Ladybug Marci - Spring/Easter at La-La Land

Happy Monday everyone. Well it's mixed feelings from me today, the start of a short 4 days week and looking forward to my Easter Holiday, but this is a rather sad post from me as it's my very last post as a member of La-La Land Crafts Inspiration Team Monday.

I've been part  of the team (or the kit team) for a whole year now (wow, that went fast), and to think I originally signed for a 3 month Guest Spot lol! If I won the lottery and didn't have to work I would stay forever lol, but sadly as bills need to be paid I still need to keep the day job, so I have to spread my time around and sadly that means giving up some of the things I love to do other things sometimes.

I have had the most fun and wonderful time and I would like to say a huge thank you to Irina, Debbie and all the girls from Team Monday and all the rest of the DT for making me so welcome and giving me such a fun time (we won't mention the parties :P ), and I hope that they will invite me again next year.

So without any more ado, ...or I will starting sniffling.....this is my swan song for LLLC. The theme for this week is Spring or Easter....and as it's my last post I wanted to make it a really good one. I think I succeeded here :)

I used the following La-La Land Crafts products on my card:

Ladybug Marci

Lattice Doily Border Die

Stitched Nested Circles Die

Stitched Sun an Clouds Die

Cherry Blossom Branch Die

Open Leaf Flourish Die

Butterflies Set 1 Dies

If you're in the UK or Europe you can get all of these at Dies to Die for

I don't really send Easter cards, so I made a card in lovely spring colours, but as a nod to Easter I made an 'egg' shaped card (it's really an oval not an egg, but close enough ;)

I coloured Ladybug Marci with my distress ink markers -

Skin: Vintage Photo, Spun Sugar, Victorian Velvet

Hair: Shaded Lilac, Dusty Concord

Outfit: Shaded Lilac, Dusty Concord, Scattered Straw, Brushed Corduroy

The papers are a mix of Maja Design, Vintage Spring Basics, I inked the edges with Walnut Stain Distress Ink and shabbied the whole thing up with a little Gesso.

I added some glamour dust to the dots on her wing cases and boots and to the ends of her antennae.

I found this little wooden ladybird button in my stash and popped it on this lovely sheer ribbon and finished off with a mix of flowers to match my papers.

I used the following embellishments from The Ribbon Girl

Mimosa Yellow Seam Binding

25mm Lavender Plain Sheer Ribbon

Chrysanth White Kort & Godt

Apple Blossom Mixed Pastels - Lemon and Mint

Tulip Flower White 

Hip Rose Bud Lilac Two Tone

Small Beaded Berries Lilac

Sweetheart Blossom White

Well that's all from me today, I'll be back on Friday as usual, but don't forget to check out the rest of the team's gorgeous makes here!

You can also find more inspiration on our Facebook and Pinterest pages.

Have a great Monday! :) xx

Paper Doll Marci-Birthday, Doilies at La-La Land Crafts

Happy Monday peeps!  Another week at work but next week is a short 4 days week due to the Easter hols and then I have a lovely long break and lots of time for relaxing, crafting....and sorting out all the mess in my craft corner, time to re-organise I think! Not that I can do a lot with such a small space, but it's good to try.

Anyhoooo, the reason I'm here today is for my usual Monday inspiration post for La-La Land Crafts.

This week the theme is 'Doilies'  not a hard one for me I can assure you lol. Even though I never use the bought paper doilies any more, I do love a doily die. I've used several 'doily' dies on my card, though you may have to look hard to spot some of them peeking out from under everything else!

I used the following La-La Land products on my card.

Paper Doll Marci - Birthday

Open Hearts Doily Border Die

Stitched Nested Circles Die 

Heart Doily Border Die

Heart Doily Die

Folding Banners Die

All of the above can be purchased at Dies to Die for 

I coloured up Marci with my Distress Ink markers to match these pretty papers from the Timeless Victorian pad from Lili of the Valley

Distress Ink Markers

Skin: Vintage Photo, Worn Lipstick, Seedless Preserves 

Hair: Antique Linen, Walnut Stain, Seedless Preserves

Outfit: Peacock Feathers, Seedless Preserves, Pumice Stone.

To be honest I did intend this to be very soft and pastel, but somehow when I let the creative monster loose, it decided that wasn't going to happen lol!

I shabbied up some lovely seam binding to use for my bow. This is VERY easy to do, just soak your length in some cold water, scrunch up tightly, and then either dry overnight, or if you're impatient like me you can use a heat gun (on low) or a hairdryer to dry it.

I used lashings of glamour dust to give her some sparkle,

I kept the inside quite simple, using more LotV papers and the same circles and doily as on the front.

I used the following embellishments from The Ribbon Girl.

Phoebe White Guipure Lace

Mauve Mist Seam Binding

Lady Lavender Purple Seam Binding

Purple/Violet Roses Kurt and Godt

Crysanth White Kurt and Godt

Sweetheart Blossom White

Pretty Blossom Purple/Violet

Lilac Wild Roses

25 mm Blackberry Satin Ribbon

16 mm Aqua Ruffle Edge Sheer Ribbon

White Top Stitch Thread

Well that's all from me today, but I'll be back later this week with some more inspiration to share.  Until then, enjoy your week! :) xx

Love You Marci - Use Something New at La-La Land

Happy Monday everyone, hope you're all having a great stat to your week. I'm here for my regular La-La Land Crafts inspiration post, and this week the theme is 'Use Something New'

Well I've actually used several new things on my card today, the stamp, the papers and the sentiment.

I used the following LLLC products on my card

Love You Marci

Heart Fan Die

Stitched Sun and Clouds Die (Sun only used)

Stitched Nested Circles Die

Cherry Blossom Branch Die

I coloured Marci with my distress ink markers

Skin: Tattered Rose, Vintage Photo, Aged Mahogany

Hair: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs

Outfit: Faded Jeans, Chipped Sapphire, Pumice Stone, Brushed Corduroy

Papers used are from Pion Designs' Siri's Kitchen, I paper pieced her dress with some of the same paper, I think it gives her a bit of a 'country' make-over lol.

I used some lovely embellishments to finish off, and I thought the MFT sentiment just fitted the card perfectly.

Links for items used:

Dies to Die for

Love You Marci

Heart Fan Die

Stitched Nested Circles Die

Cherry Blossom Branch Die

Stitched Sun Die

Siri's Kitchen - By the Stove

Siri's Kitchen - Aconitum

Siri's Kitchen - Blueberries

MFT -On the Line Stamp Set

The Ribbon Girl

Pretty Blossom Blue

Cherry Blossom Antique Blue

Beaded Stamen Blue/White

Cheesecloth Fabric

25mm Dusky Blue Satin Ribbon

Ophelia Ivory Tulle Lace

Double Row Ivory Pearl Trim

Cream Top Stitch Thread

That's all from me today, but I'll see you soon. Have a great Monday! :) xx

St Patricks or Good Luck at La-La Land Crafts

Happy Monday all! I'm still on a high as I feel so much better health wise, just being able to breathe properly makes such a difference to everything, including getting a proper nights unbroken sleep!  I even ran up and down the stairs yesterday, something I haven't done for months.

Anyway, I'm here with Team Monday  for the La-La Land Inspiration blog, and this week the theme is 'St Patricks Day' or 'Good Luck'

I took my inspiration from St Patricks Day and went all Irish Green and Fae.

I used Paper Doll Marci - Christmas Elf and even though she's a Christmas stamp, I thought she worked perfectly as an Irish Pixie, coloured in Green and White, don't you?

I used the following La-La Land Crafts products:

Paper Doll Marci - Christmas Elf

Stiched Nested Circles Die

Cherry Blosson Branch Die

Fancy Butterfly Die

These are all available at Dies to Die for

I coloured Marci with my distress ink markers.

Distress Ink Markers

Skin: Tattered Rose, Vintage Photo

Hair: Tea Dye, Rusty Hinge

Outfit: Shabby Shutters, Pumice Stone, Gathered Twigs

For once my glitter is showing up well in my photos, how did I do that?

I'm not normally a huge fan of green, but I actually love the way this turned out.

Well that's all from me today, but don't forget the check out the rest of the makes up on the blog, it's very worth it!

Flamenco Marci - Use 3 Embellishments at La-La Land

Happy Monday all! It's time for some more inspiration from Team Monday over at La-La Land Crafts, and this week our theme is use 3 types of embellishment....not a difficult one for yours truly eh? ;)

I've used the following La-La Land Craft items on my card:

Flamenco Marci

Heart Fan Die

Open Hearts Doily Border Die

Stitched Nested Circles Die

This is what I made

I coloured Marci in a mix of Distress Ink and Sprectrum Aquatint markers & paper pieced her dress

Skin: Tattered Rose, Vintage Photo, Aged Mahogany

Hair: Antique Linen, Gathered Twigs

Outfit: (Ruffles and Shoes) Fired Brick, Blossom AQT, Shabby Shutters.

My embellishments are Flowers, Pearls and Ribbon Trim. I inked all my layers with Walnut Stan DI and stitched my base layers with top stitch thread.

I used some beautiful papers from Lili of the Valley.

I decorated the inside very simply adding a space for a handwritten message.

The stamp and dies are all available at Dies to Die for if you are in the UK or Europe.

That's all from me for today but do pop in on the blog to see the amazing creations from the other girls and we'd love to see your creations on our Facebook page.

See you soon! :) xx

Spring at La-La Land

Good morning, Monday has rolled around again, but for once I don't mind work on a Monday because I'm on holiday for the rest of the week. Yay!  I'm here for my regular GDT spot over at La-La Land Crafts, and our inspirational theme this week is 'Spring'

I decided to use Paper Doll Marci - Spring Showers, because ...well...she seems so perfectly suited for an English spring!

La-La Land Products used:

Paper Doll Marci - Spring Showers

Stitched Sun and Clouds

Picket Fence Die

Butterflies Set 1

All these stamps and dies are also available at Dies to Die for if you're in the UK or Europe.

I coloured her soft and pretty with Distress Ink markers.

Skin: Tattered Rose, Vintage Photo, Aged Mahogony, Victorian Velvet

Hair: Milled Lavender, Victorian Velvet

Outfit: Scattered Straw, Faded Jeans, Milled Lavender, Victorian Velvet.

I've matched her with some lovely Maja Design papers, from the Spring Basics collection.

I was very rushed for time this weekend, so I haven't decorated the inside yet, I'll do that later.

Well that's all from me today, why not share your own take on this theme in the La-La Land Facebook Group

I'll see you again soon, happy crafting! :) xx

Valentine - Inspiration Monday at La-La Land Crafts

Happy Monday!  It's a mixed bag for me today, happy because it's my birthday, but sad because I have to work on it...but then again happy because I'm finishing work a tiny bit early and going for a late afternoon tea at Brown's with my friend Emily.

Anyway....birthday shenanigans aside, it's Monday and that means that Team Monday at the La-La Land Inspiration Blog have a new theme. This week it's Valentine, very topical with it being on Saturday.

Now I could have used one of the many love/valentine themed images, but I decided to make my card with singing Marci, because one of the sentiments that comes with the stamp says 'You make my heart sing' and I thought that was a lovely valentine sentiment.

I've used the following La-La Land products on my card and if you're in the UK or Europe, all of these can be ordered from Dies to Die for.

Stamp - Singing Marci and Sentiments

Hanging Hearts and Love Word Die 

Open Hearts Doily Border Die

Stitched Nested Circles Dies

Heart Treble Clef Die

String of Hearts Border Die

I coloured Marci with Distress Ink markers and a couple of my new Spectrum Aquatint markers, these are amazing, still geting used to the depth of colour, they are very vibrant, which is lovely for contrast and less vintage looking cards.

Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Fired Brick, Rose Pink (SAQT)

Hair: Antique Linen, Walnut Stain

Outfit and Microphone: Spun Sugar, Begonia (SAQT), Pumice Stone

The beautiful papers are 'Romance' 6 x 6 collection from Whimsy. I've edged them with Pumice stone DI, but didn't get a chance to stitch them today as I was running short on time (a common theme this week).

I cut out the sentiment and popped it on a Spellbinders heart and embellished the card with some goodies from The Ribbon Girl

Monique White Guipure Lace

Silver Grey Organza Ribbon

Pink Button Twine

Wooden Heart Button

We'd love to see you join in the fun in our Facebook group and we also have a Pinterest page so you can catch up with all the inspiration.

Well that's all from me, but I'll be back again tomorrow with something new. Enjoy your day! :) xx

La-La Land Masquerade Marci - Inspiration Photo

Good evening! Well it seems that in my rush to get this made and uploaded, that I didn't hit 'publish' after scheduling, so this didn't go live this morning as it should have done.  Ahh well, still time to share it now I'm home from work.

Our theme this week over at La- La Land Crafts is an inspiration photo, if you would like to have a play with the theme yourself I've linked it at the end of my post.

I chose to play with Masquerade Marci, one of the stamps from the new release, isn't she gorgeous?!

La-La Land items used:

Masquerade Marci

Masquerade Mask Die  

Heart Fan Die

Feathers (set of 2) die

Stitched Nested Circles

If you are in the UK or Europe, you can pre-order these items from Dies to Die for

I've coloured Marci with distress ink markers.

Skin : Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Aged Mahogany

Hair: Antique Linen, Gathered Twigs

Outfit: Tattered Rose, Victorian Velvet, Broken China, Pumice Stone

and used some beautiful papers and flowers from my stash and some lovely embellishments from 

The Ribbon Girl

Ophelia Lace

Hot Pink Satin Ribbbon

Pearl & Diamante Embellishment

Apple Blossom Mixed Pastels

Tulips Baby Pink

Flat Back Ivory Pearls 8mm

Here's the pic we used if you want to play along, as you can see I just chose to use the colours, but you could use texture theme etc too.

Well that's all from me, don't forget to go look at the rest of Team Monday's makes on the blog, and also Team Wednedsay and Team Friday through the week, there really are some super makes!

Also if you have Facebook, why not join our Facebook group and share your makes with us.

That's all from me, I'm off to make another coffee and warm up, see you soon!! :) xx

Baby Luka - It's a Boy Think at La-La Land Crafts

Good Morning everyone! Well Monday has reared it's ugly head again, not sure what I will find when I get into work, I discovered a leak in on of our lecture theatres on Friday and had to leave it in the hands of Estates and Facilities when I left for the weekend, they still hadn't discovered where it was coming from!  So hopefully I won't need my wellies!

Anyway it's time once again for Team Monday to share some inspiration with you.  I'll fess right up, I hate making boy's cards, they scare me lol.  So I chose to use Baby Luka thinking that at least I could go soft and pretty. I choose to make a long skinny card for a change, not entirely sure that I like the result, but if we don't try new things we never grow right?

La-La Land items used:

Baby Luka

Stitched Sun and Clouds Die (just the clouds used)

Moon and Stars Banner Die

Luka has been coloured in Distress Ink Markers

Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye
Hair: Antique Linen
Clothing and Bear: Wild Honey, Brushed Corduroy, Spun Sugar, Broken Twigs.

The gorgeous papers are Pion Design's My Beloved Son and the Ribbon, lace, and pearl trim are from The Ribbon Girl. Charm and embellishment are from my stash.

Tracy at Dies to Die for should be getting this stamp and dies in stock soon.

That's all for today, super quick share from me as I have a super busy week including the other half's birthday on Wednesday!

TTFN :) xx

Paper Doll Marci - Birthday, Funky Colours at La-La Land Crafts

Well it's Monday again, no lottery win for me so back to work I go lol.  As it's a Monday, it is of course time for a little La-La Land inspiration post.

This week the theme is 'Funky Colours'. Well I thought that the very funky, quirky and cool Paper Doll Marci - Birthday would be just perfect for this. She's one of the new release revealed at the CHA show last weekend.

La-La Land Crafts Products Used.

Paper Doll Marci - Birthday

Small Lacy Border Die
Stitched Zig Zags Die

Random Flags Banner Die

I coloured Marci with my Distress Ink markers:

Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye. Fired Brick, Worn Lipstick
Hair: Evergreen Bough. Shabby Shutters
Outfil: Evergreen Bough, Shabby Shutters, Worn Lipstick, Fired Brick, Spiced Marmalade, Rusty Hinge.

All the new stamps and dies will be available soon from Dies to Die for

I used the following products from The Ribbon Girl

25 mm Aqua Berisford Satin Ribbon
Black Button Twine
Apple Blossom Mixed Pastels - Lemon and Mint Selection
Red Top Stitch Thread.

That's all from me today, but don't forget to head over to the blog to check out the rest of the team's fabulous makes!

Thanks for popping in :) xx

Paper Doll Marci - Spring Showers

Hello, I'm back again with my second make that went to CHA. This time I used Paper Doll Marci - Spring Showers to make a little gift bag.

I must say I'm really loving these Paper Dolls, and tbh I wasn't too sure about them at first.

For some reason this one spoke to me and cried out to not only be paper pieced but decoupaged.

The colouring is done in Copics.  I must admit that I was in such a rush to get ready for Christmas and to send this off to Irina , that I only took a couple of views on my camera doh!

La-La Land Craft Items Used:

Paper Doll Marci - Spring Showers

Open Heart Doily Border Die

Small Lacy Border Die

Stitched Sun and Clouds Die

I thought she'd look awesome in bright colours

Copics used:

Skin: E04, E11, E00, E000, R20, RV32, RV34

Hair: V000, V12, V15, V17

Clothing: YR21, YR23, YR24, YR61, YR68, RV63, RV17, RV66V12, V15, V17

The beautiful bright papers are Bo Bunny Ambrosia, the vibrant orange ribbon is from The Ribbon Girl and the flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts.

If you're in the UK or Europe, you'll be able to order all the new stamps and dies at Dies to Die for

That's all from me today, you can find all of the new release here and don't forget to check the blog for the rest of my teamies AMAZING makes! Don't forget that you can keep up with all the news and share your work in our Facebook Group and we even have a Pinterest page for your pleasure. Have fun and I'll see you on Friday with my regular Dies to Die for post.

La-La Land Crafts CHA * New Release Team Monday

Good Morning everyone! Well sadly I'm fully back at work this week, I must say it was very nice having some time off after the Christmas break and it allowed me to catch up with all my DT work and also relax a bit, so I'm feeling quite stress free at the moment! Although after a week back at work that could all change lol.

Anyway as I'm sure you all know, the HUGE Craft show from the CHA (Craft and Hobby Association) is going on at the moment, over in Anaheim USA, and yours truly was asked to create a couple of samples to display there.....very very exciting!

For my first sample I used the newly released Baby Marci. Oh my this stamp is just too adorable for words!  I do love making baby cards, so I was totally in my element with this one.

La-La Land Products Used

Baby Marci and Sentments 
(sentiment used inside the card)

Open Heart Doily Border Die

Small Lacy Border Die

Open Fan Die

Stork Die

Rocking Horse Die

Large Lacy Border Die
(used inside the card)

I coloured Baby Marci with Distress Ink Markers

Skin: Tattered Rose, Tea Dye, Spun Sugar 

Hair: Antique Linen, Brushed Corduroy

Clothing and Accessories: Spun Sugar, Victorian Velvet, Pumice Stone, Antique Linen

I went for a shabby Chic look and used paper from Pion's My Precious Daughter collection, which I inked with Pumice Stone DI, then distressed with a Tim Holtz tool and stitched by hand with Top Stitch thread.

I used a lot of goodies from The Ribbon Girl to add even more prettiness to the card, and then finished it all off with lashings of Gesso.

Other products used

Pink Pouf Tulle Ribbon

White 25 mm Satin Ribbon

White Flat Back Pearl 6 mm Trim

White 4 mm Pearl Bead String

Pink Organza Looped Trim

Pink Organza Spotty Ribbon

Cheesecloth

Ivory 30 mm Wild Rose

White Chrysanths

Pale Pink Tulips

Pink Blossoms

Small Pink Lily

Pale Pink Rolled Roses

Pink 20 mm Open Rose

Pale Pink Semi Open Rose Bud

Stork Charm
Pion Design - My Precious Daughter - Alma's Dress
Pion Design - My Precious Daughter - Baby Doll
MFT - Pierced Ovals - Stax

You can see the complete rubber stamp and die new releases below

I do hope you liked my card, I had such fun making it, and I'll be back here tomorrow with my second sample for CHA with the new La-La Land stamp and die releases.

See you then! :) xx