D - dancer - un ballerino / una ballerina

Well I never for the last challenge I was so last minute and this time I am early with my page for the dictionary challenge at The Craft Barn.  I'm loving doing these pages - it's really good fun and a great way to use those stamps that have been lurking unloved for some time.
The ballerina I've used on this page is a clear stamp bought from a Facebook Declutter group.  I really don't know who the maker is but I do love the geometric lines in it and the style.  I've also used another of the letter stamps I bought from the same group - this time I think the words 'darling' and 'determined' fit really well with the ballerina.  I've coloured the tutu in pink - that was an added extra to the challenge and I've added a dictionary definition too from a very old and battered dictionary that I really don't mind cutting up.
So here's an update on all the letters and words used so far...

• B - baby - un bimbo / una bimba
• L - leaf - un foglia
• F - fish - un pesce
• G - garden - un giardino
• and today's letter D - dancer - un ballerino / una ballerina

So far I've only used the English to Italian part of my dictionary - maybe next year I'll use the first half of the book and use the Italian words.

Have a great week everyone.

Annie xxx

G - Garden - un giardino

oh my I nearly missed this challenge.  Life has been tough over the past two weeks with my mum falling and ending up in hospital and then returning to the home she is in, but not really fit to be there.  Anyhow I made the challenge at The Craft Barn by the skin of my teeth.  I really don't want to miss any of the alphabet out.
This time the focus is on the letter G and I chose to illustrate the word 'garden' which in my Italian dictionary is 'uno giardino'.  I've just bought a set of alphabet stamps (second hand so not sure of make) that have the letter and two words on as well - really like these and will be using them on each page from now on I think.  The main stamped garden images are from a set of clear stamps by PSX that I have had for so long I can't remember when I bought them.  They have gone yellow but still seem to stamp okay.
Hope you like my page - I'm wondering what the next letter will be - only got till tomorrow to find out - a short wait this time!
Annie xxx

R - reindeer - una renna...

Oh my a new letter at The Craft Barn dictionary challenge and I really don't want to get left behind in this challenge.  I've been super busy this week and not super fit but to save the day I've rehashed and renovated a page I did some time ago. I've added colour and the dictionary definition.

Here's a recap of all the words covered so far...

• F - fish - un pesce
• B - baby - un bimbo / una bimba
• L - leaf - un foglia

Additional challenges...

• Artistic Inspirations - anything goes
• Crafting from the heart - anything goes
• Craft your passion - anything goes

Have a great week.

Annie xxx

Flowers...

Our challenge at My Time to Craft this time is yes you guessed it 'Flowers'.  Yeah the sun is shining - there are daffodils everywhere and I've just booked my next holiday!  Thank goodness we are getting near to the end of winter - it seems like it has been a long one this year!
My card is a very simple one that took no time at all to do.  I used one the Create a Card dies by Die-sire to cut out the main image - mat and layered it and added some gems.  Bish, bash bosh done as my lovely blogging friend Max would say.

Do check out some of the stunning cards my team mates at My Time to Craft have created and hopefully join in with this fun challenge too.  Just remember though entries with just a tiny flower embellishing the main image don't count the card has to be really floral.

Annie xxx

Version two...

More or less the same as yesterday but smaller and using up the snippets which makes it perfect for a Playground entry.

Challenges...

• Pixie's Snippets Playground - use up your snippets
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• and anything goes at
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• 7 kids challenge blog, 
• Crafting by Designs, 
• Creative Moments, 
• Inspiration Destination

Thank you for all your lovely comments.

Annie xxx

Keep it simple...

Oh my sometimes I find these cards the hardest in the world to do, but I keep trying.  The stamp I've used for this is by Judikins and one that I've had for an eternity.  I remember being desperate to buy it and then due to work etc not having time to use it.   Yeah now all the gorgeous stuff I bought when I was money rich and time poor can be put into action!
To begin I stamped the butterfly onto the base card and then made a mask so that I could add the swirls. Then using some amazing matching papers I stamped the butterfly out and paper pieced it on top.
I embossed a frame around the central focus and then added corner peel offs to emphasise the frame.  A peel off sentiment finishes the card.

Challenges...

• The Craft Barn - Keep it Simple - oh no just been to link this and I've messed up (again) - I should have a flower and a sentiment on the card - eek !!
• NBUS - never - before - used - schtuff - hmmm could do with this being an ongoing challenge as I have an embarrassing amount of NBUS

• A bit more time to Craft - anything goes

Have a good day everyone.

Annie xxx

L = Leaf = una foglia...

I was away on holiday for a few days last week and so this is my first chance to continue with the dictionary challenge at The Craft Barn.  This time we were given the letter L and as an addition (which on this occasion I didn't forget - remember the chaos with the heart!) we had to include a definition of the word we chose.
Luckily I found an old small dictionary which wouldn't mind being cut up and carefully tore around the definition of the word 'leaf'.  After digging out all my possible leaf stamps I planned out my page and then put the tiny definition on one side - a dangerous move with such a tiny piece of paper in a craft room full of paper.
I drew around my chosen word and then stamped leaves in two shades of green all around the page and then inked the edges.  I punched out three large leaves out of vellum, added embossed veins and inked these too before adding to the page.  At this point I should confess that there was a mad scramble including checking the rubbish bin for the tiny torn definition that wasn't in such a safe place after all!  Luckily I found it and was able to ink the edges and add it to my page.
Saved by the skin of my teeth and happy to have created a completed page for the letter L and the word leaf which in Italian is una foglia.
So far we have completed...

• F - fish - un pesce
• B - baby - un bimbo / una bimba
• L - leaf - un foglia

I wonder what the next letter will be.

Additional challenges...

• Artistic Inspirations - anything goes
• Crafting from the heart - anything goes
• Craft your passion - anything goes

Thanks for looking and leaving such lovely comments.  I'm really enjoying checking out what others are creating for their dictionary challenge.  Wow I'm spotting some amazing pages.  There are a lot of clever people out there in blogland.

See you soon.

Annie xxx

No designer backing papers...

We're keeping it really simple this week at My Time to Craft  - no fancy backing papers and not really many layers at all if any!  I find this really hard and tend to be a 'more is better' kinda gal rather than a 'less is more' person, but I quite enjoyed designing this simple card.
I used a Tonic die to cut out a fancy frame in the centre of a small card and added pearls to accentuate the frame (plus they masked the fact that the die had embossed circles in some parts and not in others). Good save hey?  The pearl background is formed by the inner of the card.
Then in the middle of the frame I added die cut leaves in cut from the pearl paper and a peel off butterfly attached to pearl paper and then painted in lilac a little.
All in all I'm pleased with this and may do more 'simple' cards.
Have a fun weekend.
Annie xxx

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A man card...

The challenge at Fab n funky is for a male birthday card so here is mine!  An easy peasy one using one topper from a Kanban sheet and added extras including die cuts by xcut and Spellbinders.  Gold peel offs complete the look.
Have a fabulous weekend.
Annie xxx

Happy Valentine's Weekend...

Check this out - it's the card for my youngest grandson who I love so much!  Created using an old set of Crafter's Companion stamps and coloured using Promarkers.
I've highlighted the 'check this out' because our latest challenge at My Time to Craft is to use checks - could be gingham - could be tartan - so many possibilities.  Hope you will have time to both check out the fab creations by my team mates and to join in too.
Other challenges...

• Crafty Card Makers - Love love love
• Cute Card Thursday - Sweet Valentine

Have a fabulous weekend.

Annie xxx

and all because of a forgotten heart!!

Well what a challenge I have had with this week's dictionary letter for the Craft Barn Challenge?  As some will have seen in my post yesterday I completely forgot that there was an extra to the challenge and we had to add a heart to the chosen letter F.
Now most people would have simply added hearts like bubble leading up from the fish's mouth - in fact lots of friends suggested that in the comments, but oh dear no I didn't think of it - no I had to go down the more complicated route of adding a fisherman who loved his fishing hobby !!
So many things went wrong along the way - too much of a sad and boring a tale to tell involving having to remove pages from the dictionary and other disasters, but in the end I ended up using a page from the front of the dictionary with the Italian word for fish and fisherman on it and then die cut the appropriate part in a heart shape to go alongside the stamped and coloured fisherman.
At one side we have the English words 'fish and fisherman' highlighted and at the other the Italian words 'un pesce et un pescatore ' in the heart.  
I got there in the end even if it was a very round about route!!  Next time I'm going to think my idea through more before putting stamp to paper.
Thank you to all my lovely friends who have been so kind about yesterday's efforts.  I didn't read your tips till after I had stamped the fisherman!
Have a great evening.
Annie xxx

F - Fish - Un Pesce....

Onto the third letter in the Craft Barn dictionary challenge and the letter this time is F.  I chose to use the word fish in my Italian/English dictionary.

Fish - un pesce and a fisherman is un pescatore.

What a way to learn a language?  Brilliant fun though and so far I know una bimba, un quarto and now un pesce and un pescatore.  I wonder what the next letter will be!

Have a fun week and pop over to the Craft Barn to join in the fun if you have time.

Annie xxx

PS - have just found out that I should have included a heart on this page - eeeeeeeeeeeeek - I will be back with an amended version.

For the super hero in my life...

My grandson like most little ones loves all the super heros and when I saw that Mary Ellen Smith at Free Dearie Dolls Digi's had drawn, coloured and allowed her followers to use this fantastic little fellow I couldn't wait to make a card.
I created the whole thing apart from the base black card in Craft Artist and simply printed it all out on photo paper.  Simples!
Thank you Mary - my grandson will love this so much.

Challenges...

• Aud Sentiments - use a love sentiment
• Crafty Card Makers - love , love, love
• Just us Girls - word is Valentine
• Polkadoodles - love and romance
• Simon Says Stamp - have a heart
• Digi Choosday - have a heart

Have a great week everyone.  Hugs for those who need them.

Annie xxx

Oh my February already...

Good job I've got a head start on my Christmas cards helped out by the weekly challenge at Craftyhazlenut's Christmas Challenge  which this week is easy peasy 'anything goes'.  My card is a gatefold one using Hunkydory card and topper.  Another really quick card.

Other challenges...

• Sparkles Christmas Challenge - a winter landscape
• Fab n Funky - Christmas

Annie xxx

Love is in the air...

Yes, it's almost February and you know what that means hearts and flowers everywhere!  Being on my own I don't really send Valentine cards, but it's always handy to have some romantic themed cards in the 'ready for when needed' box so for our LOVE  challenge at My Time to Craft I've created this anniversary card.  Very pink and very glitzy!  Lots of diecuts and gems all put together on an 7" by 7" scalloped card base.
So pink and so full of gems my daughter would be proud of me!
Other challenges...

• Polkadoodles - Love and Romance
• CRAFT Challenge - Love 
• Crafty Cardmakers - punches or dies

Have a great weekend whatever you are up to.

Annie xxx

Oh my nobody loves me...

I seem to be loosing followers rapidly - I know it's something to do with changes to Google, but it still hurts cause part of me thinks oooh they are not my friend anymore.  Oh well I'll just have to trot down the garden eating worms.
Anyway onto the fun stuff.  I'm so in love with the dictionary challenge over at the Craft Barn.  This time the letter is Q which at first had the same effect on me as a 'man card', but I have had so much fun creating this and tons of hassle too!

Which dipstick drew a line in black ink to the wrong definition - that led to the arrow system going all round the page!  Not ideal but not bad for a quick thinking cover up!

My word is QUARTER and in Italian UN QUARTO.  This is probably not the fastest way to learn a language, but it sure is fun.

I completed the first page and then seeing a huge white space on page 2 decided to extend the design and continue the theme of a quarter.  I drew a rectangle - divided it into 4 and then did some zentangling on one of the sections.  After I had done that the other sections didn't look quite right so I covered them with black and a pearl paper.  Then I realised that not only was I illustrating the word QUARTER but had inadvertently covered the word QUILT (in Italian UNA TRAPUNTA).  Clever eh?

Not my favourite page, but working in a book means that if something goes wrong 'you're up the creek with no paddle' so to speak so the page will have to do.

I wonder what the next letter will be?  

Other Challenges...

• Craffy Gals Corner - anything goes
• Inspiration Destination - anything goes
• Simon Says Stamp - anything goes
• Pixie's Snippets - the little bits to make the quilt were from my scraps box

Have a creative day everyone and thank you for coming to look at my latest project.  Please leave a comment or tick one of my boxes.  That way I will know I'm not alone and talking to myself while walking down the garden eating worms.

Annie xxx

Rudolf Day ....

Over at Scrappy Mo's it's the very first Rudolf Day of 2016 so I just had to join in.  This year I really want to get those cards under way early and not have the stress of being last minute plus I'm hoping to be away in November anyway so that could make Christmas crafting dodgy.

It's another Hunkydory card as I'm trying to use up all the bits and bobs that I cut into last Christmas before they all get lost anyway.

Sentiments were cut out using Britannia die - quite fiddly but they do work well with the mirri card mat and layering I think.

Other Challenges...

• CRAFT challenge - Christmas
• Craftyhazlenut's Christmas Challenge - Sentiments
• Craft your Passion - anything goes
• Crafting from the heart - anything goes

Have a great day all.

Annie xxx

Sentimental Sunday...

At Craftyhazlenut's this week it's time to add a sentiment so I'm showing one the cards I couldn't post on here when my internet was defunct.  Bad times!
Sometimes sentiments are a bit tricky to add to the design of the card - on this card part of the card was too patterned for the sentiment to show and the other part too textured, but I find that adding a tag solves the problem.
Topper and background card by Hunkydory and silver mirri embossed forms main background on scalloped edge black card base.

Other challenges...

• Pixie's Snippet Challenge - the strip on the left hand side was the remainder from another card I made.
• Moving along with the times - embossing - spotty background
• C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - Christmas

Off to Ross Papercraft Show today - yeah - love his shows.  Have a good day all whatever you are up to.

Annie xxx

Pumpkin harvest...

At last I've managed to do a little scrapbooking.  So many gorgeous photos and so little time.  I created this double page spread in Serif Craft Artist using the Autumn Fairy kit which is on offer this week.  I will have it professionally printed in 12" by 12" format when I have a few to send away

I used the sketch at Sketches in Thyme as a starting point for my pages, but veered away from the design on my first page of the double.

Just realised my project is fine for the new challenge at Aud Sentiments where this time anything goes and especially things that are a little bit different.  Do pop over there and check out the amazing projects by my friends/ex teamies.

Hopefully now I've made a start I will be able to really get going on my many many photos and do lots of scrapping.  Have a fun day all.
Annie xxx

So Cute...

My friend, Susan, like most of my crafting friends, is very good at helping me to spend money on more lush craft stuff!  Which friend isn't?  A couple of weeks ago she told me about these amazing 'on the shelf cards' by a very talented designer (Carol Clarke) on Crafts U Print.  Well I went to look and oh my I love this style of card - I bought lots of her designs to make up.  You will be seeing more of them very shortly.  However to start with here is my oh so cute snowman - perfect for the challenge at Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge which this week is cute.  
Also thank you so much for organising these challenges Hazel - so appreciated especially as last week I won - yeah - first prize in ages!!!
Here he is again sitting on the windowsill this time...

and this is a side view so you can sort of see the mechanism.

and the back with a place to write a message...

Now I just need to make up the others and put them somewhere safe ready for next Christmas!!  Hmm famous last words seeing as I've just found five cards I made last January that were nowhere to be seen at Christmas when they were needed!

Other challenges...

• The ABC Challenge - no embellishments allowed (all snowman is printed - only addition is glitter)
• A Snowflakes Promise - anything goes with a winter theme

Hope everyone is having a great week and not spending too much time out in the cold.  It's really freezing here today - I need a holiday somewhere hot!

Annie xxx

Baby - Una bimba...

It's ages since I played around with the dictionary I started after spotting a group on Facebook who were altering dictionary pages just for fun, but when I saw the new challenge at the Craft Barn it seemed like a really good time to start again.  
My dictionary is an English/Italian one so at the same time as playing I can learn some Italian words!
This time the challenge is to illustrate the letter 'B' so I chose to illustrate the word 'baby'.  To create my pages about 'b' I used a clear stamp set with lots of different baby type images on and stamped them across the two pages.  Then I coloured each of them with Spectrum Noir pencils.  
Great fun to do and really relaxing.  What better way to spend a very cold Sunday in January.
Annie xxx

Recycling last year's cards...

This year I was lucky and received some stunning 'bought' cards - far too good to throw away so I'm determined to put them to good use in creating new versions for next Christmas.  I don't recycle my beautiful hand made ones - those are to treasure!
This time I've recycled a tag shaped card which just happen to fit perfectly with our new challenge at My Time to Craft which is TAGS.  
I cut the original tag shaped card in half matted it onto gold mirri and then matted onto red on a large 8" by 8" base card.  Peel offs and a holly border punch add a little interest to the front of the card.

For the inner I used an image from the inner of the original card cut out mounted onto white and then added a stamped sentiment.  In the words of my big buddy Max - bish, bash bosh job's a gud un!

Other Challenges...

• ABC Christmas Challenge - anything goes

Have a fab weekend.  I've got my fun Grandson here so may be doing some messy crafting and am bound to be shattered by the time his mum picks him up again.

Annie xxx

Red shoes and we're definitely not in Kansas...

This is another of my quick but large cards!  Hunkydory stuff is really great to have on hand when you want something quick and easy and it is really good quality too.
Challenges...

• Craftyhazelnut's Challenge - RED
• Crafting from the heart - Anything Goes
• Craft your Passion - Anything goes
• Dream Valley Challenge - Christmas

Have a fun day.

Annie xxx

Seeing Red...

This week's challenge at Craftyhazelnut's is RED!  Well this project fits the bill to a tee and was such a fun one to create using my Silhouette Cameo machine.  The cut file is from a company called Dreamin Tree and they certainly have some wonderful things on offer.
I just love these box style cards that fold flat but open up into 3D creations that you add a battery candle to so that they light up.  They make really cool decorations.

My red is mirri card and I'm adding a word of warning here as oh boy did I get in a mess adding the white layer to the red.  Mirri card does not take well to Collal glue - for some reason it brings the colour off and you get red stains everywhere and have to cut pieces again.  Not good.

Other challenges...

• Moving along with the Times - Spots and Dots - I used a dotty embossing folder to add interest and texture to the design.
• Something new challenges - I used new cut file - Simon Says Stamp and  Fab n Funky .
• ABC Challenge - Anything Goes

Hope your weekend is as good as mine.  Have fun whatever you are up to.

Annie xxx

Snippets card...

No full piece of card or paper was used in the making of this cards.  All the bits were from my odds and ends box which I must admit has some pretty big pieces in.
The image was the last topper on a sheet of Hunkydory images which I then mounted onto an embossed small piece of gold mirri card.  The embossing folder is a Papermania one I believe and seems to work very well with the Hunkydory images.

Even the extra bits added to the preprinted Hunkydory sentiment were peeloff bits left behind on the sheet so this week I'm really pleased to be able to join in the fun at Pixies Snippet Playground. Hopefully this year I can be a regular again.

Other Challenges ...

• Seize the birthday - anything goes

Have a great day whatever you are up to.

Annie xxx

Avoiding the Christmas rush...

This year I am determined to make Christmas cards and projects all year instead of a mad rush in December and a totally stressed out Christmas.  However due to lack of internet for a while this is actually one of the cards made in the mad rush in the run up to Christmas.  Many cards didn't even get make it to the camera never mind my blog.

Hunkydory stash is so good for large quickish cards.  I love the image on this one and the photo doesn't actually show up the stunning warm colours or the fact that is is decoupaged, but hey ho.

Challenges...

• Crafty Hazlenut's Christmas Challenge - vintage or anything goes

Have a good day all and big hugs to those going back to school today and especially to those facing a boring training day. Good luck staying awake.

Annie xxx

New Year - New Challenge - New Modem...

Yes two weeks with no internet, but I'm over the worst now and back in action!  It was tough going though - oh how many things do we rely on the internet for and how you miss it big time when you can't get online?

Our new challenge at My Time to Craft is all about FRIENDS and FRIENDSHIP!  My team mates have done some fab stuff so do pop over there and check them out.  For my project I'm showcasing a present for a friend at the slimming group I attend.  Just something to make her smile!

I used a box frame and attached a KitKat to  the inside and then used my Silhouette machine to cut the vinyl lettering for the outside.  It gave her a good laugh when she opened her present!

So if you have a good friend who deserves a little hug and treat make something cool and join in our challenge.  We would love to see your creations.

Other challenges...

• Allsorts Challenge - What's New (ends 9th)  - I've never used a frame and vinyl before - it was great fun.  
• The ABC Challenge - Your Choice (ends 12th) - I choose vinyl to work with and making a gift.

Have a great weekend everyone and Happy New Year to you all.

Annie xxx