In my "itsy bitsy little polka dot bikini"!

OK ... so it's not me in my itsy bitsy little polka dot bikini you understand. I'm sure there's probably a law against that! :oD!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway, I hope you're all well today. 

It's new challenge time at Whoopsi Daisy and this week we're giving you the option of style either Fun in the Sun or Summer ... now that's a bit of wishful thinking as our spring/summer weather here in the UK appears to be around for a couple of days and then we get some more cool and dreary weather!

As usual, Linnie is offering our lucky prize winner one sheet of images from the Whoopsi Daisy Store, unless you've used a Whoopsi Daisy Image for your project in which case you can choose two sheets of images.




Summer fun is definitely enjoying the sunshine, preferably at the beach. So for this challenge, I've used one of Linnie's past freebie images which is just perfect for my idea of summer!!!!! And here's my card which, apart from the base card, is made up entirely of freebies!:

My card recipe is as follows:

• Base Card - is Centura Pearl in Ivory which I cut, scored and folded to make a 12cm square card.
• Design Papers - are from the July 2012 Cardmaking & Papercraft Magazine. How perfect are these beach hut and "swimmies" papers for a summer card?
  
• Image - this little one dipping her toes into the waves is by Linnie at Whoopsi Daisy and she was a freebie on Linnie's blog in March of this year. If you're not already following Linnie's blog then you really should as she sometimes offers her followers some lovely goodies! I have brought this cutie to life using my Spectrum Noir Pens and Craf-T Chalks in the following colours:
• Skin - FS4, FS5
• Lips - CR5
• Hair - GB8, GB10
• Hair Ribbons - CG3, CG4
• Bikini - CG3, CG4, EB1
• Sunglasses - OR3, FS6
• Outline - BT1
• Sky - Chalk in Light Blue
• Sand - Chalk in Tan
• Sea - Chalk in Turquoise with a sprinkling of White Glitter to get the effect of the sun glinting off the sea!
• Sentiments -  is perfect for this card, and is a freebie by my very generous blogging buddy Annette. If you head over there, please be sure to let her know that I sent you!

So there you have it ... my idea of Fun in the Sun! I do hope you'll come over to Whoopsi Daisy Challenge and have a look at the wonderful creations by the other Divas and come back to show us your Summer-y creations. Don't forget that if you're using a Whoopsi Daisy image then you don't have to follow this week's theme!!! This challenge closes on Sunday 23rd June 2013.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

• Challenge #38 - Anything Goes With Chalk at Chalk-Ah-Lot Cafe
• June Monthly Challenge - Summer Fun at Stamp and Create
• PNDC #6 - Summer Lovin' at The Paper Nest Dolls
• ABC33 - Summer at 'ABC' Challenges
• Challenge #12 - Bright and Breezy at The Crafty Bloggers Network
• Challenge #176 - Summer at Kaboodle Doodles
• June Monthly Challenge - The Great Outdoors at Lady Anne's Challenges
• June Challenge - Anything Goes with an Optional Twist at Mema's Crafts - I've taken the twist of Summer/Vacation

Hope you have a great day!

Hugs, Helen x

Vintage-y ... I hope!

Hello friends!

I hope you are well. Last week was half term here so it was a week of "no get ups"! Back to the alarm this morning, but there's only 7 and a bit weeks until the summer holidays. :o) Nice to see some sunshine again, although who knows how long it will last!


Anyway, it's new challenge time at Whoopsi Daisy and this week we're giving you the option of style either  Shabby Chic or Vintage ... another challenge for me as I don't make many cards in either of these styles.

As usual, Linnie is offering our lucky prize winner one sheet of images from the Whoopsi Daisy Store, unless you've used a Whoopsi Daisy Image for your project in which case you can choose two sheets of images. Linnie has let us loose in the store once more, and here is this week's project, using the current sketch challenge at Little Miss Muffet for the layout, for you:

I was aiming to hit Vintage, but I'm not sure if I achieved it! Anyway my card recipe is as follows:

• Base Card - made from Centura Pearl in Dark Chocolate which I cut and scored to make a 15cm square card
• Design Papers - are all from a collection by Summer at Summertime Designs called All Is Calm. This is actually a winter kit, but I love the colours of it, which hint at a touch of vintage style. The bottom layer is called Pinstripes, the next layer is called Dots, and the top layer is called Red Damask. I've edged all the papers with Craf-T Chalk and a damp dish sponge (!) in Light Brown.
  
• Image - is one of Linnie's "Little Misses" and she is one of the two images available on Sheet 453. I used the pre-coloured version; I needed to be able to make this card quite quickly as I spent last week out and about with my family. However, there is a line drawing of this gorgeous girl, so you can take your time and choose your own colours. I also edge distressed the oval with Craf-T Chalk in Light Brown.
• Sentiment - is by Paulette at Create with TLC and I re-coloured using my word processing package to match the papers. The Banner is home-made, also using my word processing package.
• Pearls - are from my stash and are coloured using my Spectrum Noir Pen in shade DR7 before mounting them onto another Banner shape.

I do hope you'll come over to Whoopsi Daisy Challenge and have a look at the wonderful creations by the other Divas. Then come back and show us your projects which are either Vintage or Shabby Chic. Don't forget that if you're using a Whoopsi Daisy image then you don't have to follow this week's theme!!! This challenge closes on Sunday 9th June 2013.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenge:

• Challenge #62 - Sketch at Little Miss Muffet I've rotated the sketch through 90 degrees  ... and then added the banners!
• Spots and Stripes at Joanna Sheen

I'll be back a little later with my next post.

Hugs, Helen x

Watching the Flowers Grow ...

Good morning friends - I hope you are well. I'm not sure what has happened to the UK weather this last week, but it seems as though Spring has turned her back on us!!!

It's new challenge time at Whoopsi Daisy and this week we're really hoping that Spring has sprung as we'd like to see your May Flowers ... just in time for the first RHS Show of the season, Chelsea Flower Show! Those of you who are so talented at embellishing your projects with beautiful flowers will love this challenge ... for me this was more than a slight challenge!

As usual, Linnie is offering our lucky prize winner one sheet of images from the Whoopsi Daisy Store, unless you've used a Whoopsi Daisy Image for your project in which case you can choose two sheets of images. Linnie invited the DT to peruse the store again, but I chose to use this sweet image which was a freebie on the store blog, I think last summer (although if anyone knows better, please let me know!)

My project recipe is as follows:

• Base Card - made from Centura Pearl in Snow White which I cut and scored to make a 15cm square card
  
• Design Papers - are both from a collection called Emma's Garden which was a magazine freebie. I've edged this with a deep raspberry coloured border which I've tool distressed
• Image - as I've said, this beautiful image was a freebie last year, and it's called Girl and Butterflies. I brought this idyllic scene to life using my Spectrum Noir Pens and chalks in the following colours:
• Skin - FS2, FS3
• Hair - GB7, GB8
• Top -  BP1, BP2
• Trousers - EB2, IB1, IB2, IB3
• Hat - EB1, EB2
• Butterflies - IB2, GB1
• Flowers - CG3, GB4, BP5, BP7
• Background - Craf-T Chalk in Light Blue, Dark Brown, Light Brown, Dark Green and Green 
• Sentiment - is by Paulette at Create with TLC and I think this Happy Birthday Flag has to be one of the sentiments I use most regularly. I changed the colour of the sentiment by taking in into my word processing programme and recolouring it to one of the shades of blue so it fitted in with the card.
• Flowers - were made by taking a floral patterned sheet from  Emma's Garden Collection and punching the flower shapes with my flower punch. Once the shapes were adhered to the card, I then stuck Gems from stash onto them to "bling" them up a bit!
• Ribbon - is a thin pink organdie ribbon from my stash (originally from a local haberdashery store). I used 2 strands which I twisted together a couple of times in the middle to give the unusual style.

I do hope you'll come over to Whoopsi Daisy Challenge and have a look at the wonderful floral creations made by the Divas. Then come back and show us your projects featuring May Flowers. Don't forget that if you're using a Whoopsi Daisy image then you don't have to follow this week's theme!!! This challenge closes on Sunday 26th May 2012.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

• Day 134 - Overlapped at 365 Cards
• Challenge #54 - Squares at Ruby's Rainbow
• Challenge #217 - Recipe (1 Image, 1, Sentiment, 2 Patterned Papers, 3 Embellishments) at Dutch Dare Card Challenges - my embellishments are the flower punch shapes, gems and ribbon twist
• Girls, Girls, Girls at Joanna Sheen
• Feminine at The Stamp Spot - Second Entry
• CMM69 - Punches at Card Makin' Mamas

I'll be back later this week with some more DT projects. In the meantime, have a good day!

Hugs, Helen x

50 Shades of Pink

Good morning friends and hope you are well. A rather belated but still a very warm welcome to Robyn who is my newest follower ... sit back and I hope you enjoy the crafting ride!!!!!

I'm a tad late posting with the start of a new challenge at Whoopsi Daisy - I hurt my back over the weekend and it's only just eased up enough to be able to sit for a length of time and craft/blog! Anyway, back to the challenge! Our theme this week is For a Special Lady/Mother's Day. Here in the UK, we've already celebrated Mothering Sunday, so I've gone with the theme of "For a Special Lady".

As usual, our lovely "boss" Linnie is offering our lucky prize winner one sheet of images from the Whoopsi Daisy Store, unless you've used a Whoopsi Daisy Image for your project in which case you can choose two sheets of images. Linnie has also let us all loose in her store again,  and allowed us our choice of image for this challenge.

Before I show you my project for this week, I'd like to explain a little about why I've created this project and why the recipient is so special:

Karen is a colleague at school and a Breast Cancer Survivor. Late last year, Karen underwent surgery and was found to have secondary Breast Cancer. She has been receiving treatment for this and is determined to kick the big C into touch once more. She is fund-raising like mad for several Cancer Charities here in the UK and her biggest project is to hold a "50 Shades of Pink" Grand Ball in the autumn to raise at least £1000 for Breakthrough Breast Cancer UK, to help fund research into a cure for this dreadful disease.

Of course, my brain went into overdrive (I really wish it would sometimes consult me first :o)!!!!!) ... and this is the result, something that Karen can use for tickets, menus, advertising etc.:

My project recipe is as follows:

• Base Card - made from Centura Pearl in Fuschia (mine came in a pack called Brights from Crafter's Companion which doesn't appear to be available at the moment) which I cut to A6 in size (10.6cm x 14.8cm)
• Image - this glamorous girl is from Sheet 448 and is one of Linnie's newer creations ... I call them the "Misses" as the images are of older girls/ladies. As with a number of Linnie's newest sheets, this sheet comes with 2 different images, and both come coloured (great if you need a quick card) or as a line drawing if you want to take time over your project. I brought this Belle of the Ball to to life using my
  
   Spectrum Noir Pens in the following colours:
• Skin - FS2, FS3, BP1
• Hair - GB8, GB10
• Dress -  IG1, BP1, Colourless Blender
• Stole - BP5, BP6, BP7
• Jewellery - Silver Gel Pen
• Outline - BT1
• Sentiment Tickets and Pink Ribbon - are by Debbie from The Crafty Pad Designs (her designs are available from Card Making Downloads) and these were freebies from the challenge blog last year in support of our Crafty Pad teamie Dawn who, at that time, was doing her own fundraisers for Breakthrough BreastCancer. I digitally set out the sentiment tickets around the edge of the card before inserting the rest of the wording, which was computer generated. The ribbon using my Spectrum Noir Pens in shades BP5 and BP6 before being affixed to the card.

Both Linnie and Debbie have very kindly given their generous and full permission for their images to be used on this layout for the fundraising, and I can't thank them enough for their support. 

Ladies - you're truly wonderful ... x x x mwah x x x  

Do come over to Whoopsi Daisy Challenge and have a look at the stunning creations that some of the Divas have made for For a Special Lady/Mother's Day. Then come back and show us your creations - this challenge closes on Sunday 12th May. And don't forget, as usual, if you use a Whoopsi Daisy image then you don't have to follow this week's theme!!!

I would like to enter this project into the following challenges:

• Challenge #66 - A Very Special Occasion at Fairy Tale Challenge
• Girly Girl at Jellypark Challenge - Second Entry
• Support Your Favourite Charity at Sweet Pea Stampers
• Challenge #7 - Monochrome at Lacy Sunshine Challenge
• Challenge #40 - Monotone at Artistic Inspiration
• Challenge #64 - For Mom or Special Lady at Love to Create Challenge
• IIC#108 - Mother's Day / For a Lady at Inky Impressions

Hope you have a great week.

Hugs, Helen x

With Red and White Love!

Hello friends and happy St. George's Day to my English followers!

It's been a glorious day here on the south coast of the UK - the sun's still out, there are a few clouds in the sky, I've had a line full of washing ... the only damper is that is that the clothes will need ironing later! Still, at least it seems we've got a spell of warmer weather. Just hope this isn't our summer :o)!!! I hope the weather is just as nice in your area. Welcome to Jackie, my newest follower - hope you enjoy this crafting journey!

Well, with apologies to the team, I'm a day late with this post. Yesterday saw the start of a new challenge at Whoopsi Daisy, and our theme for you this week is Use a Circle on your Creation.

Our lucky winner's prize is (as usual) one sheet of images from the Whoopsi Daisy Store, unless you've used a Whoopsi Daisy Image for your project in which case you can choose two sheets of images. Linnie has let us all loose in her store again, and if you haven't visited in the last couple of weeks, now would be a good time to go. Not only are there some beautiful new images there (including my favourites 'the misses'!) but there's also a really sweet freebie there for you.

For my card this week, I've used the current sketch at Chocolate, Coffee & Cards and have also been inspired by the St. George's Colour Combo of Red and White at Ladybug Crafts Ink, and here is my card for you:

My card recipe is as follows:

• Base Card - is Centura Pearl in Snow White which I cut, scored and folded to make a 12cm square card.
• Borders - have been embossed using the Bubbles border on my Ultimate Pro Embossing Board Teddy Surprise and Butterflies directly onto my base card. I wanted to make it appear as though one of the border was on top of the other (as per the sketch) and actually embossed it like this. However, I think I'll need to have a re-think on this technique, as it hasn't worked!!!!!
  
• Design Paper - is Paper 1 and it's from a mini scrapping kit called Only You by Studio Basic Designs at Sweete Shoppe Designs. I've taken the paper into my word processing programme, and superimposed a circle with a broad line over the paper, to give the impression of a matted layer.
• Image - is of course by Linnie from Whoopsi Daisy and she is a pre-coloured image from Sheet 444. She's one of the newer images that Linnie has created in her range of older girl images. She shares the sheet with herself as a line drawing, and also with the girl I used in my post Très Chic earlier this month who also comes as both a line drawing and pre-coloured image. I've put this "lovely" in a circle with a broad line around it.
• Pearls - are from my stash and are coloured using my Spectrum Noir Pen in shade DR3

Do come over to Whoopsi Daisy Challenge and have a look at what the other talented Divas have made for your inspiration which feature "Circles on your Creation". Don't forget to come back and show us your projects - you've got until Sunday 28th April to link your creations up. And don't forget, as usual, if you use a Whoopsi Daisy image then you don't have to follow this week's theme!!!

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

• Challenge #37 - Layout at Chocolate, Coffee & Cards
• Challenge #52 - Round and Round at Ruby's Rainbow
• Challenge #180 - Embossing at Totally Gorjuss
• Challenge #42 - Clean and Simple at The Cutie Pie Challenge
• Colour Combo - Red & White at Ladybug Crafts Ink
• Challenge #83 - Digi Days at Bearly Mine Designs
• Seasonal Fun Challenge Group at Crafter's Digital Art Center - this is seasonal because today is St. George's Day (St. George is the Patron Saint of England) and his colours are red and white, hence the colours of my card!
• Challenge #109 - Clean and Simple at Celebrate the Occasion

Hope you enjoy your week.

Hugs, Helen x

Très Chic!

This is my first post of the day - please scroll up to see my second

Good morning friends and I hope you are well. Welcome to Viv, my newest follower ... hope you enjoy this crafting journey with me! I think I've finally shaken most of the bug that I had last week; unfortunately, I've given it to my family and they are sooooo not impressed with me. Oooops!!!

This morning brings a new challenge over at Whoopsi Daisy, and our theme for you this week is Swirls.

Our lucky winner's prize is (as usual) one sheet of images from the Whoopsi Daisy Store, unless you've used a Whoopsi Daisy Image for your project in which case you can choose two sheets of images. Linnie has also kindly let the DT loose in her store to choose an image to showcase.

I've chosen one of Linnie's newest digis to showcase this week, and here is my card:

My card recipe is as follows:

• Base Card - made from Black card which I cut, scored and folded to make a 15cm square card
• Design Papers - the top one is from a paper collection called Emma's Garden which was a magazine freebie last month. I love the gorgeous colour, and the beautiful swirls. The bottom paper is by  Summer of Summertime Designs and comes from her kit Thanks for Giving - it's called "Torn Cream Paper"
• Image - This gorgeous girl is from Sheet 444 and she is just one of the gorgeous digis drawn by Linne at Whoopsi Daisy. On this sheet there are 2 "older" images, but both are included pre-coloured (for when you need a card in a hurry) and line drawning digis so you can spend more time colouring. I've brought this girl to life using my Spectrum Noir Pens and chalk for the background
• Flourish - is also by Summer of Summertime Designs and comes from the Thanks for Giving kit. It doesn't come in black, so I exported the swirl into my word processing programme and digitally re-coloured it to match my project. I also cut a small slit in the swirl so I could slip one corner of the image shape into it, to make it look like the flourish is a die, rather than a digi creation - do you like this?
• Sentiment - is of course by Paulette at Create with TLC and this was a freebie on her blog just last week.

Do come over to Whoopsi Daisy Challenge and see the other gorgeous creations the Divas have made with  "Swirls". Then, don't forget to come and show us your creations - you've got until Sunday 15th April to link your creations up. And, don't forget if you use a Whoopsi Daisy image, then you can make any style of card or project - you don't have to follow this week's theme!

I would like to enter this card into the following challenge:

• Challenge #36 - Colour Inspiration at Chocolate, Coffee and Cards
• April Monthly Challenge - Pastel Colours and/or Polka Dots at Great Impressions Stamps
• Challenge #41 - Inspired by a Song or Movie at The Squirrel and The Fox - it just has to be the movie "Pretty Woman", although I don't remember Julia Roberts' character wearing anything quite this demure ;o)
• Girly Birthday Challenge at Creative Corner Challenges
• Challenge #166 - Use Any Shade of Pink at Kaboodle Doodles
• Challenge #161 - Birthday Girl in Pink at Totally Papercrafts
• Challenge #41 - Favourite Film at The Cutie Pie Challenge - "Pretty Woman"

Hope you have a great day - Hugs, Helen x

Dance like no-one's watching!

This is my first post of the day - please scroll up to see my second

Good morning friends and I hope you are well. Welcome to Deb, my newest follower ... hope you enjoy this crafting journey with me! So much for it being spring! Parts of the UK are under several inches of snow (which is enough to bring life grinding to a halt here!) although we've only got a bitterly cold wind and a little rain! I hope you are keeping warm and well, wherever you are.

This morning brings a new challenge for the Team A Divas at Whoopsi Daisy, and our theme for you this week is Use a Digi - easy peasy, and with so many gorgeous digital images and papers out in the "WWW", there can be no reason for you not joining in!

Our lucky winner's prize is (as usual) one sheet of images from the Whoopsi Daisy Store, unless you've used a Whoopsi Daisy Image for your project in which case you can choose two sheets of images. Linnie has also kindly let the DT loose in her store to choose an image to showcase.

I've chosen one of Linnie's older digis to showcase this time, and here is my card using an image which Linnie launched last spring:

My card recipe is as follows:

• Base Card - made from Centura Pearl in Red (originally from a pack of Christmas colours) which I cut, scored and folded to make a 12cm square card
• Design Paper - is from the Romance CD from the Popcorn the Bear Platinum Triple CD-Rom Collection.
• Image - This gorgeous girl is from Sheet 346 and she is just one of the gorgeous digis drawn by Linne at Whoopsi Daisy. On this sheet there are 4 beautiful images, including this ballerina. I've brought this girl to life using my Spectrum Noir Pens in the following colours:


• Skin - FS2, FS3, FS6
• Hair - EB5, EB8
• Bow in Hair - EB1, EB2, CR10
• Leotard - EB1, EB2
• Tutu - CR10, CR11
• Leggings - EB1, EB2, IG10, True Black
• Outline - IG1, IG2
• Edge Distressing - Craf-T chalk in Tan
• Ribbon - is red organza ribbon from my stash
• Sentiment - is from the Happy Birthday Sentiments Set by Debbie at The Crafty Pad Designs

Do come over to Whoopsi Daisy Challenge and see the other gorgeous creations the Divas have made "Using a Digi". Then, don't forget to come and show us your creations - you've got until Sunday 31st March to link your creations up. And, don't forget if you use a Whoopsi Daisy image, then you can make any style of card or project - you don't have to follow this week's theme!

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

• March Challenge #20 - Happy Birthday at The Pretty Little Ribbon Shop
• Challenge #156 - Use a Digi at One Stitch at a Time
• Challenge #170 - Just Dance at The Corrosive Challenge Blog
• Ribbon or Lace at Paper Crafting Journey
• March Monthly Challenge - Girly at Bunny Zoe's Crafts

I'll be back later with my next post of the day. In the meantime, take care.

Hugs, Helen x

Pretty in Pink

Evening All,

Just a swift post from me as I'm very behind with my card making and blogging due to computer "gremlins" delaying me!!!!! Anyway I'm here now with this week's card for Whoopsi Daisy, and our theme for you this week is Button or Bow - use one of these on your card.

Our lucky winner's prize is (as usual) one sheet of images from the Whoopsi Daisy Store, unless you've used a Whoopsi Daisy Image for your project in which case you can choose two sheets of images.





Here is my card for you using one of Linnie's pretty digis available from her store:

My card recipe is as follows:

• Base Card - made from Centura Pearl in Snow White which I cut, scored and folded to make a 12cm square card.
• Design Papers, Tag, Button & Bulldog Clip Embellishments -  are a Card Companion set from the Strawberry Kisses CD-Rom. I'd forgotten how good these sets are until I was reminded by my lovely blogging friend Julie who has been using matching card companion sets from other CD Roms. Thanks for the reminder Julie!
• Image - This lovely girl is from  Sheet 430 and she is just one of the gorgeous digis drawn by Linne at Whoopsi Daisy. I brought this sweetie to life using my Spectrum Noir Pens.
• Sentiment - is a cover freebie cling stamp from Cardmaking and Papercraft Magazine. It came from a set of "Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady" stamps. I inked this using Memento Ink in Tuxedo Black.
• Twine - from my stash

I hope you'll come over to Whoopsi Daisy, check out the gorgeous samples by my DT colleagues and join in this week's fun!

I would like to enter this card into the following challenge:

• Challenge #145 - 3 Embellisments that start with the letter 'B' at Sentimental Sundays - I've used a Button, Bow and a Bulldog clip!

Hugs, Helen x

Striding Out

This is my first post of the day - please scroll up to see my second

Good morning friends and I hop you are well. It's been bitterly cold here all weekend and we've had lots of flurries of fine, powdery snow! Not enough to settle, but when we took our girls to a local theme park yesterday it certainly gives a different viewpoint on rides! :o)

This morning brings a new challenge for the Team A Divas at Whoopsi Daisy, and our theme for you this week is Use a Sentiment - nice and simple, so there can be no excuses for not coming and joining in!

Our lucky winner's prize is (as usual) one sheet of images from the Whoopsi Daisy Store, unless you've used a Whoopsi Daisy Image for your project in which case you can choose two sheets of images. Linnie has also kindly let the DT loose in her store to choose an image to showcase.

I've done something a little different this time and taken my digital layering one stage further to produce a wholly digital card layout:

This can then be printed out, and affixed directly onto a card blank.

My recipe is as follows:

• Design Papers - Design Papers - are from a set by Summer at Summertime Designs called 'Year to Shine'. The base layer is called Modern Circles and the top layer is called Red Floral. Again, I've used my word processing programme to put a border around each layer, so it looks like they're all matted onto black card.
• Image - This gorgeous girl is from Sheet 389 and she is just one of the gorgeous digis drawn by Linne at Whoopsi Daisy. On the sheet there are just 2 different images, but both images come in a black & white format so you can take the time to colour them yourself, or if you need a quick card then the pre-coloured option (as used here) is perfect! I think these images would suit older girls/teens, and I love this girl's look with her ruffled skirt and bows on her wellies!
• Ribbon - also comes from the 'Year to Shine'  kit and is called Ribbon 5. I love the pulled edge look it has to it!
• Sequins - come from another of Summer's (Summertime Designs ) kits, called 'One Year Older'. 
• Sentiment - is by the lovely Annette at Netty's Cards, and she originally designed this sentiment for me, to bale me out of a huge hole! It is now available, together with some other great freebie sentiments on her blog - if you go over there, be sure to tell her that I sent you! I recoloured the sentiment in a red/burgundy colour so it ties in with the rest of my card, before digitally layering the sentiment over a white circle which had a black border - again giving the impression of there being a mat!

I will print the layout and affix it to a card blank, and add photos later so you can see what it looks like on a card. I'll also get a close up of this gorgeous image for you!

Do come over to Whoopsi Daisy Challenge and see the other gorgeous creations the Divas have made "Using a Sentiment". We also have a blog hop running simultaneously with this challenge and you have the opportunity to win the sheet of image featured on each stop of the "Hop"! Don't forget to come and show us your creations. You've got until Sunday 3rd March to link your creations up. Don't forget if you use a Whoopsi Daisy image, then you can make any style of card or project - you don't have to follow this week's theme!

I would like to enter this card into the following challenge:

• Challenge #4 - Mother's Day or Birthday at Inky Chicks
• Challenge #152 - Use a Digi at One Stitch at a Time
• Layer it Up at Joanna Sheen
• DSC #24 - Anything Goes at Digitally Sweet Challenges
• FYI40 - Photo Inspiration at For Your Inspiration I have been inspired by the colours of the photo, and also the idea of someone needing wellies to "scuff" through all those beautiful fallen leaves!

I'll be back later with my next post of the day. In the meantime, take care.

Hugs, Helen x

Let's Play Tag!

Good morning friends - hope you are well.

This morning brings a new challenge for the Team A Divas at Whoopsi Daisy, and our theme for you this week is Tag It! 

Our lucky winner's prize is (as usual) one sheet of images from the Whoopsi Daisy Store, unless you've used a Whoopsi Daisy Image for your project in which case you can choose two sheets of images. Linnie has also kindly let the DT loose in her store to choose an image to showcase. In the last 10 days, Mr Mojo and I have spent too long huddled under the poorly blanket, so it's been good to finally feel like I have enough energy to craft ... and here is the result:

My card recipe is as follows:

• Base Card - is Neenah Classic Crest Card onto which I printed the image
• Image - This little cutie (I'm not sure if it's a fairy or a sprite!) is from Sheet 284 and she is just one of the gorgeous digis drawn by Linne at Whoopsi Daisy. To bring this little sweetie and star to life, I used my Spectrum Noir Pens in the following colours:
• Skin - FS2, FS3
• Coat - OR1, Silver Gel Pen
• Wings - BT2, Silver Gel Pen, Holographic Embossing Pwder
• Hat - PL4, PL5, BT1, BT4, BT5, Silver Gel Pen
• Mitts - PL4, PL5, BT1, Silver Gel Pen
• Scarf - BT1, Silver Gel Pen
• Trousers - BT4, OR1
• Stockings/Booties - PL4, PL5, BT1, Silver Gel Pen
• Ribbon - from my stash
• Embossing - around the edges of the wings and the star using my Versamark Pen and Holographic Embossing Powder. Click on the picture below to supersize it and check out the sparkle!

Do come over to Whoopsi Daisy Challenge and see the other gorgeous creations the Divas have made featuring "Tags". Then come back and show us your creations. You've got until Sunday 17th February to link your creations up. Don't forget if you use a Whoopsi Daisy image, then you can make any style of card or project - you don't have to follow this week's theme!

I would like to enter this project into the following challenges:

• Challenge #25 - Anything Goes at Sparkles Christmas Challenge
• Get in Shape at Winter Wonderland
• AC156 - Colour Challenge of Grape, Waterfall & Pumpkin at Annabelle Stamps

Hope you have a great day!

Hugs, Helen x

I'm Fairy Excited!

Good morning friends and hope you are well.

This morning is very exciting for me as I am very pleased to be able to tell you the secret that I've been bursting to say for the last 2 weeks! I've been asked to join the Divas at Whoopsi Daisy, and I've said yes!!!!! So today is my first challenge, and the theme this week is For A Child. 

Our lucky winner's prize is (as usual) one sheet of images from the Whoopsi Daisy Store, unless you've used a Whoopsi Daisy Image for your project in which case you can choose two sheets of images. Linnie has also kindly let the DT loose in her store to choose an image to showcase (thanks Linnie!) and here is my card for your inspiration today:

I've used a layout from Tuesday Morning Sketches for this card - I love this sketch and it's one I've used several times now. My card recipe is as follows:

• Base Card - made from Centura Pearl in Snow White onto which I embossed the largest rosette shape from the "nest" on the Ultimate Pro Embossing Board Springtime Sweets and Cupcake Treats. I folded the card to make a hinge at the side, and 2 "feet" at the bottom and then cut round the embossed shape.
• Design Papers -  came from the set Blooming by Jady Day Studio and is downloadable from Sweete Shop Designs. I love the "ice cream parlour" colours in this pack!
• Image - This gorgeous little fairy is from  Sheet 391 and she is just one of the gorgeous digis drawn by Linne at Whoopsi Daisy. To bring this little sweetie to life, I used my Spectrum Noir Pens in the following colours:
• Skin - FS2, FS3
• Hair - GB8, GB10, PP4, PP5
• Dress - GB1, GB4, PP1, PP3
• Wings - PP1, Silver Gel Pen
• Mirror - PP4,PP5, GG1
• Wand - PP5, Silver Gel Pen
• Outline - GG1
• Clouds & Shadows - Craf-T chalks in Light Blue and Grey
• Sentiment - is called Fairy Sentiment Ticket and is by Debbie from The Crafty Pad Designs. Unfotunately Debbie's online store closed earlier this month, but you can still get her digis by going to Card Making Downloads and searching for The Crafty Pad Designs. I printed the ticket onto another DP from the Blooming set before cutting it out.
• Bling - from my stash

Do come over to Whoopsi Daisy Challenge and see the other gorgeous creations the Divas have made "For a Child". Then come back and show us your creations. You've got until Sunday 3rd February to link your creations up. Don't forget if you use a Whoopsi Daisy image, then you can make any style of card or project - you don't have to follow this week's theme!

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

• Challenge 11 - Embossing Wet or Dry at Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge
• Challenge #23 - Soft Pastel Colours at QKR Stampede
• No Squares Allowed at Pixie Dust Studio
• Challenge #36 - Something New at The Squirrel and The Fox - my new DT position and a new image and new papers!
• Challenge #201 - Winged Things at Dutch Dare - I'm chancing my luck that "fairy wings" will count!
• Anything Goes For Kids at Send A Smile 4 Kids

Hugs, Helen x