Noel Winter Wonderland DT Card

The challenge for this week at Winter Wonderland was set by Squirrel she has chosen How Charming. We want to see a Christmas card or project with a charm on it.

Our Sponsor this week is Stitchy Bear Digital Stamps Shop.

The prize is a $10 gift certificate to spend in their on-line store, how fantastic is that.

Here is my card design for this weeks challenge:

Card Recipe

Card Blank - 14.5cm x 14.5cm.

Papermania Stamps - Urban Stamps Noel.

Art Impressions Stamp - Santa's Face.

Embellishments from own stash.

This image was coloured in using Copic markers.

Hints and Tips

Design your own background paper keep it simple you don't have to colour it in, black and white can be very elegant.

This card was entered into the following challenge:

The Ribbon Girl Blog: Jingle All The Way To Christmas.

Simon Says Stamp: Anything Goes.

Love Linda xxx

Pink Princess Nutcrafters DT Card

The Nutcrafters girls Katie and Colette and myself will be at the Sincerely Yours Papercraft Show, Leigh on Sunday 2nd October, also we will be at the Happy Stampers North West Show, Port Sunlight on Saturday 8th October. I will be demonstrating all the fabulous new stamp releases, we would love it if you stopped by for a chat.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Why not enjoy crafting with this cute new Pink Princess Digi Stamp set by Nutcrafters? Click here to take a look.  This set costs just £4 and £2 from every sale goes towards this worthy cause. The Pink Princess Digi set was released on the 26th September.

This weeks challenge over at Nutcrafters is Think Pink. We would love to see a card or project with an pink theme.   Remember you card must have a Nutcrafters image on it to qualify for the prize. To help you along with this we have a freebie digi for everyone.

How cute is this image? Just pop on over to Nutcrafters Challenge blog to claim your free digi image. The prize for the challenge winner will be a £10 gift voucher for the Nutcrafters on line shop.

Here is my card for this weeks challenge.

Card Recipe

Card Blank - 14.5cm x 14.5cm.

Nutcrafters on line Shop - Pink Princess Digi, Mulberry Flowers.

Llewelyn Bowen Design Paper - Retro Rose.

Spellbinders Nestabilities Dies - Standard Circle Large, Petite Scalloped Circle Large.

Martha Stewart Border Punch - Daisy.

Sizzix Sizzlit Die - Swirl, Decorative #3.

This image was coloured in using Copic markers.

Hints and Tips

Burgundy is a good complimentary colour to pink.

This card was entered into the following challenge:

Pink Ink Sketch Challenge: Sketch #6 Kylie's Sketch.

Stampin For The Weekend: Challenge 17 What a Cutie.

Crafts and Me Challenges: Challenge #54 Flowers.

Love Linda xxx

Snowy

Card Recipe

Card Blank - 14.5cm x 14.5cm.

Penny Black Stamps - Snowy, Mimi Dear.

Stampendous Stamp - Snow Swirl.

Spellbinders Frameabilities Die - Polka Dot Frame.

Martha Stewart Punch - Snowflake.

Embellishments from own stash.

This image was coloured in using Copic markers.

Hints and Tips

You don't have to leave your die cut frame plain.  This frame was stamped and heat embossed to add a bit of texture.

This card was entered into the following challenges:

Penny Black at Allsorts: September Challenge Get Ahead For Christmas.

Sir Stampalot Challenge: September Theme It's A Frame Up.

Love Linda xxx

J'aime Paris

Card Recipe

Card Blank - 10.5cm x 15cm.

Penny Black Stamps - J'aime Paris, Salutations.

Embellishments from own stash.

This image was coloured in using a black Sakura Stardust gel pen.

Hints and Tips

When you are designing a monochromatic card don't be afraid to add embellishments in the same colour it adds texture and interest into the card.

This card was entered into the following challenges:

Allsorts Challenge Blog: Week 122 Keep It Simple.

Penny Black Saturday Challenge: Week 170 Monochromatic.

Love Linda xxx

Penelope and Percy Winter Wonderland DT Card

The challenge for this week at Winter Wonderland was set by Danielle she has chosen Christmas Across The Miles.  We want Christmas Cards or Projects that are especially for loved ones who live abroad.

Our Sponsor this week is Simon Says Stamp.

The prize is a $15 gift certificate to spend in their on-line store, how fantastic is that.

Here is my card design for this weeks challenge:

Card Recipe

Card Blank - 14.5cm x 14.5cm.

Daisy and Dandelion Stamps - Penelope and Percy.

Martha Stewart Designer Paper Pad - Winter Wonderland.

Woodware Punches - Snowflakes.

Martha Stewart Punch - Snowflake.

Embellishments from own stash.

This image was coloured in using Copic markers and a Black Glaze Sakura gel pen.

Hints and Tips

If you don't have a sentiment stamp to suit the occasion just print one out using the computer and mat and layer it.

This card was entered into the following challenge:

Papertake Weekly Challenge: Creature Comforts.

The Paper Shelter: Challenge #32 Anything Goes. 

Love Linda xxx

Nutcrafters DT Card Pumpkin Patch #2

Midway challenge reminder for the Nutcrafters Challenge Blog. The challenge is Autumn's In The Air. So create your card or project using a Nutcrafters image and an autumn theme. To help you along with this challenge Nutcrafters are giving away a free autumn digi.  Here is card #2 to inspire you it really is a cute digi.

Card Recipe

Card Blank - 14.5cm x 14.5cm.

Nutcrafters Challenge Blog - Freebie digi.

Doodlebug Designs Inc Paper - Autumn assortment.

Spellbinders Nestabilities Dies - Reverse Wonky Rectangles.

Martha Stewart Border Punch - Vine Trim.

Nutcrafters Shop Embellishments - Flowers, leaves.

The rest of the embellishments from own stash.

This image was coloured in using Copic markers.

Hints and Tips

Remember you don't have to use all of the digi image you can just use parts of it like I have.

This card was entered into the following challenge:

One Stop Craft Challenge: Week #149 Girlie.

Love Linda xxx

 

Nutcrafters DT Card Pumpkin Patch

Midway challenge reminder for the Nutcrafters Challenge Blog.  The challenge is Autumn's In The Air.   So create your card or project using a Nutcrafters image and an autumn theme. To help you along with this challenge Nutcrafters are giving away a free autumn digi.

Card Recipe

Card Blank - 14.5cm x 14.5cm.

Nutcrafters Challenge Blog - Freebie digi.

Doodlebug Designs Inc Paper - Autumn assortment.

Spellbinders Nestabilities Dies - Standard Circles Large, Petite Scalloped Circles Large.

Martha Stewart Border Punch - Scallop Dot.

X- Cut Botanical Embossing Punch - Leaf.

Embellishments and scrap of scarecrow design paper from own stash.

This image was coloured in using Copic markers.

Hints and Tips

Just because you have used a digi image doesn't mean you can't layer it up.  Print off several copies colour the layers separately then cut them out and stick to card with foam pads.

This card was entered into the following challenge:

Sketch N Stash Challenge: Challenge 70 Free Choice Sketch ( I chose Sketch 53).

Crazy 4 Challenges: C4C105 Create a project with a pumpkin on it.

Love Linda xxx

Quack!

Card Recipe

Card Blank - 14.5cm x 14.5cm.

Penny Black Stamps - Leaf Edge, Quack!

Anita's Stamp - Happy Birthday.

Doodlebug Design Inc Paper - Autumn Assortment.

Spellbinders Nestabilities Die - Wonky Rectangles.

Embellishments from own stash.

This image was coloured in using Copic markers.

Hints and Tips

I stamped the leaves onto white card using memento dye ink.  I then die cut it and left it in the die, then I applied Tim Holtz distress inks over the top of it.  This will give you a white border.

This card was entered into the following challenge:

Cute Card Thursday: Challenge 182 Anything Goes!

The Ribbon Girl Blog: Colour Challenge #11 Greens and Browns.

Love Linda xxx

Expectations

This weekend is special... And that means usually we are having guests! After 10 years my parents are visiting again from Europe, as well as my sister - for the very first time coming to America and my oldest son arrives with his girl from Berlin! It's going to be a wonderful reunion.
There has been lots of prepping and sorting, making space and fluffing up featherbeds....
The culminating expectations for the coming days could not get any higher.
It's not so much the actual plans, we try to keep this in motion and easy going, but to have them here at our place is just wonderful!
Of course you might ask what the occasion might be and here I will reveal that yours truly turns fifty in the coming week... this has been looming for a while ( duh) and although aging has never bothered me, I felt over the last months how this milestone has occupied my mind.
I have the strongest urge to reinvent myself. To turn over a new page in my life and fill it with all that, what I have been dreaming up lately. When I was younger to refer something to later times made often sense and meant only that priorities were such that my own plans had to wait a bit. Now I feel the time has come where I can't wait for more suitable times. The time is now!
There are so many things I have experienced in my life: Multiple immigrations, many moves, parting from people I love and people I do not, meeting the dearest friends in the most unlikely places and learning to make a home, when roots have been cut off.
I look back and count my blessings!

What's the essence of my life until now?
Firstly I am a mother! It has shaped everything within me! Nothing could have prepared me for the overwhelming love with which I would receive 4 children over quite a span of time. I never thought I might have four. I did not think about this for the longest time. What it would mean for my career, my personal growth, my own development.
I wanted children!
That they might have also been an alibi for my insecurities, well this occurred to me only later in life. But it changed the course of my life and now I am utmost content with motherhood. I grew up with all my children. They teach me so many valuable lessons. To love, to be patient (somewhat), to hold my horses, so give without expecting anything in return, to be rewarded by all sorts of small and large tokens of appreciation, to look at life with new eyes. To be more flexible.
They are young and modern and independent and above all they are wonderfully confident!
If anybody would have foretold the insecure, ugly little duckling I thought of myself as a twelve year old, that I would move to another continent, marry twice and have a large brood,  speak another language almost better then my original one, I would have laughed out loud. Impossible, I would have said.
But nothing is impossible. I learned that! And to have faith in one's abilities.

Being married to a man who loves me deeply, challenges me regularly and devotes all living hours to his family has been the most wonderful thing that could have ever happen to me. After a failed relationship in my youth I have now a mature, responsible and sheltering marriage. But perhaps this also was only possible after the lessons of the first one. I feel now that everything carries a lesson in life. Sometimes it just takes a long time to learn it! 

Marriage is movement: We change and to love the changes, the different people we become is not always easy. There are so many challenges, but one of my lessons has been: Live and let live! And to keep it special. With open arms...I love!
I try not to take anything for granted! Life can change in an instant and to cherish every day together has become so important to me. I remind myself often and I forget sometimes.

Deep inside me resides the artist, after many years of dormant life she has reappeared on my mental doorstep and I am ready for the new ideas, which do not let me sleep at night.
Or perhaps these are my tumultuous hormones, not knowing which direction to choose?


My thoughts are more and more turning towards writing, but the form still eludes me.
When I read I notice the shape and texture of a story, the way the language shapes feelings and mood. Years of reading have been my education, but it does not guaranty success in writing myself. I am probing and like a blind person, I feel my way in uncharted territory.


Life ahead is uncharted as well and I love the idea. To move along in it, still full of energy, with great expectations and many more years is what I hope for. I feel so young!


The path ahead is filled with wonder!

All pictures by V.Zlotkowski

Jolly Tilda Winter Wonderland DT Card

The challenge for this week at Winter Wonderland was set by Marianne she has chosen a girly Christmas. So create your Christmas card or project with an image of a girl on it.

Our Sponsors this week are Whimsy Stamps

With a fabulous prize of a $15 gift certificate.

and

Sentiments 4 You

With a fabulous prize of $10 gift certificate.

Here is my card design.

Card Recipe

Card Blank - 14.5cm x 14.5cm.

Magnolia Stamp - Jolly Tilda.

Papermania Stamps - Old Christmas stamp I have used the wreath.

Papermania Design Paper - Festive Frolics.

Cricut Cartridge - Paper Doll Dress Up.

Cuttlebug Embossing folder - D'vine Swirls.

Hints and Tips

If the character stamp you are using looks like she is sitting down, sit her on something it makes the card design more grounded.

This card was entered into the following challenge:

Christmas Card Challenges: Week 41 Vintage.

Moving Along With The Times: Challenge 116 Sparkle.

Love Linda xxx

Bouquet For You Nutcrafters DT Card

First of all I wanted to show you a photo of my handsome son who started back to school on Monday.  He just seems to be getting taller every day I think he is going to be  tall like his dad.

Today is challenge #1 over at Nutcrafters.  The challenge for this week is Autumn's In The Air.   So create your card or project using a Nutcrafters image and an autumn theme.  To help you along with this challenge Nutcrafters are giving away a free autumn digi.

How cute is this image? Just pop on over to Nutcrafters Challenge blog to claim your free digi image.  The prize for the challenge winner will be a selection of goodies from the Nutcrafters on line shop.

Here is my card for this weeks challenge.

Card Recipe

Card Blank - 14.5cm x 14.5cm.

Nutcrafters on line Shop - Stamp Bouquet For You, Mulberry Flowers.

Card-io Stamps - Autumn Leaves.

Dovecraft Design Paper - Abstract Prints.

The rest of the embellishments from own stash.

This image was coloured in using Copic markers.

Hints and Tips

This stamp is in the Nutcrafters Autumn Collection but if you coloured it in using different colours it could be used for many other occasions.

This card was entered into the following challenge:

The Crafty Pad: Challenge #138 Good Bye Summer.

Love Linda xxx

Autumn polish

Fall is for me like the beginning of a new year. Perhaps the onset of a new school year makes me feel that way. Spring moves seamless into summer, but it's different with autumn. It always fills me with the need for autumn clean up and I am off to a good start:

First the dining room: 
I sorted out, moved china on display in my china cabinet, left only things out for daily use:
Coffee maker, coffee, toaster, much loved salt and pepper pigs, a small silver lidded box holding stevia bags, my daily silverware in easy reach to set the table!

It looks so clean now. I moved things away from my window ledge and now the sun streams through glass candle holders and a small fern plant in my copper planter.

Old postcards from the mirror were removed and only the most important ones are left on the large world map!
I waxed the table with delicious table wax and the room is done for the next few weeks!

Image

Then I moved to our family room to give it a thoroughly check up. There is a dresser, filled with games and a drawer with candles, but the top has become a catch all for spill over china....
So I sorted: The melamine plates down to the basement, glasses back into the cabinets,
vases restored to their original purpose: holding flowers...

Do I see still some lego under there??? The basket candle holders need to go back to the deck table....And the old torchiere has to go elsewhere!

Better!

What's left?
My desk, the sorting of magazines, cleaning out of the bookshelves.

The winter room needs a fixing as well: Fire place and chimney cleaning, piano tuning, and a new wall paper.
My husband declared it's good to have visitors coming on the weekend, the house looks spic and span... Well, it's sheer coincidence!!!
So much has been removed: I am clearly heading for my own yard sale...
But there is more: bedroom sorting, clothes sorting and give aways, looking through my winter wardrobe.
I am trying not to hold on to things I haven't used in a while, I am learning! It's hard though!


Still I hear the cicadas in the trees, but I am so looking forward to the long cozy hours at the fire place, the rustic meals, pumpkins and the harvest of apples.
Autumn, I am yours!








Pictures by V.Zlotkowski and as indicated.

Pink Princess Sneak Preview #2

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Why not enjoy crafting with this cute new Pink Princess Digi Stamp set by Nutcrafters? This set costs just £4 and £2 from every sale goes towards this worthy cause. The Pink Princess Digi is due for release on the 26th September.

Card Recipe

Card Blank - 14.5cm x 14.5cm.

Nutcrafters Store - Digi Image Pink Princess due for release 26th September.  Pink paper flowers.

Llewelyn Bowen Design Paper - Retro Rose.

Spellbinders Nestabilities Die - Labels Three.

Martha Stewart Border Punch - Garden trellis.

L-Em. Com Punch - Stamen.

Embellishments from own stash.

This image was coloured using Copic markers.

Hints and Tips

The paper flowers on this card came in pink but if you don't want to spend alot of money on all the different colours of flowers just buy white ones and colour them yourself using Copic markers, spray inks or ink pads.

This card was entered into the following challenge:

Die Cut Dreams Challenge Blog: Challenge #98 Flower Power.

Love Linda xxx

 

We remember

Today I we remember the September morning 10 years ago,  filled with sunshine only to turn into terrible terror! I remember the many lives lost!
No words can describe how it moves me to see these pictures again!


I will never forget!


New York is my city as well and to see her rise from the sadness to new beginnings fills me with such hope and joy!

Image

"When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight." 
--- Kahlil Gibran

Coco

Card Recipe

Card Blank 14.5cm x 14.5cm.

Nutcrafters Store - Stamp Coco.

DCWV Design Paper - Grade School.

Spellbinders Nestabilities Dies - Petite Ovals Large, Labels Ten.

Cricut Cartridge - Doodlecharms.

Embellishments from own stash.

This image was coloured using Copic markers.

Hints and Tips

I only had one green Copic marker to colour the tee shirt on Coco.  If you want to add shading, after adding the base colour let the area dry completely,  then go over it where you would like the shading to be with the same colour it doesn't blend so it acts like a shadow.  You may have to go over it several times to make the shadow dark enough.

This card was added to the following challenges:

Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge: Back To School.

Cute Card Thursday: Challenge 181 At The Office.

Love Linda xxx