GET WELL SOON CHALLENGE

Good evening everyone.  Hope you are all having a good weekend.

As some of you may know, our great friend Gill (http://creationsbygillm.blogspot.com/) hasn't been well recently and is currently in hospital awaiting a small operation.

Gill does so much for so many people, being on design teams, participating and creating blog hops, setting up groups and challenges and so much more craft-orientated tasks, never mind hold down a full time job, house, husband, cats etc etc etc!

Gill is a very special friend to me and I thought that it would be nice to make a challenge dedicated to her.

Anyone who knows Gill will know that she is nuts about fairies, all things pink, cats, cupcakes, penguins, dolphins, pina coladas and Las Vegas.  So the theme of the challenge is any of the above!  You can make anything you wish at all, as long as it incorporates something from the list of Gill's favourite things.

I know it's really short notice, but I have been away for the weekend and this is the first chance I've had to arrange something.  I've never organised something like this before either, so please bear with me and let me know if I should be doing/saying something I haven't!

I think that if you wish to participate in the challenge, then if you could send a photo of your creation to me at lisa.garrow@btinternet.com and post it on your blog or facebook page, NO LATER THAN THURSDAY 2ND JUNE 2011.    Also, if you wish to send your creation to Gill, please let me know via email and I will pass on the relevant details to you.

Right, well I think that is everything for the moment.  Any questions or problems, please do let me know, as I said, I haven't done this before so I'm hoping things go the way they should!!

Thanks again, and I'm sure we all wish Gill lots of Get Well Wishes.

Lisa xx

CBGMDT - PINK & GREEN FLOWER SKETCH

Challenge time again everyone!  Hope you are well and are crafting away.  I haven't been doing as much as I should, but I'm hoping to get "my groove" back soon.  If anyone has any tips of how to get motivated.....please let me know!!

So, for this challenge from Creations By Gill M the theme was the use of pink and green flowers and a sketch to follow. 

I made an A6 card for my sisters friend who was moving.  I used an A6 card blank, flower backing paper from a Forever Friends paper pack, pink and green card and obviously, flowers.  I used my cuttlebug to die cut the flowers using co-ordinating card stock.  I printed of the "New Home" sentiment onto smooth white card and matt and layered it on to coloured card.

This was such a lovely card to make, plain and simple - the way I like it most of the time!  The sketch is very versatile so you can turn it any way you wish.

To enter the challenge, and be in with a chance of winning come blog candy, go along to http://creationsbygillm.blogspot.com/2011/05/cbgm-blog-sketch-challenge-8-pinkgreen.html and follow the instructions.  Don't forget to enter the Mr Linky at the bottom to be in with a chance of winning the candy.

I really enjoy reading the comments which are left on my blog, no matter what they're in connection to, so please, feel free to leave comments about the challenges.  From visiting Gill's blog, you will see the other fantastic creations the other design team members have made.  I know they would really appreciate some comments regarding their projects too!

Thanks for reading!

Lisa xx

Sand Sculptures - Portugal 2009

Here are the rest of the photos of the sand statues in Portugal. They were amazing to walk around.  Thankfully there was no rain!!  The festival was called Fiesa, but is also known as the Internation Sand Sculpture Festival.  It is the largest sand sculpture event in the world and has been held in the Algarve in Portugal since 2003.  The site occupies 15,000 square metres (3.7 acres). Each year about 60 artists use 35000 tons of sand to create 50 works of art.Each year has a different theme.  In 2009, when I went, the theme was discoveries. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Sand_Sculpture_Festival

 

Anniversary Card - For Auntie & Uncle

Afternoon everyone.

What weather we are having here!  It's blowing a gale, pouring rain, the sun keeps popping out and it's blooming cold!  We have the gas man in the house today doing a service, so there's no heating at the mo....and I'm freezing!  Hopefully he'll be finished soon though.  I've also just realised that he's been in  my bedroom to check my radiator where yesterdays bra is still lying to go into the wash!  OOOOPPPPSSSSSS!!!!!!  Mind you, he doesn't know it's my room, could be my sisters!!

Had a great time hopping along this weekend for Nancy's Vacation Blog Hop.  Did you manage to see any of it?  Check out my last 3 posts and you will be able to see what I've been up to, and everyone else.

This card is a double twisted easel card which I have made for my Auntie and Uncles 40th wedding anniversary.  40 years is ruby, so I've gone along the red theme - surprise surprise! 

I cut a piece of cream shimmer card to 21cm x 21cm, scored in half and then turned around.  Measuring half way along at 10.5cm, I cut down towards the score line.  Each square was then scored again and folded.  I attached 2 squares measuring approx. 10x10cm and attached them to each square below the score line.

The card was then decorated with a Forever Friends decoupage image, red shimmer paper and rose patterned paper from a Country Companions.  I printed the sentiment "Congratulations On Your 40th Wedding Anniversary" on the computer and matt and layered it onto red card.  I then used gold peel offs and adhesive gems to decorate the card.

VACATION BLOG HOP - MAY 20th - 22nd - DAY 3

"and now, the end is near, and so we face, the final curtain...............I did it my way!!!!!!!"

Haha,just a wee sing-song there for everyone who is still hopping along!  It's the 3rd and final day of this Vacation Blog Hop which has been kindly hosted by Nancy at http://blog.fancywithnancy.com/ 

To finish the hop, yep,you've guessed it, it's more Portugal scrapbook pages!  I've finally finished the book, so I'm really pleased!  Even if it is 18months since we were in Portugal!!

Thank you to everyone who has left comments about my creations, very much appreciated.

Again, the pages have been made up with 8x8 backing papers, paper cut to 8x8 size, my xcut cutting system, cuttlebug and various embellishments and of course my trusty double sided sticky tape.

The Final Outcome

If you wish to take part and re-live a favourite holiday you've been on or a dream holiday, then click the following link http://blog.fancywithnancy.com/ and that will take you to the right place. 
If you've been hopping already, you should have arrived at me by visiting Gill at http://scrappincreationsbygillm.blogspot.com/ , if you have, brill, if not, hop along to Nancy's blog at the start and see what she has made.  You'll be amazed!! There's so many talented people taking part in the hop, I really recommend you have a look at their blogs and what they have made for this hop.  Oh, and remember to leave a comment on each blog, you could win a great bundle of Blog Candy!!!
So here's a list of everyone taking part in this great hop.  Make sure you hop to everyone.  Monica should be your next stop, so hop along to http://scraps2treasure.blogspot.com/

Nancy - http://blog.fancywithnancy.com/
Jessica- http://thecreativestamperspot.blogspot.com/
Jen R. http://memorieswithjen.blogspot.com/
Gill - http://scrappincreationsbygillm.blogspot.com/
Lisa - http://lisagarrow.blogspot.com/
Monica - http://scraps2treasure.blogspot.com/
Jill - http://Thescrapoholic.blogspot.com/
Jackie - http://jackiesscrappinpad.blogspot.com/
Nadia -  www.nadiasbeautifulmess.blogspot.com
Shannon - www.purplelionpaper.com/blog
Jenn P - http://jennscrap2.blogspot.com/
Betty - http://simplybettystamps.blogspot.com/

We are very fortunate to have a sponsor for this hop. Betty from Simply Betty Stamps is offering up these fun stamps! http://fancywithnancy.com/Download/bettystamps.jpg


So to qualify for these stamps you have to do the following:

1) If you are not a follower of my blog, please do so.
2) Leave a comment on my blog AND on every blog along the hop.
3) On Monday, 5/23 @ 10 AM CST, Nancy at http://www.facebook.com/l/a0d43TzUaV-FogKew2QVjmllbyA/blog.fancywithnancy.com will pick THREE winners and each will receive one of these fun stamps.

Good luck and enjoy hopping!!!

VACATION BLOG HOP - MAY 20th - 22nd - DAY 2

Welcome back everyone!

Hope you've enjoyed hopping along so far.  Lots of inspirational ideas to be had by all the particiapnts,

Thank you to everyone who has left comments about my creations, very much appreciated.

So, for the 2nd day, I have more 8x8 scrapbook pages from my Portugal holiday.  I should have explained yesterday in my first post that I don't do scrapbooking that often.  I have done a couple of individual pages for various things, but never a whole book.  So if you find that the pages get less and less interesting, I'm so sorry, put it down to my lack of expeerience!

Again, the pages have been made up with 8x8 backing papers, paper cut to 8x8 size, my xcut cutting system, cuttlebug and various embellishments and of course my trusty double sided sticky tape.

If you wish to take part and re-live a favourite holiday you've been on or a dream holiday, then click the following link http://blog.fancywithnancy.com/ and that will take you to the right place. 


If you've been hopping already, you should have arrived at me by visiting Gill at http://scrappincreationsbygillm.blogspot.com/ , if you have, brill, if not, hop along to Nancy's blog at the start and see what she has made.  You'll be amazed!! There's so many talented people taking part in the hop, I really recommend you have a look at their blogs and what they have made for this hop.  Oh, and remember to leave a comment on each blog, you could win a great bundle of Blog Candy!!!


So here's a list of everyone taking part in this great hop.  Make sure you hop to everyone.  Monica should be your next stop, so hop along to http://scraps2treasure.blogspot.com/


Nancy - http://blog.fancywithnancy.com/
Jessica- http://thecreativestamperspot.blogspot.com/
Jen R. http://memorieswithjen.blogspot.com/
Gill - http://scrappincreationsbygillm.blogspot.com/
Lisa - http://lisagarrow.blogspot.com/
Monica - http://scraps2treasure.blogspot.com/
Jill - http://Thescrapoholic.blogspot.com/
Jackie - http://jackiesscrappinpad.blogspot.com/
Nadia -  www.nadiasbeautifulmess.blogspot.com
Shannon - www.purplelionpaper.com/blog
Jenn P - http://jennscrap2.blogspot.com/
Betty - http://simplybettystamps.blogspot.com/

We are very fortunate to have a sponsor for this hop. Betty from Simply Betty Stamps is offering up these fun stamps! http://fancywithnancy.com/Download/bettystamps.jpg


So to qualify for these stamps you have to do the following:


1) If you are not a follower of my blog, please do so.
2) Leave a comment on my blog AND on every blog along the hop.
3) On Monday, 5/23 @ 10 AM CST, Nancy at http://www.facebook.com/l/a0d43TzUaV-FogKew2QVjmllbyA/blog.fancywithnancy.com will pick THREE winners and each will receive one of these fun stamps.

Good luck and enjoy hopping!!!

VACATION BLOG HOP - MAY 20th - 22nd

Hi Everyone! 


Time to go hopping again!  Hopping Holidays!


This blog hop is all about vacations - one that we've been on or one we would like to go on.  I always get so excited about holidays, as most people do.  I'm a bit of a shopaholic, so I look forward to all the new shops and market stalls I can go to when I'm away!

My post is of my last foreign holiday which was to Portugal with my best friend Lyndsey.

I hope you like looking at the scrapbook pages I've made to remember the holiday.  They are all 8x8" in size and have been made up with various patterned backing papers and embellishments.  I used my XCut cutting system to cut various shapes for matting and layering.  I have also used my cuttlebug and alphabet set along with flower dies to embellish the pages.

 

If you wish to take part and re-live a favourite holiday you've been on or a dream holiday, then click the following link http://blog.fancywithnancy.com/ and that will take you to the right place. 


If you've been hopping already, you should have arrived at me by visiting Gill at http://scrappincreationsbygillm.blogspot.com/ , if you have, brill, if not, hop along to Nancy's blog at the start and see what she has made.  You'll be amazed!! There's so many talented people taking part in the hop, I really recommend you have a look at their blogs and what they have made for this hop.  Oh, and remember to leave a comment on each blog, you could win a great bundle of Blog Candy!!!


So here's a list of everyone taking part in this great hop.  Make sure you hop to everyone.  Monica should be your next stop, so hop along to http://scraps2treasure.blogspot.com/


Nancy - http://blog.fancywithnancy.com/
Jessica- http://thecreativestamperspot.blogspot.com/
Jen R. http://memorieswithjen.blogspot.com/
Gill - http://scrappincreationsbygillm.blogspot.com/
Lisa - http://lisagarrow.blogspot.com/
Monica - http://scraps2treasure.blogspot.com/
Jill - http://Thescrapoholic.blogspot.com/
Jackie - http://jackiesscrappinpad.blogspot.com/
Nadia -  www.nadiasbeautifulmess.blogspot.com
Shannon - www.purplelionpaper.com/blog
Jenn P - http://jennscrap2.blogspot.com/
Betty - http://simplybettystamps.blogspot.com/
 
We are very fortunate to have a sponsor for this hop. Betty from Simply Betty Stamps is offering up these fun stamps! http://fancywithnancy.com/Download/bettystamps.jpg


So to qualify for these stamps you have to do the following:


1) If you are not a follower of my blog, please do so.
2) Leave a comment on my blog AND on every blog along the hop.
3) On Monday, 5/23 @ 10 AM CST, Nancy at http://www.facebook.com/l/a0d43TzUaV-FogKew2QVjmllbyA/blog.fancywithnancy.com will pick THREE winners and each will receive one of these fun stamps.
Good luck and enjoy hopping!!!

Above All Else.....Believe In Yourself and Your Dreams

Came across this poem at my friends house.  No idea where she got it from, but I think it's lovely....

Above All Else.....Believe In Yourself and Your Dreams

As the dawn of each morning peers into your life,

there lies a path to follow.

Delicate whispers can be heard

if you listen to the sound of your heart

and the voice that speaks within you.

If you listen closely to your soul,

you will become aware of your dreams

that are yet to unfold.

You will discover that there lies within you

a voice of confidence and strength

that will prompt you to see a journey

and live a dream.

Within the depths of your mind,

the purpose and direction of your life

can be determined by listening intently

to the knowledge that you already possess.

Your heart, mind and soul

are the foundation of your success and happiness.

In the still of each passing moment,

may you come to understand that

you are capable of reaching a higher destiny.

When you come to believe

in all that you are

and all that you ca become,

there will be no cause for doubt.

Believe in your heart, for it offers hope.

Believe in your mind, for it offers direction.

Believe in your soul, for it offers strength.

But above all else.....believe in yourself and your dreams.

- Leslie Neilson

CBGMDT - CHALLENGE - PINK & LILAC BUTTONS

Hi Everyone.

Here again for another wonderful challenge by http://creationsbygillm.blogspot/ If you fancy having a go, or seeing what the other design team members have created, click on the following link and you'll be taken straight to the challenge! http://creationsbygillm.blogspot.com/2011/05/cbgm-blog-sketch-challenge-7-pinklilac_14.html

This card is for a close friend who is expecting a baby girl.  Unfortunately she is in hospital with preaclampsia.  She has 7 weeks to go, but they may have to deliver the baby in the next week or so.  Hard times, thinking of you all. 

To make this easel card, I used an A4 smooth white card and scored it twice, once in half to make an A5 card, and then again in half on one side.  I covered the front and base of the easel card with pieces of Co-Ordinations Lilac textured card and then stuck them on using double sided sticky tape, leaving a thin border round each side.  I then cut two pieces of pink and white heart paper from the "Fizzy Moon" 12x12 paper pad and attached these onto the lilac card, again leaving a border. 

The main image is from a CD-Rom featuring Forever Friends.  I printed the image out and used my XCut Cutting System to cut the circular image.  I used a larger circle cutter to cut a dark pink circle.  I mounted the image onto the pink card with double sided sticky tape.  Using small 3D foam pieces, I adhered 3 pink buttons onto the left hand side of the image.  A silver "Congratulations" peel off was used on the top of the circular image.  Again using the XCut Cutting system, I cut a small lilac circle and attached a silver "Baby Girl" peel off and 3 silver adhesive gems.

To make a border, I cut a wide strip of lilac card and a pale pink card.  Cutting each piece of card, I attached the lilac card with double sided sticky tape vertically onto the card base and on the front.  I then attached a small piece of the pink card to the front of the card and then used 3D foam to attach the other piece of pink card on the card base.

Using my Cuttlebug and lilac card, I cut out a nappy pin and baby bottle image.  These were attached using a quickie glue pen onto the pink card on the base of the cardblank.  I used a white gel pen and glossy accents on the window of the bottle to make it look like there was milk in the bottle.   On the remaining lilac card on the card base, I attached 6 Card Candy pieces with small 3D foam pads and a heart embellishment.  I then completed the card with 8 silver adhesive gems.

Ruby Anniversary - Double Twisted Easel Card

This is a card I made for some family friends for their 40th Wedding Anniversary.

To make the card, I cut a piece of A4 cream card to 21cm x 21cm.  I then scored the card blank in half at 10.5cm.  I turned the card blank around and marked half way along at 10.5cm.  I then used my guillotine to cut in towards the score line, making sure I didn't do over it.  The card was now cut in half on one side, making two squares.  Each of the squares was then scored, from the top right hand corner, down to the bottom left hand corner of each square.  I then took another piece of card and card two squares, 10.5cm x 10.5cm.  These were then attached to the scored squares on the card blank using double sided sticky tape on the bottom triangle of each square.

Using ruby red shimmer paper, I cut two squares to 9.5cm x 9.5cm and attached them to each square, again using the trusty old double sided sticky tape.  The front panel was decorated with red adhesive gems and a gold peel off saying "Happy Anniversary" and 4 heart outline peel  offs.  The back panel was decorated with a Forever Friends decoupage image showing two bears with champagne glasses which was made up with 3D foam pads.  This was attached to the card after being rounded on the edges.  The back panel was also embellished with red adhesive gems and gold heart stickers.

I cut a piece of Country Companions backing paper to 21cm x 10.5cm and attached it to the base of the card.  To make the stops, I cut two small rectangles (unsure of sizes) using cream card and mounted the red shimmer paper on top, leaving a fine border around each side.  These were then decorated with gold peel offs saying "40th" and "Congratulations".  I attached the stops onto the card base using 3D foam pads.