A Rare Thing!!

Morning peeps and hope you are all OK today : )

I’ve another sneakie peekie to share today but this one is a bit different because it’s actually a card I made for somebody!!
Usually my cards aren't made for a real person but this one was for a very sweet real person and  I’m pleased to report that she did indeed like it

And …

… here it is.

This is another Lili of The Valley birthday fairy and this one is called Time Flies.

As always, I gave her the Copics treatment and these are the colours I used -

Skin – E000, E00, E11, E13, R00, R02
Hair – E31, E33, E34, E35, E39
The rest – B0000, B00, C00, C0, C3, C4, C5, C7, C9, C10, G99, RV0000, RV000, RV10, RV34, RV69, Y0000, Y00,  Y02, Y21, Y28, YG0000, YG00, YG03, YG95

I added loads of Glamour Dust around the image again – I LOVE how it brings the colours to life.

The papers here are from the Bonnets & Bowties paper pad and also the Bonnets & Bowties Solids.
I can’t stop using these solid papers -  they match perfectly the patterned papers so they are fab for matting and layering but also for making embellies such as flowers etc.  

Another Sentiments to Fit Scroll sentiment.
I think this font is awesome – it looks handwritten but really neat.
If I hand wrote anything, nobody would be able to read it – my writing is shocking!!

Almost as bad as my grammar lol!!

It wouldn’t be one of me cards without a little bit of prettiness from The Ribbon Girl would it.

The double bow was made from Siam Pink Seam Binding and the sweet Pearls look lovely in the centre of the flowers.
Oh. byw, the dies I used to make the flowers are Spellbinders Bloom Three – I keep forgetting to mention that, doh!!

 

I think you are liking these little fairies as much as the DT are and I wonder which one is going to be the fave.
Not long now till they go on sale so hopefully by then you will have loads of ideas and lots of inspiration.

They are going on sale on 10th May which is our 10th birthday. I simply cannot wait – I am so excited I cannot tell you. I will get to meet our Dena at long last and also our Mary too. And it will be lovely to catch up with the rest of the girls as well as customers and friends old and new : )

So there I am all done for today. 

I’ll be back with another sneakie peekie soon as soon so until then, enjoy your day and huggiest of hugs to all xx

PTW Sneakie Peekie Plus Loads of Pics :)

 

Hi there sweet peeps and it’s time for another sneakie peekie of another of the brand new Lili of The Valley fairies which will be on sale on our 10th birthday. Have you picked your faces yet?

I just cannot choose!!

My card is also for this week’s challenge over at Papertake Weekly and it’s time for a new sketch …

 

… this one here.
Or you can use any of the other PTW sketches if you want because it's our monthly

Sketchie Free For All

So what did I do then?

Well I turned the sketch upside down and used it that way.
That’s what they’re there for I think : )

 

 

So the image I used today is called Water Lily, awww she is so sweet I could eat her.

I coloured her with the following Copics -

Skin – E000, E00, E11, E13, R00, R02
Hair – E31, E33, E34, E35, E39
The rest – B0000, B00, C00, C0, C3, C4, C5, C7, C9, C10, G99, RV0000, RV000, RV10, RV34, RV69, YG0000, YG00, YG03, YG95

I added loads of Glamour Dust around the image and I also …

… gave her some pink sparkly shades (the glass parts are covered with Glossy Accents but you can’t see it on these pics).

But they are FABULOUS

 

I had a little bit of a flower fest again – I am so into doing the paper flower thing at the mo.
The papers are from the utterly gorgeous  LOTV  Perfect Pair paper pads.

 

 

I used another sentiment from the LOTV Sentiments to Fit Scroll set and there are a couple of goodies from The Ribbon Girl - 12mm white cotton lace and 16mm Meadow Green/White Berisford No 130 Pencil Stripe Ribbon.

Beautiful.

And here’s a bit of gingham ribbon,  just for a change!!

A double bow made with some 15mm shocking pink and white No 72 Berisford small check gingham ribbon and topped off with one of Mary’s lovely 14mm Acrylic Gems and a bit of twine from  The Ribbon Girl Green Mix Hemp Twine card.

 

There’s also another of me Grand Nesties in here plus some Martha Stewart leaf-age.

So that’s me all done for today.
I hope you like the card peeps. I have to say that it’s one of my faves this year – I love how it turned out.

Have the bestest day and I’ll see you back here with some more bits and bobs very soon.

Huggiest of hugs to all xxx

A Fairy Sweet Sneekie Peekie

Morning sweet peeps and hope you are all OK and that you had a fab weekend.

This week, the  Lili of The Valley DT are going to be sharing some sneak peeks of a brand new release which will be out soon and you are going to LOVE this one because it’s all about fairies.

So keep your eyes peeled.

So what did I do then?

This little cutie is called Cobweb.
Do you like her?

I think she’s absolutely totally and utterly sweet and I coloured her with the following Copics -

Skin – E000, E00, E11, E13, R00, R02

Hair – E31, E33, E34, E35, E39

The rest – B0000, B00, B02, B05, B22, B32, B63, B97, BV04, C00, C0, C3, C4, C5, C7, YG0000, YG00, YG03, YG95 (so just one or two then lol!!).

The papers are from the beautiful  LOTV Petal Fresh paper pads.

 

Now you know I do love a bit of  gingham ribbon lol.

This bow was made using 25mm Black/Cream Rustic Gingham Berisford No 10 ribbon from The Ribbon Girl. I topped it off with one of Mary’s 14mm Acrylic Gems which I coloured with a Copic so that it matched.

Just peeping behind is a Magnolia Leaf & Swirl die swirl – I haven't used this for a while!!

The sentiment is from the brilliant LOTV Sentiments to Fit Scroll set and I finally got around to using my Grand Nesties Scalloped Rectangles dies as well. I’ve had them ages and they don't seem to have paid for their keep yet!!

Oh and there’s some White Liquid Pearl-age as well which I also got from Mary Ribbons.

So that's me done for today but I will be back tomorrow with my card for Papertake and I wouldn't be at all surprised if there wasn't another new fairy on display. Possibly in pink? Tune in then and all will be revealed

Have a great day and huggiest of hugs to all xxx

I’m Getting Married In The Morning.

Morning chicksies and hope all is well today.

I’m not really getting married (perish the thought and if my Richard saw that title he would indeed break out into a cold sweat, bless him), but  I just thought I’d share …..

… this lovely pic with you.

I don’t normally put commissions and mag work on here but I was so thrilled with this lovely layout that I thought I’d make an exception.

It’s taken from this month’s Cardmaking & Papercraft mag (my absolute fave) for a wedding feature I did …

… and I even made the front cover so very happy days indeedy, wooohoooo!!

I used one of the new Wedding Stationery Stamp Sets from Lili of The Valley and this one is ‘Handwritten’. I tell you peeps, if you are making your own wedding stationery or if you  do this for other peeps, then you really should have a think about using these sets.

There’s everything included from ‘Save The  Date’ right through to Thank You and it all coordinates beautifully.
Plus there are 5 different styles to choose from, so there’s something there for every taste.

The papers are all from the Always & Forever paper pad they are so pretty and they were perfect for this feature

I’ve made wedding stationery in the past and I wish these sets had been around then.  Anyway I just wanted to share with you – hope you like them. If you get a chance as well, try and get a copy of the mag because there are hints and tips in there for you which I hope will help (as well as loads of fab cardage and makes)

If you are stuck for ideas, don't forget that there’s a Lili of The Valley Pinterest Board especially for these fabulous sets so loads of inspiration on there. And there’s also the Ideas To Inspire Blog – the link will take you to all the wedding stuff.

Thanks for stopping by today and I’ll see you soon as soon.

Have a fab day and huggiest of hugs to all xxx

 

Lovely Lilac :)

Hi there peeps and what a few days it’s been!!!

I had to have a new pc last week re the XP thing and it seemed so straightforward just to move everything from one pc to another but oh no!!! As I’m using things, I’m finding little snags that seem to take forever to sort ie photo editing software that won’t behave itself, Livewriter insisting on installing everything but the kitchen sink despite me asking, nay pleading with it not to.

Grrrrrr

Anyway I think I’m almost done but no doubt one or two more things will come along just to take away the smug feeling I’m starting to have.

So back to yesterday and here is my card for this week’s Papertake challenge which is

White + 1

and ….

… this is what I did.

I used one of these …..

… new Lili of The Valley Solids Paper Pads and this one is Promises.
I think these are fabulous and they work really well with the paper pads of the same name – perfect for matting and layering.

But they also work well by themselves and I made some different types of flowers and just dotted them about.

The papers have a slightly ‘texture’ to them which stops them being very plain – I like that.

Here’s a close up of the blooms ….

The sweet little pearls are from The Ribbon Girl and clicking that link will take you to the right place in the shop.

They're precious  :)

So that’s me done and if you get a sec, do nip and check out the challenge me darlins.
We have a brand new and very fab sponsor as well so it’s all good.

I'm so sorry for the quickie today but there’s still stuff to sort out and I'm running out of time rapidly.
Have a fab day and I‘ll see you soon as soon.

Huggiest of hugs to all xxx

Never Ever Forget

Hi there sweet peeps and isn't it a glorious day today.

No card from me today but instead I am posting here to remember another day 25 years ago which was also glorious but which ended in the most awful way imaginable.

Let me say that Hillsborough for me is very personal.

I knew one of the victims  - he lived 3 doors down from me and I still see his sweet sister occasionally. And my daughters went to school with the brother of another. Growing up where I did and where I lived back then, it's hard not be have been personally touched by what happened on that day because most people knew or knew of at least one of the 96.

20 miles away in Liverpool this is even greater.

I've said it before and no doubt I will say it again but it isn't right that you go to a football match and not come back. And then to have to fight for the truth, fight to protect the good name of your loved one, whilst trying to come to terms with what happened, well I for one cannot imagine what that must have been like.

But fight they did and they have and they still are and now there are now new inquests. I hope and pray that this time the families may finally get some peace in their lives -  25 years is an awfully long time .......

I posted about this back in 2012 when the truth at last was coming out - that post is here. I mentioned in that post  the other victims that we may not always think about, but they are victims nonetheless.

So today I am sadly remembering everybody that was hurt by what happened on that terrible day.

And the last word here goes to the my fellow Liverpool supporters ....

xxx

A Perfect Pair :)

    

Hi sweet peeps and hope you are all OK on this lovely Spring day (or at least it is in Chester :)

It's time to nip over and check out what's happening over with the Papertake gang and in keeping with the weather, our theme this week is

Spring Has Sprung

so you can either do a Spring card or use Spring colours (like what I did !!).

And ...

.. this is my card.

I used of of my faves from the new Lili of The Valley release and this is Annabel Upside Down.
She looks like she's having a whale of a time I think :)

I coloured her with the following Copics -  

Skin - E000, E00, E11, E13, R00, R02
Hair -  E31, E33, E35, E39, E50
The rest -   C4, C7, C9, E31, E35, E39, RV00, RV10, RV34, YG0000, YG00, YG03, YG95

The papers are Perfect Pair - they're so gorgeous and this is again one of my fave ever LOTV paper pads.

 

You can say anything you want (within reason,  natch lol) with these fab tags - they are from SET 24 - Sentiment Tags.
What ever did we do without them!!

 

 

Some fab stuff from our Mary & Andrea over at The Ribbon Girl -

15mm Shocking Pink No 72 Small Check Gingham 15mm-meadow-green-microdot-ribbon-p-536.html">15mm-meadow-green-microdot-ribbon-p-536.html">15mm-meadow-green-microdot-ribbon-p-536.html">15mm-meadow-green-microdot-ribbon-p-536.html">15mm-meadow-green-microdot-ribbon-p-536.html">
15mm Meadow Green No 664 Microdot Ribbon 

 

And I used a couple of Cheery Lynn dies -  Francesca Border and French Pastry Doily, both from Sir Stampalot

The tree is a Memory Box Twiggy Die  and the clouds are dies from Joycrafts

 

So there we are for another week and before  go I have to say a mahoosive thank you to the lovely ladies that came to the shop for the workshops on Saturday.

Here's a couple or three pics ....

The morning colouring group.

 

The afternoon Birthday Planner ladies - or rather,  half the room.
Some of the morning group stayed over for the afternoon workshops as well :)

 

 

And look who's here.
In the background you can see Tracy Thompson and Susan Stacey, and in the foreground concentrating very hard is our lovely Marjorie who is one of our Guest Designers at Papertake, along with her daughter Debs.

I also had a very special encounter with my little pal Bobby who is Tracy's boy.
This kid is a real sweetie and I just love him  -  I overlook the fact that he is a Leeds supporter. Anyway he brought me a box of choccies, bless his little heart and thank you Bobby xxx

Now in the past I have asked him for a hug and a kiss but of course he doesn't do such soppy stuff - he is far too old for that kind of thing now.  But at the last  open day our Lou took him some sweets and she didn't mess about, she just planted a big kiss on his cheek and gave him a hug.

Well I was most put out I can tell you.

So this time, I didn't ask, I just sort of got him in a head lock and nicked a kiss as well!!!.
He did walk back to his Mum wiping his  face (yes Bobby Thompson I saw you!!) but I didn't care.
He makes my day when he comes into the shop, little poppet.

Anyway we al had a smashing day and everybody said how pretty the shop looked, as it always does. I am hugely looking forward to the next workshops so watch this space lovely peeps :).

Right I'm off to do some work so I'll see you soon as soon and till then, have the most fabulous of  days.

Huggiest of hugs to all  xxx

 

Hanging About :)

 

Morning sweet peeps and hope you are all OK today.

It's that time of the week when we nip over and check out what's happening with the Papertake gang and as it's the first one of a new month, we have our

Anything Goes

challenge with an option this month to make a gift or treat holder for Easter.

I didn't do the option though, instead I made little hanger .....

 

    

.. this one here.
IRL it looks much nicer but I am awful at taking pics of things that are hanging up :(

The papers I used are from Lili of The Valley and they are the beautimous Heartfelt.

 

Do you like this flower peeps?

I can't say too much about it at the mo but if you fancy making some just like this then watch this space!!!
They couldn't be easier - an absolute doddle really -  but they really look the biz  don't ya think:)

And if you are coming to the afternoon  workshop at  LOTV HQ on Saturday, then you may very well get to see one up close and personal.

And talking about the workshop, the morning one is now fully booked (thank you xxx)  but I do believe that there may be a last few spaces left in the afternoon, so if you fancy a craft sesh with yours truly, then give the shop a ring.
We would love to see you.

 

The main sentiment is from Set 43 - Statements - Fabulous and I added a  little 'happy' stamp at the side.

 

Here's another view of the flower and leaves combi.
These have been made from the papers in the pad.

 

That pink paper looks just like crackly paint - it's fab.

The ribbon was from a gift set I got - possibly Molten Brown cos I love that stuff.
I chopped it off cos I knew it would come in handy one day and how right I was  :))

I like doing these hangers - they make a nice change from a flat card, or as flat as I ever do them which is never, now I come to think about it lol. But they look a bit more special (what appalling grammar there, soz!!) I think, but between you and I they don't actually take very long to put together.

Right I'm off to get some work done.

But before I go I have to say a huge thank you to everybody who came to see us at Port Sunny last weekend. What nice peeps you are and I had a lovely day there.

I soooo  'heart' Port Sunny.

Enjoy your day and enjoy the sunshine if you are luck enough to have any and I'll see you soon as soon.

Hugs to all xxx.