Sketch Saturday #54 and Party box Winner!!

Hi folks!!

Lots to share with you today... grab yourself a cuppa and some biccies. First things first, thank you to everyone who entered my Sketch Saturday Birthday Bash Box Candy. It was so much fun to visit you all. The winner is....(drum roll please...)...... Jennifer!! Congratulations Jennifer. Please email me (craftysandra.d@googlemail.com) with your details. Here's Jennifer's winning entry.

It was my turn to choose the Guest DT for weeks 54 and 55. No prizes for guessing who I asked... my good friend, and uber talented, Christine Dark. Her card is absolutely stunning for this weeks sketch. Can't wait to see what she conjours up for next week. The sketch was created by Mandy(*thanks Mandy*) as it's her DT week.

For my card I have used one of my new Kadoodle designs being launched today at The Craft Barn Extravaganza, Lingfield. Christine and I will be there demoing amidst 17 more demontrators (see here for all the details). I have used backing papers by 'three bugs'. The embossed and sanded panel is Co-ordinations whitewash. The corners and sentiment are Quickutz and Cuttlebug dies. The flower brads are by Making Memories and the ribbon was a freebie from a mag. I have coloured the image using my Prismacolor pencils, Sansodor and paper stumps.

Have a great day. Ciao for now!

Sandra x

Countdown to the June Extravaganza!!!

Hi folks!!

Sorry I haven't been about much lately. I have been beavering away having fun creating with my new Kadoodle designs that are to be launched at the June Extravaganza at The Craft Barn Lingfield, this weekend! There are two new Loupy Lou designs and two new Larger Ladies (see bellow for sneaky peeks) So I will have lots to share with you soon.

I made this card following the Sketch over on LOTV challenge, Cute Daisy May wanted to see some embossing (My image has been heat embossed with black ink and clear embossing powder and I have used my Cuttlebug to emboss the red circles) Charisma Cardz want to see dots and circles and Cute Card Thursday would like a bit of bling. I used Art Institute Glitter to colour little Loupy Lou's outfit and wings.

Can you spot the designs above by my uber talented friend Christine Dark?? We'll both be demoing at the Show on Saturday and Sunday. Please come along and say hi.

Ciao for now!

Sandra x

ps. Don't forget to hop on over to my digi stamp site to see my new designs that are perfect for Father's Day.

Hi folks!

There are lots of birthdays in May...I made this card for one of my DT buddies who celebrates her birthday today! HaPpY bIrThDaY *Kim*

I followed the sketch over on Papertake Weekly and am entering this card to the Spoon full of Sugar Challenge who have asked for 'touchy-feely' cards. I have used Imaginisce papers. The red and white polka dot paper has a lovely glossy sheen to it. In contrast I have die cut (Quickutz) fuzzy velour decorative corners. There is also some satin ribbon on my design and lastly a soft layer of mulbery paper behind the main image. The rubber stamp is my own design, 'Home Sweet Home', and is available exclusively at The Craft Barn. I coloured the image with Koi water colours and finished it off with some glitter for Loupy Lou's fairy wings.
Ciao for now!
Sandra xx

...grab your tea and biscuits for this post!

Hi folks!

As the title suggests, this is gonna be a long post. I have so much to share with you, I hope you don't mind. Firstly my card. I followed 3 challenges when creating this one. The Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge is asking for stripes, one of my favorite types of paper (along with floral and gingham) The Colour Create Challenge this week is Duck Egg Blue and Rose and the optional extra is stitching. I stitched the little 'New Home' sentiment. Stamptacular would like to see cards made on a theme of 'New Beginnings'.

I have used one of my lastest designs 'Home Sweet Home' which is exclusively available as a rubber stamp at The Craft Barn. If you like the stamp then hop on over to the Kadoodle blog where it is up for candy this week. I coloured this image with my koi watercolours and a little glitter for Loupy's wings. The gorgeous paper is by The Paper Company and the sheet I used is has flocked flowers across the bottom. The swirls I die cut from an adhesive sheet and glittered. The fabric flower is from a 'Mother's Day' craft kit from Sainsbury's. I layered this with a flock flower cut from the paper and a floral gem. I hand stitched the sentiment on Martha Stewart punched scalloped hearts and finished off the card by adding flower gems to the middle of each flocked flower.

6th & 7th June

Extravaganza Weekend

at

The Craft Barn

I am pleased to announce that for the second year running I have been invited to demonstrate at the June Extravaganza Weekend at The Craft Barn in Lingfield. I am so excited!! There will be 17 demonstrators there for the whole weekend, tonnes of inspiration and something for everyone. It's being held at different premises this year, I'm looking forward to that :o) Please hop over to The Craft Barn website for more details and to be able to book onto workshops.

I am currently working on some exciting new designs that I'm hoping we'll be able to launch at the Extravaganza weekend.

Here is a list of the ladies you won't want to miss!

Carol Cann

Kay Carley

Carol Cockbain

Jane Colleman

Christine Dark

Sandra Dry

Leandra Francik (PaperArtsy)

Jayne Harvey (Stamposaurus)

Lindsay Mason

Jenny Mayes (Hobby Art)

Beatrice Neumeister (KatzelKraft)

Paula Pascual

Christine 'Kiki' Quincy

Francoise Read

Sue Roddis

Carol Staples

Lexie Wilson

I do hope you will be able to come and share in the weekend. If you do please introduce yourself, I would love to meet some of my blogging friends.

Top 5 for CupCake Craft Challenge

I am also excited to anounce that my Hanglar card was chosen as one of the Top 5 cards of the week over on the CupCake Craft Challenge....Thank you!!

Have you finished your cuppa yet? I'm off to make myself one now..

Ciao for now!

Sandra xx

Sketch Saturday #44 & 'Huggles' Kadoodle Candy

Hi folks!
It's Saturday and time for another one of Jo's fabulous sketches over on Sketch Saturday. Lots of lovely circles on this one. The Craft Barn are sponsoring this weeks challenge and the prize is, not one but, two splendid Whiff of Joy stamps. Our Guest DT, Dawn, has made a beautiful card to inspire you as have the rest of the Design Team so don't forget to visit their blogs for an abundance of creative ideas.

For this card I used Papermania designer papers from their 'Sweet Nothings' range. I added iridescent sequins to some of the dots on the patterned paper. The ribbon is by American crafts. I cut the circle and scalloped circle using my Nestabilities. I then embossed the lilac layer using my Cuttlebug and lightly inked with Crimson copper Brilliance ink. The fabric flower was a bit if a find. I was in my local Sainsbury's yesterday and they had reduced their Mother's Day lines. In amongst the chocolate and scented candles were a couple of kits to be made up as flower garlands for mum. The kit was £1.24 reduced from £4.99 and contained about 20 fabric flowers, in 4 colours, 1 yard of pink ribbon, some glitter glue, thread and a bag of sequins. Great value! (I just had to have it) I have layered the fabric flower with a felt flower cut with my Cuttlebug and finished off with a plastic pink dot (not sure what these are called) I cut the sentiment with Go-Kreate dies. The stamp, coloured in with Koi watercolours, is one of my own designs available at The Craft Barn. 'Huggles' is also being offered as Blog Candy on the Kadoodle blog this week.

That's enough rambling from me. Have a great weekend.

Ciao for now!

Sandra xx

Kadoodle blog Candy and Charisma Cardz Challenge

Hi folks!

Here's a card I made using one of my new Kadoodle designs 'let it grow'. This particular stamp is being offered as blog candy over on the Kadoodle blog. Hop on over if you would like to enter. It's open until Friday as new candy will be up again on Saturday. Good job it's not 'Sweetie' candy, our teeth would have rotted away ages ago.

I am entering this card in to the Charisma Cardz Challenge as this week the theme is 'something for the guys'. Have lost the label strip for the patterned papers, sorry, but I know they are available from The Craft Barn. I cut the rectangles and scalloped rectangles using my Nestabilities. The flowers are made using a Cuttlebug retro flower die set. They have been die cut, inked, curled glued and finished off with a self adhesive pearl. I looped some green ribbon and poked it into the dimensional glue behind the flowers. The sentiment is die cut funky foam and I have used the Go-Kreate 'London' alphabet. I coloured the image using a mixture of copics and watercolour paints. (I have to make do with this combination until I am able to buy more copics)

Ciao for now ;o)

Sandra xx

New Look Blog & Bobo kickin' back

Hi Folks!!

What do you think of my New Look Blog? It as all courtesy of my fabulous friend Christine. I couldn't have done it without you...thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU!!!!

For this card I followed the sketch over on Cutie Sunday. It's a great one if you are partial to circles. I have used one of my new stamps available at The Craft Barn called Kickin Back. I wanted to create a dreamy, floaty feel hence the calm serene colour pallet. The designer paper is Cosmo Cricket. I have inked the edges with blue brilliance ink pad. I stamped and coloured the image with my Koi watercolours; cut it out with my scalloped circle Nestabilities and inked the edges with black ink. I cut a two vellum circles with Nesties, embossed them with my Cuttlebug. I adhered using wacky tack and added a little glitter glue to the velum. This did crinkle the vellum slightly but I quite like the effect. It glistens much more in real life. The sentiment is die cut using the Amsterdam Go-Kreate die adhered to a metal rimmed tag which has been threaded with ribbon. I finished off the card with white brads in the corners.

My new Digi-Download-Design blog is near completion...I'll keep you posted regards the launch!! (I'm soooo excited..... can you tell? :o)

Hugs
Sandra xx

Loupy Lou and Bobo are finally here!!

Well.... they are finally here!! Introducing Loupy Lou and Bobo you can find my little fairy and elf collection here at The Craft Barn. Hop on over and you can see the rest of my designs. While you are there check out the designs by the newest Kadoodle designer Carol Staples. Many of you will know Carol as she has been a tutor at The Craft Barn for many years. Carol had drawn 'Ma & Pa Iggly'. They are such great characters for humorous cards. I laughed until my sides hurt when she was telling me about the Iggly's so go and check them out!

For this card I followed last weeks sketch over on The Saturday Challenge. The designer papers are 'My Mind's Eye'. I cut the square and the scalloped square using my Nestabilities and the photo corners are Quicktuz. The stamp is 'Home Sweet Home' from my new collection at The Craft Barn. Here I have stamped and coloured (with my Koi watercolours) the image a few times and decoupaged some of the elements. I finished it off with a self adhesive pearl for the door knob. It's a simple card but I quite like it.
I do hope you like Loupy Lou and Bobo.
Hugs
Sandra xx

My New Kadoodle Designs Available Soon!

Introducing Loupy Lou and Bobo, my New Kadoodle rubber stamp designs that will be available exclusively at The Craft Barn. This collection will be launched on Saturday 28th February with free demos by Lexie Wilson at The Craft Barn.
This stamp is aptly named 'huggles' I thought it would be perfect for this weeks Charisma Cardz Challenge which is 'Hugs and Cuddles' and also the Cute Card Thursday Challenge of 'Signs of Spring'. I followed the wonderful sketch over on Cutie Sunday.

The designer papers are by 'My Mind's Eye'. Such gorgeous colours, I think you will agree. The circle and scalloped circle are cut using my Nestabilities. The embossing has been created using my Cuttlebug. I cut the flowers from some of the patterned paper. I added MM brads after shaping the flowers. The flourishes are Quickutz Revolution dies. All the elements are adhered using dimensional glue gel. I coloured the characters using my trusty Koi watercolours and a touch of Art institute glitter for Loupy Lou's wings. I finished off the card with a few faux pearls in the corners.
Hope you like Loupy Lou and Bobo... lots more of these stamps in the range.
Hugs
Sandra xx

Sid meets the Colour Create Challenge

Hi Folks!
There's a great challenge over on Colour Create this week. Hop on over there to see their inspiration photo. The scheme this week is red, white and blue and the option is 'Holidays & Travel'.

A union flag beach towel instantly sprung to mind when I saw this challenge and the large backdrop is just that. I also thought my image of Sid relaxing in his deckchair would also fit the bill. He has been coloured using my Koi watercolours. Hope you can see from the photos that I used quite a bit of red on his skin - I think Sid had been out in the sun for too long! The bucket, spade and seagull are all Quickutz dies. They have also been water coloured.

I added glossy accents to Sid's shoes and the bucket and spade. The Stamped sentiment is from my stash (think it 's either HOTP or Heidi Grace) It's been matted onto silver mirri board and adhered over some knotted string... from my kitchen!

The bottom right hand corner looked a bit plain so I hunted through my stash and surfaced about an hour later with this sandcastle sticker. It's a transparent sticker so I stuck it to some white card and adhered with glue gel to add dimension.

It made a refreshing change not to use a square card. I realise I've used more colours than red, white and blue... but they we're my main inspiration.

Hope you like it.

Hugs

Sandra xx

Sketch Saturday #36

Woweeee! What a fabulous response to last weeks Sketch Saturday Challenge. Thank you all so much for joining in. This week is being sponsored by Pollycraft Designs and Paula is offering two fabulous stamps from the new 'Sharing Sherbet' collection. These images are really fun check them out. Also don't forget to view the stunning creations from my fellow DT... they are all great!

Another fab sketch provided by Jo. This time I've used Basic Grey papers and cardstock stickers. The number has been die cut using my Cuttlebug and Hippie Chick number die. The image is my own 'Red Indian Dan', part of the Kadoodle range and available exclusively at the Craft Barn. I have coloured him using my Prismas, Sansodor and paper stumps. The feathers are from my stash mountain.
Hope you are able to join in with this weeks challenge. Have a great weekend.
Hugs
Sandra xx

Multi Challenges and more from Demo Day

Hi folks!
Here are more cards from the demo day I had at the Craft Barn last Saturday. For the Cowboy one I followed the sketch from the Sketch and Stash challenge. I thought the Sizzix belt and buckle were just the ticket for my little Cowboy Dan, from the Kadoodle range at The Craft Barn. The black & white paper is available at the shop and the white swirly hearts are made using my Cuttlebug. I have used the Go-Kreate alphabet, Amsterdam, and die cut letters out of funky foam for the sentiment. Cowboy Dan has been coloured in using Derwent coloursoft pencils and glitter.

It's too late to enter this challenge as they have moved on to the next week but I did follow the Cutie Sunday sketch #25. There is some movement on the card as the image is only held onto the card using the ribbon. The papers are DCWV and I have used my Nestabilities to cut the label shapes. My Clown, part of the Kadoodle range, has been coloured in as above and this time I have used the 'London' Go-Kreate alphabet for the sentiment.

These cards would fit in great with the Charisma Cardz Challenge which is to use Black & White and one other colour and also the Cute Card Thursday Challenge which is Valentines creations.

I HAVE BEEN TAGGED!!!!!

....by Jackie over on Pink Diamond Workshop.... thanks Hun!!!

The instructions are,

1. Navigate to where you keep your pictures, select the 6th folder, and the 6th picture in that folder.

2. Post the picture on your blog with an explanation about the picture.

3. Tag 6 others to do the same, and let them know they have been tagged!

And it's a picture of my eldest, Tommy. He was messing around that day and thanks to 'digi' I have about 30 shots of him posing and pulling all kinds of faces. I like this photo of Tom as the colours are quite neutral in it and I could go for any papers to make a scrapbook layout. Needless to say I have less opportunities for snapping Tom messing around in front of the camera now.... I suppose it's just not cool anymore.

I won't pass this tag on anymore as I think it's done the rounds. If you want to take it... be my guest.

Hugs

Sandra xx

Ismaki Challenge & Demo Day!

Hi Folks!!
You'll have to excuse me today... I'm being a manic mum (shouldn't really be on the pooter) But just had to share with you that I'll be demoing at The Craft Barn tomorrow. I'll be taking this card and more pieces of the 'be mine collection' don't miss out.... come and craft with me.
More details about this card, awards and New Digi shop opening later...


** Hi again folks...

A little more detail about this card.
I followed this weeks Ismaki Sketch Challenge. I found this one a little difficult but I'm pleased with the results. The backing paper has been in my stash for a long time, I think it's DCWV. I have used the 'Divine Swirls' and Swiss Dots' Cuttlebug embossing folders. I have also used my Rectangle and scalloped rectangle Nestabilities. I cut the circles with a large sizzix die (it's been a long time since I used any of those) The sentiment is a Go-Kreate alphabet, 'Amsterdam' and the hearts are Cuttlebug. The beautiful lady is my very own 'Petunia', she's part of the Kadoodle range available at The Craft Barn. I coloured her with Derwent coloursoft pencils and Glitter.

My good friend Christine Dark has opened her own Digi Download site... You'll find it if you click Here. I do not need to tell you how talented Chris is as I'm sure you already know. Her designs are B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L and very reasonably priced. Hop on over and feast your eyes... then fill your baskets!
Pop back here tomorrow if you'd like to see how I've used 'Bearing Love'

The following is an award that I was given by Heike, thank you so much for thinking of me.

The rules of this award are:
1). Post a link of the person who gave you this award.
2). Nominate 5 other people and give a link to their sites
3). Let your nominators know that they got an award from you.
4). Put a logo of the award on the blog.

Here are my 5 gorgeous lovies who encourage and inspire me..... Thanks ladies!

1. Chris
2. Poppet
3. Jo
4. Sandra
5. Jacqui

Hugs
Sandra xx

Sketch Saturday #34

Hello folks!
It's Saturday......it's Sketch Saturday Challenge time again. Jo has come up with another fun Sketch, all those lovely layers to work with. 'Fun' is what I had in mind when I stamped the gorgeous Primrose. 'Aint she a beauty!! Be sure to check out all the wonderful designs my fellow DT have come up with.
My fun card has been made with DCWV papers and card. I think the eyelets came with my Big Bite. I used the Cuttlebug to emboss the circle layer and my Nestabilities to cut out the circles and scallop circles. I coloured in Primrose (from the Kadoodle range) using Derwent coloursoft pencils for her skin (didn't come out too well in the photos... I think my photography is getting worse not better... help!) I used a mixture of twinkling H2O's and cosmic shimmer watercolours for here attire and I finished off with cream pearlidoodles for the ice-cream.
I hope Primrose brings a little Sunshine to your day.
Please join me in saying farewell to Emma who is stepping down from Sketch Saturday DT. I am sure you will agree that her work is truly inspirational. It was great working with you Emma and I hope that you will have more time in the future to enjoy your craft again. Miss you!
Hugs
Sandra xx
** I forgot to add that I die cut the letters using Go Kreate dies, London alphabet. I used some fab stuff. Do you remember 'sticky backed plastic'? Well this is 'sticky back velour' lovely stuff. It's like the cheats version of flocking. (I got mine at Hobbycraft)**

Sketch Saturday #33

Howdy folks!! Hope you're all keeping warm wherever you are... it's freezing here! This is my card for this weeks Sketch Saturday Challenge which is another one of Jo's fabulous sketches. This week has been sponsored by Pink Gem Designs. If you love 'cute' images as much as I do then hop on over to her site and meet the family! If you are quick you can enter for the fabulous candy that's up for grabs at PGD... the draw is tomorrow!
My card is quite simple. I had my big brother in mind when I made it as it's his birthday later on in the month, so no glitter or frills on this one. The papers are American Traditional Designs, The background image is from Alota Stamps. For the sentiment I used my Xyron Design Runner and the stars are brads. I embossed the bottom Green panel with fiskars texture plate 'fabric'. Cowboy Dan is one of my own designs that I drew for the Kadoodle range sold exclusively at The Craft Barn. I'm still playing with my Koi watercolours and that's what I used to add colour to the stamped images.

Please take a look at all the wonderful creations made by my fellow DT. It always amazes me how varied and unique the cards are when we follow the same sketch.

Ta ta for now!

Hugs

Sandra xx

Papertake Challenge & Kadoodle Blog Candy

Hi Folks!

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my new baby blog. For this card I used Dawny's sketch #4 over on the Papertake Weekly challenge blog. A great sketch with unusual shapes, I enjoyed this one. For my card I have used Cosmo Cricket papers, the solid green layer is textured cardstock from the DCWV range which I embossed with the Fiskars texture plates. It doesn't show too well in the photo but the embossing plate was wood textured. The string is just household (from under my kitchen sink!) and the sentiment is from a stamp kit from QVC (sorry no manufacturers mentioned on it) The stamp is Cowboy Dan. I've coloured him using Prismas, Sansodor & paper stumps.

Cowboy Dan is this weeks blog candy over on the Kadoodle blog where they are giving candy away every Monday until Christmas. Hope you enter the draw for Dan.... I don't want him to get too 'desperate' ;o)

TTFN!

Hugs

Sandra xx

Hi Folks!! and welcome to my sparkly new blog... I thought I'd come and join all you lovies over on Blogger. As you can see I still have lots of work to do on here but I've made a start and I'm learning all the time.

The following are cards that I haven't shown previously and I thought they would be good to get the ball rolling!

This card features one of my Kadoodle designs 'The Barnets'



More Kadoodles... this time Gem'n'i

Bringing things back to festive times, I made this card using Boss Kut Santa die.
That's all for now folks! Need to get some shut eye.
Thanks for following me over to Blogger. Any hints, tips, advice or comments gratefully received.
See you soon,
Sandra xx

Just to add my previous blog was : http://sandradrydesigns.wordpress.com/