YAY!

Whoop - I got picked as top 3 from Try Stampin' on a Tuesday!  

I am so chuffed because it was my card that caused all sorts of hassles for me!

thanks ladies

Ruthie x

CAKE!

This image makes me laugh so much - and I love the sentiment.  Unfortunately, I seem to be living my life by this sentiment at the moment - which is great, but not so good for the waistline!  It is from Stamping Bella - I have just discovered these and love them!

I coloured this using my lovely copics....

Skin: E000, E00, E11, E13

Hair: BV23, BV04, BV25

Dress:  G14, G07, G17 (colourless blender for texture)

Coat: BG01, BG05, BG09 and Y06, Y08 and Y38,

I'm entering this in the following challenges: 

Alphabet Challenge - C for Cake*

Colour Crazy - Anything Goes

Jo's Scrap Shack - Anything Goes*

Gotta run - off to have Easter Lunch with my brother - Easter Blessings to all 

Ruthie x

Just going to leave this here...

OK -  I haven't done anything with it yet...but I coloured this!  Yep! ME!  Whoooop!  No, it isn't perfect.  Yes, I would change things.  But I am still really proud of it!  Now, I just need to pop it on a card...not tonight though...zzzzzz.

Night!

Ruthie x

Phew! Just like buses....

I'm not sure if this is a universal saying, but my blogposts are just like buses...you wait for ages and then three come along together!  

So, I realised that my card probably didn't meet the sketch criteria for Try Stampin' on Tuesday - so I thought I would have another crack!  

So, this time, I downloaded the sketch into my scan n cut and used that as the basis of the card front.  I have a friend whose daughter has just been accepted into a drama school to do her degree there, so I thought that I would go with a spotlight theme.  

I am still learning so much about this machine, so everything takes ages for me to do, but I am getting there (slowly!).  I started off cutting the design out of black card, thinking I would put yellow behind it - but the stripes were so tiny that it ripped.  So I thought I would do it the other way - but then realised that all the yellow pieces were separate and would be a nightmare to realign once they came off the cutting mat - cue the masking tape - I stuck it over all the pieces, took everything off the mat and then put glue on the pieces I wanted to keep - stuck it down, peeled the rest off and there you go!  

I'm chuffed I worked out how to make it work for me - and I think this is key with the scan n cut - it is fantastic and you just need to make it work for you and the way your brain works! 

I then got the machine to draw the sentiment and colour it in (and add the edging) and a quick scan in and I was able to cut it out with an offset line!  YAY! 

So this is being entered into the sketch challenge over at Try Stampin' on Tuesday *  And, also, it fits in with My time to craft* as well - no designer papers!  And Crafty Addicts* want to see a sentiment!

I WILL get there with this crafty lark!

Maybe.....

Hugs 

Ruthie x

Clean and simple card

So, while I was over looking at the challenge for Try Stampin on Tuesday*, I spotted their new challenge - Ray of sunshine - so I thought I would make a sunshine card (it is very grey here today!).

Yeah, then I realised it was another sketch challenge!  Sigh!  

But it DOES meet the brief for no designer paper over at My time to craft!*  YAY! 

And, since the sun is forecast to peep out for Easter - I am going to claim this as an Easter themed card too!!!  So, that means I can pop it into the Creative Moments* challenge too!

Enjoy your day and I hope you have lots of sunshine!

Ruthie x 

Having a play - not overly successful!

I saw a sketch challenge I liked...so I thought I would use my scan n cut to try and design a card for it.  All went reasonably ok...things cut out and drew as I wanted them to.

Then I saw another challenge to not use designer paper - wow, I thought, two for one - I can do that!  Yeah, well, not so sure I can!  

Out came the distress inks and off I went....hmmmm, looked a bit muddy - oh well, brighten it up with some gold methinks...hmmmm looks a bit nicer, but still everything is indistinct - go over it with some black pen doodles....okaaaay....ermmmm.  Maybe if I distress ink the sentiment to tie the front to the inside....hmmmm, looks a bit indistinct....lets go for black again!  

Oh you know those cards - the ones that you try to fit everything into....yep, well this is it!  The good news is that I have got a card that meets the criteria for two challenges...the bad news....this is the card....

So the two challenges are My time to craft - do designer papers*.

and Try stampin' on Tuesday - sketch*
Create and Makes have an anything goes challenge* that I thought I would pop this into!

Well - it is all a learning curve! 

Have fun!  

Ruthie x

Post copic course!

I have been following the rather fabby Faye Wynne-Jones for a while now - stampinfluffnstuff is her blog.  Lovely hubby said that I could go on some of her copic colouring courses for my Christmas pressie.  If you are considering doing these then please do - Faye is a great teacher and her classes are great value for money - lots of goodies and resources! 

This is one of the first images I have coloured since I did the course - and I think I have got better since this one too!  The image is a stamping bella stamp from dies to die for (who had a pop up shop at the copic days).  

Copics used: 
Skin: E51, E00, E02, E71
Hair: E13, E23, E57
Cushion: R35, R46, R59
Dress:  B000, B41, B02, B05
Wings: R000, B0000 (and clear spica)
Leaves: YG06, YG09
Ground: C0, C02
Box and Ribbon: V06, V09
Chocs: E27, E29, E49

I cut out the "bits and bobs" using my scan n cut machine.  

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Crafty Purple Frog - Lovely Ladies*
Inspiration Destination - Anything Goes* - Crafty Creations * also have an anything goes challenge too!
Give a Crafter a Cookie - Inspiration was chocolate for Easter *
Creative Moments also have an Easter challenge *

I feel all inspired to use my copics again after the course with Faye!

Expect to see a few more bits and bobs

Have fun!

Ruthie x

Unicorn vinyl

Just for me!  I mean, who doesn't love a unicorn?  

Got a file from etsy and cut it using my scan n cut - lots of fiddly weeding later - and I had this.  

Hints and tips.

No transfer tape?  No problem - use masking tape.

Wrinkles?  No problem - use a heat gun to GENTLY heat the vinyl and the wrinkles can be smoothed away because the heat shrinks the vinyl.  Gotta give the credit for that one to hubby - apparently this is what they do when they apply vinyl to cars.  

Going to go and find if there are any challenges for this one to go into...

And there are lots!  

My time to craft want to see anything new (yep, my mug and the cutting file!)

Crafty Friends have an anything goes challenge

Another anything goes from C.R.A.F.T 

And the Allsorts Challenge blog has a something new challenge running too. 

Happy New Year, Happy Crafting

Ruthie x

My first box card...

Another first - a box card!  Got this file from SVG Cuts in a bundle of Christmas themed cards.  

On a bit of a flyer - but just to say that this made the perfect WOW card for family who do not celebrate Christmas.  

Funny what lengths you go to to get a good photo - hence lying on the floor as the cat exits the cat flap!!! 

Happy crafting guys

Ruthie x

Another winter blue card for the challenge...

I have never made one of these cards before and I was amazed at how easy it was - when you have a cutting file that is!  I have no idea how I would have done it from scratch of course! 

Not a wintery card at all - but hey, it IS blue! So I am going to enter this in the challenge Amy is having over at Crafty Purple Frog - here!  

I am definitely going to do more of this style of card - it looks so complex! 

Have fun crafting!

Ruthie x

Challenge entry

The lovely Amy, from our crafty weekend, has a new shop and is having a DT call and challenges etc.  I really can't commit to the DT full time, but thought I would enter the challenge when I can...

The challenge this week is the Winter Blues - anything blue and it doesn't have to be Christmas themed.  I have another card in the pipeline but had to make some cards for work - anyone who knows me knows that I don't make Christmas cards, but it was a long story and I ended up making ten!  Well, it was a good opportunity to try out my scan n cut!  I made them mainly with red or green backgrounds, but had to make a couple of blue ones for the challenge.  

The challenge can be found at the Crafty Purple Frog blog.  Why not pop over and send her some love?

Have a great week

Ruthie x

Sneaking back quietly...

Shhhhh!  I am sneaking back quietly.....

A quick update from me...well, I did it!  I became a teacher!  When I went in to training I thought I was going to be a upper KS2 teacher or even secondary at some point...but then I discovered year 1 (5 and 6 year olds) - and they are fantastic!  

So, I have done my 1 year training, and survived 1 year as a Newly Qualified Teacher and now I am in my second year in Year 1 - with the most fantastic class.  Yes, it is manic, yes there are stressful times - but heck, I wouldn't change it for a second.

I have stopped crafting for over two years now (last blog post was when I stopped - Feb 2014!) so nearly 3 years!  Now things are calming down a little I have been able to pick up with my hobbies - I am breaking in and schooling a young horse for a friend of mine (lots of poop and a few scary times!) and I restarted crafting when I went on the fantastic crafty weekend during October half term.  

If you have not seen the crafty weekend, click on the link in my sidebar - we have such a giggle!  And a little bit of crafting gets done.  

Anyway, I am off to go and "do" something - having spent the day thus far Christmas shopping and cleaning, I think I deserve a play.    I was a good teach and got my marking done yesterday evening, so just have a little planning to nail tomorrow.  

I'm so glad to be back and can't wait to catch up with everyone in blogland!  

Ruthie x

Little bit sad...

It is all change for me - I am stepping down as senior DT on Audsentiments blog and this is my last challenge. 

 

I have loved my time on the blog and the current DT and past DTs have been fabulous. Julie and Ali are such stars and great people to "work" alongside.

 

  However, I have some changes happening in my life...I have been a librarian since before I started work! I was a volunteer at age 14, then a Saturday Assistant. I then worked as a library assistant, went away and got a degree, then came back and worked as a Children's Librarian, Branch Manager, Marketing Manager, Childrens Team Manager and now am Reader Development Manager and one of three management team members.

 

BUT, I have wanted to become a teacher for quite a long time now - I have been taking courses and working towards it, on and off, for nearly 5 years! Now it is time to take the leap and go for it. So, I am currently actively seeking a training placement! Eeeeep - very scary, but I just know I need to do this.

 

So, why the long story? Well, I am going to need all my "spare" time to learn what I need to learn to make this big career change - so I have stepped down from my last team. This means that I can craft when I have time, and not when I don't - and I don't have to worry about letting anyone down.

 

As my last challenge for Audsentiments, I thought I would get a bit cheeky - literally! 

 

 

I used SVG Cuts files for the letters, my eclips to cut them out.  They really were super-duper easy to do and the video on SVG Cuts youtube challenge was invaluable!

 

If you want to join in our BINGO challenge over at Audsentiments, the link is in my sidebar - we would love to see what you come up with.

 

I will still be around in blogland - you don't get rid of me that easily!

 

Hugs Ruthie x

Nice easy challenge....

A lovely easy challenge over at Aud Sentiments this time....you just need to use....any sentiment you want!  Phew!

 

You can enter here

 

And here is my entry.....

 

 

Hope you get the chance to join in!

 

Hugs to all and thanks for stopping by

 

Ruthiex

 

TAG IT! and a DT Call!

Get me!  More than a post a month!  Phew, need a lie down now!

 

Oh heavens, we have had such a funny day at work today - in a library - and giggling so much....madness!

 

 

 So, our challenge over at AudSentiments this time is to make a tag - making sure you include a sentiment!

 

 

I did mine, but then remembered someone at craft club had asked me to make a few cards, so I quickly turned it into a card!  The lovely lady bought this one and a few others, so I was dead chuffed! 

 

 

And, just before I dash off, I need to mention our DT call over at Audsentiments.  Just pop on over there and take a peek - be brave and have a go!

 

Ruthie x

One for the boys....

So, I came back from the Crafty Weekend all fired up and ready to create!  But here is one of the cards I made while I was there.  I just loved this stamp - so funny!!!  And the ticket die and stamp was from my goody bag! Yay!

 

 

I would like to enter this into Natalie and Amy's Challenge - One for the Boys!  I haven't entered a challenge in forever!

 

Thanks for popping over!

 

Ruthie x

Feminine

Over at AudSentiments this week we are getting all feminine!  Our challenge is to make a card either for a girl, or for a man but from a girl!  We are sponsored by Sassy Studio Designs as you can see by my image.  

 

 

Girlies from my crafty weekend will be so proud that I used a flower - I don't do flowers! 

 

 

I am so pleased with how this came out, colouring wise!  So if you want to join in, just click on the link in the bar and it will take you over to Aud Sentiments!

 

Thanks for stopping by today

Ruthie x

Christmas at Auds

We have a nice easy challenge this time over at AudSentiments - its to make a project or card which includes a Christmas sentiment!  Easy Peasy, right?

And here is my offering.....

I have to do a quick shout out - I had the most wonderful crafty weekend away recently (link for the blog is on the right) - and the papers, stamp, die cut are all from my goodie bag from the weekend away!  So, if you get a chance, why not pop over to the crafty weekend blog and keep an eye out for dates for next year!!! 

thanks for popping by today!

Ruthie x

I'm back! Ish!

Oh how life gets in the way of crafting!  Nothing drastic, just life!

 

I have been keeping up with doing the posts for Audsentiments, but not done very much cardmaking at all.

 

So, just like buses....they have all come together....

 

 

 

So, the theme over at Audsentiments is funny Halloween sentiments - not too sure that mine are Funny to be honest, but hey ho! 

 

 

And, in case you didn't recognise them, the images are from Bugaboo - really do love the images they produce.

 

 

The image below is from Simply Betty Stamps - and this has been coloured and sat there waiting for a card to be made!  I got so fed up with not using it, that I took the chance to do it when I did my DT cards...so here it is...I just LOVE that image!

 

 

 

So, that's me done!  I am hoping it wont be so long next time, but really, who knows - I am training to do my first ever 5k run and am doing my level 2 British Sign Language (including going to the Deaf Club!!!) and I work full time, have a family etc etc....I just need more hours! 

 

Thanks for hanging in there with me and popping by!

 

Ruthie x

Aud Sentiments Feeling Flirty...

Last post for the day.....our challenge over at Aud Sentiments is Feeling Flirty - the challenge is to produce a flirty card or project...and did I read the instructions properly?  Nope! 

 So my first card would not work for the theme - but luckily I coloured two images in....

 Close ups on both of them.....

 Lovely Sassy Studio Designs - we are so lucky to work with these....

And that is me, all up to date, arms and hands working, fresh back from knife and tomahawk throwing - did I mention we do that???  Lol

Have fun all

thanks for popping by

Ruthie x

Birthday Ellie

I actually managed to forget to put this one on here!  Seriously!  I put it on the Aud Sentiments Blog - but forgot to put it here!  Sigh!  

This image was from Bugaboo - fabulous! Talk about a quick card!  No colouring and the background cut using my eclips.  Little bit of embossing and job done!

Love it when it is as easy as this!  Especially when life is busy!

OK - one more post to come today....then I am up to date...I think!

Rx

Crochet Wreath

In the evenings I crochet blankets...nice and simple, no pattern, just do it while you watch tv.

I have looked at Attic 24 website quite a lot - love the colours she uses - and have done a few bright blankets because of her.  

At the moment I am crocheting a mistake....it is grey, with purple stripes, but mainly grey.  It will be a lovely blanket and will go with our lounge beautifully, but its grey!  I like the bright colours and I miss the bright colours.  So I thought I would have a break and crochet a wreath that I saw on Attic 24.  

I am going to add some more flowers to it - but still try and keep them just in the same area - not all over.....

I have gone back to the grey blanket for the time being, but when I needed another colour blast I will add to the flowers

Thanks for coming over - to the many, many late posts!!!!

Ruthie x

Scary Mary....

Josh needed a card for a 13 year old's birthday recently - he assured me she likes zombies and the like....so I grabbed for this image from Delicious Doodles - who do the best scary images!

Poor Becca - I so hope she does like zombies - what if she really likes unicorns and fluffy bunnies???

Architectural Papercutting!

I know I said I had missed a few projects - but this is crazy!......

I have been playing around with papercutting and thought I would have a go at the architectural style as well as plain lettering and pics....  

Ok - these two aren't architectural, but I was getting in the swing....

Here you go - these are architectural....

That's Paris done - how about a bit of London?....

These are not my designs - there is a wonderful website that gives the patterns away for free!!!  Yep, just so you can have a play...

And of course, a little house.....because a man's home is his castle!  

And still more overdue posts to come......