jackies crafts

Wedding Invitations

2012-01-27T11:43:00.000Z

A few of you have been asking about the wedding invitations that I have been busy making for our daughters wedding this summer so having got them in the post and after checking with Hannah that it was ok to put them on here I have taken some pictures and thought I would share them with you

This is the front of the invitation, this was designed by Michael and Hannah, I only put it all together

Inside the little book of photos is a picture of the church where they are to be married

and the view from Ward Island back to Toronto city

there is also a night time photo of this view but it won't reproduce very well for here so I have decided not to include that one

The picture on the inside along with the text is this stamping up stamped image and then of course there is the text of the invite.

Alphatags 2

2012-01-24T16:28:00.000Z

This is the second tag for the swap over at the Chocolate Baroque Guild see my first post here and so it is the letter B which as you might guess if you have been following me for a while had to be Butterflies

The background paper is from the Artylicious Butterfly Bliss CD and then the large butterfly is a Marianne Creatables butterfly 3, the smaller butterfly is a Cuttlebug Die which has also been embossed.

Alphatags

2012-01-22T13:45:00.000Z

I belong to the Chocolate Baroque Guild and throughout 2012 we are having an Alphatag swap, Each month we have to make either 2 or 3 tags working our way through the alphabet so that by the end of the year we will have 26 tags to make into a tag book
I have made my first tag which is A for alphabet

The tag measures 8 x 16 cms and is cut from some card from my stash

The background is done using the direct to paper technique using a selection of versa magic chalk inks

The letters are cut with my cricut using some scraps of paper and

The small letters are added with a permanent black pen

Card Class

2012-01-19T19:20:00.000Z

Last Saturday was the first card making class of 2012 and the lovely Sue was our tutor.
These are the lovely cards she got us to make

I love the Spring time colours, it really makes you think that Spring isn't that far away

Sparkles Challenge #28

2012-01-15T10:00:00.000Z

Hi everyone, I'm feeling much better now although my energy levels still aren't quite back to normal. I'd like to say a big thank you too for all your get well wishes they certainly helped

It's time for the first challenge of 2012 over at Sparkles Challenge Blog and this time it's an easy one for you all, it's to use your new crafty goodies that you either got for Christmas or that you have somewhere in your crafty stash and haven't yet used. For my card I used my new polychromos pencils that I was very lucky to receive for Christmas from my wonderful husband

This is the outside of my card

and this is the inside

Our sponsor this month is the lovely Emma of

and the prize is £10 excluding postage to spend in her store

Our challenges this year will be monthly not fortnightly and will be posted on the 15th of each month so that should give you plenty of time to join in. Please do visit the challenge blog for more details and to see what wonderful cards etc. my lovely teams have been making

I'd like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to all our followers who have joined in the challenges in 2011 and I hope you all continue to join in in 2012

No crafting this week......

2012-01-08T17:34:00.000Z

well at least nothing I can share and that's for 2 reasons:
firstly I have been poorly this week with an awful cold and cough which has left me sadly lacking in energy and creative muse....hopefully this will soon pass and I will be back to creating again
and
secondly when I have had a little energy I have been busy getting on with a special project that can't be shared just yet
I also have a batch of wedding invitations to finish in the next week or so so being ill hasn't been helpful. The outsides are all completed so I only have the inserts to do or should I say re-do I forgot to put the time of the wedding on the first batch. Fortunately it's our own daughter who is getting married this year and as it's her invitations that need finishing I only have my own deadlines to meet so if they take a little longer than I had hoped it doesn't matter too much
I hope everyone is having fun being crafty and getting inky and I will try and get round and catch up with visiting your blogs just as soon as my energy levels return to normal

Happy New year

2012-01-01T10:00:00.000Z

A Very Happy New Year to everyone

Well here we are at the start of a new year and it's time for the first challenge of the year over at Sparkles Forum Christmas Challenge Blog. This will give all those of you who have said they don't want to leave making your cards to the last minute this year to make a good start.

This month we would love to see you include a Christmas stocking within your make. Please remember we are a multi craft blog so you don't have to make a card you can make anything so long as somewhere on it we can see a stocking

This month we have 2 sponsors,
Joanna Sheen is giving a £10 voucher to spend in her online store and
Pink Gem Designs is giving 4 images.

This is the card I have made

Christmas Greetings

2011-12-24T21:30:00.002Z

A HAPPY and PEACEFUL CHRISTMAS

to everyone and especially to all my fantastic followers who have supported me over the last year.
I hope you all have a brilliant Christmas Day

Sparkles Forum challenge # 27

2011-12-18T10:00:00.001Z

Well another fortnight has gone by and it's time for Sparkles Forums last challenge of 2011 and it's also the challenge that celebrates our First birthday. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all our fabulous followers for all your support over the last year and hope that you all continue to join in in 2012. PLease watch the challenge blog for some news of some changes that will be taking place in 2012
To celebrate out birthday we have 3 fabulous prizes

Crafty Emma

Di's digis $10

Susan's Crafty Chaos 3 products from her store

The theme for our Birthday challenge is Anything but a Christmas card and I have been making scarves as presents so I thought I would share a couple with you

I am looking foreword to visiting your blogs to see all your fabulous creations and that just leaves me to wish you all A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS and a PEACEFUL NEW YEAR

Christmas Cards

2011-12-10T18:14:00.002Z

These are another couple of Christmas cards I have made, they are all done now and all written, my presents are all bought and all wrapped and the food is all ordered so I'm feeling very organised this Christmas. We went and got the tree yesterday as well so I'm just wondering what I have forgotten!!!

I'd like to enter the snowman card into the following challenges

CYDA challenge which this time is snowmen

Alphabet challenge blog which is W for White Christmas

DT call

2011-12-09T18:06:00.000Z

Over at Sparkles Christmas Challenges there is a DT call so if you fancy joining a friendly team and you can commit to making a project once a month and leaving comments on all the entries then please do visit and leave a link to your blog

Sparkles challenge # 26

2011-12-04T10:00:00.003Z

Hi everyone I hope you are all well and are getting on with all your Christmas preparations. Have you got all your presents bought? and how's the card making coming on? I have all my cards made and just about all my presents bought so I'm feeling quite pleased with my progress. None of them are written or wrapped yet though

Anyway enough of my ramblings it's time for another challenge over at Sparkles and it's a chance to make another of your Christmas cards. The theme this time is The One I Love at Christmas and our sponsor is the lovely Crafty Emma please do go visit our challenge blog to see what the fabbie prize is. The link is in my side bar
This is the card I have made

In my family Christmas is all about celebrating the birth of Jesus and this card reflects that.

I'd also like to enter this into Glenda's Chocolate Baroque white Christmas challenge

The more people that enter the challenge the bigger the prize will be, Glenda is adding £1 to the value of the gift voucher for every entry into the challenge to a maximum prize of £50 so why don't you join in

December at SFCC

2011-12-01T10:00:00.000Z

Well December is finally here and the BIG day will soon be upon us. How's your card making going? are you all done or not? If you still have cards to make why not join in with our final challenge of 2011 and if you haven't any still to make you can join in anyway and get a head start on Christmas 2012 lol
The theme for this month has been set by me and I would like to see the "Nativity" depicted on your lovely makes. WHy not pop over to the challenge blog (link in my side bar) and get some inspiration from the fab DT
This month we have 2 sponsors offering prizes, the first is
Crafty Emma's Store who is giving this fab prize

And the second is Robyn's Fetish who is giving either 5 digs or 4 digs and a paper pack as the prize

This is the card I have made, it's very traditional

I am looking forward to coming to visit your blogs to see what amazing things you have created

Sparkles Challenge # 25

2011-11-20T10:00:00.000Z

Well it's time for another challenge over on the Sparkles challenge blog and this time we would like to see

Vintage Christmas

We are being sponsored by our regular sponsor Stitchy Bear and the winner will receive

I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone who entered our previous challenge, I really enjoyed stopping by your blogs and seeing all your wonderful entries, I hope you will join in again this time

This is the card I have made

Card class makes

2011-11-15T19:21:00.000Z

A couple of weeks ago I went to a card making class that Fran had organised and these are the cards we made. The main focus of the class was learning to make the flowers and I had lots of fun playing with paper

By the lake

2011-11-10T19:01:00.000Z

Last week I saw Sheena Douglas demonstrating on Create and Craft and I have to say I fell for her "little bit sketchy" stamps in a big way so I had to order them although I ordered them from Sheena direct and not fro C&C as it was cheaper. Anyway they arrived at the weekend and this is the first card I have made using them. I'm really pleased with how this card turned out

All I did was stamp the images in vintage photo distress ink onto water colour paper and then use a damp paintbrush to draw out some of the colour. I can't wait to play some more with these stamps

Sparkles challenge #24

2011-11-06T10:00:00.000Z

Hello everyone I hope you are all well and enjoying doing lots of crafting

It's Sunday again and that means it's time for another challenge over at SFC blog and this time our theme is AUTUMN

You can interpret this any way you want so it can be autumnal colours or an autumn picture for example

This time we are being sponsored by Di's Digis please do visit our challenge blog to see what the prize is

I have made a card using an autumnal colour palette and I've used stamps from the music fanfare theme plate from Chocolate Baroque and you can find it here

Christmas Cards

2011-11-05T20:30:00.000Z

Well I've been busy making more Christmas cards over the last few days ready for the Church Christmas Fayre
These are ones that I have made using the freebies in a magazine, I think they are from Card Making World but I'm not 100% certain

This next card is made from oddments left over from previous years and were in my scrap box

The last card I have to share today is made using an image I was given in a swap a little while ago

SFCC # 10

2011-11-01T10:00:00.001Z

Well it's November already where does the time go and before we know it the big day will be here, I hope you are all busy making your Christmas cards and aren't leaving it until the last minute lol If you haven't started making them yet don't worry as there is still time and why not start now by joining in the new challenge over at Sparkles Forum Christmas Challenge Blog. This month we would like you to include an Angel somewhere on your make, please remember we are a multi craft blog so you can make a card, an ATC, a Tag, a bag.........the list could go on so long as we can see an Angel on there somewhere.
Our sponsor this month is Lili of the Valley and the prize is a £10 voucher to spend

I really struggled with this challenge as I hadn't anything much with angels on so here is what I came up with

I'd like to enter this into the Ribbon Girls challenge which is Getting ready for Christmas

Christmas

2011-10-28T18:59:00.000+01:00

Good evening everyone I hope you are all set for a lovely weekend, are you going to be busy crafting or have you got something else planned? Whatever you are up to I hope you enjoy yourselves

I have a card and an ATC to share with you today

The card was made using some scraps of paper cut into strips, stuck together and then cut into a Christmas tree. I have to admit this isn't my idea but Sues. Sue doesn't have a blog but I wanted to credit the idea to her anyway.

The ATCs were simply made using a Christmas tree stamp inked in various shades of green and then the sky was painted in with a very pale blue and some glitter was added. These were for a swap but I forgot to post them and missed the deadline. If anyone would like to swap with me please drop me an email

Butterfly

2011-10-26T19:57:00.000+01:00

When I was at Ally PAlly I bought a lovely new butterfly die from Marianne creatables but to my dismay I couldn't cut it with my Big Shot so after some research on the web and a try out by a friend I bought a multipurpose cutting mat and now it cuts perfectly. To celebrate I made this card

New Home

2011-10-24T15:45:00.000+01:00

I made this card a bit ago for a friend who was moving but I haven't shared it until now as I needed it to have reached the recipient first

The card was inspired by the Chocolate Baroque DT although I'm really sorry I can't remember which of you it was specifically. The stamps used are from the Home Sweet Home stamp sheet by Chocolate Baroque and the papers are Papermania Birdsong. The image is coloured using my new Aqua Markers

Remembrance

2011-10-23T10:00:00.001+01:00

Good morning everyone it's time for another challenge over at SFC today and this time we want to see
Remembrance as your theme.
Thank you to everyone who entered our last challenge we on the DT had lots of fun visiting all your blogs to see all your brilliant halloween makes
This time it is the turn of our regular monthly sponsor Stitchy Bear to donate the prize

This is the card i have made

Christmas cards

2011-10-15T19:17:00.000+01:00

I've been busy making Christmas cards this last couple of weeks ready for the church Christmas fayre which is at the end of November, I shall keep making cards over the next few weeks so that we have a good show of cards on the day. Most of them are C&S designs so I hope people like them, I will make a few more elaborate cards as well but I've not made those yet

Card Class

2011-10-11T10:06:00.000+01:00

Where do the weeks go? On Saturday it was time for the monthly card making group that I attend and this time Cheryl brought us 2 cards to make

SFC challenge # 22

2011-10-09T10:00:00.001+01:00

Hi everyone it's time for another challenge over on the Sparkles Forum challenge blog and this time we are being sponsored by our regular sponsor Crafty Emma please do go visit the challenge blog to see what the fab prize is
Our theme this time is HALLOWEEN so we would like to see something to do with halloween included on your creation

SFCC #9

2011-10-01T10:00:00.000+01:00

Here we are at the beginning of October and it's time for another challenge over on the SFCC blog, thank you to everyone who entered our last challenge please do go visit the challenge blog to see who the winner is

This month we would like you to depict a Christmas song on what you make, we have 2 sponsors this month

Di's Digis who are giving the winner 5 digi images

and

Lili of the Valley who are giving a £10 voucher

Here is my card

I look forward to visiting your blogs to see your fab crations

Sparkles Forum Challenge #21

2011-09-25T10:00:00.000+01:00

Well good morning everyone where did the last 2 weeks go lol, it's time for another challenge over at the SFC blog and this time we want to see Something That Sparkles included in your design.
Our sponsor this time is the fab Stitchy Bear and the winner will receive this

This is my card, I have added some sparkle to the snowflakes but I found it really difficult to get a picture where it showed up but it is there honest.

We'd love you to join in our challenge and we all enjoy coming by to visit your blogs and seeing the great things you make

Birthday card

2011-09-21T11:26:00.000+01:00

I made this card for a friend which I can post now that her birthday has passed and I know she has got it

Christmas

2011-09-15T11:33:00.000+01:00

It was my card making group last Saturday and this time we made a Christmas card and a card that could be for Christmas but doesn't have to be
This first card is made using patchwork fabric

This second card still needs a sentiment adding but I'm waiting until I know who I'm sending it to and for what occasion before I add it

Art of Chess

2011-09-12T18:49:00.000+01:00

I got the new Art of Chess stamp set from Chocolate Baroque last week and I had chance to play a little over the weekend and today I got to finish the card I had started. This new stamp set is really versatile and suitable for both men and women
I made this card using one element for the background and another for the main image, I then added some matting and layering and a bit of ribbon and a sentiment from my stash

SFC challenge # 20

2011-09-11T10:00:00.000+01:00

Morning everyone, well it's Sunday again and time for another challenge over on the Sparkles Forum challenge blog where our sponsor for challenge # 20 is Di's Digi Downloads

This time for our challenge we want you to use white plus one other colour, I have used white and blue and made a Christmas card. I had lots of fun making this and it's the first time I have made a shaker card. The design is a download from Card Making World. I love some of the designs they have on there.
My DT buddies have made some gorgeous cards for different occasions so please do go visit them and let them know you have been visiting

This first picture is of the completed card and the second one is a close up of the window

Cloth Book

2011-09-08T12:22:00.000+01:00

While Ruth was at home we went and found a local patchwork shop that I had been meaning to find for a little while. Anyway we had a successful trip and actually it wasn't very far away and we found it quite easily, I also discovered it is very near a tube station so I will be able to visit again even if I don't have the car available.
While I was there I bought a panel to make a cloth nursery rhyme book for Jack for either his birthday or Christmas. It was ver easy to put together and only took me an afternoon.

This is it starting with the front cover

The inside pages

and the back cover

Giveaway

2011-09-01T18:44:00.001+01:00

Each day for the next few days Lili of the Valley are giving away some stamps on their ideas to inspire blog so please do pop over and visit the blog if you want to be in with a chance of winning

Santa

2011-09-01T10:00:00.002+01:00

Gosh September already where is the year going, summer is almost over and it'll soon be Christmas lol so how are you all doing with making your Christmas cards? Have you started them yet? I've made about 20 so far. If you haven't made a start on them yet then why don't you join in the Sparkles Forum Christmas Challenge this month and get ahead with your preparations
This month we are being sponsored by Whimsey Stamps and the winner will get a $15 voucher to spend

The theme this month is SANTA so as long as you have a santa on your make that's fine, please remember we are a multi craft challenge so anything hand made is fine be it a card, ATC, tag, wall hanging, patchwork etc

Here is the card I made

Punch it

2011-08-28T10:00:00.001+01:00

Morning everyone, well another fortnight has gone by and it's time for another challenge over at Sparkles Forum Challenge Blog. Before I tell you about our new challenge I just want to say a huge thank you to all our supporters over on the challenge blog, we have had lots of brilliant entries to the challenge again this time and I love visiting all you fabbie blogs to see what you have been making.
Anyway on to this fortnights challenge and the theme we want to see in your creations this time is

PUNCH IT

The sponsor for this challenge is Stitchy Bear and the prize is

This is the card I have made

I look forward to visiting your blogs to see your wonderful creations

For Jack and his Mummy and Daddy

2011-08-25T21:33:00.000+01:00

On Sunday there is to be a service of Blessing for the safe arrival and good health of my great nephew Jack which unfortunately I'm not able to attend as it is just too far to travel as they live about a 6 hour drive away. He was born in December 11 weeks premature and had to be Baptised in hospital the day before Christmas Eve 2010. It was very touch and go for a while as to if he would make it but I am pleased to say he is now a very happy and healthy 8 month old.
This is the card I have made for the occasion

I really found it hard to know what sort of card to make but this is what I ended up with

Card Class makes

2011-08-20T19:30:00.000+01:00

Well last Saturday was my monthly card making class so I thought it was time I shared my makes with you. We were taught by Fran this week and she got us to make these two lovely cards. My apologies for the slightly skew photo of the first one. I had lots of fun making these.

One for the Boys

2011-08-14T10:00:00.001+01:00

Well it's Sunday again and it's time for another challenge over at Sparkles Forum challenge blog. This time we want to see you make One For The Boys
We have the lovely Di of Di's digs sponsoring us again please do visit the challenge blog to see what you can win.
This is the card I made

ATCs

2011-08-12T21:11:00.000+01:00

Over on the SparklesForum we have had an ATC swap where the theme was anything goes. My ATCs were received by my swap partner several days ago so i'm safe to share them here now. To be honest I thought I had shared them last week but I have just realised I haven't done so so here they are.

News

2011-08-08T19:46:00.000+01:00

News
I'm afraid I've no crafting to share today, I've been busy recently doing an online colouring course with Glenda Waterworth over at My Creative Classroom. I'm having lots of fun doing this and I'm learning loads but it does mean that I don't have as much time for making cards just now.
Our younger daughter is home from the Isle of Man at the moment as well and I'm wanting to spend as much time with her as I can before she goes back on 23rd August as it will be Christmas before we see her again. We have managed to do some baking though but unfortunately I didn't take any photos. Ruth made a plum loaf and some blackberry muffins made with blackberries freshly picked from the garden, very yummy they are too. Yesterday I also made a loaf of bread, something I did all the time before we moved but not something I've done very much of since then as we now have a bakers in the village who produces very good bread

Well that's my news for now, I hope I'll have some crafting to share with you by the end of the week

I

Quick cards

2011-08-04T20:19:00.000+01:00

I had some time to craft this afternoon and I made these quick cards to have in my box ready for when I need a card well, quick

SFCC # 7

2011-08-01T10:00:00.000+01:00

Gosh it's August already where is this year going, I really can't believe another month has gone by it only seems a few days since I was posting the July challenge for SFCC and now it's time for our August challenge
This month we are being sponsored by Di's Digis and Crafty Emma's Store do please go and visit the challenge blog and see what the fab prizes are and what gorgeous makes my teams have been making

This month we want to see a Robin or Robins on your creation. Please remember we are a multi craft challenge blog so as long as we can see the theme ported in your make then anything goes

Here is my card using one of Di's digs

SFC # 17

2011-07-31T10:00:00.001+01:00

Hi everyone I hope you are all enjoying the sunshine this weekend, I certainly am as it's the last weekend of our summer holiday so crafting and blogging should return to normal this next week although our younger daughter is at home for the next 3 weeks so I will be spending some time with her too.
Well it's Sunday again and time for another challenge over at Sparkles Forum Challenge Blog
This week we would like to see you make "One for the Girls" please do remember we are a multi crafts challenge blog so as long as we can see the theme in your project you can make whatever you like
Our sponsor this time is the lovely Stitchy of Stitchy Bears digital crafts and the winner will receive this voucher as their prize. Please do visit the challenge blog to see what fab makes my teams have made.

Here is my card

Journal pages

2011-07-22T20:48:00.000+01:00

I was looking through my photos earlier today and I realised I had a couple of journal pages I hadn't put on here so thought I would add them today

This first page is inspired by Tee at Green Isle Crafts and the second one I did when I was just playing around with some of my stash

SFC #16

2011-07-17T10:00:00.003+01:00

Hi all, I hope you are all well and enjoying your weekend, I'm sorry I haven't done so much visiting of blogs recently but we are on holiday. We aren't going away but are just having a relaxing time and spending time together exploring and getting to know our new area better. This post is on timer. I will be back to my more normal routine after our holiday.
Well it's Sunday again and time for the next challenge over at SFC This time we want to see Elegance and Lace on your creation and our sponsor this time is Crafty Emma. The prize is this fabulous set of stamps. Thank you Emma

Here is the card I have made

Please do remember we are a multi craft challenge blog so you don't just have to make a card so long as we can see the theme in your creations any type of craft is fine

Visits

2011-07-15T21:59:00.001+01:00

Stephen is on holiday this week and we have been out and about getting to know our new area better, we have visited London Zoo and Kew Gardens as well as some more local places. I'm supposed to be having a break from blogging and I am really, I'm not spending so much time visiting blogs as normal so apologies if I don't get to visit you for a couple of weeks, I will get back to normal after our holiday
I thought I would share some photos from the the above visits

Craft club makes

2011-07-14T17:45:00.001+01:00

Well last Saturday was my day for the card making club I belong too and the rest of the weekend was so busy I've just realised I didn't post my makes. We were shown how to make a Double Twisted Easel card and a Twisted Easel card. I really enjoyed making these

I'd like to enter this into the Craft Room Challenge which this time is butterflies

My first painting

2011-07-05T21:45:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone I hope you have been enjoying the gorgeous weather, it's been lovely hasn't it but it's raining here now. Well I discovered this site http://willowing.ning.com/ through a friend the other day and I've been following a free online class called the heart of art. This is my first attempt at painting. It'a a mixed media piece and although I didn't have exactly the same paints etc as
I should have I'm quite pleased with the end result

SFC # 15

2011-07-03T10:00:00.001+01:00

Well it's Sunday again and time for another challenge over on the Sparkles Forum Challenge blog. Our sponsor this time is the wonderful Stitchy Bear and the prize is

This time our challenge is a recipe for you to follow, we would like to see

A flower

1 image

2 Ribbons

on whatever you make

Here is my card

We look forward to visiting your blogs to see what you have been creating

SFCC # 6

2011-07-01T10:00:00.001+01:00

Well who can believe it half the year has gone and it's the 1st July. That means it's time for another challenge over on the Sparkles Forum Christmas Challenge Blog Thank you to everyone who joined in last month all the teamies and I really enjoy visiting your blogs and seeing the lovely things you make.
This month we are being sponsored by our regular monthly sponsor Joanna Sheene and our new sponsor
Robyns Fetish Please do go visit the challenge blog to see what the prizes are as they are fabbie

The theme for this month's challenge has been chosen by our fab teamie Gill and she would like to see lots of GLITTER on your makes. Please remember we are a multi craft challenge blog so as long as you follow the theme you can make anything be it cards, tags, ATCs, a sewing project, etc

The DT were given some images by Robyns Fettish to play with and this is my card, I chose to keep it C&S this month, please do visit the blogs belonging to the DT as the things they have made to inspire you are great

Sparkles Forum June Challenge

2011-06-28T18:07:00.000+01:00

Over on the Sparkles forum we have a monthly challenge and this month you have to include something Silver on your project. This is the card I have made

We'd love to see you on the forum it's really simple to join and it would be great to have you join in all the swaps and challenges

Quick Cards

2011-06-23T21:05:00.000+01:00

This week I have been making some quick and simple cards ready for a fund raising event that is happening early in July in aid of the Scouts and Guides in the village

I'd like to enter these for the following Challenges

Ruby's Rainbows Flowers

Totally Papercrafts Punches or diecuts

Mymumscraftshop One for the Boys

Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge Red white and Blue

Scrapbook Sisters Anything goes

Simple sewing

2011-06-20T21:46:00.000+01:00

Over on the Sparkles forum recently Dazie organised a simple sewing swap, well I just realised that I hadn't shared what I had made for it and as I know it has safely arrived at its destination here it is.

We were set the task of making something simple that incorporated some or all of heart, ribbon and or a button so I made this heart shaped pin cushion that has a small bow embellishment

Sparkles challenge # 14

2011-06-19T10:00:00.001+01:00

Gosh another fortnight has gone by, where does the time go? Anyway this means it's time for another challenge over on the Sparkles challenge blog. It's supposed to be summer so our theme this time is a summery one although the weather this weekend has been far from summery, we have chosen the theme

At the Beach

Our sponsor for this fortnights challenge is

The DT had some fab images to use for this challenge but I chose to do a scrapbook page this time and so I didn't use any of the images but please do go visit my lovely teamies ( links in my side bar ) and see what lovely things they made

Here is my Lay Out

Wedding invitation

2011-06-16T19:07:00.000+01:00

As most of you are no doubt aware our eldest daughter Hannah is getting married next year over in Toronto and I am going to be making all the wedding stationery. So far she doesn't really know what sort of design she wants apart from something simple so I have said I will make up a few prototypes and see if she likes any of them or if she is inspired to decide what she wants. Today I had some spare time to craft so I have made the first design for her to see. These wont be the exact colours as I just used what was in my stash as I don't want to buy anything until I know what I need. I'm looking forward hearing what she thinks to this one so I will have some idea of what to try next

Lotstodo Swaps

2011-06-15T18:14:00.000+01:00

Over on the lotstodo forum Hilda is hosting a tag swap and an ATC swap.
The theme for the Tag swap is travel and these are what I have made

The theme for the ATC swap is buttons

Another Journal Page

2011-06-12T20:55:00.000+01:00

I'm really enjoying the freedom that doing an Art Journal is giving me, this page is just some doodling that I did the other day and then I coloured it using my prisma colour pencils and sansador. The background is done using my oil pastels. My journalling is written using a Staedtler pink pen

Journal page

2011-06-09T18:15:00.000+01:00

I'm really enjoying exploring journalling and I have done another page today inspired by my walks with the dogs in the forrest this Spring. As this is my first journal it doesn't have a theme as I am doing pages when something inspires me, I know a lot of you journal with a specific theme but for now this is just a general journal. Who knows I may do one with a theme one day but not just now

SFC # 13

2011-06-05T10:00:00.001+01:00

Morning all I hope you are all enjoying your weekend and the lovely weather. I have my Mum staying at the moment so this is on timer so if you are reading it Blogger must be behaving

It's time for the next challenge over on the Sparkles Forum Challenge Blog and this time the theme is

Father's Day

It won't be long now until Father's Day on 19th June so this challenge may encourage you to get making your cards

Our Sponsor this time is

and you can win $10 to spend in the store

Here is the card I have made

All the bits for this card either came from my stash or from RAK's so I'm afraid I can't tell you where any of it is from

DT card for SFCC # 5

2011-06-01T10:00:00.001+01:00

Morning everyone, well another month has gone by and we are fast approaching being half way through the year. Have you all started making your Christmas cards yet? If the answer in no then why not start now by joining in with the new challenge over at Sparkles Forum Christmas Challenge blog? Each challenge lasts for the month and we are a multi craft blog so even if you don't want to make your Christmas cards you could make a start on your decorations or even dare I say it your presents

This month the theme has been chosen by my lovely teamie Lesley and we want to see you use a SNOWMAN on your project

Our sponsor is the fantastic Joanna Sheen and you can win £10 to spend in her online store

Here is the card I have made

Journal Page

2011-05-29T17:22:00.000+01:00

Wow a second post from me today that doesn't happen very often and I think this is the first time this year lol. You can tell we are more settled into our new home now as I'm finding more time to craft

I have been inspired by people's art journals I have seen out in blogland and also on the forums so after watching lots of youtube videos I decided to start a journal of my own. Please remember I'm only learning and this is my first page, it's not great but you have to start somewhere and hopefully my next page will be better. I also need to go and buy a few supplies and I'm planning on doing that tomorrow so any advice on the basic supplies I need will be gratefully received

A get well card

2011-05-29T16:30:00.001+01:00

A friend of mine had a hip replacement op on Friday so I have made her this card

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges

http://cleanandsimplestamping.blogspot.com/ which is to follow a sketch

http://thesecretcraftersaturdaychallenge.blogspot.com/ clean and simple

http://paper-craftingjourney.blogspot.com/ anything goes

Lotstodo Skinny swap

2011-05-23T21:03:00.000+01:00

Over on the Lotstodo Forum Hilda is hosting a skinny swap where the theme is ARTY which left us with plenty of choice as to how we decorated them
These are mine, i just hope they are "arty" enough

SPARKLES challenge # 10

2011-05-22T10:05:00.002+01:00

Well it's SUnday again and time for a new challenge over on the Sparkles Forum Challenge Blog. This time we want you to include something METAL on your project, this can either be a charm, a brad or a piece of metal for you background as I have done or anything else metal that you want to use.

The sponsor for this challenge is Di's Digi Downloads please do go visit the challenge blog to see what the fab prize you could win is and also to see what the fabbie DT have been making to inspire you

This is the card I have made

Craft Room Challenge DT Call

2011-05-21T16:11:00.000+01:00

My blogging friend Zoe is setting up a new challenge blog in association with the Craft Room which is a new on line craft shop for all your crafty needs. The craft room challenge is where you can find details of this new challenge blog and if you want to be considered for the DT you will have to be quick as the call closes tomorrow Sunday 22nd May
To be considered for the team you have to:
Post on your blog three projects of your choice that you feel represents your style of crafting and that you are most proud of. In the post tell us why you would be right for our team.

Here are my favourite 3 makes

I would love to join this DT to be able to work with a fantastic group of people, to be able to learn from each other and to inspire others to craft. I hope the three pieces I have chosen reflet the variety of things I enjoy making and demonstrate the versatility I could brin to the DT

ATCs for Lotstodo

2011-05-19T18:27:00.000+01:00

Over on the lots to do forum Hilda is hosting an ATC swap where the theme is vintage. These are what I made

Love is quilt top

2011-05-18T19:12:00.000+01:00

Last year I followed a 2 block a month quilt pattern and I have finally got the top all finished. I had all the blocks done before we moved and then it got put away and left until very recently when it saw the light of day again. Anyway last night I finally got all the block edging finished and got the blocks put together and this is how it looks so far

It's not perfect but I'm still learning about patchwork, I hope when I have it completed it will look reasonably ok

Card making class

2011-05-15T14:09:00.000+01:00

Hi all
yesterday was my second card making class and we made 2 lovely cards one for a man and one for a lady under the direction of Sue who was our tutor for the day. The morning was spent making these cards then in the afternoon we play and do our own thing so I was getting on with some of my swaps for this month. None of them are finished yet but at last I have got them started
These are the cards I made

Isle of Man

2011-05-14T19:45:00.000+01:00

Hi I hope you are all enjoying your weekend despite the cooler weather. I'm sorry I haven't done much blogging recently but the family have been home and Hannah only went back to Toronto yesterday so I have been making the most of having them around. This last week Hannah and I went over to the Isle of Man to visit Ruth, she was home for Easter but not for very long so it was lovely to spend a few days together visiting and seeing where she is living and working. The Isle of Man is a beautiful place and I took lots of photos so I thought I would share a few with you

Sparkles DT card

2011-05-08T10:05:00.001+01:00

Gosh what a lot of fantastic entries we had for our last challenge over on the Sparkles Forum challenge blog, thank you to everyone who played along, we hope you will all come back and play again this time

Our challenge this times is a recipe, we would like to see
2 papers
2 embellishments
1 ribbon or bow
on your creative piece

This time we welcome back Stitchy Bear as our sponsor and the winner will receive $10 to spend in store

Here is my card

Mug rug

2011-05-04T20:33:00.000+01:00

I made this mug rug for a swap over on the Sparkles Forum that was organised by Dazie. I can post it now as I know it has arrived at it's destination

I really enjoyed making this, it's very simple to do but I love the end result

Sewing

2011-05-02T20:55:00.000+01:00

Life has been busy recently at Jackiescrafts as the family have all been home for Easter and Hannah and Michael have been over to visit from Canada which is brilliant. Anyway they are away this weekend at a wedding so I have had a it of time to do some crafting. I decided to get my sewing machine out and have a little play. This is what I ended up making

SFCC # 4

2011-05-01T10:00:00.001+01:00

Well today is May 1st so it's time for a new challenge over at Sparkles Forum Christmas Challenge Blog

This month the challenge has been chosen by our Teamie Joanne and she wants to see Holly and/or Ivy on your makes

We have 2 fabbie prizes this month and they are
Joanna Sheen £10.00
Di's Digi's 5 Digi's

We would love you to join in our challenge so we can come and visit your fabbie blogs to see what you have been making. Please remember this challenge runs throughout May and is a multicraft challenge blog
Here is my card

Happy Easter

2011-04-24T10:05:00.001+01:00

A Very Happy Easter to all my friends in blogland I hope you are all enjoying a lovely relaxing weekend in the sun
Well it's time for another challenge over at Sparkles Challenge blog where the theme this time is

Anything Goes

Our sponsor this time is the lovely Emma at Crafty Emma's Store and the prize is a £10 voucher to spend in her store. Please remember this does not include posting and packing

For this challenge I made a fabric covered notebook. First of all I made the felt using wool tops and the wet felting method then I decorated it using my sewing machine and some bits and pieces from my scraps box

The notebook is also for a swap being hosted by Hilda over on the lotstodo forum

Bookmarks for Sparkles Forum

2011-04-13T18:54:00.000+01:00

Over on the Sparkles Forum Angel is hosting a bookmark swap and these are the bookmarks I have made

Free Background

2011-04-12T18:48:00.000+01:00

Hi folks
June over at Dezinaworld is giving away a free background on her blog why don't you pop over and see and grab it for yourself. You'll have to be quick though as it will only be available until Friday

Card Club

2011-04-12T12:25:00.000+01:00

On Saturday I joined a card making club in the village where we now live, the members take it in turns (those who want to) to choose a couple of cards for us all to make and then provide all the materials for us which we then pay for. The club meets once a month and are a lovely friendly chatty bunch of ladies, I had lots of fun getting to know them. If you want you can stay on into the afternoon and make your own cards but this time I only went for the morning session as the garden was calling me.
These are the cards I made

Sparkles challenge # 9

2011-04-10T10:05:00.001+01:00

Morning everyone, I hope you have been enjoying this fantastic sunshine and warm weather, it's certainly been a glorious week here in Essex and I have been spending lots of time in the garden

It's Sunday again and time for the next challenge over on the Sparkles Challenge Blog and this time the theme is EASTER and we are looking forward to coming and visiting your blogs to see your fabbie makes. Please remember we are a multi craft blog so you don't just have to make a card you can make anything so long as the theme is EASTER.
Stitchy Bear is our sponsor again this time and the prize is this fab voucher to spend in the shop

This is the card I have made

Please do go and visit all the DT blogs and see all their fantastic makes, the links are in my side bar

I'd also just like to say a big thank you to everyone who joined in our last challenge there were some brilliant makes and I enjoyed visiting your blogs to see them

Stitching ATCs

2011-04-07T19:31:00.000+01:00

Over on the lotstodo forum Hilda is hosting an ATC swap and the theme is stitching, I have had lots of fun doing these
All three together

These first two are done using tyvek painted with acrylics then stitched on the machine and some bits and pieces of fabric and thread stitched on. The tyvek was then heated causing it to shrink and crumple. The buttons and bead were then added before the whole thing was stuck to an ATC card that had been painted and sprayed with co-ordinating glimmer mists

The third one was done using machine embroidery and then the buttons were added before again attaching it to the ATC

CYDA challenge # 17

2011-04-02T09:15:00.001+01:00

This is my final DT piece for the CYDA challenge blog, I have made the difficult decision to step down so that I have time to try out some new ideas and projects.

Our challenge this time has been set by our lovely "boss" Joanne and it is to include Spots and Stripes on you project
Our sponsor is Simon Says Stamp and the prize is a $10 to spend in their store

Here is my card, it's the one I made for Stephen's birthday a couple of weeks ago but I couldn't show it until now

SFCC # 3

2011-04-01T10:00:00.000+01:00

Where is the time going, I can't believe it's April already
For those of you that are interested Mum is doing ok all be it slower than she would like. I came home on Tuesday and I'm slowly catching up with everything so I will be by to visit your blog soon and my apologies if it takes me a while to get round to your blog. Thank you for all your good wishes for Mum she was touched by the concern of so many people she doesn't know

This Month over at Sparkles Craft Christmas Challenge blog we are being asked by Doreen who has chosen the theme this month to include

Ribbons & Gems

on your project. Please do remember we are a multi craft blog so you can make whatever you want so long as you include ribbons and gems

The prize for this month is a £10 voucher to spend in Joanna Sheen's online craft store

This is my card

Blog Break

2011-03-21T20:05:00.000Z

Hi everybody I hope you are all well and enjoying the warmer and sunnier weather
I am going to be missing from blog land for the next week or so as I am going to look after my Mum and she has no internet access and no computer either. She has been in hospital to have heart surgery and is being discharged tomorrow and needs someone to be with her for the first week or so after discharge.
I will be back blogging once I am back home

CYDA challenge # 16

2011-03-19T09:15:00.002Z

Well it's time for another challenge over on the CYDA challenge blog, this time we want to see you make something for Mothers' Day or For a Special Lady and the theme for this challenge has been set by our lovely teamie Amanda. For this challenge we have One Stop Crafts as our sponsor and the prize is a £10 voucher to spend in their store. Please do go and visit our challenge blog to see what all the team members have made to inspire you. I have made a cross stitch pouch and put a mirror inside it, it was a kit that came with my Cross Stitcher magazine and I thought it would make a lovely present for my Mum

Thanks Lyn (Spyder)

2011-03-14T21:20:00.000Z

The lovely Lyn has given me this fab blog award, thank you so much hunnie

In order to receive this award I have to tell you seven things about me........mmmmmmmm seven things that I haven't already told you lets see

1 I was born in Scarborough

2 I've been married to my wonderful husband for almost 28 years

3 We have 2 fantastic daughters aged 22 and 25

4 My foodie weakness is cheese I lurve cheese

5 We have 2 dogs called Tara and Max

6 We recently moved from Cumbria to Essex

7 I have 1 brother and no sisters

I now have to pass this award onto some of my wonderful blogging buddies

Joy

Zoe

Shell

Susan

Sparkles challenge # 7

2011-03-13T10:00:00.001Z

Hi everyone and I hope you are all having a lovely relaxing weekend, I can't believe it's Sunday again where does the time go?
It's time for our next challenge over at the Sparkles Challenge Blog and this time out theme is

Mother's Day

Yes it's that time of year again and the 3rd April will soon be upon us so we would love to see what you have been busy making for that special person in your family. Please remember we are a multicraft challenge blog so whether you have made a card or sewn a project or made something using any other craft method we would love to see it.

Our sponsor this time is our regular sponsor Stitchy Bear and the winner will receive $10 to spend in the store

This is the card I have made

The paper and topper were freebies in a magazine and the LO was also from the magazine but I'm sorry I'm not sure which one. I think it was Making Cards but I'm not sure.

Please do pop by the challenge blog to see what my teamies have made for to inspire you

I've done it

2011-03-09T19:14:00.000Z

I've finally worked out how to crochet flowers thanks to Angel and the link she put on the Sparkles Forum to a brilliant youtube video. I have been wanting to be able to crochet flowers for ages but couldn't work out how to until now

Garden Visitors

2011-03-08T21:15:00.000Z

Well it's been a gorgeous sunny if cold day here today so I took a couple of pictures of our garden and some of it's visitors

This is the only thing in flower in our new garden, there doesn't appear to even be any bulbs waiting to burst into flower. I will have to remedy that in the autumn

We get lots of grey squirrels into the garden, they try very hard to get to the food I put out for the birds

We have caught glimpses of the fox on a few occasions since we moved in but this afternoon Stephen managed to get some pictures of him basking in the sunshine

More Grunge pages

2011-03-06T21:33:00.000Z

I got some time to play the other day and managed to get my grunge pages finished for the swap over on the lotstodo forum that is being hosted by Hilda

They are from the top

Come fly with me

The wheels go round

Your number's up

Wish you were here

Live your dreams

I have had lots of fun doing these and I would also like to share them for the challenge on the

Just for Fun blog which this week is mixed media

CYDA challenge # 15

2011-03-05T09:05:00.002Z

Hi everyone, well it's time for the next challenge over on the CYDA challenge blog. Where does the time go? the weeks just seem to be flying by and we are onto challenge 15 all ready
The challenge this time has been set by the lovely Dazie and she wants you to make something in BLACK and WHITE. You can add glamour dust or clear gems etc but most of your card, ATC, scrapbook page etc must be in black and white
Our Sponsor this time is our regular sponsor Simon Says Stamp

This is the card I made I don't often do black and white so I struggled with this one a bit but in the end I am happy with the end result

Sparkles Forum Christmas Challenge # 2

2011-03-01T10:00:00.003Z

Well where has February gone I can't believe it's March and 1/6th of the year has passed
Thank you to everyone who joined in our first challenge we on the DT all hope that you will join in again this month
The challenge for March has been set by my Teamie Angel and she wants you to use RED and GREEN on your make. Please remember we are a multi craft challenge blog so as long as you keep to the theme you can make anything you want for our challenge.
This month I have done a cross stitch of a Christmas Tree and made it into a card

Our sponsors for this challenge are

Joanna Sheen who is giving £10 voucher to spend in her online store

and

Di's Diggi Downloads who is giving 5 diggi downloads of the winners choice from her store

SFC # 6

2011-02-27T10:00:00.002Z

PINK BLUE and BROWN

This time over on the Sparkles Forum Challenge Blog we want you to use the colours Pink Blue and Brown in whaatever you make. Please remember we are a multi craft blog so what you make doesn't just have to be a card you can make something else using any technique so long as you follow the theme.

I thought I would do something other than a card this time. I'm hopeless at remembering birthdays so I thought I would make something to help me. I saw something similar to this Birthday Book on Michelle's blog and thought it was a great idea so this is my take on it

These are the pages all side by side

And this is the book put together with ribbon and on my desk open at March's birthdays so I can get my cards made

This time we are being sponsored by The Artistic Stamper and the prize is £15 to spend in their store.The DT and myself would love to see you join in so we can come visit your blogs and see your lovely creations

Some knitting

2011-02-26T17:01:00.000Z

I became a Great Auntie on December 13th gosh that makes me feel sooooooo lol Jack was born 11 weeks early and so we have had an anxious time over the last few weeks as we waited to see how he progressed. Anyway I'm pleased to say he that apart from a couple of crisis' he made really good progress and he is now home and continuing to do well. I didn't do any knitting for ages as I was too scared incase something went really wrong with him but once I knew he was coming home the needles came out and this is what I have made

Grunge Pages

2011-02-23T11:25:00.000Z

Over on the lotstodo forum Hilda is hosting a grunge pages swap, before we moved I made my first 2 pages of 10 and shared them with you and today I want to share the next 3 that I completed this week
The first one is Journey in time

This second one is Vintage Memories

and this last one is Feeling Blue

Reminder and an Award

2011-02-21T19:28:00.000Z

Hi all
Just a reminder that the Sparkles Forum Christmas Challenge closes next Monday ready for our second challenge to "go live" on the 1st March. The challenge this month is to include a Christmas Tree on your card. There are some fabulous prizes up for grabs so please do go visit the challenge blog and join in. We'd love to see you there.

I also want to thank my Teamie and founder of the Sparkles Forum Angel for this lovely Award

The rules of this award are as follows:

1. You must accept it, write a post about it and display it.

2. Pass it to 3 - 5 fab blogs and tell them that they have been given the Love Blog Award.

3. Link back to the person who passed it to you.

The aim of this award is to showcase great but not well known blogs, so don't tag anyone with

3,000 + followers.

My 5 are

1 Shell

2 Twiggy

3 Susan

4 Steph

5 Joy

CYDA challenge # 14 Sketch

2011-02-19T09:15:00.003Z

Well it's time for another challenge over on the CYDA challenge blog and this time the challenge has been set by the lovely Joanne and she has chosen a SKETCH for you all to follow
You must follow the Layout of the sketch and include the ribbon and bow in the corner, you are free to add any extra embellishments and/or sentiments.

Our Sponsor this time is Crafty Emma and the prize is

The prize is this gorgeous 6 x 6 Dovecraft 'Tea House' paper pack

My teamies have made some lovely cards this time as always, please do visit their blogs to see what they have made, the links are all on my sidebar.

Here is my card, it's the first I've made since we moved and my mojo still seems to be missing lol so I hope you like it

Card for Hannah & Michael

2011-02-16T14:01:00.000Z

Hi all from a sunny Essex, it's a lovely day here although rather cold
Not only have we moved house recently but our daughter and her partner moved apartment last week too as they wanted something with more space. This is the card I made before we moved to send to her and as I now know they have received it I can show it on here. I couldn't share it before as she checks out my blog to see what I am up to as they live across the pond in Toronto

It's not the best of photos I'm afraid but I took it in a hurry amongst all the packing cases before I put it in the post so my apologies for that

I'm back

2011-02-13T18:26:00.000Z

Hi everyone
The move has happened and we are now all unpacked and pretty much sorted so I am hoping to slowly get caught up with visiting your blogs and seeing what you have all been up to. I'm sorry to have been absent for longer than I had hoped but things took longer than I expected to unpack and organise. We just have a lot of packing boxes and other rubbish to get rid of but we have a "man with van" coming tomorrow to see about it all.
There is another week to go before Stephen starts his new job so this next week we are going to explore the area and find our way around. So far we have just been and found the things as we have needed them but we really need to get a proper feel for the area so Stephen doesn't get lost too often when he is out and about lol.
I've not done any crafting since before the move so I was pleased to see Mr Blogger behaved himself and all my timed posts published ok. I haven't been able to join in and make a DT piece for the new challenge over on Sparkles Forum Challenge Blog but is you pop over to the challenge blog there is a new one for you to join in with. The theme this time is FAERIES and our sponsor is the lovely June from DEZINAWORLD.

CYDA challenge # 13

2011-02-05T10:00:00.001Z

This post is on timer so as long as Mr Blogger is behaving you should be reading this on Feb 5th. I am in the middle of moving house and we wont have the internet sorted out in time to publish this at the right time hence the timed post. I am writing this on Jan 24th as I am trying to get everything organised ready for the move.
Our theme for Challenge # 13 over at Craft Your Days Away challenge blog is a Photo Inspiration and my lovely teamie Donna has chosen this picture to inspire you

This is the card I have made using the photo to inspire me

Our sponsor for this challenge is Simon Says Stamp and the prize is a voucher for $10 to spend in their online store.

Please do pop over and visit the challenge blog to see what my teamies have been busy making to help inspire you.

Sparkles Forum Christmas Challenge Blog

2011-02-01T10:00:00.003Z

Woooo hooooo it's finally here, it's time for the first challenge over at the Sparkles Forum Christmas Challenge Blog. This is a monthly challenge blog with a new challenge being posted on the 1st of each month
The theme for our first challenge is Christmas trees, please remember we are a multi craft blog so you can make anything so long as you follow our theme so that can be a card, an ATC, a stitchery or whatever you want. I have made a wall hanging. I made the piece of felt first before cutting it out and decorating it with different braid sequins etc. I then mounted it onto a piece of fabric so I can hang it on the wall.
We have two sponsors for this challenge first Pink Gem Designs and the winner will receive 4 digi images of their choice from the online store and also Joanna Sheen is giving £10 voucher to spend in her shop. Please do pop along to the challenge blog to see the fantastic things my wonderful teamies have made to inspire you

This post is on timer so I hope Mr Blogger has behaved and you are able to see this post as I am in the middle of moving house so have no internet until the end of the week........hopefully. I will be round to comment on your wonderful makes but it wont be immediately