New banner

The lovely Tracey at http://www.tracey-tlc.blogspot.com highlighted on her blog that Rachelle Anne Miller allows bloggers to use her images as their blog headers, which is fab. I popped along to Rachelle's blog at http://rachelleannemiller.com to take a look. I fell in love with her little cat and as you can see I have replaced my old banner with that. There are just a few proviso's. You must tell everyone where you got the banner from and leave a link to Rachelle's blog. You mustn't alter the image in any way and only use it as a blog banner. Rachelle would also like you to let her know that you are using one of her images on your blog by dropping her an email. Hope you like. Thanks for looking.

Funky Fairy's Mega Candy

Shaz at http://funkyfairyinspirations.blogspot.com is offering amazing candy at the moment. You can win every funky fairy item including downloads, stamps etc for a whole year, but be quick, you only have until 12 midnight on 31st July.

Cards we don't like to make

None of us like making sympathy cards but unfortunately we do from time to time. A colleague at work has lost his mother so I was asked to make a card. I'd seen a stunning card on Nancy's blog at http://www.papersmiles.blogspot.com, which by the way she has so many. My card didn't turn out exactly like hers but it was along the same lines. I stamped the cross image by inkadinkado with black onyx versacolor ink. I used a piece of silver mirri card and ran it through my cuttlebug using the divine swirls embossing folder. I matted this with plain blue and white cs from the papermill shop. The ribbons I used were from my stash. I also added a few papermania adhesive stones. I'm really pleased with this card, even though it is for a really sad occasion. Thanks for looking.

I told you it was wedding season!!

Well, I did promise you another wedding card. I used the stamping bella image again (I have ordered another wedding stamp so hopefully my next card will be different) and coloured it with pro-markers, again adding stickles to highlight areas. The dp is from the luxury stack by DCWV, which is simply beautiful in real life. I used flowers from my stash and kaiser crafts adhesive pearls for added sophistication. I used my pc for the sentiment (papyrus font). Hope you like. Thanks for looking.

Friday sketchers & CCT challenge

I don't know where the time goes. So here I am combining yet another two challenges this week. I've used the sketch from the Friday sketchers and the CCT challenge was "things that grow". I thought this adorable penny black image fitted the bill perfectly. I coloured the image with my new pro-markers and added stickles to the flowers. I used the cabana paper pack by inque boutique and plain cs from the papermill shop. The sentiment is a pebbles inc rub-on and the flowers are from my stash. I also used papermania adhesive stones in the centres of the flowers. A real summery feeling to this card. Thanks for looking.

Sorry no cards but ...

I have a week off from work this week and foolishly told the kids that they had to tidy up their rooms. Ultimately that has meant me tidying their rooms whilst they hover around me! My back is now in half and I'm shattered. I did the DS2's room yesterday and DS1's room today. I am embarassed to show the before photo's but to appreciate the difference I have to. I forgot to take photo's before I started yesterday so I've only DS1's room to show you. Please don't think bad of me but they are 14 and 11.5 so big enough to clean their own rooms - but I couldn't leave them any longer. I'm hanging my head in shame *wink*. Thanks for looking.

Another wedding card

It is most definitely wedding season as here is another wedding card I was asked to make and I have another one that I have to do today. I used the stamping bella image again (it's so cute) and coloured it with pencils and markers. I highlighted a few areas with stickles. I used the cabana dp from inque boutique and plain green cs from the papermill shop. Buttons were from my stash and I used my pc for the sentiment (segoe script font). The adhesive gems re by papermania. Thanks for looking and enjoy the sunshine!

60th Birthday cards

I was asked to make two 60th Birthday cards for a man (groan) and this is what I came up with. On the first card I used a funstamps image, which I coloured with pencils. I used dp from the papermania men's paper pack and plain blue cs from the papermill shop. The gems were from a pack from QVC. The sentiment was done on my pc (segoe script font).

For the second card I used a penny black image, again coloured with pencils. The dp is by buzzcraft and I bought it from handy hippo. I used bazzill bling cs for matting my image and sentiments and a small piece to go through my button. Button was from my stash and sentiment was done on my pc (papyrus font). I prefer the second card but all in all not too bad. Thanks for looking.

I've got another award!

The lovely Tracey at http://ellabella08.blogspot.com has given me this wonderful award. It's the Wylde Women award and the rules are:

1. You can give it to one or one hundred or any number in between - it's up to you. Make sure you link to their site in your post.

2. Link back to this blogsite (http://http://www.tammyvitale.com//) so Tammy can go visit all these wonderful women.and remember the Purpose of the Award: To send love and acknowledgment to women who brighten your day, teach you new things and live their lives fully with generosity and joy.

I've only been blogging for a couple of months but so many lovely ladies have offered their advice, support and shown lots of love to me that I am so grateful. I'm sure many of you have already received this award and I apologise if I giving it to you again but the ladies I'm giving this award to are, Michelle at http://cardgrotto.blogspot.com, Diane at http://pink-sunflower.blogspot.com, Tracy at http://cuteycrafts.blogspot.com, Lana at http://www.lunarlana.typepad.com, Vicki at http://paperliciousoasis.blogspot.comand Beth at http://mylittlecardblog.blogspot.com.

Thank you so much Tracy, I'm touched that you thought of me.

Thanks for looking.

Candy up for grabs

Anice at http://funkyhand.blogspot.com is offering lovely blog candy to celebrate two years of her company Funky Hand. Check it out and leave a link for a chance to win! Thanks for looking.

Engagement card

I was asked to make an engagement card by a friend at work. I used last week's sketch by friday sketchers (as I didn't get around the using it on time). I used a die cut engagement ring and box (sizzix I think, not sure as I bought it from ebay ages ago). The dp is all from the wedding stack by DCWV. The adhesive stones are again by papermania and the sentiment was done on my pc (segoe script font). Thanks for looking.

Stamp Something & Friday Sketchers challenge

Another combined challenge yet again!! The stamp something challenge this week was "candy" and the friday sketchers was 'shock horror' - a sketch!!! I used a stamp set by Inque Boutique called party cupcakes. I coloured the image using pencils and added a little diamond glaze to the cherry on top. The dp is from the sweet nothings paper pack by papermania and the adhesive stones are also by papermania. The flowers are from my stash. Thanks for looking.

Michelle's blogaversary challenge

I made this card for Michelle's blogaversary challenge over at The Card Grotto (see link on my sidebar). I used pinwheel flowers image by woodware and coloured them with pencils. I added stickles and used a sakura stardust pen for extra bling. The dp is all basic grey and the plain blue cs is from the papermill shop. The buttons are by papermania and flowers are from my stash. Sentiment was done on my pc (segoe script font). Thanks for looking.

CCT & Penny Black Challenge

I've again combined challenges this week as I'm not had much time to craft, my grandfather has been back in hospital, so lots of visiting was in order. Anyway onto the card, the CCT challenge this week was "animals only" and the Penny Black Challenge was "snow much fun". I stamped the penny black reindeer image and coloured him in with pencils. I added stickles to his feet to signify snow & ice. I used american traditionals dp (tree design) but not sure who makes the stitched dp as it was a scrap left over from last christmas! Red cs is from the papermill shop. The sentiment was by dovecraft (studio g). I used my new fiskars threading water punch for the decorative edge (I love it and it's so easy to do) and to add a little more "snowy" interest I added dots of glistening snow writer to the dp. Thanks for looking.

School is over!

I can't believe the school year is over. My youngest son had his last day in Junior School yesterday and came home with his shirt covered in messages and signatures from his friends and teachers. He was a little sad to be leaving most of his friends behind (there are two catchment secondary schools for his junior school but most children don't go to the one that my son will be going to. We moved after my son started junior but decided to keep him there). I made quite a few thank you cards for the teachers but stupidly forgot to take photo's of them before my son wrote on them and took them to school. He received an award for excellent attendance and was given £50.00 to spend on a gift of his choice (lucky or what - when I was at school we just used to have colouring pencils or something!) He choose a computer game (!) and a lego stegasaurus model to build. I can't believe he will be starting secondary school in September, my boys are growing up so fast. Sorry if I've waffled on. Thanks for sticking to the end (if you have).

I'm a lucky girl!

I received some lovely cards and stamped images for my birthday last week. I'm sorry it's taken me so long to post them, but better late than never eh?

The picture above shows a beautiful card and wallet, which contained all the lovely images shown, from Tracy at Ella Bella (see link on the sidebar).

The second card and images (above) was sent to me by Michelle at the Card Grotto (again link on my sidebar).

Both cards are absolutely stunning and they put mine to shame ;( I loved the images and can't wait to put them to good use. Thanks for your kindness and generosity girls!!

Thanks for looking.

Sketch Saturday challenge

You're gonna need your sunglasses for this one!! This is my card for this week's sketch saturday challenge which is obviously a sketch haha! I used an image kindly sent to me by Tracy, which I coloured with pencils, adding dots of stickles here and there. The dp was free with a magazine and the plain cs is from the papermill shop. I used my pc for the sentiment and once again the rhinestones are by kaiser crafts (I absolutely love these). Thanks for looking.

Denise x

Wedding day card

I made this card for a friend at work. I stamped the stamping bella image and coloured it with a combination of pencils and marvy markers, although not entirely happy with my colouring on this card. I used Taylor's sketch from last Friday as I really liked the layout. The dp is basic grey and the plain cs is from the papermill shop. I used my pc for the sentiment and adhesive gems are by papermania. Thanks for looking.

Denise x

Cupcake birthday card

I was asked to make a birthday card for a 13yr old girl and I thought this lovely penny black (?)image was just perfect. I coloured the image with pencils and added a some stickles to the candle flame. I used dp from the cabana paper pad from Inque Boutique which I cut on the diagonal for a bit more interest. I covered the join with some papermania sticky ribbon. I used my pc for the sentiment and used rhinestones and pearls from kaiser crafts and flowers from my stash. A pretty summery card don't you think? Thanks for looking.

My signature doesn't seem to be working tonight *sob* so will just have to sign off the "old fashioned" way.

Denise x

Penny Black challenge

The penny black challenge this week was to follow a sketch. This is the card I came up with. I needed to make a card for an 85th birthday so decided to use a penny black floral stamp instead of a cutey image. I simply stamped the image with blue stazon onto white card and added a little stickles to the centre of the flowers. I used free papers from a magazine and the plain blue cs is from the papermill shop. I used my pc for the sentiment. A simple card but I think very effective. Hope you like. Thanks for looking.

Stamp Something & Papertake Challenge

I had to combine challenges yet again this week as I seem to be rapidly running out of time. This week's Stamp Something challenge was a triple challenge (i.e. 3 layers, 3 colours & 3 embellishments) and the Papertake challenge was to make a card for a teenager. For this card I stamped the stamping bella image and coloured her in with pencils. The dp is a free download from an online store called "Mad About Cards" and the plain green cs is from the papermill shop. The sentiment is by Hero Arts and the ribbon is Anita's. The flower and button are from my stash. Thanks for looking.

More candy

Deb at http://countrylovincardmaker.blogspot.com is offering candy at the moment. Just pop along and leave a comment. There's seems to be candy everywhere you look at the moment and as the saying goes "you have to be in it to win it". Thanks for looking.

40th Birthday

My sister asked me to make a 40th card for her sister-in-law's birthday. I liked Jen's SFYTT (sketch for you to try) last week so decided to use that layout for my card. I used an image sent to me by Tracy, which I coloured with pencils. I love this basic grey dp and would use it on every card if I could. The plain cs is from the papermill shop and flowers are from my stash. I used my pc for the sentiment and the adhesive stone is by papermania. Thanks for looking.

Cute Card Thursday

This week's challenge for CCT is to make a card for a child. I stamped the funstamps bear image and coloured him with my pencils adding some stickles to his slippers and ears. The dp is from the glitter stack by DCWV, plain cs from the papermill shop. The sentiment was done on my pc. I used a star punch and circle punch to make the embellishments. Thanks for looking.

Maria's candy

Maria at http://mariascards.blogspot.com is offering some lovely candy on her blog. Just pop along and tell her what's on your craft wishlist and leave a link. Thanks for looking.

Happy Birthday to ME!!

I just wanted to pop on and make a quick post to say a BIG thank you to my blogging friends who have sent me cards etc for my birthday. We're going out for the day but I'll be back later tonight (or possibly tomorrow) to upload some pics and show you a new card or two. Thanks for looking.

18th Birthday Card

Here is an 18th Birthday card that I was asked to make for a friend at work. I used an image kindly sent to me by Tracy (I think, sorry :( I'm trying to be more organised and label my images when I get them now so I don't get mixed up!!). I coloured the image with pencils and used my sakura white gelly roll pen to highlight the pearls. I used my pc for the sentiment and gems and flower from my stash. The brad and sticky ribbon is by papermania. The dp is from a wedding stack by DCWV. Thanks for looking.

Taylored expressions cupcake challenge #23

I was asked to make an anniversary card by a work colleague of my DH's for him to give to his wife. I liked the look of the sketch that Taylor had as her challenge last week so decided to use that for this card. I used a cute Inkadinkado image and coloured it with pencils. The dp is by MOD and the plain green cs is from the papermill shop. I used my pc for the sentiment, a marvy punch for the hearts and papermania adhesive stones on top of the hearts. Thanks for looking.