Get Magnum in the sale!!!

Who doesn't love Magnum???? Magnum & Lily are a firm favourite at LCI and you can own these two adorable critters for only £1 per stamp!!!! I hate to say it but Christmas is around the corner and these would make the perfect inexpensive gift/stocking stuffer for a crafty friend :-D

Magnum thinks he's the boss but everyone knows it's Lily lol. 

 Scaredy Cat 

Magnum & Lily on Holiday

Hope you're having a good week...Coen and I are off to Troon today for a stroll along the beach and an icecream.

Catch ya later x

At Ease-l Crafters!

LOL...did you see what I did there will my title?? That should give you a hint as to what this fortnight's challenge is all about but before I give you the details I want to thank you for your stunning entries to our WOW challenge...they were WOW in more ways than one. Make sure you check our Challenge Blog to see if you were a winner of a prize or Top 3.

We have a fabulicious challenge for you from our Kath - Easel cards! I think these scare a LOT of people including one of our Ladybugs and even I am a bit wary of them myself, mostly because they never turn out the way I have visualized them in my head!!

We've all used a Magnum and/or Magnum & Lily image some of which are available as digital images or cling stamps and are so fun and sassy....especially that Lily! I've used Cat Flu digital image and Lily as always has the upper hand with Magnum lol.

Have a look and see what you think...

I hadn't made an easel card in ages so did a bit of research online and came across this style but as I made this card WEEKS ago I can't find who I can give the credit to. When I find it I will link to her blog. Anywho, it was really easy to make which is the main thing! I printed and coloured Cat Flu with my Copics, cutting out the image with my MFT circle stitch dies. There is WOS on the kleenex box, head cooler thingamajig (brain freeze moment) and Lily's thermometer. I used a SU! button I've been hoarding and created the sentiment on the computer.

Here's a side view. Next time I might add a corresponding piece of pp down the middle but I quite like the kraft cs showing. 

The Ladybugs have got some brilliant makes for you so please make sure you check out their blogs and leave them some love. 

Don't forget we have a new release coming!!! Grab the banner below and spread the word

Now for Coen's Corner lol. Nicole is still struggling with going back to work. She misses Coen so much so Grandpa, Coen and I took the train into Glasgow on Saturday to surprise her and his daddy. Coen LOVES the train. We have a station less than a minutes walk from our house and it runs along our back yard. I'm sure Coen can hear it from the stop before ours because he gets super excited and starts talking gibberish lol. If he's in his walker he'll race to our patio doors to see it coming into the station. 

This is Grandpa and Coen on the train...

Posing lol

Nic was over the moon to see her little guy and kissed the face off him lol. Afterwards we had lunch in Buzzy Wares in Princes Square...

On Sunday Nic, Coen and I went to Rouken Glen. Here he's wearing his new outfit Grandma and Grandpa bought him...

That's it from me for today. I've got a list a mile long of things to do for this week and I've only ticked a couple of things off. I hope you have a fabtastic Tuesday and look forward to seeing your Easel entries!!

Catch ya later x

TLT - Pam's Challenge - Anything But Square

Happy TLT...hope you're all well. Sorry for the lack of posts since last week. I can assure you I haven't been lying on the couch eating chocolates and watching tv lol. I'd love to tell you what I've been up to but lucky for you I'm short of time ;-D

Thank you to everyone who entered our Birthday Challenge...you guys sure kept the Ladybugs busy! I apologize for my lack of commenting but again count yourselves lucky I'm short of time lol. Make sure you check the challenge blog to see if you're the Challenge Winner or LCI image winner or one of our fabulicious Top 3.

I have a bit of sad news to tell you. Ladybug Pinky has decided to step down from the DT and we are all gutted. But the good news is you can still go and visit her any time. Good luck Pinky, we'll missed you big time.

Today's Anything But Square Challenge comes courtesy of our lovely Pam. I love making square cards...it's my most favouritest shape ... but it's always to do something different. One of our Ladybugs was having palpitations but I can tell you she rocked the challenge!

It's my nephew John's birthday the same day Nicole and Ben get married, May 26th so there is no way I could forget! I needed something quick so this is what I came up with....

I've used the balloon from the Add-Ons set but cheated a bit and used it as a digi which is now in the store if you find you NEED it! As it's a png file it was easy to type the letters then drag the balloon over them. In hindsight I should have made the balloons smaller so you could see more of the striped paper.

I added Glossy Accents to the balloons but I messed up the H. I was too impatient and opened the card to put the insert in and it hit off my Copic color chart :-( I tried heating it with a heat gun as that usually does the trick but I think it made more of a mess and I don't have time to make another one so John is getting it as is!!

I'd like to enter my card in the following challenges:


A & T Challenge Blog - Anything Goes
That Craft Place - One For The Boys
Just Tracy's Crafts Challenge - Anything Goes
Sparkles Monthly challenge - Men Only
2 Sisters Challenge Blog - Anything Goes
CES Challenge Blog - No Squares Allowed

The old adage 'teaching an old dog new tricks' is very true with this old dog lol. I've managed to set up a link to be sent when digi's are bought in the store. Go Kerry go Kerry!!! Now when you buy a digi you will be sent a confirmation of your purchase and then an email with the link to download your image. I spent a small fortune trying it out and it worked  so now you don't have to wait for me to send them to you :-D


I'm off on my hols tomorrow but I do have a few scheduled posts so please don't forget about me!! Not sure if I'll be able to post anything while I'm away but if I can I will. Orders for items other than digi's will be sent after my return on the 18th.

Take care and see you soon

Catch ya later x


PS Order Of Service is done YIPPEE!!!!!!!

Thank you

I am overwhelmed and in awe of the comments and emails I've had regarding my post 'A Card For Sophie'. Crafter's really are the best and when the chips are down are ready to step in and help. Thank you to everyone that took the time to contact me ... I've already received one card...thank you Susan :-D If anyone missed that post and would like to read about Sophie and send her a card please click on the top button on the left.

It's my BIL's birthday tomorrow and managed to make him a card at the weekend. All going well I'll get it posted today and he'll get it in time ... not like me at all lol. 

Anywho, here it is...

When I'm struggling for ideas there are a few blogs I head to and one of them is Jeanie's aka 

The Spotted Chick as she has fabulicious layouts which is where I found this one and tweaked it slightly.

I'm thinking I'm going to have to be a bit more careful not to go outside the lines...sorry Lily!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Crafty Sentiments - Spots or Stripes

LEJ Designs - Anything Goes

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

Creative Belli - Animals

Penny's Paper-Crafty - Happy Birthday

Whimsy Stamps Challenge - Spots and Dots

Glancing to the right I see there aren't a lot of days left to the wedding and my time has been drastically cut as hubby has booked a holiday for the two of us for next Wednesday for 9 days. I'm wondering if he's somehow got the dates mixed up and thinks the wedding isn't till NEXT month!!! I'll admit I almost imploded on Sunday thinking of all the things I have to do...mainly the rest of the favours (yes I'm still working them though thanks to Elaine got a lot more done yesterday) and the Order of Service. I'm wondering if I can accidentally forget to do the OOS? Do you think anyone would really want one? After all if it's a souvenir the guests are after they've got the place card and the favour. My family arrive the day after we get home so you can see why I'm going to have to be uber organised before next Wednesday. I hope I'll have time to make a couple of cards to leave you with but if you don't hear from me for a while you know I failed miserably lol.

Since time is precious I'll skedaddle and get on with finishing the favours. I promise I'll stop wittering on about them once they're done lol.

Catch ya later x

A Card For Sophie

I meant to post today's card yesterday but I had a real tough time trying to think of the right sentiment for the front of the card. This card was harder than any male card and probably as tough (if not tougher) as any sympathy card I've had to make. 

Very recently the daughter of one of my best friends was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma and she had her first chemo treatment yesterday...the day after her 18th birthday. Sophie is extremely clever (she is head girl at her school and she was accepted to Oxford for after the summer), kind, caring (for the passed 3/4 years she has helped people with special needs on trips to Lourdes), incredibly funny with a fantastic personality and is a joy to be with. 

I wanted to make Sophie a card that wasn't too soppy or deep but would give her encouragement for the coming months ahead. The card was the easy part but like I said the sentiment was causing the problem. I asked for suggestions from lots of people and Google search and in the end combined a few and this is what I came up with....

I think Magnum and Lily are the perfect choice to encourage Sophie...I can just imagine them telling her to Kick Butt!  I shrunk digi Add-On Magnum and used Lily from the Add-On set. The pp is Bo Bunny Swiss Double Dots Tutu Dot. The hearts are the cut out from my Doo Hickey border die. 

I added Glossy Accents to Magnum's nose and to the hearts before sprinkling Glamour Dust on them.

Sophie has 6 months of grueling treatment ahead of her and it's going to be a tough time for her and her family. Michele planted an idea in my head and I've also seen it done on other blogs... I wondered if any of you would like to make Sophie a card to help lift her spirits while going through her treatment? You don't have to do it straight away as it's a long road ahead but over the days, weeks and months I know she would love and appreciate receiving a card or two. 

If you'd like to send Sophie a card, email me at ladybugcraftsink@aol.com and I'll send you my address to send the card which I'll then pass on. I'll also have a button on the sidebar linking to this post which you can post on your blog to spread the word. Thank you :-D

I'd like to enter Sophie's card in the following Challenges:

Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge - Anything Goes

Fairy Fun Fridays - Anything With Flowers

Glitter Geeks - Stitches (real or faux)

The Poodles Parlour - Anything Goes

Make It Monday - Anything Goes

Tammy's Scrapin Corner - Critters

Thanks for stopping by today. 

Catch ya later x

Sale Extension!

Well howdy doody bloggers! How did we get to Saturday so quickly? I'm sure I JUST posted my TLT card hmph!

You know the Long Weekend Week Long Sale? Well I've decided to extend it to the Long Weekend Week Long Week Extension Sale rofl. Don't know why but that really makes me giggle lololol. There were a few technical hitches the first 2/3 days so this is to make up for it :-D So you can still purchase your favourite stamps for 1/2 price AND get a free gift!

 I'm getting a teenie weenie bit panicky that I'm not getting enough done these days. Remember the 2700 pearls I glued onto the wedding invites? Well I've now another 5700 to glue on to the place cards!!! How did that happend?? Me and my big mouth that's what lol. I've started the favours and they're lying on the dining room table at different stages. I've just remembered a couple of birthdays I've got coming up so need to get started on those. That's before the usual cooking, cleaning, ironing, dog walking etc!!!

Anywho, enough moaning cuz I've got a card to show you I made a while back...

I love Magnum and I especially love Add On Magnum and I especially love LOVE tying a balloon to his tail and whipping up a cake for him to hold lol. My bunting is shockingly bad but I'm going to go to bunting school...ie Queen of Bunting Ladybug Julie!!! She makes THE best bunting on her cards so watch this space lol.

Pretty sad huh but it is a work in progress lol

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

ATCs & Cards With Attitude - Anything Goes

Crafty Ann's Challenge Blog - It's a Man Thing

Fairy Fun Fridays - Anything Goes

Wags n' Whiskers - Anything Goes

Fab 'n' Funky Challenges - On All 4's (4 legged animal)

Scrapbook Sisters - Anything Goes

I've got some shoe new for you....da shoes are in da building!!!!! Woot woot...yes peeps, after a mini marathon and a few blunders I finally got THE shoes for my MOB outfit ... they are totally stunnalicious and I cannot wait to wear them. They're 4" but I think I'll be able to last the whole day in them :-D

Ok...lots to do so I'm going to make a coffee and lock myself away in my craft room. I hope you have a great weekend!

Thanks for stopping by

Catch ya later xx

The Complete Guide to Digital Crafting

Have you seen it? Do you have your copy? What am I talking about? Well, it's a new craft magazine The Complete Guide to Digital Crafting aimed at digital stamps, papers etc and guess who's in it??? Ladybug Crafts Ink!!! I was so excited when I was asked last year to be a part of the first issue. I'd totally forgotten about it as I was approached back in late October (I can't even remember yesterday!) It came out on February 23rd and I just received my copy this morning...it looks FABULICIOUS!!! There is digital content and software (2 cd's) from 11 companies showing you how to use digital images from when you first buy them to downloading them and then uploading them to your project. I think this is going to be an invaluable guide to those of us that are afraid of doing more than sending emails and surfing the internet. There are also discount offers throughout the magazine which is always a bonus :-D

You can buy it at most WH Smith stores and some large newsagents. I've got the kettle on and once I'm finished here I'm going to settle down and have a good look through it.

I've got a Valentine's card to show you I made for hubby. He said it was the nicest one I've ever made him but then he says that every time I give him a card lol. See what you think...

 

I'm not sure why it's so squint...I wasn't drinking when I took the picture honest lol. I got these fantastic Cheerylynn heart dies from Frantic Stamper...there are two in the pack and I've used the small one. They are gorgeous...very delicate. I cut out the hearts from two different pp from my MME 6 x 6 A Happy Heart paper pad. I stamped 'love' from the SU! Tiny Tags set and punched it out with their Tiny Tags punch adding a Swarovski crystal. I stamped coloured and cut out the heart in a box from the Magnum Add On set and stuck it to the heart using a foam pad

 

 

The detail of the heart is gorgeous :-D

Ok...I'm going to love you and leave you. The kettle's boiled and the magazine is calling my name!

Have a great week :-D

Catch ya later x

Where do I start?

I guess I'd better start by wishing my baby a happy 21st! That's right, my 'little' Steven is 21 today :-D I cannot believe how fast those years have flown by. I was feeling a bit sad though because he's been in Milan since January 6th and isn't coming home until March so would be spending his birthday with strangers :-(

I had a bit of a nightmare yesterday...when I was cleaning the downstairs bathroom I broke the mirror into a gazillion pieces! OMG...I really didn't want 7 more years of bad luck!!! I had to think real fast so to counteract the bad luck...and don't ask me why I thought this would do it...I bought a lottery ticket lol.

We'd not long finished dinner when the doorbell went...it was Steven's girlfriend Vanessa who had been over for dinner on Thursday. I opened the door and the next thing Steven jumps out and shouts surprise!!!! OMG...I was stunned and then I started to all teary and he came in and gave me the biggest hug ever. It's so good to have him home although only for 2 weeks...and he brought me a present....5 weeks of washing lol. Apart from his socks and pants he hadn't washed any of his clothes pewwwwww! Apparently everyone knew he was coming home except Vanessa and I. So now I'm thinking breaking the mirror wasn't bad luck and must remember to check my lottery tickets!!!

Steven James born at 5:15pm on February 11, 1991 weighing 7lbs 5 ounces. This is him at 3 months with just a few chins lol

This his Steven last year...all 6' 6 1/2" of him ...he's changed a bit don't you think lol

This is Steven and Vanessa just before he left for Milan

Of course I made him a card which I mailed on Monday but he hadn't received before he left. At least I can show him the pictures. This is what I did...

My friend Elaine helped out with the numbers...she cut them out on her Cricut...I think it was the Mickey Mouse cartridge. I stamped, coloured and cut out Add On Magnum and the cake that comes with it then from the Add On set I stamped the balloon 3 times and Lily. The idea was for Lily to be floating away with the balloons :-D

I hope his card will be at the agency when he goes back

Of course I wasn't expecting him home so I've no fancy cake or ballooons which I would normally do for such a special birthday. I'll be running around today trying to get something sorted. Hopefully I'll have some pictures to show you tomorrow :-D

Right...I'd better get my skates on. I hope you have a great weekend...I know I will now my baby's home :-D

Catch ya later x

What a weekend!

I had one of those weekends that not a lot went to plan. It started Friday night when Ryan took the dogs out for their last walk around 11. I had been getting all my things ready for my mega crafting day the next day, got into my jammies, make up off and was heading to my bed when the doorbell went at midnight, it was Ryan...Ruby had gone AWOL and he'd been looking for her for over half an hour. I grabbed my dressing gown, put on my dogwalking coat, hat, Uggs and headed off in search of missing pup. She eventually turned up after about 15 minutes and I put her on the lead and marched her home giving her an earful.

I was up with the birds on Saturday and did my Zumba, showered and went downstairs for my porridge only to be told that Ruby had been sick in the kitchen and utility during the night. I let her outside again, got their breakfast, settled down to mine when I realised it was REALLY quiet. I opened my kitchen door to the dining room to find that Ruby had been sick 3 times on my cream carpet...it wasn't just sick, there were lots of bones in it. Now I know what she was up to the night before. Someone had thrown a chicken carcass into the woods for the foxes and she was having a midnight feast!!! I cleaned the mess up only to find she'd decorated the hall carpet as well.

She seemed ok so off I went to pick up Elaine (after a quick pitstop at McDonald's for a much needed coffee) and we headed to Lynn's where we had a GREAT day catching up, eating, colouring, laughing, eating, chatting, more colouring, Cricuting, eating finally getting home about midnight!!! I told you it was a great day lol.

Got up Sunday, let dogs out, let them in, next thing Ruby is sick again but this time there was blood so phoned emergency vet and they advised to bring her in. Chicken bones can splinter and are so dangerous to dogs. Long story short (sorry :-S) she didn't have any blockages, she's on Zantac and I got a bill for £150!!! I am really angry and if I knew who had thrown the chicken in the woods I would hand them the bill. If it's who I think it is, they are dog owners so it's more than irresponsible of them to do it.

It was also my Dad's birthday on Saturday...79 years young though when he first married my mom I would look at his driver's license and for about 10 years I thought he was 33...that was the year he was born lol. Anywho, he's not thrilled he's 79 but he looks about 15 years younger and is still climbing ladders, putting windows in, tiling floors. I guess this is what keeps him young.

Dad's an avid golfer so I had to use Magnum & Lily Fore! digi for his card. This is what I came up with...

I followed a sketch I saw on the MFT blog using my favourite MME pp.

He hadn't received it when I spoke to him on Sunday but hopefully it will arived soon.

I'd love to enter the following challenges:

Make It Monday - Anything Goes

Sew Many Cards - Birthday

Squigglefly - Birthday

Birthday Sundaes - Birthday with sentiment

PanPastel UK Challenge - Birthday

 

We're all very excited about the upcoming blog hop. There are some Ladybugs...well, ONE Ladybug that is trying every trick in the book to see all the images but when there's a new release I like everyone including the DT to be surprised. Can you believe she even tried the 'can I buy them now so I can get a head with the challenges' trick?! Nice try lol!!

If you head over to the Challenge Blog you'll get more sneak peeks to whet your appetite. For all that I know what images each of the DT have I've yet to see their creations...I cannot wait!!! Here's a peek at mine...any ideas?? I'm afraid I'm not as generous with my peek as the others lol

I'm off to get stuck into these wedding invitations before I get into trouble from Nic!

Thanks for stopping by

Catch ya later x

Happy Saturday

Hello and welcome to the weekend yaaaayyy!!! This is just a quick one because I'm going to be dashing out the door soon. I've got a date...a very important date and if I'm late...well it won't be pretty lol. Wanna know where I'm going? Well I'd better mention it cuz I got into big trouble when I didn't  in my last post. Elaine and I are going over to Lynn's for a mega play day!!! Now you see why I can't be late...late = less play time :-( I'm going to be concentrating on colouring so I've packed ALL my Copics and some paper pads to coordinate and I've printed off LOTS of images but how much will get coloured is anyone's guess. You know what it's like when crafty girly's get together...a LOT of yacking lol. I'll let you know how we get on and what we get up to :-D

Before I head I want to share a card with you that was emailed to me yesterday. Isabelle took advantage of the January sale and this is one of the images she bought. I just love her card....

Isn't it fabulicious! I love how Isabelle stamped straight onto the card...no mounting or anything. It solves a lot of problems trying to find the right pp ;-D You can see her other fabby cards on her blog Inkerbelle's

Another blog to check out is The Tiny Blue Butterfly. Jen made a gorgeous card using Tiptoeing Lily and you will love her other fabulicious creations :-D

Eek...I just noticed the time...I'm outta here!

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by

Catch ya later x

Wii anyone?

Well howdy Peeps....how's your weekend been so far? Mine's been pretty good...finally got my Wii set up during the week and tackled it for the first time yesterday. I hoola'd, jogged, stepped and boxed and today I Zumba'd my butt off lol. That's probably not true but I had great fun getting all tangled up and at the end was pretty breathless though as I told Ladybug Laurie that was probably due to the exertion of untangling myself lol. I am pleased that when I went through the set up my 'Wii age' is 43... woo hoo...lost 5 years just like that!!

Some wedding news....I've got my outfit!!!! You might remember this picture below....

well it AINT'T that lol. Nicole was the only one that seemed to think I looked amazing in it but I'm happy to say I have something a lot classier and classic and it really suits me:-D Of course I can't show it to you just yet but you'll see the pictures soon enough ;-D

Nic, Ben, his mom and I are heading to Ireland next month to do the food tasting, check the flowers, hairdresser, makeup and a million other things. Moira hasn't seen the venue yet and I'm sure she's pretty excited about it. I'm very aware that being the MOB, I'm involved in everything and the MOG isn't as much but I want to include Moira as much as possible. In saying that I'll look forward to taking a back seat when the boys get married!!!

Steven is still in Milan though I don't know for how much longer. In short he's far too tall (lol...that make anyone else giggle?) and broad for a lot of the clothes. He does have 2 jobs in showrooms for Galiano and Replay trying on clothes for retailers. Unfortunately it's not very busy at times so he sits in his 'cupboard' for hours on end waiting with someone that doesn't speak any english. There has to be designers out there that need tall models so if you're reading this Steven would be perfect for you! Ah...the life of a model...not as exciting as some might think.

Ok..I DO have a card to share with you that I made recently which I'm loving a lot...I guess having Magnum on the front will do it for me every time....

I wonder how long Magnum is going to stay stuck in that catflap lol. I used my Copics to colour the image, my MME pp again, an embossing folder, my new MFT die, pearls and stitching and that's about it.

Tee hee...maybe a diet is on the cards after all

I'd love to enter the following challenges:

ATC's & Cards with Attitude - Anything Goes

Lily Pad Cards - Patterend Paper

Pattie's Creations Challenge - EmbossingStamping for the Weekend - Embossing

Stampin with the Dragon - Anything Goes

You've only got till midnight on Tuesday if you want to take advantage of the LCI 1/2 price January sale. Just think of it...£26 worth of stamps in your basket and only pay £13...what a bargain!!

I'm going to crack on with the wedding invitations now...just an hour or so then get on to my dad's birthday card. Need to get it posted by Monday and with a bit of luck he'll get it by the 5th! A new series of CSI NY starts tonight so the ironing board will come out and another nasty job will be done :-D

Catch ya later x