Surprise!

Happy weekend everyone, looks like summer has arrived, at long last! Saturday morning to me now means the Penny Black Saturday Challenge (hee, still smiling). This weeks theme is 'Lots of Dots' and you can't say I scrimped on the dots here!

We have a fabulous prize, this gorgeous stamp ....


For my card I used the Penny Black stamp 'neighbours' which I coloured with water colour pencils. The papers are by doodlebug and I followed a sketch that I jotted down in my notebook the other week and can't for the life of me remember where it's from. So if you are reading this and it's yours please let me know.

No card...but I can recommend...

....a fabulous film. If you love food and blogging then this is the movie for you. Watch a clip here.

'Meryl Streep at her brilliant bequiling best.'
'A scrumptious feast! The feelgood movie of the year!'

And the reason I have no card....you may remember a few weeks ago my Mum was in hospital for a few tests. Well, yesterday morning she had her op'. Thankfully everything went well. We don't yet know how long she will be a 'detainee' so crafty/bloggy time for me has been cut right back until she makes her escape.

Thanks a bunch!

There's a new challenge in blogland, Aud Sentiments, and I thought I would give it a go. It's a bit different 'cos each week the challenge is to incorporate a specific sentiment. This week it is 'Thanks a bunch!' and, if you don't have that sentiment, there are a couple of freebie digis on the challenge blog for you to grab and use.

For my main image I have used Coco from the DigiStamp Boutique and I coloured with Prisma pencils. The papers are from the Forever Friends Pink Parfait pad. I finished off with a chipboard flower, a mini button and a sprinkling of butterflies. Job done.

I am entering this card into two challenges....

Sweet Sketch Wednesday......another fabby sketch

Aud Sentiments....Thanks a bunch!

Back to work for me tomorrow, fingers crossed for Wednesdays lotto!

We have a Winner!

I'm back from my travels. A week away at Greenends in the North Pennines was just what the Doctor ordered. A complete week of rest and relaxation, no airport stress just a 3 hour drive south to our home from home.
We don't do much, I take some images to colour and hubby his playstation.
We ventured out to have a look at Hadrians Wall, and I have to say, a fairly impressive sight.


Here's me on the lookout for those pesky barbarians (as us Scots were then known).

So anyway while I was away there was a certain blog hop on the go. I had a huge amount of entries and I am sorry I couldn't make it round to have a nosey at them all. I had my little lappy with me but there was no connection to be had.

Hubby has done the needful and the lucky winner of my little piece of candy is....

Caroline...KISS...Keep It Sweet & Simple

If you email me your addy I will get your goodies in the post to you.

I'm off now to have a bit of a peek at what you have all been up to while I was away.

Hugs

So here is the news that I have not been able to share 'cos I had to keep it very hush hush....and boy was that hard! The absolutely fandabbydozy Penny Black Saturday challenge have asked me .... yes little old me....to join their wonderful team.

My flabber was gasted and my dumb was founded. Oh, the pressure is on now and I will really need to up my game to keep up with the georgeousness that my teamies produce week on week.

The challenge this week is flowers, I think they are easing the newbies in gently. For my card I have used a stamp from the Teddy and Company set and used watercolour pencils to colour.

I will be back later to announce the winner of my candy for last weeks blog hop. All your cards were scrumptious so I couldn't possibly pick one. The names will go in a big hat and I will get hubby to do the needful.

Just for You

I was asked by the girlies over on Sketch and Stash to be their guest for May. I was thrilled and, of course, said yes.

It's a fabby sketch for this fortnight and I had lots of fun making this card. My new, neglected or unused items are the Fairy Doodle stamp and the Basic Grey papers.

Please try and join in the fun if you can and if you have no neglected or unused stash it is a grand excuse to buy something new!

The Penny Black Challenge Blog Hop

Hi there, if you have come here from Kath's blog....wasn't her card fab....then you are on the right track. If not....and you don't want to miss any gorgeousness and sweet candy....you should hop it to the beginning....Beth's blog.

So anyway, now that you are here I was delighted when the team at Penny Black asked me, as a past guest designer, to be a stop on their hop. For my card I have used a little hedgie from the Critter Party set and the papers are Flower Patch by Making Memories.

By now you will have realised that there is candy to be had along the way, as well as as a load of prizes on the challenge blog. On this stop I am giving away to one lucky hopper the following...

Papermania 'Hampstead' Paper Pack
Matching 'Hampstead' Sweeties (brads)
5 white card blanks and envelopes

To win my candy you must leave a comment (with a link to your card) here and also enter your card on the Penny Black Challenge blog following the sketch posted there. My candy will close at 9pm on Friday 14th May, the winner will be announced here the very next day.

So now I am going to send you on your way....the next stop is Nadine. I'm sure she will have something fabby to inspire you.

Should have gone to Specsavers!

Oh my, the first Friday of the month comes round quickly don't you think? But that means it's time for another challenge on Crafty Calendar.

This month the theme is 'The Great Outdoors' with an added option of insects. So get your thinking caps on 'cos we can't wait to see what you come up with.

For my card I have used a Lili of the Valley stamp. I coloured with Prisma pencils and the papers are by Basic Grey.

hi

I still had a variety of yellow and black papers on my desk left over from my last card. And sometimes I am a bit of a lazy crafter. So instead of tidying up I used it!

The image is Coco from the DigiStamp Boutique and I coloured with Copics. This fits four challenges...

Sunday Sketch and Stamp....another fabby sketch

Dare U2 Digi....flowers

Delightful Sketches....punches, I have used nesties

Just Cute Bears...buttons and bows

Spots and a Special Birthday

A few of you may have been stalked in the past by my workmate who is known in blogland as Bumblealsie. Well, this week he celebrates a big birthday. Yes, me old mate bumbles is fifty. He is forever telling me about his crafty lady friends and his 'favourite cards'.

Why not leave him a nice birthday message in the comments here or pop by his blog and read some of his 'crafty tips'.

I am entering the card above into the Crafty Catz challenge 'spots'.

Surprise!

Hey, hey here's the monkeys! And they are the cutest monkeys in the jungle. You can get them here from the DigiStamp Boutique. I have coloured Marvin and little Milo with copics and the paper is by Doodlebug (and I have one teeny tiny piece left, sniff).

This card is for the Allsorts challenge 'animals'. And, guess what? The sponsor is Sally-Ann so you could win 10 digi images of your choice from the DigiStamp Boutique. What are you waitin' for?

Just to let you know....

....about the new offer of the month over on the DigiStamp Boutique. A family of cheeky monkeys, how cool are they. Guess what I'm going to be using in my crafty time tomorrow? Check back to see what I come up with. Or pay a visit here to see the monkeys in action!