AA/UVHV-pb1_wI/AAAAAAAADyo/NS8nQGtH-8I/s1600/Favourite+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FBQ2WYry6AA/UVHV-pb1_wI/AAAAAAAADyo/NS8nQGtH-8I/s640/Favourite+image.jpg" width="350" /></a></div>
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The papers are once again my own which I made using freebie images from the internet.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fDSLaAsiOTg/UVHWQKqfbLI/AAAAAAAADyw/lHmdrgHQcpA/s1600/Favourite+close+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fDSLaAsiOTg/UVHWQKqfbLI/AAAAAAAADyw/lHmdrgHQcpA/s640/Favourite+close+up.jpg" width="566" /></a></div>
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Thank you so much for stopping by. Have a great week, and don't forget to stop by Midweek Magnolias to see the fab creations my wonderful teamies have come up with! :o) xxxAnnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15067961982153809244noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250711756252954097.post-29543838023427752282013-03-20T07:15:00.000+00:002013-03-20T07:15:08.654+00:00Roses, roses everywhere, and winner!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ThgK8NuAsN8/UUlbvHcif_I/AAAAAAAADxg/COty0P5WaC8/s1600/Everything's+coming+up+roses+Header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ThgK8NuAsN8/UUlbvHcif_I/AAAAAAAADxg/COty0P5WaC8/s640/Everything's+coming+up+roses+Header.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
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Good morning blogland! Before anything else I would just like to say the most enormous <span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-large;"><strong>THANK YOU</strong></span> to EVERYONE who joined in with our bloghop over at Midweek Magnolias last week! It was hugely successful and all the team are so delighted to see so many lovely crafters. We had a blast! Thank you to all who visited our blogs and for the many hundreds of wonderful comments we all got for our creations. It was so successful that we may just have to do it again ;o) Watch this space......!!!</div>
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In the meantime, I would like to announce the winner of my blog candy and that is</div>
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<a href="http://cazscraftysnug.blogspot.co.uk/"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"><strong>CAZ</strong></span></a></div>
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Well done Caz, and thank you for your lovely comments. If you would like to<strong><span style="color: #e06666;"> </span></strong><a href="mailto:artisanne10@yahoo.co.uk"><strong><span style="color: #e06666;">email</span></strong></a> me your addy and I will send your pack out to you.</div>
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Our new theme at <a href="http://www.midweekmagnolias.blogspot.com/"><strong><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;">Midweek Magnolias</span></strong></a> this week is Everything's Coming Up Roses! and we want to see lots of roses on your projects. Here is the card I made for my DT piece:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mhTAeripr9A/UUldwFN3H1I/AAAAAAAADxo/OQUQWvQ6i3o/s1600/Coming+up+roses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mhTAeripr9A/UUldwFN3H1I/AAAAAAAADxo/OQUQWvQ6i3o/s640/Coming+up+roses.jpg" width="624" /></a></div>
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The paper is another of my own creations which I made using some freebie vintage images from the web and a spotty background which took me HOURS to create and I wish never to do another!! The colour doesn't show very well here but it is a very pale grey/blue which I think is much nicer IRL, but having 'mastered' stripes, I figured spots would be a doddle - No!!! I'm lucky to still be a part of this family given the amount of foul language I've been hurling at my pooter this week! They've disowned me now and I need to win back their favour! LOL! I wouldn't mind, but you can't even see the damn spots!! The gorgeous frame is one which I am ashamed to own because it's the creation of one Stephanie Weightman, who I just cannot bear to watch on C&C because she winds me up so much. Why bother asking guests a question if you're only going to answer it yourself? So rude! However, her range of dies have now hit Hobbycraft and I just happened to be there when they were stocking the shelf and I came away with this, costing me £25!! Am I totally mad?! There is a lot more to it than just this, but I instantly regretted buying it when after goodness knows how many attempts I finally managed to extract one in one piece from the die itself, without tearing it. Give me Spellbinders and Marianne dies any day!</div>
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Well that's my all for today. Please pop over to Midweek Magnolias and check out the amazing samples that my fabulously talented teamies have created. Thanks so much for stopping by and have a great week. :o) xx</div>
Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15067961982153809244noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6250711756252954097.post-20926493221783580982013-03-13T08:18:00.000+00:002013-03-13T16:06:41.146+00:00Happy Birthday Midweek Magnolias!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hurrah! We are officially one year old now! Hard to believe that 52 weeks ago we launched this fabulous weekly 'challenge' blog. We call it a challenge, but in actual fact it's more an inspirational theme blog and lots of very lucky people have been fortunate enough to win fabulous prizes donated by our amazing sponsors, <a href="http://www.magnolia.nu/"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"><strong>Magnolia</strong></span></a> in Sweden!<br />
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However, as this is our birthday, we have lots of other special treats for all our players to be in with a chance of winning. We are having our first blog hop. Chances are, you have probably arrived here via <a href="http://jfroog.blogspot.co.uk/"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"><strong>Jenny's</strong></span></a><span style="color: #e06666;"> </span>wonderful blog - if not however, please visit her because if you do, and you leave her lots of love, you will be in with a chance of winning our fabulous Birthday Blog Prize which was very kindly donated by Cathy. Take a look at this amazing bundle:<br />
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All this could be yours if you play along with our blog hop. To do this you need to be a follower of <a href="http://www.midweekmagnolias.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"><strong>Midweek Magnolias</strong></span></a> and you must visit each of the DT members own blogs and leave a comment. <br />
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Some of the DT are also offering smaller prizes of their own and I have put together this little package:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qRvi80kiuqY/UT9tLesLsLI/AAAAAAAADww/5mVew_u5zfs/s1600/Blog+prize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qRvi80kiuqY/UT9tLesLsLI/AAAAAAAADww/5mVew_u5zfs/s640/Blog+prize.jpg" width="524" /></a></div>
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There is some genuine vintage lace, some ribbons, die cuts, stick on sparkly gems, doilies, flowers and 2 boxes for you to alter in any way you see fit. I may throw in one or two extras also ;o)<br />
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So, we have our big blog prize from Cathy, our Mystery prize from Magnolia, individual blog prizes and on top of all that, we are all giving away our cards this week to the individual blog winners also! Wow! What a birthday treat!<br />
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And before I forget to post it, here IS my card for this week:<br />
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I hope you like it. The bg papers are all my own design (and stamped with a Kaisercraft stamp)and Tilda is coloured with pencils and stickles glitter glue.<br />
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So what now? Well now, you need to hop over to my lovely talented teamie <a href="http://attic-crafter.blogspot.co.uk/"><strong><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;">Becky</span></strong></a> and see what goodies she has to offer.<br />
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Thank you to everyone who plays along with our themes each week on Midweek Magnolias. We do love seeing you there and we hope everyone has as happy a time there as we do! Thanks for popping in here also. Have a great week! :o) xxAnnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15067961982153809244noreply@blogger.com80