Oh Come Let Us Adore Him......

Oh Come Let Us Adore Him, Oh Come Let Us Adore Him, Oh Come Let Us Adore Him, Christ The Lord......

God Bless you all this Christmas time.... hope you have a wonderful holiday and a very Happy New Year!

Hugs Tara xxx

'Tis The Season.....

Good morning!

Sorry for not being around much but life is just so busy right now! Anyway here is a card I made recently in my usual vintage style.

I used Basic Grey Curio papers and Tim Holtz dies. The stunning image is by Tattered Roses available here on Etsy.



I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Craft Your Passion - 'Tis The Season

Stamptacular Sunday - Anything Christmas

Fun With Shapes and More - Cold As Ice


Well I hope you are all keeping well and thank you so much for stopping by today ;o)


TTFN and TFL, hugs Tara xxx

True Friendship....

Good morning folks!

I hope you're enjoying your weekend so far? Yesterday hubby and I took the day off to go out with the kids and we ended up at Cadbury World.... I will have a few pictures to show on my next post. I'm not really a chocolate lover but everybody else is.... and we really enjoyed seeing the history and workings of such a big and famous company.


Anyway, I'm here to show you a vintage topper I've made.... in pretty blues and greens this time as I do love this colour combo. I was really pleased with how the flowers turned out... made using DooHickey dies and my own rolled roses. Hopefully you can see tucked behind all the layers that I used Basic Grey Curio papers and the lovely sentiment is Tim Holtz. Everything has been sanded and distressed as always. Oh and I nearly forgot the most important thing.... this stunning image is from an Etsy shop which you can find here.... the quality of these beauties really is something else!


Here are the challenges I'm entering today:

Basic Grey - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes

Sweet Stampin' - Anything Goes

Charisma - Anything Goes

Totally Gorjuss - I Remember


Have fun and stay happy ;o)

TTFN and TFL, hugs Tara xxx

Once Upon A Time....

Good morning folks!

Hope you are keeping well and happy! I've managed to fit in some more crafty time and cut into these scrummy new papers from Prima which are called Printery.... they're right up my street and perfect to use with vintage projects. I printed the roses from a Joanna Sheen CD and cut them out.... the sentiment is Magnolia and there's some Tim Holtz film strip ribbon hiding in there too.... oh and the scrummy metal frame was a great find on Ebay. Of course everything has been sanded and distressed as much as possible ;o)



I have made this card topper with a number of challenges in mind:

Paper Sundaes - pick at least two choices from the following - Black, Sparkle, Flowers and Distressing (I've used Black, Flowers and Distressing).

Stampin' Sisters in Christ - incorporate time into your creation.

Crafts 4 Eternity - Use at least one metal embellishment.

Moving Along With The Times - Vintage

Our Creatice Corner - Fabulous Faces

PaperPlay - Use Black

Well that's me for today.... thanks so much for checking out my creation!

TTFN and TFL, hugs Tara xxx

You Are Fabulous....

Good morning folks!

Here's a card I made which has a nice Autumnal feel.... and I think Autumn has definitely arrived now in the UK..... chilly or what?!

Over at EAC this week the theme is 'Mushrooms' and I remembered this cute Joanna Sheen stamp from the Messy Rabbit collection. The papers are My Mind's Eye and I've used various dies.... Cheery Lynn, Marianne Creatables, DooHickey. The other bits and bobs are from my stash.


I'm also entering the following challenges:

Top Tip - Layer It Up

Stamptacular Sundays - You Choose

Stampin' For The Weekend - Colours of Autumn

Paper Sundaes - Halloween or Fall

Oldie But A Goodie - Forever Autumn

Deep Ocean - Fall Colours

CES - Forever Autumn

C.R.A.F.T. - Autumn


Thanks so much for stopping by today.... have a great weekend ;o)

TTFN and TFL, hugs Tara xxx

With All My Love.....

Good afternoon..... and happy 'hump' day!

I've made a card for the latest Paper Sundaes Challenge where the girls are asking for our favourite colour combination.... well I have many favourites really; pink and green, green and blue, pink and brown..... but I really love blue and brown together.... in fact let's make it sound more gorgeous by saying teal and chocolate in this instance!!



I've used Basic Grey papers and a Magnolia image with lots of Doo Hickey dies...... and everything has been sanded and distressed because that's the way I like it, lol!


I'm also entering the following challenges:

Craft Your Passion - A Card For Any Occasion

Crafty Cardmakers - Anything Goes

Just Magnolia - Anything Goes

One Stop - Anything Goes

Saturday Challenge - Anything Goes as Long as it Sparkles

Stamptacular Sunday - So Distressing

ABC - Anything Goes

The Emerald Faerie Garden - Punches/Dies

Tip Top Tuesday - Use Designer Paper (option of handmade flowers)


Thanks so much for stopping by today and enjoy the rest of your week ;o)

TTFN and TFL, hugs Tara xxx

Imagination.....

Good afternoon!
Happy World Cardmaking Day!! Sorry for being AWOL for over a week now but I'm not sure where time has gone.... the days just seem to fly by and I suppose what with holding down a job and running the kiddos here and there, crafting time can sometimes take a backseat!!!

But here is a card I have managed to squeeze in.... I particularly enjoyed creating my flowers from the backing paper and I think this is maybe quite an underused technique. The cool blues and green tie in quite nicely with this fabulous mini Indian Summer we're having here the UK right now (today is supposed to be the hottest day on record for October).... and is one of those days that makes you feel glad to be alive ;o)


Anyway, I used Kay&Co papers, a vintage Lunagirl image and a Flora Doodle bloom on this card.....
plus a pretty paper butterfly and doily and a stunning Tim Holtz sentiment.... the outer border has been faux stitched and all edges have been Distress Inked.


Here are the challenges that fit in with my card today:

Colour Create - Lime, Aqua and White (well nearly, lol)

Cupcake Inspirations - Photo (I mainly went for green and blue but the girl in the image does have a pink bow)

Stampin' For The Weekend - What A Cutie!

Simon Says - Anything Goes

Sentimental Sundays - Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone (cut up design paper for the embellishments)

Paper Sundaes - Anything Goes

Fussy and Fancy Friday - Try A New Technique (cut up design paper for the embellishments)

Fun With Shapes And More - Shabby/Vintage

Flutter By Wednesdays - Open


Thank you soooooo much for taking the time to visit my blog today and I hope you have a fantastic weekend ;o)

TTFN and TFL, hugs Tara xxx

Beautiful Dreamer.....

Hello folks!

I'm so glad I managed to make a card for this week's MDUC Challenge as there's such a gorgeous picture to use for inspiration.... it has something of an oriental feel to me which has been reflected by my choice of image and foliage..... and I think some of the DT were thinking along the same lines ;o)


I've used a mix of different papers.... MME, Basic Grey.... and Kay&Co for the wording....plus I inked up a Magnolia sentiment too. Now I'm always reluctant to step outside the comfort zone but when I saw today's new challenge over at Fussy and Fancy Friday I thought I'd take the plunge.... their brief is to try out a 'New Technique' and I've been wanting to have a go at a centre step card for ages.... and in the end it wasn't that tricky, lol!


The die cuts are from a lovely Sizzix Decorative Strip die I've had for a while now.... aren't those lovebirds sweet?!! Infact I think I can join in with Stampavie and More where the latest challenge is 'Love'..... oh and I urge you to check out Cupcake Inspirations for another divine photo.... I took my inspiration from the colours and those delish rolled roses.... well you know I struggle to make a card without them now, don't you?! Hee Hee!




I hope you all have a fab weekend and hopefully I'll be back in the next day or so to show you something else.... I'm on a crafty roll this week ;o)


TTFN and TFL, hugs Tara xxx

LIFE Happens....

Good morning everyone...... hope your week is good so far!

I've been having a play with this week's Waltingmouse sketch and also following the Vintage White theme over at The Shabby Tea Room.


And I opted to be brave and produce something without an image as the focal point..... scary for me!! Instead I created a layered flower with one of my trusty old Sizzix dies and then added some Papirloftet Autumn leaves to make it seasonal.


The papers are a mix of Kay&Co and Bo Bunny and the stamped sentiment is 7 Gypsies.... I also used a Martha Stewart punch to create a rustic border and carried on that theme by making a raffia bow..... the lace is from my stash.

I'm also entering the following challenges:

Paper Play - Autumn Leaves

Stamp With Fun - Anything Goes

Crafts and Me - Stripes

Simon Says - Dies To Die For



Corrosive Challenge - Punches and/or Dies


Thanks so much for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your week!

TTFN and TFL, hugs Tara xxx

Merry Christmas In September....

Good morning everyone!

As a girl who nevers starts making Christmas cards early I'm not sure what has come over me this year.... I've made one in September!!! Just saw this stunning vintage image whilst browsing my CD and had to use her straight away..... had to glitter up her fur a little bit first though, lol!!

I've used papers from Basic Grey's Wassail range and a Webster's Pages Christmas collection.The holly leaves are a QuicKutz die and the swirl is DooHickey. The large snowflake is by Spellbinders and all other embellies are from my stash. And yep..... torn roses..... AGAIN!!!! I notice this week's challenge at Basic Grey is Pink and Brown which fits perfectly with my card ;o)


I'm also entering the following challenges:

CES - Embellish More More (at least 4 types.... hmmmmm, never difficult for me, lol)

Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes

Corrosive - Punches and/or Dies

Tuesday Throwdown - Pearls

Winter Wonderland - Girly Christmas

Paperplay - Punches or Dies

One Stop - Girlie

Oldie But A Goodie - Christmas In September

Moving Along With The Times - Sparkle


Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for stopping by today ;o)

TTFN and TFL, hugs Tara xxx

Tomorrow Holds Many Wonderful Things.....

Good morning peeps.... hope you are enjoying your week so far!

I inked up one of last year's Tilda's for this card as I've only used her once before. She's coloured with Polychromatic pencils and I added some faux stitching around the edges. I also took out my emery board to distress the papers and the Co'redinations cardstock which is fast becoming one of my fave play things at the moment... I love the paler colours lurking underneath and sanding is a nice change from inking too!


I also inked up some Bo Bunny ETC stamps and some Marianne leaves which I stamped onto some Bo Bunny paper.... gives a subtle paper pieced effect I think.The flower is a layered DooHickey die and the leaves are Marianne, finally my sentiment is by LOTV.

I'm entering the following challenges:

Magnolia-licious - Orange, Teal and Brown

Crafts 4 Eternity - Blue and Brown

Challenge Up Your Life - Paper Piecing

Stamp Something - Stamp Something

Sentimental Sundays - Autumn

Craft Your Passion - The 'F' Word (Faux Stitching, Flower, Foliage)

Simon Says Stamp - Sing It (She's Leaving Home by The Beatles)

Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes


Thanks so much for looking ;o)

TTFN and TFL, hugs Tara xxx

Hugs, ETC.....

Good afternoon,

Hope you've had a good week and are enjoying a restful weekend. It's very blustery in the UK today and perfect weather for getting washing dry.... I have lots of towels and bedding flapping about in the wind, in fact one of the towels ended up half way up the garden a few minutes ago!!!

I've made a card today which definitely won't qualify as CAS, lol! Just a few embellies on this one, smile! I've used a gorgeous Lunagirl vintage image and some yummy Bo Bunny Timepiece papers here.... there's even a scrap of Basic Grey paper which I believe is from the Urban Prairie range.


There are lots of Autumnal leaves from Pairloftet and I've added some of the fab TH acetate ribbon and some scrabble letters. The roses are hand torn using dusky pink Co'redinations cardstock and I found a couple of gorgeous vintage black buttons with a marble design to hold down the folded corners. The swirl is a DooHickey die and the ETC stamp is by Bo Bunny. The main colour inspiration for my card came from seeing the latest Colour Create challenge which is Pink, Brown, Cream and White...... yum! I also had fun thinking of a song title for Charisma and Saturday Challenge and came up with 'Lean On Me' by Bill Withers based on my image, tee hee!

I'm also entering the following challenges:

Totally Papercrafts - Cute With Buttons

Stampin' For The Weekend - Tickled Pink

Crafty Catz - Ribbons

Tuesday Throwdown - 3 Papers, 2 Buttons, 1 Ribbon

Crafts and Me - Buttons and Bows

EAC - Autumn

Creative Inspirations - Acetate

C.R.A.F.T - Children

Allsorts - Flowers and Swirls


Enjoy the rest of your weekend and take care ;o)

TTFN and TFL, hugs Tara xxx

Make A Wish......

Good morning folks.... is it Thursday already..... WOW!!!

I've made a festive card this week and felt my creations were long overdue a Tilda so here she is in all her Christmas glory. TOMIC are inviting us to create our own background so I set to work on a snowy sky.... now I know it's quite subtle but if you zoom in on the close up picture you'll see better. I distressed a piece of white card with TH Faded Jeans and then lightly stamped white and neutral Magnolia snowflakes all over, before finishing with some liquid pearl snow dots.


I also noticed that MDUC are challenging us to 'Frame It' so I thought I'd add something of a shabby picture frame to the scene.

I'm also entering the following challenges:

Oldie But A Goodie - Christmas In September

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

Just Magnolia - Anything Goes

Simply Magnolia - Anything Goes

Try It On Tuesday - Monochrome

Stampin' For The Weekend - Holidays


Thanks so much for stopping by.... it is truly appreciated ;o)

TTFN and TFL, hugs Tara xxx

Special Delivery.....

Good morning everyone!

Managed to make a card this morning and I'm really pleased with the results because this is so far removed from my normal style and I managed to stay true to a sketch and hold back on adding too many embellies, lol!


I followed this fab sketch over at Card Patterns and I think it's the first time I've joined in with the challenge!! It was a gorgeous layout to work with too!


Having had a bit of a sale of some of my older crafting goodies recently, I've been able to have a little spending spree and bought a fab set of cameo/frame stamps from Waltzingmouse.... not my usual thing I guess but I think they're so classical and will be particularly handy for making cards for older ladies. This particular card is for a 70 year old and I thought she might appreciate the style more than something cutsie! I also bought some Bo Bunny papers and stickers and I've used a mix of the Timepiece and Et Cetera collections here. I added in torn roses, lace, a doily and a DooHickey swirl to finish.


As well as following the sketch at Card Patterns I was also inspired to use the pictures and colours provided by the girls at The Shabby Tea Room for their new challenge, although I hope I'm forgiven for making my card with a birthday theme rather than wedding! The above picture is where I took my main inspiration, hence the cameo theme.


I'm also entering the following challenges:

Craft Your Passion - Anything Goes With A Twist (Flowers)

Truly Scrumptious - Rocked Up Pink

StampARTic - Shabby Chic

Stamptacular Sunday - The Sky's The Limit


Thanks so much for stopping by today ;o)

TTFN and TFL, hugs Tara xxx

In Dreams......

Good morning everyone!

It's nice to be posting a card at last..... I've been a little preoccupied this last fortnight with a job move and getting the kids ready for the big return to school tomorrow.... I will be so sad when they go back because I've loved every minute of the holidays and, as my son embarks on his journey into high school and my daughter is near to finishing, I realise how fast they grow up and that we should truly treasure EVERY moment! I've booked a day off work tomorrow as I know I'll probably spend the whole morning in tears.... the last of my babies going to big, big school..... sniff!! I thank God each and every day for my wonderful family ;o)

Anyway, enough of my sentimental rambling and on to the task in hand, lol! I got up this morning and had a look at the new challenges posted..... Sketchy Colours caught my eye so I made this card with the colour combo 'Beige, Brown and Purple' in mind. I hope it's okay that I also added some green.... can't help it really, it's a foliage addiction you see, lol!!


I have no idea where the lovely papers are from.... they were just lurking in my stash. The image is from my Luna Girls CD and the sentiment is Tim Holtz. I've used Marianne and DooHickey dies and added some of my handmade torn roses for a shabby chic effect. The gorgeous metal butterfly was sent to me by my lovely friend Heather.

I'm entering the following challenges:

Vintage Udfordring - Use Metal

Aud Sentiments - Card/Sentiment For A Girl

Bearly Mine - Flowers, Flowers, Flowers

By The Cute And Girly - All Things Bright And Beautiful

Charisma - Anything Goes

Craft Your Days Away - Make Your Own Flowers

Crafty Creations - 3 Or More Dies Or Punches

Creative Card Crew - Anything Goes

Desert Island - Itinery : I used 6, 7, 8

Fun With Shapes And More - What You Want

Marianne's Design Divas - Anything Goes

Moving Along With The Times - Handmade Flowers

Paperplay - Make Your Own Flowers

Stampin' Sisters In Christ - Quiet Colours

Top Tip Tuesday - Shabby Chic

Craft Us Crazy - Autumn Colours and/or Favourite Embellishments (I've chosen to use my fave torn roses)


Well thanks so much for stopping by and have a fab week ahead ;o)


TTFN and TFL, hugs Tara xxx

Hands To Hold......

Good morning everyone...... hope you are enjoying your weekend and the sun is shining brightly!

This week's theme at Cute Card Thursday is 'Weddings'.... I have to admit I don't make a great number of wedding cards but I thought I'd give it a go...... and it made a nice change too! I now have a number of vintage CD roms which I bought from Lunagirl on Ebay, so I am using these images more and more on my cards..... in this case I framed my image by cutting an oval shape in the design paper..... sorry I can't give more info on the papers I used but they are leftovers from old 12x12 sheets.

The sentiments are Kay&Co stickers and I added some vintage lace, satin leaf ribbon and a DooHickey leaf die and heart swirl die..... and of course you'll recognise the cream roses by now, lol..... yes, more of my fave torn roses for which I've done a tutorial here.

If you fancy having a go at the roses and want to use the Co'redinations cardstock I was recommending then I found a great supplier here...... and the p&p is free within the UK!!!


I'm also entering the following challenges:

Paperplay - Recipe : 3 embellishments (flowers, hearts and butterfly), 2 papers, 1 lace

Craft Us Crazy - Anything Goes

Allsorts - You've Been Framed

Aud Sentiments - Anything Goes

City Crafter - Scrap Happy

Crafty Cardmakers - Flutterbies

Creative Card Crew - Handmade Flowers

Desert Island - 7.Stickers, 9.Vintage, 10.Fabric

Fussy and Fancy - 3 or More Fave Embellishments (I chose hand-torn roses, satin leaf ribbon, lace and Doo Hickey dies)

Papertake Weekly - BINGO : Blooms, Free, Lace

Truly Scrumptious - Lace It Up


Well thank you so much for stopping by and enjoy the week ahead ;o)

TTFN and TFL, hugs Tara xxx

True Friendship........

Afternoon folks and happy Friday...... how can the weekend nearly be upon us again?!!

I would like to say a huge thank you for the response to my torn rose tutorial and I really hope lots of people will give it a try now ;o)

Following on from yesterday's post I decided to put the dark grey roses to good use and this card is the result! I've made it for my ex-boss who is also a close friend and I felt she might appreciate something a little bit traditional.


I created one of my paper layers by stamping on various Tim Holtz images and a sentiment too, so I hope this allows me to enter my creation into this week's Paperplay Challenge. The outer paper is Kay&Co and the leaves are Marianne and Martha Stewart. This card is soooooooo simple by my usual standards and I was itching to add more, but everyone at home was telling me it was fine so I did as I was told, lol!


I'm entering the following challenges:

Cute Card Thursday - CAS

Cupcake Craft - Sew Mad

Charisma - Distressing

Flutterby Wednesdays - Open

ASFOS - Happy Birthday

Craft Your Days Away - Birthday Celebrations

One Stop - Sentimental

Corrosive - Earth Tones

Tuesday Throwdown - Birthday


Thank you so much for stopping by today ;o)

TTFN and TFL, hugs Tara xxx

Torn Rose Tutorial.......

Morning peeps..... it's certainly been very wet and windy in my part of the world but I'm feeling quite cozy indoors! I know I'm probably odd but I love it when the rain sets in!!! My son isn't quite so happy though as he had a cricket match called off last night because of the weather!!

Anyway, after receiving a couple of emails about my torn roses I thought I'd post a little tutorial..... this is a first for me so please be gentle, lol! Plus I thought I'd enter Tip Top Tuesday for a second time this week so that I can show this as my tip ;o)

Step One: Firstly I start with a piece of 6x6 paper or card...... Co'redinations card looks fantastic with this torn technique so that's what I tend to go for, but anything goes really.


Step Two: I cut the card into four smaller squares...... this gives a nice size for the roses.


Step Three: Then I start to tear in a circular motion to get a round shape from which to start my spiral.


Step Four: As I finish tearing the circle I leave a slight lip from which to begin tearing the spiral shape.


Step Five: I start to tear in a circular motion to create a spiral shape.


Step Six: I continue tearing and try to keep the width as even as possible, but if it isn't perfect it only adds to the handtorn effect really!


Step Seven: I start to fold over the outer edge of the spiral.


Step Eight: I continue to fold it, following the shape of the spiral as I go.


Step Nine: I glue the folded up shape to its base with a hot glue gun.


Step Ten: I tease out the spiral shape so that it looks like a rose...... then all that's left to do is add a pearl centre or a stamen..... whatever you like really.


Here are a couple of my recent cards where I've used these torn roses...... hope you'll have a go and let me know if you do so I can check out your creation ;o)




Thanks for stopping by!

TTFN and TFL, hugs Tara xxx

Magnifique........

Good afternoon everyone..... hope you are having a good day!

I'm back with another Tilda card...... this is one of the older ones which I really love..... she's so graceful and dainty! I've added lots of white paint to distress the layers and made my own torn roses which seem to be a bit of a habit now, lol! The leaves are Marianne Creatable and DooHickey and my sentiment comes from a Kay&Co design paper.



I'm entering the following challenges:

Papertake Weekly - Grow Your Own

Oldie But A Goodie - The Great Outdoors

Tip Top Tuesday - Straight Edges

EAC - Summer

Craft Your Passion - Favourite Season (Summer)

Sentimental Sundays - Flowers

Dream Valley - Distressing

Totally Tilda - Pearls, Swirls, Ribbon and Lace....... hoping my torn roses count as the swirls ;o)

Simply Magnolia - Sketch...... I turned the layout quarter clockwise and moved the flowers...... hope that's okay ;o)

Addicted To Stamps - Anything Goes

Sketchy Colours - Pink, White and Gold...... there is some gold clitter on the crown ;o)


Well that's me..... catch you soon ;o)

TTFN and TFL, hugs Tara xxx

A Summer Day.......

Good afternoon folks....... it's almost the weekend, YAY!!! I'm slightly wondering where the week has gone though!!! I'm so loving being off with my kiddos just now and I'm definitely one of those people who enjoys every minute of being with them in the school hols!!! I am still working the odd day but in the main we're having oodles of family time ;o)

Well it's been a while since I made a Magnolia card and I had a ball with this one! I took up the challenge on the Magnolia-licious Highlites blog to use only papers and it was a lot of fun! I really enjoy picking out elements of a design paper and cutting them out to create nice embellies..... I suppose it looks like decoupage but without all the layers, lol! If you think this challenge might be a bit tricky then check out the DT creations and you'll be raring to go..... such imagination and talent! I also had a snoop around for a nice sketch to follow and came up with one at the latest Oldie But A Goodie Challenge..... I hope I'm forgiven for making a few tweaks as I did move the sentiment and the corner a bit but hopefully the basis of the design is still intact!! Again there are some stunning DT creations to help you on your way!


So for my card I used Kay&Co papers and cut out some of the roses which are shiny and glittery.... but you may have to zoom a bit to pick up the sparkle! Every edge has been distressed with acrylic paints and Distress Ink, as well as being roughed up with scissor blades of course. I added some DooHickey leaves, a Pink Cat Studio round sentiment and a couple of punched Martha Stewart borders..... so I really stuck to the paper theme completely.



I'm entering these challenges as well:

Just Magnolia - Anything Goes (+ glitter option)

Raise The Bar - Anything Goes

CES - Feeling The Blues

Craft Your Passion - Anything Goes

Crafts & Me - Anything Goes

Creative Card Crew - Best Foot Forward

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

Stampavie and More - Summer

Craft Us Crazy - Anything Goes in August

Charisma - BINGO (Flowers, Pearls, Glitter)

MDUC - BINGO (Flowers, Sparkles, Paint)



Well I hope you enjoy your weekend and thanks so much for stopping by ;o)

TTFN and TFL, hugs Tara xxx