A Jem of an evening!

Hello all,

Well, last night we got together online for a little cyber chat with my SU! sistas Sarah B & Siobhan and SU! momma Julie. What a lovely night and to get the ole' creative juices flowing we had a couple of challenges! The first was set by Julie.

The first was a colour challenge... to use Tempting turquoise, Lovely lilac, Gable green and Pink passion. I was a bit stumped at first and thought it was a V.V. hard challenge!! so, I started off by getting all the colours out to see what they looked like together and was pleasantly surprised! they are scrummy together!! a real summer mix and probably one I wouldn't have put together myself, but that's why I like a challenge ;0) anyway here is what I came up with...

Now the first set I thought of when I saw the colours together was this one, "cheers to you" such a great set for summer (and men as it contains a beer jug!) I used my water brush and stampin' marker pens to water colour these little beauties and layered up the accessories on the side of the glasses, here are a couple of close ups. I also stamped the background with versa mark using the orange from "Tart and Tangy"

Now we make these and post at roughly the same time and if you go to see Julies blog sometime in the next few days, you will see that, not for the first time, we have both made very similar cards!! very freaky (in a good way :0)) ! LOL !!!

For our second challenge, which Sarah set, we had to make something with the last set we bought and it was NOT to be a card!! Now if you read my blog you will know I don't do a lot of "other" things, I tend to stick to cards ;0) so I was actually quite excited to make something else and I had a quick look through my (underused lately) dies. I found this frame which is actually a Christmas one (has holly with it) and made a bookmark for Zo to take on holiday with her, she was thrilled with it this morning!

Supplies used were Pink Passion card, "Tart and Tangy" stamp set, Bold Bright marker pens, Short Order Alphabet, ribbon from stash. As you can see I went with similar colours as the first challenge as I liked them so much!

I hope you liked my little insight into the great fun to be had being a demo and if you would like to know more please contact me for more details,

Have a good rest of the weekend,

Hugs Sarah-Jane xx

Sorry and a card (finally!)

Afternoon guys,

Yes, I am hanging my head in blogging shame for not so much as a sniff of a card has passed these keys this week!! I am very sorry for neglecting my lovely followers and dear commenter's for this school holiday break, I do hope you will not hold it against me! lol!!!

Anyway I have actually made a card this morning to send to my friend who I don't see very often, she lives in Chelmsford and life just seems to take over, I hope to see her and her family this summer as they have an apartment out in Spain which just happens to be up the road from were my dad lives, whom we are visiting this summer too, fingers crossed they will be out at the same time ;0) Any how I get a home mag delivered and this month they sent 2 (both addressed to me!) so I thought Sandra would like a little read and I couldn't not make a card to go in the parcel with it could I now? ...

Now, Sandra is a bit partial to the odd glass of red iykwim! ;0) so when I saw this sweet Bella I thought of her straight away, I used my pro markers to colour her in and some of my fave Sweet Always papers to match. The great layout comes from CPS this week- love it!, charm from stash, flowers, sentiment and ribbon by SU! other goodies used were nesties and card candy. Here are a couple of close ups for you to inspect as I still don't know how you make it so every time you click on the picture it gets bigger, any advice greatly appreciated as mine only work sometimes ??!!

Let me know what you think as I love to read your comments,

Have a lovely rest of the day and I hope it's warm wherever you are ;0)

Hugs Sarah-Jane xx

Love this weather !!

Evening all,

Sorry I haven't posted much this last few days but it's just been so busy and the weather so lovely!! I LOVE the summer! ;0) I hope all is well with you all. Well I had my class on Saturday and it went very well, now booking for next months summer class, see side bar for details. Here is what we made this month, all ready for Fathers Day...

I also have made a couple more of the flower pot cards and I thought I would share these with you. These were both made using the Simply Scrappin' Kit 'Love Stories'.

**Update on Paper Share and Ribbon & Hodgepodge share still some places left, email me for details or click on one of the links**

Well, we went to the beach yesterday, it was so clear and sunny, and we had a lovely relaxing time with a picnic whilst the kids played football and on their scooters!

Then today was quite busy in comparison! We went to the forest this morning for a little stroll through the woods and did some (much needed) gardening when we came home. I love it when the kids are off as there is no pressure on them and we just get to enjoy being a family together, my three even get on well when they only have each other to play with (oops, I hope I haven't jinxed it now! lol!)

Hope you all have a lovely week in the sun (fingers crossed!) and don't forget to enjoy your kids, they grow up way too fast!! ;0)

Hugs Sarah-Jane xx

Jems challenge with the Queen of 3D !!

Evening All ! Welcome to our monthly challenge between us SU! sistas! This month was a 3D item challenge set by the super talented Sarah B.

Without further adieu here they are...

Well to say I found this a challenge would be the understatement of the decade!!! Not least 'cause I know how fab Sarah B is with all things 3D !! I hope they are O.K. Sarah? and thanks for the wonderful challenge, it's good to step outside the old comfort zone once in a while xx

Here they are a little closer up, Just realised that the white one doesn't look very gold, but it really is, Honest!! Light was fading a little when I took these photos.
Materials used were: Cartons and lovely cotton string supplied by Sarah, Pocket silhouette stamps (SU!) with gold and white embossing powder and a couple of buttons all from stash.

Right, I am off to look round the other girls projects now, looking forward to seeing their creations, Thanks for stopping by,

Hugs, Sarah-Jane xx

Notebook for a man

Afternoon all,

I hope your day is going well, we have been out this morning for a walk in the forest with the dog, she has slept all afternoon! Well, she is old now (16.5!!) poor love and she only has little legs too, lol!

Anyway, here is the notebook we will be doing on Saturday for my Male themed class, perfect for taking to the DIY store with all the measurements for all those little jobs we keep requesting!

I am really looking forward to Saturday and I hope the ladies who are coming are too! It will be nice to get a couple of cards made for those men in our lives ;0)

Here is a close up, I have made this nice and flat for going in the glove box etc :0) The little charm I picked up at the 99p shop the other day, The rest is SU! Choc chip card, Designer paper, 1/4" grosgrain ribbon and ink & Schoolbook Serif Alphabet stamps, Scallop edge Punch.

Well that's it guys, If there is anyone local to me then I still have one or two places left, details in the side bar,

Hugs Sarah-Jane xx

Loads of love for Saturday

Hiya all,

Gonna have to be quick today again as Zack off to pre-school in a mo!

As promised here is the next sneeky peek at Saturdays class.

I have used the great 'Loads of Love' set for this one and some gorgeous close to cocoa for the base card, I also used 'Old Olive DSP' {in the share} other items used (all SU!) 'Loads of love accessories', Earth elements button, Linen thread, Oval and Scalloped Oval Punches, 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon.

Above is a close up of the truck which I coloured using ink pads and blender pens.

Still a couple of places left for Saturdays class, details in the side bar.

Thanks for dropping by and for any comments you may leave, they really brighten my day :0)

Hugs Sarah-Jane xx

Become a Demo with me!!

Just a quick post to let you know you can join Stampin' Up! for just £99 this month!! Wowzers!! Now is a great time to join, even if it is just as a hobby demo (great discounts and no penalties/tie in), as the start up costs are minimal,

For more info email me on sarah-janerae@sky.com

Look forward to hearing from you soon, Hugs Sarah-Jane xx

SU! Designer Series Paper Offer

Afternoon all,

Just a short post to tell you about the other fantastic Stampin' Up! special offer this month. Yes, I know, 2 offers !

This one is brill for all of you that love SU! papers. If you buy 3 packs of any of Stampin' Up' papers (pages 70 and 71, online catalogue in side bar), including the retired ones in the back of the catalogue (page 93) subject to stock availability and the lovely NEW ones from the mini catty, you get a fourth pack for free!!

If you don't want four whole packs check out the post above for details on the current paper share I am doing :)

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Hugs Sarah-Jane xx

Saturdays class sneek peek!

Hello folks!

Hope you are all doing well today, it's just started to rain here :0( but we have been out in Hythe this morning, Zack was charming the ladies in the cafe! lol!

Anyway here I have the first one of the cards we will make on Saturday at my "Lads and Dads" class, I am really looking forward to this class as I have so many ideas for men's cards with just one or two stamp sets!

For today's card I have used a card blank from CWC and the rest is SU! choc chip dsp {included in the paper share}, matching choc chip card, ribbon and ink, very vanilla ribbon, bashful blue ink used on the shrink plastic (loving shrink!) and Oval all and Schoolbook Serif Alphabet. Punches used are oval and scalloped oval and not forgetting the scallop edge.

Here is a fancy shot to show the layers. Well I still have a couple of places left for Saturday so if you are near please, don't be shy and drop me a line, all contact details in the side bar.

Edit to say: I'm entering this card into Crystals Fathers day contest which has a blue and brown theme, Hope you don't mind I cheated a little by using this one :0)

Happy Tuesday (only 4 days 'till the l-o-n-g weekend ;0) yay!)

Come back tomorrow for another sneak peak,

Hugs Sarah-Jane xx

A card, a new challenge blog and an award!

Morning peeps!

Bit late again as I have been off blog hopping! What fun!! Onto that in a little while though. Here is my card for you today. This is another one I have made for my nan for her friend. I have used Stampin' Up! goodies for this one, Kraft card stock, Kraft patterned paper (hostess level 1) Bashful blue DSP (in my share) yummy striped grosgrain ribbon, flowers from One of a Kind stamp set, punched out with matching Boho Blossoms punch and then popped up with foam pads, Sentiment from the Occasional Greetings set.

Other supplies are nesties and Martha Stewart punch, I also added a little bit on the inside :0)

***

Right onto the new challenge blog, looks gooood!!! It's called The Next Level and has been set up by Dawn (All Pink Girl) and Ann (Majesty- Love to create) to give us some challenges and also new ideas and techniques, Sounds like it's going to be a lot of fun. They have 2 candy's on offer to celebrate their launch too.

***

Lastly I am thrilled to have been given an award from the lovely and talented Jan. Pop over to her blog and take a look,

Right onto the rules of this award,

:1) link back to the person who gave it to you; done

2) put the picture award on your blog; done

3) you can nominate anyone and as many as you choose; done

4) leave a fact that no one knows about you; and hmm, not sure about this one may have to think a while!

5) leave a comment on the blog that gave you this award done!

Now, onto the hard part! choosing who to pass it onto!!

Steph,

Sarah B,

Sam,

Ruby,

Bev,

Angie,

Riet,

O.K. so there are loads more I could pass this onto but I would be here forever! lol! Thanks for hanging in there with me,

Be sure to pop back tomorrow as I am makng samples today for my class on Saturday which is a male themed class, SOME SPACES STILL AVAILABLE, I would love it if you could make it! contact details in the side bar,

Hugs Sarah-Jane xx

Molly's card

Afternoon folks,

I trust you are all having a nice Saturday? We went out for a bit and had a wader around the shops (non-craft!) and picked up a few bargains.

Anyway, just popped on to show you the card I have made for the little girl who's twin, Dylan's card, I showed you yesterday ;0)

I used my gorjuss girls and some of my favourite Sweet Always papers, {In the paper share, see here}, some Regal rose grosgrain ribbon, card candy from CWC and nesties to cut her out.

I kept the layout nice and simple for this one to made the image and the paper the most important part of this card.

I also used a safety pin and charm from my stash and sentiment is from 'Sincere Salutations' stamped in Regal Rose.

Have a nice rest of the weekend all, I will be back soon with some more of the cards I made for my nan to send, she goes home tomorrow, I unfortunately haven't seen much of her this time she has visited due to having a sick child and not wanting her to catch the bug :0( Hopefully she will be down again soon.

BFN!

Hugs Sarah-Jane xx

Dylans Card with OCC

Hello all,
I have made a card today which is a request from a friend for a five year old.
I have used the sketch from Our Creative Corner to make it and the colour combo was taken from the lovely Summer Picnic Papers but I have used papers from Haiku, Old Olive DSP and Bashful Blue DSP, all of which are included in my paper share offer ;) {see here}


I have used Billy from Pink Cat Studio and coloured him with pro markers, I also added glossy accents to the frog...here is a close up

Name cut with Quick cuts dies using Bashful blue dsp, Linen thread and buttons both SU!

Well, I hope you have a god weekend, I hope to be back later with a card for this little boys twin sister!

Hugs Sarah-Jane xx

Sugar Bowl Sketch by Marlene

Hello peeps,

I know I am very late today and this will have to be quick as I'm off to work tonight! Here is a card following the Sugar Bowl sketch which was by Marlene (you may have guessed that from the title! lol!) I also thought I would use Stampin' Up! papers to show you how lovely they are ;) If you want to try them all, and who wouldn't ?! Then go here to see the details of my paper share, Great value as they are on offer at the mo and it basically means you get the 3 from the mini included in the price that you would normally pay for the just the ones from the main catalogue!

Any way here it is

Only one picture as it's been chucking it down here this afternoon and I had to lean out the door just to get this (half decent) piccie!

I have used the lovely Sweet Always papers, Daisy image from funky kits coloured with pro markers and Copics, Regal Rose and Choc Chip card stock, Linen thread, Prima flowers and buttons from stash and some (shh, new) nesties to cut her out!

Hope you all have a good rest of the day,

Hugs Sarah-Jane xx

Mojo for Nans Sister!

Hello all,

Thanks for all your encouraging comments you left yesterday, I can't honestly say my mojo is back... but I did manage to make this card for my nan to give to her sister next week! Now, I don't often get to make cards for my nan to give, just to send to her, as she lives in Birmingham (and we live in Southampton!) but, she is down for a week staying with Mum. I didn't go and see her yesterday though as Josh was poorly, he is better today but not at school as he had a very restless night with the temperature, lots of mumbling in his sleep :( poor love. Back to school tomorrow though me thinks, anyway onto the card :)

I used the following (all SU!) Sweet always papers, Regal rose cs, A Rose is a Rose stamped in regal Rose and Rose red, Regal rose ribbon, Stamp-a-ma-jig, scallop edge punch, Dazzling Diamonds glitter on roses. Other: nesties and computer generated sentiment.

I used this weeks Mojo sketch for the layout on this card and I am happy with the final card, Got a list of about 5 more to do this week so that should get the old creative juices flowing!

Here it is at a jaunty angle so you can see the layers and (not really well) the glitter!

Have a good day, must dash just realised the time , got to take Zack to school !

Hugs Sarah-Jane xx

Best Wishes

Morning,

First of all I must apologise for being such a bad blogger this last few days, unfortunately I just haven't got any mojo and I just sit and look at it all!!!! Anyway I am going to look up a couple of sketches today and see if I can find my missing mojo.

I did make one card last week which I haven't posted yet. I used my lovely Miss Anya stamps and matched it to some lovely DCWV papers called Nana's Kitchen, mmmm yummmy! I also used Real red ribbon, oval all stamps and punches and Linen thread to tie it to the ribbon.

Well, I'm off to do a bit of mojo hunting !!

Have a good day,

Hugs Sarah-Jane xx

Mojo Monday

Good morning to you,

How's your day going? It's raining here again today :( We are supposed to be going for a day out with some camping friends tomorrow so I hope it stops soon or that field is not going to be nice !!

Anyway onto the card, This is one I told you about the other day and wasn't sure about, I made it using this weeks Mojo sketch which I really liked, it was just the card I wasn't sure about! lol!

I have changed the sentiment to a retirement one and added a golf bag, {seems most men who retire from the fire service take up golf! lol!} I am much happier with this now,

This is a mostly SU! card all of which you can buy through me :o) I used some more of the lovely Always Artichoke DSP, some Washington Apple DSP {on offer at the moment :) } both of which I have matted onto co-ordinating card. Linen thread wrapped around the top. Sentiment is a sale-a-bration set and Golf bag charm and frame from stash.

Here is a fancy angle to see the layers.

Well hope you have a good weekend and thanks for stopping by and for any comments you may leave, I really love to read them all :)

Hugs Sarah-Jane xx

A few thing to share

Morning all,

Hope your week is going well, I have a couple of things to share with you today. The first is that I have a new email address ! It is in the side bar for you to find whenever you need to contact me, don't worry, I am still using the other one and so can you too if you want to, but I thought it may be easier to have my own email for blogging and any orders.

Second is to say thank-you to the very thoughtful and talented Alex who kindly gave me 2 awards, I am ashamed to say a couple of weeks ago, I really do appreciate being given these awards and am very sorry for being a bad blogger and not posting earlier (((hugs alex)))

Lastly I actually have a card to show you! My mojo has gone completely at the mo, hopefully it will be back soon! I had a text yesterday morning from a friend saying can you make me a card for my dads 65th birthday, oh, and I need it by tonight!!! Well this took me forever to make and is actually the second card I made for her (first one was O.K. but I didn't think it was special enough for a 65th, I will show it to you later when I have adapted it for a more general birthday)

I am actually really pleased with the end result. All SU! available through me: I used my All in the Family set for this but masked the head as her dad is bald ( I drew in the top of the head with a pen!) Always Artichoke DSP (level 1 Hostess) Always artichoke cardstock, Schoolbook Serif Alphabet to spell out "dad" in the same colour ink and finally I die cut 65 from matching card as I don't have the nubers to match (yet!) which I then coated in Glossy Accents, nesties Labels 1 and ribbon from stash.

I hope you like it too, Thanks for dropping by and for any comments you may leave,

Edit to say, I am entering this into cupcakes craft challenge which this week is to put numbers on your card and this one fits! yay! (thanks to Julie x)

Hugs Sarah-Jane xx

May calender page

Hello,

I hope you have all had a lovely long weekend! I unfortunately had to work :( but I did have a lovely day on Saturday and thank-you for your kind wishes for our anniversary. Hubby really did spoil me this year and as we don't normally do presents it was a real surprise! Here are the lovely flowers he got me

and here are my kiddies when we went out for tea, this was thier choice of pose for the camera, honest! at least I can show them this when they are older and say "look, you were friends sometimes !" lol!

Anyway onto the calender, I have used my very favourite stamps, which I haven't used nearly enough...yet! Crazy for cupcakes, which I coloured in using my ink pads and a blender pen. I also used schoolbook serif alphabet, 5 petal and Boho Blossoms punches and not forgetting the very lovely SWEET ALWAYS Papers which are on offer at the moment! (4 for 3 bargain!) I know I shall be stocking up on these this month!

Well thanks for stopping by and lisening to me go on about my anniversary!

and don't forget only 4 days 'till the weekend again!

We are going for a look round Zacks "big school" this afternoon ( OMG! what will I do when my baby goes to school too?!!?!! ) but I will have to be brave...

Have a good day,

Hugs Sarah-Jane xx

A Hug for Elaine

Morning all, I have scheduled this post so here's hoping you get to see it! I am off out today with hubby as we are celebrating our 13th wedding anniversary. Not too sure where we are going yet but I will let you know on Sunday! (in case you are interested, lol)
I have sent this card to my lovely SU! sister Elaine .

Sending you a big (((hug))) Elaine and if you need anything you know where we are xx

Card made using SU! dsp in choc chip and using Sincere salutations for the outside sentiment and one of a kind for the flowers , the with love sentiment was from Yummy. This card was also done for a challenge but I missed it by a mile ! lol! (Jan!) I used this weeks sketch from the Sunday Sketch challenge blog by the lovely Karen Giron. Never mind will be more organised next week! (maybe!)

I made this the other night whilst having a virtual chat (and challenges) with my Stampin' Up! sisters, organised by our SU! mum Julie, we had to make a card inspired by our home and I have lots of different brown tiles in my bathroom and a hot pink bathmat, so this comes from there too.

Hope you all have a good day and thanks for stopping by,

Hugs to ya, Sarah-Jane xx

Stamp with fun challenge card

Hello,

I have a quick post for you tonight I made this card following the Stamp with fun sketch by the lovely Bev. I also did it in pink and green for the Just Magnolia challenge but am too late for this one :( doh!

I used Basic Grey Two scoops paper with cross stitch Tilda coloured with my PM's, crotchet trim form stash, flower made by MIL,. Loved this sketchand I will definately use it again, Thanks Bev!

I have a post scheculed for tomorrow as we are going out, hope you all have a good weekend ,

Hugs Sarah-Jane xx