DCM/CPS Challenges

I've been so taken up with Dottie and magazine work lately I don't seem to have done any challenges so here we go, a two in one. The DCM one is titled pins and needles - I think that speaks for itself and the CPS one (if you're not familiar with CPS) is a sketch pop over for a look.

Here's what I came up with......

Here's Taurus Dottie from (you guessed it) the Zodiac collection. She's standing, red rag in hand in good old Dottie- hands on hips style. The safety pin in the corner seems like a feeble attempt at the challenge but I thought it looked quite sweet there by itself and I didn't want to make the card to busy.

Incidentally, does Dottie remind you of anyone?.............................Yep, that's me, what do you think to the tights? Fashion statement or what!

Free Dottie and Charmed Challenge!

It's my turn to set the challenge at the Charmed Craft Talk forum, so to celebrate the launch of Dottie I've set a challenge to make a Dottie card. I didn't want to put people in the situation where they were forced to pay for a download so I designed an exclusive 'Charmed' Dottie, free to anybody who takes part in the challenge for more details, log in at the Charmed Craft Talk forum.
Happy Crafting.xxx

A winner already!

I can't believe Dottie was only launched today! And already we have our first winner for the Dottie Blog Candy Challenge. Sarah C was the first person to link a card to me from the Fun Time Dottie range, It's as easy as that! So there's 3 more ranges left to use for the blog candy! You'll have to be quick. Way to go Sarah! I'll show all the winners together.

Dottie's gone Live!!!!!!!!! And Blog Candy!!

Oh wow!!!! how excited am I? The moment I have been waiting for is now upon us.... Dottie is now available to buy as a download at Charmed Cards and Crafts! I will be cracking open a bottle of Champagne tonight to welcome Dottie into the world.
Now, to whet your appetite, please welcome Bath Time Dottie from the 'Dottie at Home' collection, isn't she a darling?



I'm really loving these bubbles right now, they're called acrylic dew drops they're from a site called Rista.

None of this would have been possible with out the help of my wonderfull friend Karen, owner of Charmed, thank you so much Karen, I wub woo.
So If you would like to go and have a look at the Dottie collections and who knows, maybe even buy one, visit Charmed Cards and Crafts and scroll down until you see the digital download icon. You can buy downloads on their own or as part of your shopping at the store, and let me tell you,
what fandabbydozy store it is!
Happy Shopping!

Updated to tell you that Karen and I are offering some blog candy to four lucky people, I don't know what it'll be yet, I'll let you know.

Basically the people to win the candy will be the first four people to make a card using Dottie and giving me a link to it. One winner for each Dottie collection and only one prize per person. Am I making sense? I'll re-phrase it,

A prize for the first card linked to me from each of these colletions; The Zodiac collection, Dottie at Home collection, Dress up Dottie collection and the Fun Time Dottie Collection. One prize per collection.

Don't foget to leave me a comment with a link to your card.

Inspirational blog!

Oh Wow!!!! I've been featured again on the Inspirational blog! If you haven't visited there before you really shoud because it's INSPIRATIONAL! They feature a piece of of work from someone's blog each day, and my what a boost it gives the featured blogger. Thank you so much to the ladies over at inspirational, you've made my day.

Caardvarks - Home Grown Challenge

When I popped over to Caardvarks and read their latest challenge I just knew I had to have a go. Here's the brief......

Challenge: "Homegrown"Theme: Fruits & VeggiesLink your card(s): In the comments section of this postDeadline: March 31st, Midnight.Gallery: Fruits & VeggiesSponsor: Itty Bitty Scrap ShackPrize: A kit from Itty Bitty Scrap Shack along with a Guest Card Designing spot at IBSS! Woot!

Fruit and veg! How different! As you all know by now I like to be different so here's my card.......'Apple Bubbles' he he

And of course I've used Dottie again, well I've got to keep you chomping at the bit haven't I? She can't wait to be release into the wild and I can't wait to see her on your blogs.
Ooh and in case you didn't know Caardvarks are teaming up with Itty Bitty Scrap Shack to sart releasing their own scrummy monthly kits!

Knitting Dottie

I thought I'd introduce you to Dottie's creative side (she also has a tendency to over indulge in chocolate but you'll have to wait and see for that one he he)

Anyway here she is on a card I've been meaning to make for ages, it's for a very special friend who will remain nameless as she hasn't got it yet.

I'm really liking her cut out like this, it's a bit different and I like being different. Here's a close up..

Lot's of people have asked when she'll be ready for download - I'm afraid you'll have to bare with me, but rest assured she will be with you.

Happy Easter.

Charmed Challenge

Oooh I'm sorry I'm such a bad blogger but I'm off work for Easter now so it's catch up time. Today I have my first half of this months double challenge from Charmed here's what Lizzie said;.....Well here goes then Ladies...this month there was so much to choose from Mothers day - Easter and Spring?? but No I have ignored all that and so..............I did think this would make a nice gift??1... Scrapbook a LO... your theme... to be displayed in a Frame any size (freestanding or hanging) The Frame you can paint or decorate...it's your choiceThe LO to include Spirreli and buttons

I wanted to make something that I would actually use and not just put away somewhere so I made a sign for my craft room door.

I had fun inking up my hand for the big hand print background, I used loads of funky foam on this, I lurve funky foam. The spirelli is on the corner of the frame, made with black wire and the buttons are the glass buttons in the centre of the flower. I think I get all the challenge points for this one, I nearly had to miss out the Spirelli but I got there in the end.

Lucky Me! Again!

Hi all, I don't have anything of my own to show today but wait until you see what I have instead!!! Yesterday I got the most beautiful card from my pal Debz, she wanted to thank me for the inchie album that I sent her, I told her she shouldn't have but really, I was so glad she did. Take a look....... She's used the jumping girl that I gave away a couple of weeks ago on my blog and look at that background paper! I think it's one of her own designs, isn't it gorgeous? It's like a cross between tie Die and fruit printing - Scrummy. Thank you Debz, I love it.

Then Today I got home for lunch and found another card waiting for me. This time it's an Easter card from another lovely friend called Shell. I met her on the Charmed forum and my oh my isn't she clever?.........

Thank you Shell, it's devine.

Lovely Surprise!

I'm a bit late telling you about this but hey, better late than never (I find myself saying that way too much). Last Thursday I was at work and somebody brought through a big parcel that my lovely postie had delivered for me- I call him my lovely postie, not because he's incredibly dishy - he's not! but if he takes a parcel to my house and I'm not in he brings it to work for me! No you can't borrow him, he's mine all mine!
Anyhow, I knew I hadn't ordered anything so I opened it very quickly as I was so intregued (later my DH said it could have been a bomb but I never thought of that!), when I got it open it was packed full of craft goodies and a letter saying;"congratulations, you've won £100 worth of papermania craft prducts in our competition featured in cardmaking essentials magazine"!!!! Brilliant I hear you say but I don't buy that magazine??? I think it's from a card making competition I entered on the Cardmaking and Papercraft website or a free draw on that site, either way I was pretty chuffed!
I thought I'd photographed the card before I sent it off but I can't find the photo anywhere sorry.

Chick Dottie

Well, the launch of Dottie is getting closer and closer and I'm getting more excited by the day. I've just finished the third collection - 'Fun Time Dottie' witch includes 10 completely different Dottie Characters both with and with out sentiments and thanks to all your help answering my poll I decided to keep Dottie as single images, I'm so glad you all agreed with me (well, nearly all).

Here's today's Dottie, just in time for Easter. She's from the 'Dress up Dottie' collection.

I think she's so sweet in her Chick costume. I pieced together pieces of BG Mellow paper for the background, it's my first attempt at this and I think I like it.

Poll

Hi Blogging buddies, I'm wondering if you could please help me.
I've been preparing my Dottie collections ready for download and I can't decide whether to have each Dottie character on a sheet of four the same or to have her as an image on her own. Personally I'd prefer download images seperately so that I can resize them and arrange them for printing myself but I want to know what my potential customers would prefer.

So what will it be single images? or duplicate images? The poll is in my side bar.
Thanks in advance, Lou xx

P.S. Whichever way you choose, each folder/downlad/collection will have around 10 different Dottie character designs in it.

DCM - Favourite things

Back to challenges, Yay!!! this is what the challenge is over at DCM.....The mid week dare this week is another one by Mel - these are a few of my favourite things. What you need to do is use one of Mel's favourite things on your card (embroidery cotton/thread, buttons, felt or fabric) and combine it with one of your favourite things.

I decided to go for thread from mel's favourites and for my favourite thing of the moment, what else? Dottie of course.

This is cat Dottie, I made her look like a tiger but you could just as easily colour her grey to look like a tabby. The thread comes down from the ball of yarn and is continued around the frame.

I've used snow writer on the white chest, it looks really effective IRL but it's hard to see it on the photo.

All papers again are from my Brenda Walton - Mira matt pad, it's my fave paper at the moment, I keep on buying it just incase I run out.

About Time Too!

The lovely Debz and Shirley both tagged me ages ago and I've been meaning to do it ever since so here I am. thank you Debz and Shirley xxxxx
Here's the first, from Shirley.....
What were you doing 10 years ago?
I can't even remember what I was doing 10 days ago! Let me think, I had a 3 and a 5 year old 10 years ago so I was probably telling them to stop fighting or something like that. Happy days! lol
What were you doing 1 year ago?
Well it wass not long after I'd been in hospital having an operation so I'll have been recovering.
5 favourite snacks?
1. I love parma ham! 2. Galaxy Chocolate. 3. Those sticky Greek pastries 4. Apple with cheese 5.Caramac Chocolate.
Five things you would do if you were a millionaire?
Hand in my notice. Tell my DH to hand in his notice. Buy a beautiful house with space for a huge craft room with specially designed storage. Have a luxury holiday. Treat my family.
Five things you like doing?
Crafting (of course). Craft Shopping. listening and dancing to music. Watching my daughter in her productions (DS's boy's school doen't have any). Reading people's blogs.
Five things you'll never wear again?
Mini skirts. Bobble hats. Skinny jeans (you need to be skinny). Blue mascara. Maternity dress (I hope!)
Five favourite toys (careful!)
Big Shot, Crop-A-Dile, Lap top, bottle cutter, enamelling kiln.

Next, I got this one from my lovely friend Debz.......
What a lovely award to recieve, thanks
Debz, you make my day too.

Now I tag five people who can choose either of these tags.........



Courtney Deb Eleanor Kim Mellie

Swimming Dottie

My what a day! I do hope we manage to escape it without the flooding that has been forcast. Stay away from the coast they say.......nuless you live on the coast.....hmmmm. In the summer floods my house only got a little bit of damage put the classroom was a disaster area so I'm typing with my fingers crossed so forgive any typos lol.

Well I'm nearly back to normal and will soon be back to challenges but for today, keeping with the water theme we have........Swimming Dottie!

Swimming Dottie is from the 'fun time collection' soon to be downloadable from Charmed Cards and Crafts

If you look closely you'll see the dollops of glossy accents that I've used on the goggles.

If you'd like to be informed the minute Dottie is available to download sign up for the news letter here.

Introducing........

Well guys n gals, you did me proud yesterday with all your lovely supportive comments and of course all your name ideas, thank you so much.
It took quite some time to come to the one I was totally happy with and in the end I chose.........Dottie (thank you Tee)

So let me offically introduce to you, the one, the only, the soon to be downloadable ....Dottie!

This is Party Dottie from the 'Fun TimeDottie' collection.

Are you ready for this?

I have the best, most exciting news for you all today!!!

I had a fabulous response to my hand drawn jumping girl the other day, so many of you suggested that I should market my designs, well, guess what??????......

I got an email from my very good friend Karen proud owner of Charmed Cards and Crafts and - to cut a long story short- we're getting together- using Karen's brains, computer savvy and buisness sense together with my designs to create a brand spanking new download section on her site! So all you guys who said you would love to buy my designs as stamps won't need to wait for that, you'll be able to buy them and download them quick as a flash! That's what I love about downloads, it's sooo quick, plus you can alter the size which is something you can't do with stamps. You'll have a little wait 'til it's up and running so you'll have to be patient.

I'll forgive you for not being as excited as me but are you starting to get a bit of a tingle yet?

Maybe this will help, I'll introduce you to a most adorable little lady, well I would if I could but she hasn't got a name yet. lol.

She's quite shy so she's hiding in her flower costume today but she has a huge array of outfits positively bursting out of her wardrobe. So if you come back tomorrow she might be feeling a little more brave.
Please save Karen and I from handbags at dawn- one likes Annie and one likes Doris! Tell me your favourite name - one of ours or a new one, and help us decide......

I'm back with another piccie......

Well, so far the response is in favour of Annie, it's not too late to change your minds lol.

Another Crafty Template.

Hmm, I've been tagged twice, once by Shirley and once by Debz, (thank you ladies I haven't forgotton) but I'm just about ready for my bed so they are going to have to stay on hold a bit longer.

I'm going to show you another one of my cards I did for Crafty Templates using their delicious kit and one of this month's templates.

Did I mrntion they have a fab competition on the go? I'm sure I'm going senile. lol
Nighty night.

Human Kindness

Every once in a while something happens to make me think "bl**dy hell there are some fantasic people in this world" And today it happened twice!

Firstly I got home on my lunch hour to find the postman had delivered an interesting looking envelope. "It's not my birthday" I thought, "What could it be?", when I opened it I found the most stunning card from my good friend Nicola (Enjay). It had a book mark in it with my name on and some writing about what my name means, it was just so touching. little things like that mean so much to me. I actually cried when I opened it! The funny thing is I admired it on her blog the other day, little did I know it was on it's way to me! Yeah.

After that I went back to work to find my parcel from Charmed Cards and Crafts had arrived, I rushed off to open it (never try slicing through brown tape with childrens safety scissors- it's not safe!) Anyhow I got it open in the end and Karen had included some eyelets that she knew I'd been after. she is such a generous lady. I have been blessed with so many wonderful friends thanks to the internet. These people that say you can't have friends that you've never met don't know what they're talking about.

CT Design

Thank you all for your lovely comments about my card yesterday. Some of you said I should market my little girl image - how sweet, I'd like to do that but wouldn't know where to begin. If I had experience in buisness I would really like to have one of these sites where you sell your images as downloads. Who knows what the future holds ay.

Here's one of my latest bunch of designs using the Crafty templates kit and one of their templates.

I adore these papers, they're so fun and vibrant and it goes without saying that the template was fab to work with -as ever! For more info visit Crafty Templates they also have a brilliant competition running right now, don't miss it!

DCM - I am Woman

I haven't done many DCM challenges lately because I've been busy with other things but I made a point of making time for this one.......As its coming up to Mothers day in the UK here’s a chance to make a card that celebrates women and girls . So I’d like to see a card with at least one feminine image on it . And that's it for rules really.Apart from this one.And it is sneaky. No Tildas, Sugar Nellies or Bellas please. I love them all. But there are loads of great challenges out there using them so for this challenge you can give them a well earned rest!

I was totally inspired by Lythan's example card, she did some fabulous doodled scalloping and I just had to have a go so thank you Lythan for the inspiration.

I didn't have any suitable stamps so I drew an image myself, I tried to capture the care free nature you see in children. We could learn an awful lot from them. This of course is a woman not a child but shouldn't we all splash in puddles? I love doing the doodled scalloping-it's sooo easy.You can't have a splash or a puddle without Glossy Accents.
If you would like to use this image please do, I'd love to see it get used (pleases mention where it came from though)

Inspirational

This my second time second time of writing this post because Blogger seems to be playing up for me, so this time I have my fingers crossed.
Right, I've just given myself a big slap on my wrist (honest) not because I'm strange but because my Inchie album was featured on a new blog called 'Inspirational' and I blummin forgot to mention it.
Inspirational is a new blog run by a mystery person, he/she shows something each day which they found inspirational, and being anon they don't get any praise, how annoying!
So I'm here now to say a big THANK YOU! and please visit the 'Inspirational' blog.