Cupcake Cushion

Last month I was lucky enough to win some fabulous blog candy from the lovely Deirdre included in the Candy was the large cupcake stamp from Hero Arts and as soon as I saw it I knew it was the perfect size for a bit of applique!  In the UK cupcakes are so fashionable at the moment and so are fun decorative cushions.  I have made this as a Christmas present for my DD, I know she is far to busy at the moment to check out my blog so I feel safe to show you.

I am really pleased with the result, as you can see I have added a few sequins and beads to add a little sparkle. I am going to enter it in Novembers challenge at Hero Arts as part of the challenge is handmade gifts.
SallyX

Thinking inking!!

Colour challenges really are my favourite type of challenges and this week the Play Date Cafe have chosen these beautiful colours for the inspiration.  I have been making so many Christmas cards that I wanted a change and after watching Jennifer McGuire's thinking inking tutorials I came up with this card.

 For the main panel I have used some white pearl Acrylic Paint on my stamp, when dry I added some distress inks and then I embossed the whole tile with Embossing Enamel.

The Backing paper has been stamped with the Paper Art stamp in Brilliant white ink.  I am also entering this in the Wee Memories "Scrappy Saturday Challenge" this week which is "Anything Goes" and this months Hero Arts Challenge.
Sorry a very quick post today, I've had a busy week at work so am looking forward to relaxing this weekend, hope you have a great weekend too.
Sallyx
Supplies. Hero Arts Stamps: CG198 Paper Art, CG187 Floral Background.

Deborahs Card Chain Challenge

This month I joined in Deborah's Card Chain Challenge again, such a fun challenge the idea is you make and send a card to the person above you in the chain, which also means you receive a card and you never quite know from where in the world it will come from. I really enjoy taking part! This month my card came from Rikke in Denmark and its really stunning, the flower glistens which is hard to see in the photograph.  Thank you Rikke !!


This is the card I posted to Sharon in Canada three weeks ago, unfortunately it still hasn't arrived, lost in the post somewhere :0(    I have been taking part in the challenge for ten months now and its the first time my card has been lost! 

When it hadn't arrived after two weeks I decided to post another as I didn't want to Sharon to be disappointed.  You probably recognised the card I sent as the one currently on my blog header, its one of my favourites, I am hoping it will arrive in the next few days (fingers crossed!!!!)
Sallyx

Some more handmade flowers!!!!

This is the colour inspiration for the challenge this week at The Play Date Cafe  chosen by Sarah Anderson.   I love all the inspiration from the DT and the photograph inspired flowers again.  My favourite I love flowers and butterflies on cards!!

I visited Vickys blog last week and she had the most amazing flowers on there made from organza, she supplied a link to Terrie's blog and a tutorial on how to make them.  Well never one to give up the chance of making my own flowers I had to give them a try, luckily I had some white Organza in my sewing box!

The flower is so delicate and pretty that I will definitely be making more, they remind me of a winter Rose and I think they would look stunning on some homemade Christmas Crackers.
They rest of the card fell into place around the flower, the background is the lace stamp from Hero Arts, stamped and embossed in black it reminds me of Antique French Chantilly Lace, the ribbons and jems are alot darker than they appear in the photograph, definitely Burgundy and not Red.  I have also embossed the base card with the letter writing folder. I actually think this card would make a romantic Christmas card, what do you think?
I haven't had much time for crafting this week even though its half term, lots of decorating to do :0(
Hope to get a few more cards made tomorrow, hope you are having a relaxing weekend.
SallyX

Supplies: Hero Arts stamp S5341 Lace Background. Old Writing cuttlebug folder.  Ribbons and Jems from stash

Two very different challenges!!!

I love to visit Betsy Veldman's blog when I need a little inspiration, she has just completed a few projects using Vintage Findings, including a fabulous gift tin and some stunning cards that took me back to my childhood! I love the shabby chic look, and using old buttons, lace and other items on my cards, I have a huge tin of old buttons that my Mum left me and its great to use them in projects.  Betsy has a small challenge running at the moment to use vintage items and I couldn't wait to have a go.  Here is my card using some of my Mum's lovely buttons and an old piece of lace from her sewing box.  The image is from a piece of PP that I have had in my stash for ages and I thought it made a lovely cameo.  The flower is one of a batch I made a while back.
















My second card is for Jenny's challenge over at Wee Memories , this challenge is to make a cute Christmas card for Vera's Caring Hearts card drive.  I find cute quite hard but really wanted to join in so this is my card.


I made another snow scene card but this time added a little deer (baby Rudolf) I also added some seed beads for a little sparkle.  That's it for today, more decorating to do in the kitchen!
SallyX

Autumn Harvest!!

I just though I would show you the jars of Piccalilli that I made yesterday ready for the winter.  I love homemade pickles and chutneys and this Piccalilli is perfect with jacket potatoes, cold meats and it goes especially well with chunky bread and cheese.  It will be ready in about six weeks time but I had a sneak taste yesterday and its already really yummy!!




















I also had time to make a couple more Christmas cards to add to my stash, still need to make alot more yet!!

This one is quite a clean and simple design for me but I am pleased with it and managed to resist adding some bling to the background.

Another fairly clean card, the background is just stamped and distressed with Victorian Velvet ink, then I stamped my Wreath stamp twice with Bundled Sage and Peeled Paint.  I have highlighted the leaves with a glitter pen which is a little difficult to see in the photograph, I cut out the wreath and pop dotted it to my card, the, added some gems and ribbon.
Its half term this week so a week off for me, unfortunately DH wants to decorate the kitchen, I just hope I get time for lots of crafting!!
Sallyx
Supplies: Hero Arts stamps CG222 Music Background.CL474 Special Wishes,CG230 Happy Holiday Trees.  Distress inks, Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint, Victorian Velvet.

Play Date Cafe #52

Its the first Anniversary of the Play Date Cafe Challenge blog and the yummy colours this week are so pretty and summery , helps me to forget about the cold damp weather we are having at the moment!!! The colours are Pink, Yellow and Orange and it wasn't hard to make a card this week.

 I really love making these paper flowers and with such pretty colours I knew that they were perfect for my card.




































The butterfly is coloured with copics and covered with Glossy Accents.I am really pleased with the result lots of summer warmth here!!!  Take a look at the Play Date Cafe blog this week as they are having lots of guest designers and lots of lovely inspiration!!

I am also sending this to the CARDS blog challenge this week as I have added lots of bling to the flowers!
Sallyx

The Ribbon Girl Challenge#2

The second challenge over at the Ribbon Girls blog is another colour challenge of Red and Green, as you know colour challenges are my favourite.

This is my card and I have used this lovely ruffled May Arts ribbon found here.  It also comes in lots of other yummy colours!!

Just a quick post today as I am busy making some cards for work.

SallyX
Supplies: Hero Arts stamps, CG102 Antique Brocade, CL474 Special wishes, CL459 Merry Christmas Trees.  May Arts Ribbon,  Bo Bunny card. Fired Brick distress ink.

A winner and some crackers!!

While my husband was relaxing in the garden in the Autumn sun I got him to draw the winner of the little snowman stamp, and the winner is "Froggietalks" who said  "Hero Arts is wonderful!! I am really liking what they are making. And thanks for the chance to win the snowman stamp.. he's so cute!! "
Congratulations please Email or flickr mail me with your address and I will get him in the post to you.
 

After spotting this stunning cracker on Heathers lovely blog  I was keen to have a go myself!

She was kind enough to let me have the template and this is the finished result.

I am really pleased how they have turned out and will be making some more for my Christmas table.  These also fit the current theme over at the Wee Memories challenge this week which is "Celebrations"
Hope you are all having a relaxing weekend, the weather has been glorious here all weekend, cold but sunny so I have spent a lot of time getting the garden ready for the winter!
SallyX
Supplies. Hero Arts Stamps: CL467 and CG222. Distress ink Victorian Velvet, Pretty card and Metallic string.

PDCC

These are the beautiful colours this week for the Play Date Cafe Challenge.  I am really in the swing of making Christmas cards at the moment, so although unusual colours I decided to have a go, the design team this week have come up with some amazing cards and projects and I have been inspired!!

 I have just got this Musical background stamp and LOVE it!

I found an old piece of beige PP in my scraps box, if you look closely it has a faint lace design on it, I stamped this lightly with my music stamp and then tore and distressed the edges.  The snowflake stamp is a Hero Arts one from last year, I stamped and embossed in white then distressed with Broken China and Tumbled Glass and sprayed with some blue perfect pearls for a light shimmer. I really like this colour combination .
 Its a lovely bright but cold day today so I'm off to do some tidying in the garden.
Have a great weekend.
SallyX
Supplies: Hero Arts stamps CG222 Musical Background,CG100 snowflake circle, CL459 Christmas trees. Distress inks, Broken China, Tumbled Glass, Bundled Sage and Tea Dye.  Flowers and Gems from Hero Arts.