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

Trees and animals

 Happy New Year Everyone!

Let's hope 2026 is a good year for us all.

Thank you for all your friendship and support as always.

Well it's the 1st January so it is time for a new challenge over at Sparkles Christmas  and Billie has chosen the theme 'Animals and Trees.'

For my card I used the main image from a new Christmas card that I received, die cut a square frame and a couple of tree dies that were a gift. The word Snow and my sentiment were in my craft stash waiting for me. 

Challenges:

lil patch of crafty friends.blogspot.com/2025/12/268-december-21-polkadoodles.- anything goes

December was a busy month as usual preparing for Christmas, it arrives quicker every year... or it just feels like that. I enjoyed making my Christmas cards for my nearest and dearest, I used to make them all maybe this year eh. We watched Polar express on Christmas day which was lovely. just the 3 of us. A nice bit of time with Hubby and our daughter. Myself and Shannen popped up to visit my Dad in Scotland just after boxing day for 3 nights which was lovely. The assistance I get on and off the train and in first class is brilliant. Hope you all had a nice Christmas and new year. 

Well it's time to take Hunter out for his New Year walkies so I'll say goodbye for now.

Love and Hugs Debs xxx

Poinsettia time

 Hi all,

Well, December is upon is - can you believe it???? This month it is Melissa's turn to choose the theme which is 'Poinsettia'.

I found some Simply Cards and Papercraft magazine papers and sentiment stamp which were perfect, and stamped my Penny Black Poinsettia's and inked them with Tim Holtz red ink. My Marianne design poinsettia dies are behind the stamped image too. A few gems and it was done.

We would love you to join in with us over at Sparkles forum christmas, the teamies have excelled themselves as usual.

Challenges:

Allsorts challenge-837-Focal sentiment or anything goes

trimmies craft challenge-769-christmas-anything-goes

We love stamping-November-challenge-Anything Christmas/anything goes

Well November has been an interesting month with a lot going on... We celebrated our 32nd Wedding Anniversary at home with a nice meal, we had a friend's border collie called Ben over for 4 days to stay with our boy Hunter and they got on like a house on fire. Tiring but fun. my friends had a funeral down south so it was nice to be able to help out. I also ended up shooting up to my Dads in Scotland for 9 days as he had to have a lump removed from his voice box which went well but living on his own he needed me there to drive and for support so I had a nice little holiday. Lovely weather too, even if it was chilly. 

That's all from me for now my lovelies.

Big Hugs Debs xxx

Festive wear

 Hi all,

It’s the 1st of November and time for Kate to choose the theme which is 

‘Festive wear.’ 

So I dug out my a white tag and used my freebie sentiment from Simply cards and Papercrafting magazine, as well as my crafters companion snowman cosy clothes dies. Perfect for this challenge.

We’d love for you to join in with us over at Sparkles Forum Christmas Challenge. All the teamies have lots of inspiration to share with you.

Challenge:

Trimmies craft challenge-767-christmas

Creative Fingers challenge-311 - anything goes

Thank you for popping to see me, I do appreciate it. It has been quite a month of October. I spent a lovely day shopping with my daughter for her 31st birthday 🎂 which was fun. After that it’s been appointment after appointment dentist, yearly mammogram(all clear woohoo), flu jab, nails, hair colour and cut as well as getting a skip to clear out a load of old fences and garden furniture etc… that were broken… phew…. Busy busy.  Hubby has been very busy getting it filled up. We’ve helped to clear our Neighbour's garage and loft with her too. 

Hope you’ve all had a good month.

Big hugs

Debs xxx

Black and Pink

 Hi all,

Well it's the 1st October - can you believe it? and it's time for a new challenge over at Sparkles forum christmas.

Helen has chosen the theme of 'Non Traditional Christmas Colours' so here's my card:

I took a piece of black card, applied versamark clear ink to a snowflake embossing folder and put it through my machine to emboss. I applied clear embossing powder to the card and heat embossed it. I die cut the sentiment, flowers and snowflakes too and glued them down . Black gems were added at the end. 

Quite a different card for me but good fun.

Thanks for popping by to see me. It's been a steady month of September here. just pottering really, dog walks and a couple of meals out. Had a blood test today to check if I'm doing okay after a check up at the docs last Monday. I am quite a home body just lately.

take care.

big hugs Debs xxx

Holly time

Hi all,

It is the 1st September so time for our Sparkles Christmas challenge. 

It's my turn to chose the theme this month - Lets see some Holly.   I love inking so I really enjoyed doing this card. 

From my stash I used:

Simply cards and papercraft Magazine freebies - holly stamp inked and cut out,bow stamp inked and cut out and the holly/foliage stencil inked.

I had a die cut black circle, typed sentiment and lots of gems.

Why not join in with us all over at Sparkles forum christmas challenge blog and get in early creating your Christmas cards.

Challenges

trimmies craft challenge 762 - christmas

Apologies for the radio silence for the last 2 months, I had another fall as I walked into my husbands garage and cut my left hand on a sheet of steel.... ouch. We had to call an ambulance as we couldn't stop the bleeding... The 999 call staff were amazing and talked my husband through applying a tourniquet. I ended up with 8 staples and my hand wrapped up in a dressing for quite a few weeks so crafting and most things have been out of the question. Such drama... for a Tuesday afternoon. Anyway it has healed well at last and I have been so lucky.

Hope you're all keeping well. It's been a steady month here. Pottering in the garden. I've got so many courgettes, the tomatoes are turning red slowly and my cucumbers are thriving at last.

Take care and thank you for popping to see me.

Big hugs Debs xx

Merry, Merry, Merry

 Hi all,

It is the 1st June so time for our Sparkles Christmas challenge and Melanie has chosen the theme - include the word Merry.  So I dug out my Simply cards and Papercrafts sentiment stamp set freebie for the background and for the centre piece sentiment. It seems to be one of my favourite stamp sets. I used ‘the greetery’ wreath die and inked it green and a ‘Lisa Horton’ mistletoe die. 

So that’s another Christmas card made, why not join in with us and see what the other teamies have created.

It’s been a steady month here. I went up to stay at my Dad’s house in Scotland at the beginning of the month for 6 days which was a lovely break. Good food, good company etc….. then I went to an 80th birthday party in the village-a fellow dog walker which was amazing and to the cinema to see ‘The Accountant 2’. It was one brilliant film and we had a meal out too so not as steady as I thought ha ha. I’ve spent plenty of time in the garden too which has been fun. 

Hope you’ve all had a good May and thank you for popping to see me too.

Big hugs Debs xxxx

Stockings

 Hi all,

It is the 1st May so time for our Sparkles Christmas challenge and Caz  has chosen the theme - Christmas Stockings.  So I dug out my Simply cards and Papercrafts sentiment stamp set freebie for the centre and added different coloured stockings with my Inky Doodles Stamp set.

We really hope you can join in and get an early start on Christmas. Pop by and see what the rest of the teamies have created.

It has been a month for pottering in the garden and planting seeds which I've loved. I love seeing everything blossoming outside. You can't beat it..

Thanks for popping by, I really appreciate your visits my lovelies.

Big Hugs Debs x

Christmas foliage

 Hi all,

It is the 1st April so time for our Sparkles Christmas challenge and Dawn has chosen the theme - Christmas foliage. So out came some freebie stamps(I love these) from Simply cards and Papercraft magazine and my inks to watercolour which I find so relaxing.I found a large white tag, a holly die from Sue Wilson, some ribbon and twine to finish it off. 

We really hope you can join in and get an early start on Christmas. Pop by and see what the rest of the teamies have created.

Challenges:

addicted to stamps-challenge-489 any occasion

Well it's been a steady month here and wow isn't the weather changing for the good at last. Well it's been nice in East Riding of Yorkshire at least. I've had a few doctors appointments which have gone okay, mainly check ups. After 4 weeks I got my back xray results .... I have arthritis in my lower back so at least I know what it is and just to take things steady. My Asthma review went well so hopefully that's the last of my visits for a while - here's hoping. My new power wheelchair arrived woo hoo.. I am loving it even though there are a few teething troubles but we will get there. Hope you had a nice Mothers Day too. We went for a swim, a jacussi then a nice hot chocolate. Perfect.

Thanks for popping by, I really appreciate your visits my lovelies.

Big Hugs Debs x

A cup of cheer

 Hi all,

It is the 1st February so time for our Sparkles Christmas challenge and Melissa has chosen the theme - A Cup of Christmas Tea,

I printed out a sheet from Etsy that I had purchased some decorative cuppas on and typed my own sentiment on the topper. I also used a Crafter's Companion snowflake background die, some clearly besotted snowflake die, gems and my Christmas tree die. 

Why not pop over and join in with us over at Sparkles Christmas.

Challenges:

trimmies craft challenge-747-chrismas

It's been a quiet month here. Our flat roof was leaking and we had to get a new roof fitted eek. A tough start to the year financially, so we've been trying not to spend all of January... just getting essentials. A few more months and we should be okay phew. It gets quite addictive not spending. Ha ha. I must get back into some crafting as it does me good, so that is my goal for February.  

Thanks for popping by, I really appreciate your visits. Take care and stay cosy my lovelies.

Big Hugs Debs x

Cosy and Warm

 Hi all,

Apologies for not wishing you all a Merry Christmas, time got away with me and I ran out of energy to do anything else. Hope you all had a lovely time whatever you decided to do. We had a nice time and we were very relaxed which was nice after all the build up.  Anyway its the 1st January 2025:

'Happy New Year.'

Time for our first challenge of the year over at Sparkles Christmas and Kate has chosen the theme - Cosy and Warm.

Apologies for my later than usual post but in my wisdom I did a card for February's challenge thinking it was for January - whoops, so I've made another card today. At least I'm organised for February I guess. I thought this pic was perfect for the challenge so I re-used it from a card, used a freebie background paper from Simply Cards and Papercraft magazine and put my dies to work for the mistletoe and the cosy and warm letters using my new die cutting machine from Kit and Caboodle. My Ebosser which I've had for 12 years had, had it's day, so I treated myself with my birthday money eek and I love it. I need to explore it more but so far so good.

Why not pop over and join in with us over at Sparkles Christmas.

Thanks for popping by, I really appreciate your visits.

Big Hugs Debs x

Christmas carol time

 Hi all,

It’s the 1st of December, can you believe it? I can’t….. Time to share our new challenge over at Sparkles Christmas. This month Debbie has chose:

‘Feature a Christmas Carol or song.’

I dug out a freebie embossing folder that was from Simply Cards magazine that has lots of carols on it which is perfect for this challenge. A Tonic freebie note die, My Altenew letter dies to spell JOY and  a Sheena Douglass stamp set too. My clarity stamp tree die was perfect to ink through in gradual green colours too.. I really enjoyed making this card. Hope you can join in with us and see what the rest of the team have created.

Challenges:

trimmies craft challenge-742-Christmas

crafty catz weekly challenge-683-anything goes with the option of blue christmas

Here's hoping you've had a good month. I've been to the cinema twice to see Venom then the Christmas film - 'Red one.' both films were good followed by a nice meal each time. My power wheelchair got the brakes repaired at last and new wheels on but a couple of days later the brackets supporting the front wheels snapped in both places so I'm walking Hunter with my friend as I'm on a flimsy scooter. On the positive side they rushed through my assessment for a new power chair which was this last monday and a new one is on order phew.... We celebrated our 31st wedding anniversary this month with a meal at home which was nice then it was my birthday this last Thursday so I was spoilt again.

Take care everyone and keep up the good work with the Christmas cards.

Big hugs Debs xx

Snowflakes are Winter's Butterflies

 Hi all, 

It's the 1st November.....so time for our challenge over at Sparkles Christmas . 

This month the theme has been chosen by Sue as:

'Snowflakes.' 

This snowflake die was a Johns next door die and the snowflakes dies were Clearly Besotted and Memory box with a freebie backing paper from Simply cards and Papercraft magazine.

So why not get cracking on your Christmas cards and join in with us.

Challenges:

Crafty catz weekly challenge-681- use dies/punches. (Dies used)

Creative moments challenge-263-monochrome

C.R.A.F.T challenge-738-anything-goes

Thank you for popping by to see me,it's been a busy month with my Dad arriving from Scotland for a four days which was lovely, a dental check up and my daughter's 30th birthday - where does the time go!... I also managed to have 2 falls where I jerked and banged my arms so I've been out of action for the last week and a half.. I can be so clumsy but it's amazing how something like that shocks your system.Luckily my friend walked Hunter for me, my Hubby Shamus helped and kept an eye on me and my daughter made us some meals on wheels. Also a couple of friends visited me too which perked me up. I only managed a couple of birthday cards for my daughter and this Christmas card this month. Better than nothing.

Big hugs

Debs x

Lots of Christmas wishes

 Hi all, 

It's the 1st October.....so time for our challenge over at Sparkles Christmas . 

This month I have chosen the theme as:

'Use the word Chrismas on your creation.' 

So I grabbed my Creative expressions Merry Christmas die and some freebie papers from a recent issue of Simply Cards and Papercraft magazine and my card came together quite quickly.

So why not get cracking on your christmas cards and join in with us.

Challenges:

creative fingers challenge-285 - anything goes.

crafty cats challenge 679-anything-goes or use-stencil

Crafty gals challenge anything goes

Simon says stamp blog-Monday challenge-Christmas/winter card

Thank you for popping by to see me, Hope to catch up with my commenting too.

Big hugs

Debs x

Sentiment time

 Hi all, 

It's the 1st September.....so time for our challenge over at Sparkles Christmas challenge. 

Helen has chosen the theme to be:

'Sentiment as the focus.' 

I found a large frame stamp from Clarity stamps with a banner attached and grabbed a sentiment stamp set that was free with a 'Simply cards and Papercraft' magazine, that is where the holly stamps are from too with my Crafter's Companion friend die. More free papers from this magazine too. Can't beat a freebie or two.

I didn't manage to do a card last month as my Dad made a surprise visit down from Scotland then I got a nasty virus that was effecting my balance and causing dizziness and funny headaches. With my mobility not so great anyway I had to be extra careful moving about the house.  Anyway I'm much better thank goodness and pottering in the garden and crafting when I can. I've even been to cinema to see 'It ends with us' a Colleen Hoover book which was fab and a meal out which was lovely for a friend's birthday.

So why not get cracking on your christmas cards and join in with us.

Challenges:

C.R.A.F.T challenge-731-christmas

Creative knockouts challenge 529 - anything-goes

Allsorts challenge week-796-Getting sentimental or anything goes

Thank you for popping by to see me, Hope to catch up with my commenting too.

Big hugs

Debs x