Clean & Simple

 Good Morning all,

It's the 1st August and time for a new challenge over at Sparkles Christmas challenge and Helen has chosen: 

'Clean and Simple Christmas '

As you know doing a clean and simple card can be a challenge for me but I think I've managed it this time.... phew. I used a tree stencil from Sheena Douglass, my inks , the stamps used were a Simply Cards and Papercraft Magazine freebie and the bow die is from the same magazine. I had put some die cut trees on too but I took them off ha ha.... Less is more.

We'd love to see you over at Sparkles Christmas joining in with the rest of the teamies, getting prepared early with your Christmas cards.

Challenges:

So I'm hoping you're all keeping well and plodding on nicely this Summer. It's been a steady month here of just pottering... I did some dog sitting for a friend for 4 days which went well. Little Tia the dog who's part poodle gets on well with Hunter. She did like sleeping on our bed at night so Shamus had to scoot her over so he could get in bed as she sprawled out. The garden is doing well, I have never had to save so much water as I have this last month. Buckets in the shower and every little bit of washing up water have been used as the water butts are empty.

I've another card to make this weekend so here's hoping.

Thank you for popping by as always.

Hugs Debs x

Monochrome Winter Wishes

 Hi all,

Well July is upon us, so it's time for a new challenge over at Sparkles Christmas. My turn to choose a theme which is:

'Monochrome Winter Wishes'

I used a Crafters Companion Snowman stamp, coloured it with faber Castells pencils that my friend Sheila left for me. The word stamps and the snowflake stamp are a freebie from Simply cards and Papercrafting magazine. Please pop by and see what beautiful creations the ladies have made and offer your support and get in front of your Christmas card making.

June has been a month of pottering in the garden trying to keep the slugs from my produce that's growing, (pesky things) the birds got at my first red raspberry grr..... Hubby has now built me a netted cover with a some netting attached to pieces of wood.. he is so clever. I am so lucky. He's been busy at home clearing and doing some much needed TLC to the back garden and drive still while I popped up to Scotland to stay with my Dad Wednesday to Monday, I have to admit the assistance on the trains were brilliant getting me on and off with my case and scooter. I really needed a break which I really enjoyed and came home with my batteries recharged. I even fitted in a facial last week at my daughters Beauty salon... it was on the hottest day last Friday but it was heaven. Hope you've all had a good month and are enjoying the better weather.

Thanks for popping by and for your lovely comments as always.

Big Hugs Debs xx

Jingle Bells

  Hi all,

Well it is the 1st May, so it's time for a new challenge over at Sparkles Christmas  and Debbie has chosen the theme 'Jingle Bells(include Bells).' 

I used the bells stencil from Sheena Douglass, embossed he stencil with my die cutting machine, blended some inks to make the bells stand out. I cut them out, blended some inks and added a freebie bell die from Simply cards and papercraft magazine. A Penny Black sentiment was used too. I really enjoyed creating this card. It was nice to be crafting again. It kept me out of the garden for an afternoon at least... stopped me overdoing it.

Challenges:

 How are you all doing? hope you've been enjoying the sunshine this last month. I've had a few days out in May. I went with a friend to the cinema to see - The Devil wears Prada 2 which was brilliant, then onto Ask Italian for a nice meal, This last week on Bank holiday Monday I went for abit of retail therapy with my daughter to Asda Living and M&S which was fun, then on Tuesday night we went to the local casino in Hull for a beautiful meal... yummy with some friends. For my last trip out in May we went to Hull New Theatre me and Shannen to see Mean Girls Yesterday which was fabulous. So a busy month with lots of time in the garden planting out the tomatoes, cucumbers and Courgette plants. I love it.

Thanks for popping by

Hugs Debs xx

Gift time

 Hi all,

Well it is the 1st May, so it's time for a new challenge over at Sparkles Christmas  and Sue has chosen the theme 'Gifts.' 

I found a blank kraft box and some tags that were already die cut from Marianne Designs and stamped holly all over the kraft box which is quite effective and fun. I die cut some bows and presents from a freebie magazine die , grabbed some twine and gems and my DT make was finished.

Challenges:

Trimmies craft challenge-779-christmas

April has been a steady month of pottering in the garden and tending to my seedlings in the greenhouse. We've had some beautiful days spending time with the family and friends. Hubby has been home alot painting the fences and building new ones too. Hunter is down to short walks the last few weeks as he has started limping more with his front legs, age has hit my lovely staffie boy but he will get there. 

Hope you are all okay and enjoying the sunnier days at last.

Hugs Debs xx

Gnome Time

 Hi all,

Well April is upon us, so it is time for a new challenge over at Sparkles Christmas  and Melanie has chosen the theme 'Elves or Gnomes.' I found some freebie Gnome stamps from a magazine subscription and got my colouring pencils out which was a lovely change. I had a background die already cut and my sentiment die too, all from a magazine freebie.

It's been so lovely see everything starting to bud and flower in the garden and on our walks. I love springtime. I've been tidying out the greenhouse ready for some tiny plug plants that I'd ordered online and planted up and my vegetable seeds are going in today. My Dad treated me to a heated propagator so I can't wait to get cracking. eek... I have had a couple of meals out with friends this month and visited a couple of friends so it's been really nice to get out and about again.

Challenges:

Take care everyone and have a lovely Easter.

Big Hugs Debs xx

Snowman time

Hi all 

Well it's the 1st March, so it is time for a new challenge over at Sparkles Christmas  and Caz has chosen the theme 'Snowman/Snowpersons.' I don't use snowmen on my cards very often so this was a challenge for me but I quite enjoyed it.

I used the larger snowman and the sentiment 'Let it Snow' from Sheena Douglas. The backing paper, the small snowman and the smaller sentiments and  were freebies from my Simply Cards and Papercraft magazine.

Well it's been a quiet month here, I managed to put my back out again so lots of resting but at least I have managed a bit of crafting. I had a nice facial last week too. A nice little treat. Hope you've had a nice few weeks. It has been lovely to see the sunshine again too.

Big hugs Debs xxx

Baubles

 Well it's the 1st February, so it is time for a new challenge over at Sparkles Christmas  and Dawn has chosen the theme 'Baubles.'

For my card I used 2 Bauble embossing folders for the backing paper and for the main image. They belonged to my friend Julia who recently passed away to Cancer and she left me her crafty stash so it felt right to put it to good use. I also used my inks, a Sue Wilson holly die and Tim Holtz Bauble dies. Such a fun card to create.

We'd love you to join in with us, so why not get organised for next Christmas.
Challenges:

Creative fingers challenge-315-Anything goes

Trimmies craft challenge 772-christmas-first-christmas

January has been a quiet month really. Hunter hasn't been feeling himself this month with having a haematoma on his ear since Christmas. The PDSA were great and prescribed him some steroids so he's nearly at the end of his course of treatment. I 've been pottering in the house sorting through some stuff that I don't use when the weather has been wet. Myself and my daughter Shannen popped to York at the beginning of the month and had a nice shop at M&S. I was after some warm tops and underwear and spent some Christmas money too. A lovely day out.

Hope you've all survived January and are looking forward to Spring. It's a beautiful day here which is lovely. Take care.

Love and Hugs Debs xxx