My Secret......

As you all know I have been teasing you over the last couple of days about a secret. Well...... I still can't tell you all the details till tomorrow but here is a sneak peek......

Check back tomorrow for further details xx Clare x

MAWTT # 44 - Heidi's Challenge

Well I was hoping to get this challenge posted yesterday but I was struggling with the light to get a decent photo, so it has had to wait until till today. We have got a fab new sponsor again this week & she has the cutest of digistamps. I have to admit it really is a hard life being a DT member & getting to try out all these really fab images....not!!!! This week we are sponsored by Willow Designs & this is the card I have made using Heidi's sketch & my choice of image.

I coloured Winnie using my Copics & I added an extra flower gem to the front of the card. Can you tell that I love these papers!!!!

Here is a closer look at Winnie with her knitting. I have decorated the inside but it is plain enough for me to not need to post here. Don't forget to check in later to see what's going on this weekend xx Clare x


Papers: MME Bloom & Grow
Image : Willow Knitting by Willow Designs
Ribbon, Embellishments & Sentiment : From My Stash

Pens Used :
Tombow : 977
Copics : 0, B00, BV02, E37, G05, R20, R32, V04, V12, Y00, Y17, YG03, YR20

OSAAT Challenge #10 - Flowers

Hi Everyone

Yes I'm late again but I am determind to get it right. I have some exciting new to share with you tomorrow but I am not letting on anything until then.

The challenge this week at OSAAT is to include flowers on your creation. Well we all love using flowers so you have no excuses lol!!!

I got this gorgeous image from Sue at Beary Dust Stamps & it was so easy to colour. So here is my creation...
Here is my money pot for saving my pennies for a Rainy Day. I just thought this bear was perfect for this. I have coloured the image with my pens, cut round & added foam pads to raise it up.

I got hubby to put a slot in the top of the lid for me & to make it neater I edged it all with peel offs. Now I don't use these very often now but it like the way they neaten up rough edges.

Here is a close up of the gorgeous little image from Beary Dust Stamps.

Pop back later to see what we have been up to this week at MAWTT & don't forget to come back tomorrow to see my exciting news xx Clare x

Challenges I have entered

Theme......Flowers.......DYTD
Theme.......Shapes.......Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge
Theme......Anything But A Card.......Digital Tuesday

Jar : Coffee Jar
Papers : MME Bloom & Grow
Image : Umbrella Bear by Beary Dust Stamps
Ribbon, Embellishments & Peel Offs : From My Stash

Pens Used :
Copics : 0, B00, E37,G00, Y17, YR07
Tombow : 977

INCY WINCY BLOG HOP!!!

For the past 8 weeks, we have had our creators showcased on Incy Wincy Designs Challenge blog by their Design Team. We have had a lot of fun working with them and seeing all of their great creatiosn. This week is our final week so we thought we’d celebrate with a blog hop!!!

Here is what you need to do:

You will travel to all the Design Team’s blogs AS WELL AS the Creator’s blogs. At each blog you will collect an number. ADD UP ALL THE NUMBERS and email the answer to incywincychallenge@hotmail.com

Please leave a comment on EACH of the blogs as you hop along!!! The GRANDE PRIZE will be ..... 8 images from Stitchy Bear Stamps – ONE from EACH creator! THAT is a SWEET prize!!!!

This winner will be chosen from all the correct answers randomly!

Also, if you wouldn't mind, spread the love, become a follower of their blogs and pass on the blog hop info. to other bloggers!! The more the merrier!!!!! Add us to your blog roll, or post about our hop on your blogs, in forums, anywhere!!!! We'd love to have a record number of visitors this week!!!!

My number for you to collect is 5

You should have arrived here from Greg’s blog. If not, please start at the beginning so you can collect all of the numbers to add up!!!!

Please head to Stitchy Bear Stamp’s blog to check it out and collect your next number!!!!

Just in case you get lost, here is the order of Blogs you need to hop to:
Incy Wincy Designs Challenge Blog: http://incywincydesigns.blogspot.com/
Heather http://vanillahevn.blogspot.com/
Sue (Beary Dust Stamps) http://bearyduststamps.blogspot.com/
Chris http://cattsscratchingpost.blogspot.com/
CJ (Cowgirl Up Stamps) http://stampenwithcj.blogspot.com/
Donna (Lil Diva Stamps) http://lildivastamps.blogspot.com/
Nikki http://graphixanddesign.blogspot.com/
Lexi (Lexi's Creations) http://lexiscreations.blogspot.com/
Tami http://catlover-tam.blogspot.com/
Janette (Stampin Dragon Designs) http://stampingdragondesigns.blogspot.com/
Stitchy (Stitchy Stamps) http://stitchystamps.blogspot.com/
Liz http://laceribbonsbuttonsandbows.blogspot.com/
Tammy http://tamminniesdesigns.blogspot.com/
Greg http://whistlingcrafter.blogspot.com
Clare http://thread-bare-mycraftylife.blogspot.com/
Stitchy Bear Stamps http://www.stitchybearstamps.com/shop/


Got your HOPPIN' shoes on??? Get ready to have some fun!!!!!! Remember to come back on Friday to see if you are the winner of our Top 3!!!! Good luck & have fun!!!!!

MAWTT#43.....Hazel's Challenge

Well I promised I would be back again & this time I have this week's challenge over at MAWTT. We have yet another fabby new sponsor this week who gave us the most adorable images to play with. To see all the details pop over to the blog. Hazel came up with a great sketch this week & we all had different ideas on how we interpreted it so please make sure you pop over to the other blogs of the DT.

I just couldn't resist creating another Easel card...they are just so quick & easy to do & I just love the fact that even the simplest of sketches look great on them.

I just loved the look of this little bear & I was amazed that I could get this effect from only using 2 pens & my blender. Hope you all have a great day & I will be back soon with some more creations xx Clare x

Challenges I have entered....

Theme.....Fancy Folds.......Cards for Men
Theme.......Happy Birthday.......ASFOS

Papers : MME Wild Asparagus
Image : Bear by Delicious Doodles
Flat Backed Pearls : Stash
Sentiments : Stash

Pens Used :
Copics : 0, E37
Promarkers : Burnt Umber

Don't forget you have until 8pm on Weds 28th April to enter xx

OCC Sketch & DT Call

Morning Everyone. I hope you are all well & STILL enjoying the glorious sunshine that is around at the moment.

I have been doing a lot of work on my new website at the moment so I am busy behind the scenes locating loads of exciting new stock to add.

I have also noticed there are quite a lot of DT calls about at the moment & have decided to have a go at one being held by a brilliant creator over at Stitchy Bear Stamps. This is a DT call for Janette's own team at Stampin Dragon Designs. The best thing about this DT call is you get a wonderful digistamp that you have to use to create your card.

I am also entering this card over at Crafty Cardmakers. They want you to think about being on a Desert Island for 6 months & what crafting essentials would you insist on taking with you. Well I have to say that I would have to take my laptop & printer so I could have all my digistamps. I would also have to take my Cuttlebug & also my Pencil Case full of my Promarkers & Copics. They then want you to create a card using the items you have chosen.

So this is what I am submitting

My Mum picked up the fab baby ribbon for me out in Australia last year so I thought it was about time I played with it lol!! Below is a close up of the great image that Janette has provided.


Don't forget to check back later to see the latest challenge over at MAWTT xx Clare x

Challenges I have entered:

Sketch.......Challenge#11.......Our Creative Corner
Theme.......DT Call.......Stamping Dragon Designs
Theme.......Dots & Dies.......Craftycardscrappers Forum
Theme........Desert Island.......Crafty Cardmakers


Papers : Freebie from Magazine
Image : Rock A Bye Jiggy by Stampin Dragon Designs
Embossing Folder : Swiss Dots
Gems : From My Stash
Ribbon : From Australia

Pens Used :
Promarkers : Burnt Umber, Cocoa, Marsh Green, Olive Green, Satin, Vanilla
Tombow : 977
Copics :0, E37

OSAAT Challenge - Thank You

Wow what a beautiful day we have had here in the UK despite the volcanic cloud lingering overhead. Thank you all for your lovely entries last week... you were all very brave with your distressing.
This week we would like you to create something that says Thank You. You could make a card, layout or Altered Art project or come up with something even more special. Here is what I created...
I decided that I would give some Flower Soft a whirl this week. I have tried using this once before but wasn't really pleased with the result, but I thought I'd give it another go. The image is by Cowgirl Up & the flowers are from my fab candy from Marianne. x Clare x

Challenges Entered :

Sketch....... ASFOS.......Nikki's Sketch
Theme.......CraftyCardmakers....... A Challenging Challenge
Theme.......Cute Card Thursday.......Touchy Feely
Theme.......Totally Papercrafts.......Spring

Papers : MME Bloom & Grow
Image : Wheel Barrel by Cowgirl Up
Flowers : Prima
Flower Soft : Vintage Christmas
Sentiment : Stash

Pens Used :
Copics : 0, C-3, E29, E37, R29, YR20,
Promarkers : Blossom, Burnt Umber, Cardinal Red, Cocoa, Coral, Ivory, Olive Green, Pastel Pink, Shale, Soft Peach
Tombow : 977
MLPII : 64
Whispers :Dark Brown, Pale Orange, Red

Better Late than Never

Well I am still playing catch up this week but I am nearly there. Here is the card that I finally got made for the OSAAT challenge Torn, Distressed or Shabby. Now as most of you are probably as scared as me about destroying your papers I took the easy option & used some MME papers that have a distressed look about them without having to attack them. You still have all day tomorrow to take part in this challenge so head on over & check the details.


This week it was my turn to play with one of Stamping Dragon Designs images & isn't this giraffe just the cutest. If you are not convinced let me tempt you a bit more with a close up.

I was really pleased with the way the colours came out on this image as I have never attempted a giraffe before & was a bit undecided about how brown or orange to go with, but I think I managed it.

I added an uncoloured image of the giraffe on the left & added a tinge of orange around the outside.
I will be back over the weekend with some more cards that I have created this week xx Clare x

Challenges I have entered.....
Sketch.......Sketch Saturday.......Challenge #98

Papers Used: MME Wild Asparagus
Image : Baby Giraffe by Stamping Dragon Designs
Gems & Sentiment: From my Stash

Pens Used :
Promarkers : Apricot
Copics : YR02, YR20

MAWTT#42.....Clare W's Challenge

Hi Everyone

Due to Clare W's internet being down we are running a day late with the challenge this week. Because of this we are running the challenge through to Friday morning. Check the blog for full details.
We are lucky enough to be sponsored this week by some great friends of mine.... Stitchy Bear Stamps. They will be sponsoring us every 6 weeks so keep an eye out for some fab digi stamps being showcased by us DT. This week we were lucky enough to have Stitchy & Cowgirl Up images to play with.Using Clare W's sketch & Cowgirl Up's image I created this cute box.

I used my Crafters Companion to score out the card to create the box. I then coloured my image using my pens & glittered the halo. I used 2 different organza ribbons & a jewelled brad.

Here is a close up of the image that I have used.

Check back later to see what else I have been up to over the last few days xx Clare x

Challenges entered :
Theme.......Cute Card Thursday.......Touchy Feely
Theme........Allsorts........Petals & Pearls

Papers : MME Wild Asparagus
Image : Say Your Prayers by Cowgirl Up
Ribbons & Flat Back Pearls : From my stash
Glitter : Star Dust
Flowers & Jewelled Brad: From my Stock

Pens Used :
Copics : 0, B00, C-3, E00, E21, E29, E37, R20,
Promarkers: Satin

Card From Marianne

Wow just look at this gorgeous card that Marianne sent me with my blog candy. Thank you ever so much for it. It is sat on my desk xx Clare x

Love This Frog

Tracy has been working hard again & has created a fab new Paper Piecing cd called Pondlife. Here is a card that I have made using one of the great fun frogs from it. I have entered it into the following challenges

Theme......Humour......Cards For Men
Theme.......One For The Boys.......A Spoon Full of Sugar

I just love the way you can have the tongue hanging out on this. Great for any man or teenager that needs a bit of fun their way. x Clare x

Papers : MME Bloom & Grow
Image : Funny Frogs from the Pondlife cd by Craftycat
Sentiment, Ribbon & Embellishment : From my Stas

Playing Catch Up

Hi Everyone

I am finally beginning to get caught up a bit with this week's DT bits & pieces. The challenge I set over at MAWTT this week was to create an Easel Card. I love these types of cards. You can make them as simple or as complicated as you like & they still look great. We have again a fab new sponsor this week so make sure you pop over to the blog & check it out. The card I have created was also meant for last weeks OSAAT challenge but I never got chance to post it up.

Here is a close up of the image that I have used

Papers : MME Bloom & Grow
Image : Duncan Gift Wrapped by Sew Many Cards
Sentiment : from Design House Papercrafts Xmas Kit
Flowers : from Stock
Template : by Penny at DNOPEN

Pens Used:
Copics : 0, Boo, BV00, R20, V12, Y17, YG06,

Thank You Marianne

I would just like to say a huge THANK YOU to Marianne for picking me as the winner of her lovely candy. She also made a lovely comment about me being part of the MAWTT team as well which is greatly appreciated.
Good luck with the new job & I will be by to comment on your blog soon hun xx

Clare x

MAWTT#40 - Pink, Brown & Ribbon

Well I hope you are all surviving the weather this week. Well it is Bank Holiday this weekend so it isn't surprising that the weather is not how we want it lol!!!

Well what great cards you all created last week, you all obviously loved the sponsor!!!

This week we have another new sponsor for you.... it's Lauretta from Lauretta's Digital Stamps & we have again been blessed in the DT by having wonderful images to play with. Heidi's sketch was so nice to use although I have noticed I have missed off the flowers & ribbon..... oops!!!

All the papers I have used have been freebies from a magazine so I loved how cheap this card was to make. The image from Lauretta is What Are You Thinking Fairy.

I am away in Sandy, Beds this weekend doing a craft show so I hope you all have a great Easter weekend & get lots of yummy choccy. x Clare x

Papers : Freebies from Creative Cardmaking Issue 13
Image : What Are You Thinking Fairy by Lauretta's Digital Stamps


Pens Used :
Copics : 0-Blender Pen, B00, BG01, E00, E29, E37, YG03, YG11,