Playing with my new toy

Thank you everyone for all the lovely birthday wishes you left for my son on Sunday. We did actually manage to speak to him via Skype in the evening. We could not get a very good picture but it was great to hear his voice. They have driven down to Charleston, South Carolina for a few days and he has played some fab golf courses. Their drive down the East coast of the States continues.

It has been so cold recently that it has not been possible to get out into the garden nor out to my studio. I really miss my garden and the feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin.  At the weekend we decided to light set the fire had a roaring fire which I always enjoy.

It was also time to do some crafting indoors.
As you will remember my Hb bought me a Sizzix die cutting machine for Christmas and oh my have I been having fun with it. I have made a small start on buying some dies as they are quite expensive. I was given a Christmas bonus at work which I used. I will need to wait for my birthday before I can add some more to my collection.

As many of my blogging buddies are not card makers this is what I am talking about.
Meet my Big Shot!

I have made several new cards using my new toy and at the weekend I made a Card for the Lili of the Valley 9th birthday competition. As you all know LOTV are my favourite stamp makers and I have bought several including their wonderful sentiment stamps. I really like digital stamps but there is nothing easier than having a real live stamp to place just where you want it. No firing up the computer, sizing, re sizing etc! Just stamp and colour.

This is my card

It features one of the first stamps I bought nearly 3 years ago called Dandelion Clock and she is still one of my favourites.

 I coloured her with my Promarkers and highlighted with Prismacolor pencils. There is plenty of glitter too! You can also see my Madera Corner Memory box die cuts in the corners.  I used the round and round scallop Spellbinders to out my stamped image. The backing papers are from my stash. I have added some yellow Baker's twine and a spotty yellow button. The little tag sentiments are another favourite of mine from LOTV.  I have put it up for sale in my Etsy shop here












I would like to enter my card into the following challenges;

Lili of the Valley 9th Birthday blog hop There are lots of fab prizes over there.
Totally Papercrafts Hope for spring #155
Creative Card Crew Birthday #30
Inky Chicks Mother's Day or Birthday #4
Joanna Sheen Layer it up
Party Time Tuesdays Anything goes #109
Bearly Mine anything goes #75
Crafty Ribbons Button up #39
Top Tip Tuesday Tag
Cutie Pie Challenge  Pretty Pastels

In contrast to the photo of the roaring fire I have been bought several lovely bunches of my favourite daffodils which are cheering up my house.

and Billy seems to feel that it is still far too cold to go out in the garden so he has been snoozing away in
some of his favourite places indoors.

I also have some very exciting news that I have been asked to be a Guest Designer by Penny Black and More for March. I was really thrilled to be asked.  I will be back on Sunday to show you the card I made for their new challenge. Without giving anything away it took me out of my comfort zone ;0)
In the meantime why not take a leaf out of Billy's book and just try virtual hibernating until spring arrives ;0)

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x