Still Around!!!!

Just a quick post to say I am still around but too busy to do any actual crafting.....busy at work...busy at home! We are going on our hols tomorrow for a week to sunny (hopefully!) Wales. With a bit of luck I will return refreshed and ready to craft....if I can sneak any craft stuff into the suitcase I will but guess it would have to be something like parchement or some stamped images to colour.

ARTYLICIOUS STAMPBORD CHALLENGE

Glenda (Artylicious) has challenged crafters to make a handcrafted item using Stampbord and Elusive Images stamps on her blog...HERE IS THE LINK. She has kindly offered a prize in return.....a set of her fabulous new bird stamps!!! I just had to have a go and here is my ATC/tag. This is not what I had in mind at all when I was planning what I wanted to make but the fact I could only find ATC sized Stampbord did have an influence, since, as far as I know, it is not possible to cut Stampbord. Luckily it is possible to punch Stampbord using a Cropadile!


I coloured the blank clay canvas with pale blue Versacolour ink, and then used the largest stamp from Elusive Images Damask Squares stamp set inked up with Ranger Perfect Medium, then swirled Perfect Pearl powders over the image in Patina, gold and blue to add a touch of radiance. I then stamped over that with the large Damask floral stamp and swirly butterfly using various shades of Ranger and Versacolour blue and green inks.


The next stage was to stamp the main image, a lovely peacock stamp from Glenda's Graphicus Guild, in Black Versafine ink. I coloured the peacock with Supapoint pens and Sakura's Gold Shadow pen in green. When everything was dry I used a Pergamano needle tool (probably very blunt now!) to scratch into the Stampbord to add texture and highlights (mainly the peacock's body). I ran a gold PenTouch pen along the stampbord edges and sprayed the project with clear varnish.


I used the Cropadile Big Bite to punch a hole in the top of the Stampbord and set a large We R Memory Keepers gold eyelet, threaded a green sparkly organza ribbon through, followed by lots of strands of embroidery thread in gold/green/blue. I then twisted some of the strands to add texture and stuck 3 tiny gems below the eyelet (blue, green and gold to tone in with everything else).


I threaded turquoise, gold and green beads and a feather onto a headpin wire and attached it to the embroidery thread as a finishing touch.

I really enjoyed trying something new as I tend to stick to card making, though I really should try photography next as I must have taken 100 shots of this project and just can't get it right!!!!!!

Joanna Sheen Challenge - Song Titles

Tonight I made 2 cards for this week's Joanna Sheen Forum Challenge which was 'song titles'. The bottom card is 'Bright Eyes' and the beautiful rabbit images and paper are from Joanna Sheen's Jayne Netley Mayhew Collection CD set which contains fabulous nature images and the first card featuring party Edwin depicts the song 'Celebration' by Kool & The Gang. I am not fond of either of these songs I'm afraid but they did fit in with the challenge! Edwin is coloured with brush markers and Stickles and the sentiment stamp is from Stamin Up, oh and the dotty paper is by DCWV. I think the striped brad on the rabbit card is from Poppicrafts and the little pink bows are from Madaboutcards.

Caardvarks From Your Closet Challenge

Tonight I intended making 2 cards, one for a competition and one for a challenge. I really struggled as things kept going wrong but I battled on and the competition card is drying out ready for the next stage and here is my card for Caardvarks From Your Closet Challenge. The lace stamps are by Kodomo and the parasol is unmarked so no idea on that one! I have used black Versafine over a Ranger Tattered Rose distress ink background and added a bow and some gems. Never has a simple card taken so long!!!!!! My waste paper bin is full of ripped up inky card and paper in various colours. I probably should have called it a night but I hate to give up!

Cazz's Blog Candy

Just a quick post to let you know that Cazz is giving away 3 of her lovely ATCs this week so please visit her blog to leave a comment and have a look at her gorgeous creations.

Sugar Nellie Recycle Challenge Card

My last card for today is for A Spoonfull of Sugar's latest challenge - # 11 Recycle. I used blue and green cardstock by Stampin Up...the green was embossed with Cuttlebug Swiss Dots. My Sugar Nellie stamped image is the lovely Sweet Art Ebony Flowers, coloured with brush markers, Stickles, Sakura Stardust and Liquid Pearls. The sunflowers and little green Prima daisy are from Cuddly Buddly and the spotty bow and little blue brad are again from Poppicrafts. I think the green eyelets came with my Cropadile and the two recycled items are the green tape down the left hand side, which is actually a paper carrier bag handle and the crystal flower on Honey's hat is a stud earring which has been at the bottom of my jewellery box for years, waiting in vain for me to find its partner!

Two Challenges In One

As soon as I read the brief for Rainbow Lady's challenge No. 25 (use spots, stripes and the word 'smile' and/or 'be happy' ) I knew I wanted to use my Doodlebug 'abc' embellishments which have been sitting around unopened for a few weeks.

I then noticed the Multi Challenge - Challenge over at Dottie's World (to combine the use of one of their downloads with at least one other current craft challenge) so this card was born. The cardstock is Stampin Up, the cute Dottie in the bath is a download from Charmed Cards & Crafts coloured with brush markers and Stickles. The stripey and dotty papers are both DCWV and the pretty dotty ribbon and blue brad slider are from Poppicrafts. Last but not least I used my Doodlebug letters to make the word 'smile.'

Card For Arty Girlz Vintage Challenge

As the weather has been awful here today (torrential rain!) it was a good opportunity to get on with some crafting. Here is the first of 3 cards I made today, all for challenges. This first card is for Arty Girlz Challenge 46 which was to create something with a vintage theme. The background paper is by Laura Ashley and the lovely stamp showing birds feeding their young in the nest was won on Ebay and as it has no markings on the wood mount I do not know who manufactured it. I used smokey grey Versafine and Stampin Up teal coloured inks to tone in with the base card and LA paper. The friends sentiment is by HOTP and like the bird image is matted onto silver mirri card. To finish off the card I added an organzi ribbon in ivory from Joanna Sheen down the side and 2 matching feathers behind the sentiment.

Joanna Sheen Challenge - Recycled Card

This week's challenge on Joanna Sheen's forum was to make a card entirely from recycled items. I decided not to rush into it (probably because nothing immediately sprang to mind!) and have been keeping an eye out for anything suitable that might be included on a card. Today at work I was asked to scan an old report to someone and then bin it. As I was dismantling the binder to get the papers out I thought the off white textured card which formed the back of the folder was far too nice to throw away (the front was acetate) so I brought it home to use as a card blank and after trimming off the ragged corners it was fine.

The picture is from a 2007 Christmas card catalogue and it is beautiful! The gold cord threaded through the holes at the bottom was I think from a box of chocolates but the velvet bow and fluff is a bit of a mystery as I found it in mum's old sewing box which I kept even though I don't sew. I have no idea what it was from. It was originally all joined together but the velcro fastening gave way whilst I was examining it so I twisted the ribbon and stuck it down the side of my card and put the bow on. I punched the little gold butterflies from the front cover of an old magazine.

Dottie's World Challenge # 13

Here is my latest card....the first time I have used Dottie & George images which are available as a download from Charmed Cards & Crafts. I really enjoyed making a card for this Dottie's World challenge and chose the Love & Marriage images as I wanted to make an anniversary card for friends.

I don't think it was a great idea shrinking the image down as it was so difficult to colour in. I used brush marker & Sakura pens, Doodlebug flock and Stickles glitter glue. The blue and green cardstock (inside the circle aperture) is by Stampin Up. The blue card was embossed with Cuttlebug Swiss Dots.

The blue and pink ribbon, flowers, brad and flower eyelet are from Poppicrafts and the pink padded heart in the aperture and bow with irridescent hearts are both from Wilkinsons. They were attached to pony tail bands for little girls but when I saw them in the store I thought they could be undone/cut and used on cards, quite pleased with them, I do like a bargain! I am not too sure about the swirly doodles on the top of the card but the rule was to add a doodle somewhere. Well that's it, hope my friends like their card.

Rainbow Lady's Challenge 24 - Swirls & Flourishes

Here is my card for Cynthia's latest challenge which is to use swirls or flourishes. I stamped the large flourish stamp (Stampin Up) onto white card with black Versafine and used Glossy Accents on the birds. The lady was also stamped in black and clear embossed (Art Kure stamp). I used clear and black glitter glue to add a little colour. I stamped the black lace along the bottom edge in black using a Kodomo stamp and added 2 tiny black and one gold crystal gems.

Joanna Sheen Forum Challenge - Indian Summer

I enjoyed making this card for this week's Joanna Sheen Forum challenge as the theme 'Indian Summer' really appealed to me.

The orange cardstock has been embossed with the Cuttlebug branches folder and the bright pink paper with the paisley folder.

The lovely patterened papers are by Glenda and came in my Graphicus Guild pack....so hard to tear them up!!!! I stamped the peacock (Tanda) in Versamark onto a piece of the same patterned paper and embossed it in gold, then mounted it onto some matching corrugated card to make a frame. I finished it off with a purple organza bow and a lovely bright pink mulberry paper rose from Joanna's online shop.

Wedding Card

I haven't been in the mood for card making lately.....I blame the heat! I have finally got around to making this wedding card, just finished it off. The cute owls are a Pink Petticoat image stamp coloured with Stickles and mounted on a silver mirri scalloped circle embossed with CB swiss dots. There is a mini version on the back of the card (Tapestry cardstock from Joanna Sheen).

I threaded a silver sequin heart and open pearl heart on the silver chain and threaded it through the punched corner. The crystal slider embellishment, white heart organza ribbon and little white flower with the tiny feather and pearl are from The Mullberry Bush.

I made a red vellum envelope for the card and really hope it sticks together as I used mainly vellum tape with a little bit of ultra clear DS where it doesn't show!

Wylde Women Awards

I am touched and amazed to have received this new award seven times over the past week and would like to thank the following blogging friends for thinking of me......Chrissie, Edna, Cazz, Sue, Cynthia, Carol and Ann. The rules for this award are as follows:

1. You can give it to one or one hundred or any number in between - it's up to you. Make sure you link to their site in your post.

2. Link back to this blogsite (http://http://www.tammyvitale.com//) so Tammy can go visit all these wonderful women, and, remember the Purpose of the Award: To send love and acknowledgment to women who brighten your day, teach you new things and live their lives fully with generosity and joy.

The lovely ladies who gave me this award certainly fit the criteria, they have inspired me and taught me new things (lots of tips, inspiration and even tutorials) and definitely brighten my day with their encouraging comments on my cards, as do all the people whose blogs I have listed on this page.

I have decided to pass this award on to the following ladies who do not appear to have received a Wylde Women award yet:

Jane who has been visiting my blog since the start which I do appreciate. Jane makes lovely unique cards and amazes me with her creative use of the Keepsake boards.

Wendy whose stamping talents know no bounds.

Sandy who creates wonderful altered art masterpieces.

Suzanne a new blogger and also a member of Joanna Sheen's very talented design team. I have admired Suzanne's stunning creations for such a long time after seeing them on Joanna's forum and on Create and Craft. I am so pleased she has started a blog.

Sweet Nothings Card - Joanna Sheen Forum Challenge

I made this simple birthday card with a cupcake stamp, paper and sticky ribbon from the Papermania Sweet Nothings range. The clear stamps are excellent especially considering the price. The sentiment was made with a HOTP stamp and Glossy Accents. I must go and make the insert now and get this card in the post or it will arrive late! This card is also for the latest card challenge on Joanna Sheen's forum, which was to make a card using a new stamp so I thought it was high time I opened the packet on this set!

Cards & Chat Blog Candy

Please visit Janette's blog. It's worth it alone to see her beautiful cards but if you leave a comment on her blog candy birthday post then you may just win a surprise, plus there is a pic of her cute little dog Leo :)

New Award - Blogging Friends Forever

I was really touched to receive this new award from two of my very talented and artistic blogging buddies.....Cynthia and Ann. Thanks so much, it is an honour.

It's almost a year since I started my blog and the reason for doing so was that I wanted to link to my cards for challenges and also because I wanted a record of what I had made. I was thrilled when people started to leave comments on my cards and by clicking the link to their names I discovered so many wonderful crafty blogs to visit.

Here are the rules for this award:

1. Only 5 people allowed.

2. 4 have to be dedicated followers of your blog

3. one has to be someone new or recently new to your blog and live in another part of the world.

4. you must link back to whoever gave you the award.

Quite simple - it is a way of saying thank you to those who take time out for wonderful comments to boost your day.

It has been so difficult to chose 5 people to pass this award on to but I am pleased to nominate:

Wendy - it was Wendy who introduced me to Blogger and explained all about it. She has continued to leave kind comments on my cards. Thanks for the help and inspiration Wendy.

Jane, who was one of the first to leave comments on my cards and she has continued to do so ever since. Thanks Jane, your comments always make my day.

Sandy is another regular visitor to my blog whose posts have encouraged me since I started posting, thanks Sandy!

Andrea has continued to visit my blog and leave comments since I started, thanks, I do appreciate it!

Anesha - last but not least, a new visitor to my blog. Andrea lives in The Netherlands and is a member of the same Sisterhood of Blogging Stampers group as me (Group 20).

It's a bug's life new home card

Here is my latest card, a new home card for this week's Tilda & Co challenge. I used my Cuttlebug to make the butterflies then stuck a punched flower on each so I could write on them. The main image of the Magnolia house has been coloured with Stickles glitter glue in black diamond and magenta shades. The dotty paper is by DCWV.

Blue Monotone Card

Here is my card for Rainbow Lady's challenge 22 to use one rainbow colour and as you can see I chose blue. I am not sure of the make of the daisy stamp (think it may be Anita's) but the image has been coloured with Twinking H20 paints and the centre is a HOTP brad with a square gem.

The centre flower is Prima with a HOTP button brad and the other floral embelishments I have had for ages, also the blue craft wire....I was beginning to think I would never use that! I just added a tiny punched butterfly coloured with blue Stickles glue to the flower on the right, a few gems and a ric rac bow. The card front has been covered with lovely blue Artylicious paper from one of the Graphicus Guild sets and the blue card stock I mounted the flowers on has been stamped with Versafine using a small stamp from the same set as the scribble daisy. The darker blue strip is a piece of blue vellum put through the paper crimper.

Midsummer Night's Dream

Tonight I have made 2 cards as my migraine has finally gone.....thank goodness!!!!! I can't post a pic of one of the cards but this one is for Joanna Sheen's forum challenge this week and I used one of Joanna's lovely fairy stamps, stamped onto silver mirri card and embossed with black Sparkle N Sprinkle embossing powder from Joanna's store. The backing paper is DCWV.

Rainbow Lady's Challenge 20

I finally found the daisy stamp I wanted to use for Rainbow Lady's favourite flower challenge chosen by Tiina! It's a lovely stamp by Elusive Images which I have stamped and embossed in black onto a piece of card coloured with yellow and blue Versacolor inks. I really wish I hadn't used eyelets now as I have dropped the whole container for the second time in a week. I am dying to see what everyone else has done for this challenge (I never look until I have made my own card) but guess that may have to wait until tomorrow as it's going to take rather a long time to clear up....doesn't rafia make a mess....ooops just noticed I have also knocked my bit box on the floor too so there are hundreds of bits of card and paper as well as eyelets, never mind I did have fun making this card :)

Cute Card Thursday Card

Here is a card I made for the latest Cute Card Thursday Challenge No. 17 'The Great Outdoors.' The Sarah Kay image has been water coloured with Lyra crayons, laminated and matted onto white cardstock which I trimmed with stamp edge scissors. I added a red gingham bow and a scrap of red and cream striped paper.

Nice Surprise!!!!!

Whilst checking my emails yesterday I spotted the Pink Petticoat newsletter which had a link to the result of Liz's Lots Of Dots competition and I was so happy to see I was one of the finalists. It was a lovely surprise and a thrill as I often enter cardmaking/papercraft competitions but this is the first time I have come close to winning :) so maybe one day, you never know!

The winning entries are fabulous so check them out as well as the other finalists. Here are my 4 entries.....the owls wedding card and bookmark were featured in the finals. I have to say they look much better on the PP site as my photographic skills are non existent!

28th Anniversary Card

Tonight I made this card for our 28th wedding anniversary tomorrow.....took longer than anticipated due to OH coming in and out of the room so I had to do it in spurts! Not sure hubby will like it as he prefers simple and modern and this has a vintage feel, plus I have distressed the brown card and paper with a sanding block. The lovely image by Comotion Rubber Stamps is stamped in Sepia Versafine and coloured with shimmer chalks, the sentiment is Stampin Up and the paper is a torn piece of rose paper (Cupcake I think) inked with Ranger Tattered Rose distress ink.

AWARD

I would like to thank Ann, Cynthia and Beryl for being kind enough to pass on this award to me and must apologise for not having been able to find the time to pass it on to any fellow bloggers as yet.

Latest Cards

Finally managed to add these latest cards after a few blogging disasters, i.e. deciding to change my blogger template, losing my list of links to other blogs, adding them all then deciding to change the template yet again and of course the same thing happened AGAIN!!!! What's that saying, if it ain't broke, don't fix it? Wise words indeed, not too keen on the new look but it's staying for now!!!!! I am definitely beginning to wish I had not got up at 5.15 this morning LOL!

SISTERHOOD OF THE BLOGGING STAMPERS - 20

I haven't had time to blog lately but when I checked my emails I found I had some unmoderated comments, including one from Rainbowlady inviting me to join The Sisterhood and I was intrigued, thanks Cynthia! It sounds like a great idea so I have (hopefully) just joined group 20. I love stamping but am not particularly adept at it and hope to be encouraged and inspired by everyone's work. Sorry this is short but I need to add everyone to my blog roll so I can go and explore :)

THIRD TIME LUCKY!

I am now way behind with cards I need to make after spending last night making a third card for the same person!!!!! This is the final (I hope) card for OH's boss. Originally she was having the large bird card I posted recently but he changed his mind and asked for roses so I made the Victorian rose card but he then asked for something simpler and here it is.

I really need to make a birthday card for my brother in law ASAP and hope history doesn't repeat itself or I will send OH to Asda to BUY a card!

This card is made with Anita's (I think) stamped daisies, HOTP button brads, Cuttlebug embossing folders, Nestabilities scallop circle die and lovely dotty ribbon and ladybug brad from Poppicrafts.

Tagged!!!!

I have been tagged (well and truly tagged!) by Chrissie, Sue, Wendi, Beryly and Cynthia, thanks ladies! Actually I don't mind at all:



TEN YEARS AGO


I can’t actually think of anything memorable from 1998 but I am sure I had far fewer wrinkles and grey hairs than I do now as I would have been 39. It would be nice to turn back the clock to then as my parents were still with us and our lovely dog Suzy. I was in the same job as a full-time secretary, that is probably the only thing which hasn’t changed.



FIVE THINGS ON TODAY'S 'TO DO' LIST


Whatever the day brings at work
Quite a lot of ironing (yuk!)
Online grocery shop
Birthday cards
Box for the card I made last night (that’s the last time I stick large embellishments on a card…hate making boxes!)



SNACKS I ENJOY



Any kind of ice cream, Jordans Frusli bars, Green & Black’s chocolate, bananas



THINGS I WOULD DO IF I WAS A MILLIONAIRE



Buy a large house with plenty of land by the sea, open an animal sanctuary and try to build some sort of secure future for our son who has had M.E. for 13 years. I would of course give some to relatives and friends, favourite charities and maybe go on a cruise. I would also have a huge craft room of course.



PLACES I HAVE LIVED



Greater Manchester and The Wirral.



The people I am tagging in return are:



Dawn

Andrea

Rhiannon

Steph

Leann



As I don't like posts without pictures I have added a photo of Paxos which I took a few years ago, wish I was back there!!!!

Victorian Rose Card

I wanted to make at least 2 cards tonight (have so many birthdays in June & July!) and ended up making just one, which took ages as it started off very different to how it has ended up. I kept changing my mind or didn't like elements of previous versions so the only thing that remains from my original idea is the basket of roses from Joanna Sheen's Victorian Companion CD set. I am not even sure I like the final version now so think I will sleep on it! Hopefully tomorrow evening will be more productive, fingers crossed!

Jayne Netley Mayhew Cat

This is the second card I have made using the new Joanna Sheen Jayne Netley Mayhew CD set and it's a birthday card for a cat loving friend. I thought I would try printing on some matte photo paper which has been sitting around in a drawer for ages as I prefer satin or gloss so not too sure about that aspect of the card but overall I am happy with it as the cat is so cuddly and cute! This is the first time I have used one of the new Cuttlebug border embossing folders and think they are great!

Just A Quick One!

When I spotted this week's Daring Cardmakers Challenge entitled 'Just A Quick One' I had to have a go as I tend to spend hours on one card!!!! This card took me 40 minutes which is very quick for me! This is my first card made with images from Joanna Sheen's Jayne Netley Mayhew CD set which features beatiful wildlife artwork, a wonderful CD which is my favourite Joanna Sheen CD to date. I now have another challenge....to make an envelope for this very long card!

Sunshine & Flowers

Here is a card for the first Joanna Sheen Forum Challenge, the theme being 'Sunshine & Flowers.' The limage is a lovely Sugar Nellie Sweet Art Ebony stamp by Elisabeth Bell coloured with Lyra crayons & Sakura pens. The sunflower is from Cuddly Buddly and the bee brad from Poppicrafts. The 'sun' is courtesy of my Cuttlebug and the card blank has been chalked with shimmery green and blue.

A Change From Cards!

I decided to make a gift bag for a friend's birthday, thinking it would be quick and easy but being in 2 pieces which needed glueing together it took longer than I expected as I am not exactly good at cutting and glueing (so used to using DST on cards). I enjoyed decorating the bag though as that was the easy/fun part. The notebook was fun to do with the Zutter machines and it's now in the bag along with other pressies for a friend.

Dreaded Mens' Card!

I just hate making mens' cards as I know I can't use pink or lilac and pretty ribbons and sparkle! This was supposed to be a quick card as OH asked for it late last night for a work colleague but it ended up taking forever as I got a bit engrossed playing with the images and elements in My Craft Studio!!!! Just hope it's well received!