Quixotic Challenge # 15 - One For the Boys......

Hi everyone!
YAAAAYYYY! It's Friday already and I'm so looking forward to a nice chillaxing weekend ;o)

My card has been made for this week's Quixotic Challenge where the theme is boys...... are you groaning, lol? Come on, you know you love making male cards!!! As I've said recently I quite enjoy the challenge of making these cards now and with less embellies available I think the focus has to be on the image and papers!

I've used paper from the Basic Grey Eerie collection, not just for Halloween you see! I bought it from Elaine's store Quixotic Paperie. My image is George from the Dottie and George collection over at Charmed Cards. This card is for a work colleague of mine and the sentiment has been computer generated..... now you must be wondering why I'm saying 'Happy Birthday You Punk'..... I can assure you it's a term of endearment in this case, I promise, lol! It's just the way we greet each other on a day to day basis.... in fact it's pretty mild compared to some of the things we say, hee hee!

Thanks to everyone who left some amazing comments on my last card, I was so flattered and glad you liked what I did especially as I haven't tried the crackle effect before!

Have a fantastic weekend.....

TTFN and TFL, hugs Tara xxx

ABC Challenge Tutorial Blog - Cracked Glass Effect......

Hello Peeps!
I decided to have a go at the first tutorial on the new monthly blog challenge created here by the ABC team. There's a fab instruction for you to follow and the effect is really nice..... I don't have a heat gun so I used some of the Crackle Effects gloss to create something similar.

My image is from the wonderful blog Shabby Chic PapirSkitter and if you haven't seen these images before then hop over for a look, especially if you like the vintage style. Papers are Kay&Co which were lovely to use as they've sadly sat gathering dust for a while now...... which is due to the fact that I have an enormous collection of papers and not enough time to use them all!!!

Sorry to be short and sweet but wishing you all a happy day today ;o)

TTFN and TFL, hugs Tara xx

Crafty Creations # 55 - Stitching.....

Good morning everyone!

My card today is for the latest Crafty Creations Challenge which has the theme of stitching..... in my case this comes as the faux variety because I'm useless with a sewing machine and have given up trying, lol! I cased the layout on this card from a beautiful card I spotted on Sandra's blog here way back last May!!! I'm a huge admirer of Sandra's cards and the way she put this one together blew me away..... so I made a note of where I'd seen it knowing that one day I'd use it to inspire me!

The image is of course Edwin Chasing Butterflies by Magnolia, coloured with Poly pencils. The gorgeous papers are from a Cosmo Cricket collection and I just punched out some mini butterflies to add and left it at that for once!

I recently ordered my tickets for the NEC show in March and I have to say it's fast approaching now and I'm very excited...... and hoping to see lots of familiar faces there maybe? Just wish there were a few more pennies in my money box right now, lol!

TTFN and TFL, hugs Tara xxx

Basic Grey Week 14 - Colour Combo......

Good morning Peeps!

I'm late with my DT card for this week's Basic Grey Challenge, sorry about that! I had alot going on yesterday and time just slipped away.

We have a fab colour combo to share with you this week of Maroon, Lemon and Pink and I reckon this one is sure to get your creative juices flowing! My teamies have come up trumps as always with some magnificent creations and they've used some very yummy papers! Also, check out the amazing prize on offer, I really want those sentiment stamps all to myself, lol!

I chose to work with a circular shape for my card as I wanted to create something a little bit different from my normal 6x6 safe square! I used papers from the lemonade range and I must admit my lemon is more of a dirty yellow but I think it'll just about pass! I used one of the Tilda beauties from last years Chasing Butterflies collection and added some punched flowers and leaves..... plus I glittered Tilda's wings but I'm not sure you can pick that up from my photo and may need to zoom in.

Finally, I thought I'd leave you with a piccie of what I woke up to this morning..... yet more snow!!! When will it end? Usually in the UK we're beside ourselves with excitement when we see a sprinkling of the white stuff, but this year I think it's more of a shock when it rains, lol!!!

Enjoy a peaceful Sunday ;o)

TTFN and TFL, hugs Tara xxx

Cinema Saturday Creative Challenge # 66 - Clueless......

Hi there folks!
I just want to share with you a challenge blog which I stumbled across this week, as I think it's a fab idea and great fun too! The challenge is Cinema Saturday Creative and each week they provide you with a film to use as inspiration and lots of extras to inspire. This week the film is Clueless and I have to say I was a bit clueless myself as I haven't seen it before, but I needn't have worried because the Design Team are on hand to provide an insight into the movie and there's a clip to watch too!

As an extra option we're asked to use some checks on our card as I think a few of the characters in the film wear tartans and checked print clothing. Another theme is shopping which is why I've chosen to use this gorgeous Miss Anya image.

I'm off to the cinema now to see Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief with the kids...... hey there's an idea for a future challenge, lol!

TTFN and TFL, hugs Tara xxx

A Spoon Full Of Sugar # 91 - Spring is in the Air.....

Afternoon Peeps!

I've had a lovely time crafting with my friend Sarah today and we've just left the kids to make a mess and have fun! Oooooh, wonder what will face me later when I go into the bedroom, lol!!

Here is the result of today's efforts, a card I've made for my friend's daughter and I'm entering it into the latest ASFOS Challenge which has a Spring theme. I used the beautiful papers from Basic grey's Wisteria range and, as you can see, I've done quite a lot of cutting out and layering with them. The image is Hanglar and the sentiment has been created using some Doodlebug letter stickers.

I'm off to make a start on another card now so I'll catch you later when I settle down for a good old blog hop. Hope you've had as much creative fun as me today ;o)

TTFN and TFL, hugs Tara xx

Charisma Cardz Week 6 - Think Male........

Morning everyone!

Do you know, I'm not put off by making male cards anymore..... in fact I quite enjoy the challenge!!! This card was made for my son's friend who turned eleven and can often be found listening to his i-pod. I asked him what sort of music he likes and he told me rock is his fave, so that's where the sentiment came from!

I'm entering this one into the Charisma Cardz Challenge as the theme this week is 'Think Male'. I used various Basic Grey papers and my image is Mikey from Charmed Cards and Crafts.

Must go now as I'm dashing to work...... catch you all later!

Have a great day and take care..... TTFN and TFL, hugs Tara xxx

Colour Create 39 - Red, Pink, White/Off White and Chocolate.....

Hiya Peeps!

I have the greatest of honours today as I've been asked to fill the guest spot on Colour Create for their first birthday!!! As some of you may remember, I first started the challenge this time last year (can't believe it's been going that long already) and had the pleasure of working with the most amazing Design Team. Unfortunately, things got a bit hectic for me and I was considering folding the challenge when Sharon very kindly stepped in to keep it going....... and ever since that time the challenge has gone from strength to strength and it is all credit to Sharon and her wonderful team, plus the vast army of loyal followers who take part and make it the huge success it is today! So 'Happy Birthday' Colour Create, I'm proud of you and long may you continue!

This week's colour theme is red, pink, white/off white and chocolate, YUM!! I made my card using a download from the Pixie Collection at Charmed Cards and Crafts and my papers are from Basic Grey's Blush range. The flower and leafy swirls were both created using Sizzix dies and the sentiment is Magnolia.

Before I go I must just show you what's on the horizon with new Basic Grey collections...... this'll leave you salivating I bet, hee hee.......

Click HERE to see what I'm talking about and feast your eyes on One Size Fits All, Max and Whiskers, Cappella, Kioshi and Green At Heart!

You know you want them all, hee hee!!

Enjoy the rest of your day and thanks so much for stopping by ;o)

TTFN and TFL, hugs Tara xxx

Quixotic Challenge # 12 - I Believe In Fairies......

Hi there Peeps!

Today I have a card to show you today featuring my gorgeous new image from Sweet Pea Stamps. This is one of the Ching-Chou Kuick stamps and if you decide to buy it 50% of the proceeds will go towards the Haiti relief operation.

I admit I was a bit nervous when I started colouring the image because it's very intricate, but I needn't have worried as it came together beautifully...... and I defy you not to add copious amounts of glitz and glitter when you play with this beauty!!

My papers are Basic Grey Blush and the embellies have been cut from parts of one of the sheets too...... I love doing this! I punched out a couple of butterflies and added a Melissa Frances rub-on sentiment. I can't wait to work on my next image and will be buying more very soon! The service was fab and I received my stamps from the US within a week!! Check out the Sweet Pea Stamps blog for more information.


I'm entering my card into this week's Quixotic Challenge where they have a fairy theme..... perfect! Hop over for a look at the gorgeous DT cards, they're delish!

Thanks for stopping by today and taking a look, much appreciated ;o)

Enjoy the rest of your day!

TTFN and TFL, hugs Tara xxx

Basic Grey Week 12 - A Sketch.....

Good morning and welcome to another challenge over at Basic Grey. This week we have one of Martine's scrummy sketches for you and I just know you're going to have great fun with this one! I love to see what my teamies come up with each week and I especially enjoy the sketches because we all interpret them slightly differently. Of course with so many Basic Grey collections available now we often choose differently too! I opted for the Bittersweet papers because they always make me think about Valentine's Day and of course that's fast approaching.



Now then, I have a slight confession to make (quietly clearing my throat)..... a few peeps commented on my colouring for the card I posted on Feb 3rd using one of the gorgeous LOTV images. Okay I'm going to come clean...... this was precoloured and the image I've uploaded today is the same. It is nice to skip the colouring stage once in a while but I still put the work in by adding the glitter, the faux stitching and all the inking. A big thumbs up from me for these images, they really are so scrummy and drawn in a raw way as Janny said in her comment..... love that!


Well I hope you can join us in this latest challenge and you'll be in with the chance to win a fabulous prize as always! I'm flying out now to take my son to cricket nets and then on to a birthday party...... it's all go when you're nine and a half heh?!

Have a fun Saturday and take care ;o)

TTFN and TFL, hugs Tara xx

Crafty Calendar # 5 - Love and Friendship......

Good afternoon everyone and happy Friday!!

Here is a card I made for the Crafty Calendar Challenge which has the theme of love and friendship for February. I knew all about the challenge in advance of it being posted, because it is run by my dear daughter Georgia. So when I sent this card to my lovely friend Ruth last week I decided it would be perfect to enter into this particular challenge.

I used one of the gorgeous Miss Anyas from the latest set released and my papers are Basic Grey Origins. I cut out some of the flowers from one of the paper sheets and layered them..... the sentiment is a Melissa Frances rub-on...... the rest of the bits and bobs are from my stash.

Okay then, must fly...... hope you all have an amazing weekend and I shall return tomorrow with my Basic Grey DT card.

TTFN and TFL, hugs Tara xxx

Cute Card Thursday # 98 - Spots and Dots.....

Hi there folks!

I'm fairly sure my lovely friend Martine will have received this card I made for her to cheer her up after she lost her dog recently. It feels so nice to be able to make a card for someone who is feeling a bit down doesn't it? It always cheers you up when something handmade drops through the letterbox and you know a friend has you in their thoughts.

I'm entering the card into this week's Cute Card Thursday Challenge where the theme is spots and dots........ the MME papers are spotty and this super cute LOTV image has the little girl wearing a hat covered in dots, will that do? I've added a pretty rose which I got from Tab's brilliant online store and some Prima Hydrangeas. The leaves were cut from a MS punch, the rub on sentiment is Melissa Frances and the other is Kay&Co and finally the lace came from my local market.

Well I hope you enjoy your day today..... mine will be full of paperwork at the office ;o( I'd love a couple of weeks off just to sit and make cards as my head is buzzing with ideas but you watch, when I do finally get some time off I bet my mojo will be hiding again, lol!

Thanks for stopping by today ;o)

TTFN and TFL, hugs Tara xxx

Everybody Art Challenge # 76 - Thank You......

Helloooooooooo everybody!

I'm flying by the seat of my pants just now as I have about 10 minutes to get to school for the kids and I'm frantically trying to upload this card. I know if I leave it until I get back I'll get sidetracked.

So here is a card I made for the latest Everybody Art Challenge where the theme is to make a 'Thank You' card and I've used a new download which I bought from my friend Di's new digi shop here. I was so impressed when I saw the images that I bought a few and I couldn't believe the price too....... please hop over for a look, you won't be disappointed.

I'll be back on here later to update with the materials I used, so for now it's toodle pip..... and thanks for visiting me today ;o)

Big hugs, Tara xxx

C.R.A.F.T Challenge # 35 - Paper Piecing....

Good morning peeps!

Here is a card I made for my friend who has just moved into her very first home with her boyfriend. I've used those yummy papers from the Basic Grey Indian Summer range and the coffee pot image is from a Pink Cat Studio set I picked up at the NEC last year. I created the sentiment on my PC and added some lollipop flowers with button centres to finish.

I'm entering my card into the C.R.A.F.T Challenge this week where the theme is paper piecing, something I always really enjoy doing ;o)

Hope you have a nice day and don't get too wet in all this rain we're being treated to....... at least it isn't quite as cold as it has been!

TTFN and TFL, hugs Tara xxx