Apologies - It's not me, It's Blogger!

I've endured a very frustrating week so far in blog land. For all those people who I've tried to leave a comment for and not managed it, it's not for want of trying! It seems that I am not able to leave comments where the comment box is embedded, only where it is a pop up box. I might try using chrome to see if it's the same.
On top of that I am no longer receiving emails to notify me of blog posts, so for DT blogs I need to be more on the ball! I have two new followers on bloglovin' but there is no way I am clicking to follow them as their websites are called Sexytad and Sexyxyo. Don't you just love parasites? I can't see how to block them either.
Anyway, Rant over. If you haven't got it already, grab your copy of this months Creative Stamping. This was probably the easiest Magazine commission I have ever done. The Stamps are absolutely wonderful. Here are the cards I made. For more info (and the stamps) you will need to buy the magazine.
Thanks for looking!

May Rudolf Day and Lea Gardens

 The end of the month is approaching fast so it is time for Rudolf Day once again over at Scrappy Mo's. I have created two little scenes using Inkylicious stamps and my ink dusters. The first has a sentiment from Honey Doo Crafts and on the second  I used a Sheena Embossing folder. I might add a sentiment eventually - for now it will do.

Do pop over to Mo's blog and take a look at the fabulous inspiration from her and the DT. Now spring is finally here, we have had a couple of outings recently, one of which was to Lea Gardens in Derbyshire, where there is a fantastic collection of Rhodedendrons, Azalea and Camelia. There is also a lovely tea shop! Here are some photos (I took lots!)

 The colours, scent and variety were a feast for the eyes!

 

By the pond we spotted lots of red damselflies

 and in the pond were lots of newts!

 Finally, take a look at the cakes!

Thanks for looking!

A quick reminder

Here is a quick reminder that the theme of 'Close to Nature' at Stamping Sensations still has until the end of the month to run, so get your entries in!
Here is a quick bit of inspiration using one of the latest releases from Crafty Individuals

I used a mixture of Izinks and memento inks and my ink dusters for the background. Short and sweet from me today I'm afraid. I will try and catch up over the bank holiday weekend and share some photos of a little trip out we took yesterday.
Thanks for looking and for leaving comments despite the GDPR headache x

May at Stamping Sensations

 

It is the first Sunday of the month and time for our May challenge at Stamping Sensations. Spring is such a wonderful time of year so we have a theme to compliment the season.................

********Close to Nature********

We are looking for flowers, trees, wild animals and insects, in fact anything associated with the wonders of Nature and the great outdoors which surround us every day.

Please can I remind you we are a stamping challenge so must see a stamped image which reflects the theme as the focal element of your artwork , this means:

Stamping must be the central point of attention and interest

Both of my cards were made with Hobby Art stamps, Stamped in memento Desert Sand and coloured with watercolour markers. I think this is my new favourite technique, and very satisfying to colour 😊
Our sponsors this month are Chocolate Baroque, and there is a great prize on offer!
Do pop over to the challenge blog and take a look at the fabulous creations from my talented team mates! This is obviously an inspirational theme for them all.
Thanks for looking!

Inkylicious Samples

Hi There!
Long post alert (but mainly pictures)! Here, as promised, are my Inkylicious samples that are on Hochanda this afternoon. The stamps are all absolutely gorgeous and I still haven't stopped playing! If you want details about how I made them please ask. First up are the field poppy samples...

Next we have some seaside and beach scenes...

here is a summer meadow scene...

A couple of beach hut cards...

A moody moonlight scene...

Sunrise...

Sunset...

And magical unicorns!

I have had such fun and the stamps are still out and still being inked at every opportunity!
Thanks to Deby and Emma for sharing their wonderful stamps with me! I am so lucky!

Thanks for looking!

Rudolf day for April

Hi there! First I must apologise for being so quiet for the past two weeks. As well as Meg's 21st, (Thanks for all your birthday wishes for her!) I have been very busy making samples for Inkylicious who have a show on Hochanda on Friday afternoon at 2pm. Do tune in  - the stamps are gorgeous!  I will share my makes with you once the programme airs, I promise!
Rudolf day has snook up on me again! Where did April go? Anyway, here are my cards.

I don't do a lot of cute, but these geese from Hobby Art will definitely appeal to lots of our friends so I had to get them. They are stamped on watercolour paper and coloured with zig clean color markers and distress markers.
Do pop over to Mo's blog and take a look at the fabulous inspiration from her and the DT.
Before I go, here is a sneaky peek at one of the cards I've made for Inkylicious

Thanks for looking and Happy Crafting!

Meg's Birthday

Today my wonderful daughter turns 21! We had a meal out at the weekend and tonight we are having an evening together before she returns to Sheffield tomorrow.

She has grown from this....

 to this...

and we are so proud of her and love her to bits!
Here is the birthday card I made for her. I took lots of inspiration from Marianne Lait, who worked some amazing magic with this stamp set for her Hobby Art DT samples. Do pop over and see Marianne's blog. She designs for both Hobby Art and Lavinia and her project are stunning!

I used glossy accents on the dragonflies and added some liquid pearls to the stamens of the cellandines. All of the flowers and the dragonflies are attached with 3d glue gel and the card is 8 x 8". the scene was created using ink dusters and distress ink with some stamping in memento. 
Thanks for looking!