Big Boy!

Hasnt he grown!  This is Murphy when he came to visit on Thursday with his Mum (DD2) & Dad of course!  We had a big long walk in the afternoon and his Duracells finally drained a bit after about 7hrs!  He had a lovely snooze just before it was time to head back home.

Who'd have thought that he could grow so much from this size in just 9mths!  He is adorable and with each visit we can see how he has matured and he gets on more and more with Poppy & Honey!  Perhaps that might be helped by Poppy's new training collar that emits a squirt of citronella with every gruff!!  Murphy has a tendency to deliver the loudest bark for no known reason (which nearly gives me heart failure!) and as such Poppy's collar squirts her!  We try very very hard not to laugh as she gives him the most disgusted look imaginable!  The house smelt very citrussy for the whole of his visit!!

DD1 flies back from Tanzania today having met and talked with the Masai Mara, they spoke via an interpretor to the main Chief who has 9 wives and learned that he had somewhere in the region of 62 kids!  The group also dug and built an irrigation ditch for a primary school and visited a couple of National Parks!  The bit that made me smile most was that all of the children there kept touching her hair - she's fair and it was always in a ponytail!  How sweet as they just aren't used to ponytails nor fair hair!

I cant wait to  know that she's safe and sound again on home soil and very much look forward to hearing all about her trip.

Thanks for popping by and have a FAB weekend whatever you get upto!

Keryn x


ETA: Despite the shocking news of the bombs found on a couple of planes today on the news I am so relieved to say they all landed safely!

Sweet Sixteen

Hello, here is another exploding box!  Ive made this in the purple Centura card for a sixteen year old dancer.  I was quire restricted with the requirements for this one as it seems that 16yr olds feel they are too old for Forever Friends and that sort of cutesy images - well that was me told!  Im way passed 16 but still love them anyway, this is the lid and to adorn it I used the Spellbinders corners with a few tiny gems.

This is the inside of the lid and the paper Ive used throughout is the Lil Big Dots in 'Lovely' by Pink Petticoat; the initial is a Quickutz die that was covered in Glamour Dust and placed on a Marianne die.

This is the top shot showing the 3 layers and finally this is one of the loveliest images that was on an old greeting card.

Isnt she just beautiful!  

Id like to enter this into these challenges this week 

• Papertake Weekly Sparkly & Bright

• Totally Papercrafts Bling it on

An update from Clare, she rang me last night having just been discharged and was looking forward to a lovely hot soak in her bath followed by an early night, Ive yet to ring her as Im sure she will be shattered as we all know, how little sleep we get in hospital!  Im sure Clare will be on her blog over the weekend to update us further.

Hope you have a great weekend, thanks for visiting!

Keryn x

Poorly Clare

Hi, just wanted to pop on as I know Clare's made lots of lovely friends via her blog.  She went into hospital yesterday with kidney stones and she's still in and bored silly!  I believe she woke yesterday in immense pain and with no alternative had to go straight onto Morphine, she saw the GP who was amazed that she had walked into the surgery as most people call an ambulance in that amount of pain, that's typical Clare!  

Anyway, she was admitted later in the day and is currently having loads of tests to determine whether surgery is needed or not.  I just wanted to let you all know as I know what a lovely bunch of girls you all are and thought you might like to know.

Keryn x

My delicious Day!

Hello, I couldnt post only on the DD blog and not share these with you!  First up is the quickest guy card I think Ive ever made!

This is 'Coming Home' that was only released at the weekend, I believe it's been quite popular!  I loved the monochrome shadings on it so I layered it with some black and used script bp from Pink Petticoat, a ribboned sentiment and a few tiny white brads!  No colouring at all, perfect for a quick card.

Here is a style of card that I really love!  Its a leafy easel, nothing nicer at this time of year I find!

Here is 'Barn Owl', he's been slightly distressed around the edges and Ive used the grassy tree themed paper by Summer Driggs for the backing, the link is on my side bar. Teri's images have all of the hard work done for you, its already shaded, something I always struggle on with my PMs!

This is how it comes, perfectly shaded so now you can see how little Ive coloured it!  For anyone who's not yet tried one of Teri's nature drawings, pop over here and feast your eyes on them all & take your pick!

And on the floor of the easel, a carpet of leaves!  I treated myself to a couple of the new X-Cut leaf cut & emboss punches a while back and this is their first time out to play, I love these punches - look at the embossing on them, oooh they're lovely!


Keryn x

Pink and brown

Hello again, I do hope these scheduled posts work as I am currently visiting a sister in Fleet.

Id like to share a card I have made for two challenges.

Ive used 'Heartfelt Posie Bear' by Di - link on sidebar.  I just adore her images and her xmas ones are gorgeous too but I really dont need any more xmas images but it is just impossible with so many fab images around to not buy them!  My will power is zero when it comes to my craft!

After the strength of the red, white and black of yesterday's card I fancied a softer feel for this one.  Ive used Pink Petticoat's Rose little daisies BP and the MS deep border punch for the big gorgeous blooms on the top and bottom edges.  Ive followed the sketch from Sunday Sketch & Stamp and the colourway from this week's challenge at Incy Wincy which is Pink & Brown.  Im sending this card to another niece for a birthday next week.

Thanks for dropping in, Keryn x

Eastbourne

Last Thursday I met up with my friend Clare in Eastbourne to deliver to her the painting Steve had made for her of her two cats Simone & Bert.  Here it is.

I can now fully understand why Clare says how difficult it is to get the two of them together in a photo!  It's like they rarely sit side by side especially as Simone (on the right) is always on the go!  Bertie slept for nearly the whole of the day yet Simone came out for a play in the evening and trying to get a good photo of her mid play was great fun!  This is what Clare tried:

Dont try this at home kids!!

How mad is this cat?!  She found a clear bag and dived in it then sat there watching us!  She also found an empty gift bag.

She just didn't sit still!

We spent a few hours with Clare's Dad Rob and I have to say what a great comedy duo this two make - without even realising it!  Rob is a cheery chappy and is happy top talk to anyone and at one point in a shop he started chatting quite cheekily to a pair of ladies at which point Clare disappears in the opposite direction!  I had a fab day and can't wait to do it again!

Keryn x

Skating along at my own pace!

Hello, I guess everyone will be glued to QVC today!  Ive just popped on to share a card Ive just made for a niece's birthday, the glue is still wet as you can see on the flowers!

Ive used one of my favourite colour combinations on this card and I got my trusty little craft sewing machine out to accent this card.

Meet Poppy!  I was one of 5 lucky followers to have won this fab digi image from DigiStamp Boutique (link on my sidebar).  My niece is an accomplished skater and it can be hard t find a nice skating image that doesn't involve Christmas!

Hope you like it and thanks for calling in!

Keryn x

LOTV Wedding Set

Hello, Id like to share a little set Ive just finished.  I used the beautiful Lily of the Valley wedding couple as this stamp is just adorable!

Awww, they look so cute don't they!  Mind you, she looks terrified and he looks like he's in a bit of a grump and probably because she was late!!  

Oh as if us girls ever keep the boys waiting!?!

Ive used Plum Elegance papers by Pink Petticoat throughout.

The card shows flowers punched with an X-Cut punch, Marianne D leaves & tiny heart blings in the centre.  Id stuck the sentiment down before realising it wasn't high enough to catch the easel so I had to add some pearls!

Ive made a lined envelope for a gift token and they all fit nicely in side the box.  The box is decorated with a big bloom courtesy of Tim Holtz's Tattered Flowers & Leaves dies which I flooded with pearl seed beads and Ive printed the inner sides of the box in the plain plum to coordinate.  

I have 6 'spare' box pieces to hand now, a fella would tell you they were made specially for something or other, I will be honest, they were all mistakes!!

Anyone want a lid or even an extra bottom?!

Id like to enter this set into these challenges

PTW three of a kind

Crafty Creations use a number

Allsorts song title - 'the young ones'

Thanks for stopping by, Keryn x

Smoky quartz

Hello,

I'd like to share a card I've made for a sister's special birthday later this month.  I knew instinctively which image I would use but I wanted to try for a smoky quartz shade.  I've got a special deep C5 envelope that I can use as I don't want to disrupt any of the beads.

The mirri card is also dark grey and I've mounted it onto a black card.  I hope you like it and more importantly I hope my sister likes it too!

If you'd like to get this beautiful image it is from Chris Dark and there is a link for her shop over on my sidebar.  She has a matching clutch bag also!

Keryn x

HalleWitch

Hello, Ive succumbed to some of the lovely Halloween images that are everywhere at the moment.  Ive made a couple but this one Id like to enter into the following challenges:

Incy Wincy Sparkly Glitter

Meljens Halloweeny

Elliephantastic Anything Goes

Simon Says Halloween

For this card I've used Hallewitch from Elliephantastic, the BOO image was another freebie from Just Inklined (link on sidebar), papers all by Pink Petticoat and sparkly little die cut spooks by Quickutz.  The sketch is this months sketch over at Kathy's Waffle Sketch File.

What a beautiful day it is here, blue skies and lots of sunshine, it's lovely!  I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend too.

Keryn x 

Dormouse

Hello, I'd like to share the whole card that I featured at Delicious Doodles yesterday, this is Teri's gorgeous Dormouse and I used my water colour pencils to add a little colour without adding water though.  Teri has just released a couple of mystical images so do pop over and have a peep!

Just for a change I've made an easel card!  I would really love to have a play with making different shaped easel cards; I must add that to my 'To-Do' list!

I've used some new papers from Pink Petticoat 'little leaves' along with the 'woodgrain' design which is behind the dormouse (sadly my photography skills match my slimming ones!).  I used some gold mirri card with my new X-Cut leaf embossed punch - Maple Leaf - along with a Quickutz sentiment and a Tim Holtz Tattered flower.  A length of hessian and a few dinky buttons complete my card.

Id like to submit this into the following challenges:

Crafty Sentiments Autumn Colours

Stamp Something Something Punchy

Thank you for calling in!

Keryn x

ps. Get Well Soon Clare x

Hi, I just have to come back to say that I dont deserve the praise about my colouring of this fab image at all, the image is already shaded by Teri, I only added a few hues of colour.

Bugaboo Turtle

Good morning everyone!

I am so relieved as Ive just posted my very first post over at 

DD  (wipes forehead!).

Here is a card I made earlier in the week using a cute tortoise from Bugaboo.  The scraps are all by Pink Petticoat & I used a lovely ribbon from The Range (it was the flat card sort that has 5 lengths of 1m ribbons on for £1).

I need to apologise as Ive just remembered that I havent formally thanked Annie and Crafty Chris for sending this stunning award to me a little earlier (well Annie, Im so sorry as it was August - sorry).
I would like to forward this to everyone who leaves a comment today as I would hate to offend anyone else!

Can I just point you to my sidebar and to the fab creation of a tea-light easel card tutorial over at Whiff of Joy, the link is there so pop over, I cant wait to have a go!

The weather is beautiful here and it seems set to be like this all weekend, I do hope you all have a really great one!

Keryn x

Sunday Sketch & Stamp # 38

Hello!  I dont know what's happening here at 197 but I am on a roll right now and loving every minute!  Here's a card I made for a great niece, I used one of Di's fabulous images called Rosie Bear.  If you haven't seen her new Christmas images, you don't know what you are missing, they are only $2 each (about £1.30) and if you like Forever Friends, Tatty Ted or Lily of the Valley images then you will not be disappointed, I promise!

I used a sheet from the lovely DCWV Blossoms pad, some off cuts from my mahoosive off cut box, a spellbinder label tag with a couple of tiny buttons and a small piece of gold ribbon.  I like to use the Doodlebug rubons to personalise the image and of course, the all important number to signify how grown up they are!  I wonder how I would have felt if anyone had put 49 on my birthday card?! hmmm!
Id like to enter this card into this fortnight's challenge at Sunday Sketch & Stamp as Ive used their great sketch.

Thanks for calling in

Keryn x

E is for Easel

Hello, as promised Im back with the Golden Wedding boxed card that's taken me several days to make.  

This is the box, Ive decorated it with Sizzix tattered flower, Marianne leaves, seed pearls and some coiled gold wire.  The design Ive used for the box is Elegance by Pink Petticoat in gold.

The light is playing hard to get these past two days so please forgive the unflattering kitchen tiles and grouting!

Here is the card, it's my favourite 6" easel style and Ive layered white and gold on the base of it for the greeting to be written on.

Ive used French Script in gold in both the positive and the negative.  Ive distressed the edges of the sentiment plate with a gold brilliance ink pad.  The blooms are the same as the box along with the fancy hearts being from a new spellbinders set.

Aren't they just a model looking couple!  I think they look stunning, so serene and happy.  Ive really enjoyed making this for my sister to give to her in laws on their special day.  Unless I can add two marriages together, I wont be making it to a golden anniversary myself but at least Ive now got the right 'one' and thats all that counts!

I'd like to enter this into The ABC Challenge as it is E for Easel!

I hope you like it!

Keryn x

Quick & Easy

Hello, here's a quick couple of cards I made using paper piecing.  The best thing with paper piecing is that youve already got enough of the same papers to make at least 2 so I dont feel as guilty printing off a sheet of printed paper!

This image is Doggie in a Stocking by Teri and is available now over at the shop.

I printed paper in the gingham design by Pink Petticoat added some furry thread, a lovely sentiment from Clare - Thanks Clare! - and little off cuts of mirri card.  I shaded the image with PM's just for a little more definition.

Hope to be back soon with the golden wedding boxed card that's taken me days to make!

Have a lovely Sunday

Keryn x

Delicious Doodles

Hello!

I am very very excited to say that we now have running hot water & central heating at number 197!!!  It has been since 27th December that we last had the luxury of a full working boiler and it seems to have been a very long road to get here.  Im saving having my first long luxurious soak in lavendar heaven for a little later but first I have a little news.

I am very lucky to have been selected to be on Teri's DT at Delicious Doodles!  As you will know I am a mad fan of her beautiful pencil drawings so I am absolutely tickled pink!  Presently Teri has no challenges running but she is a lady on a mission and this will not be the case for too long!  Watch this space!

I'd just like to publicly thank Teri for selecting me and say that I am really looking forward to making and showing lots of her designs here.  

I'm also very much looking forward  to working with some really super girls on the DT, they certainly are a very welcoming bunch!

I will be back shortly with some shares but I'd just like to wish everyone a really lovely and happy weekend.

Keryn x