Madcap Manor

The lovely Sharon has given me an award! Thank you, hun! Ok, there are five rules to follow now: 1. Thank the person who gave you the award. 2. Post it on your blog 3. List three things you love about yourself: I'm quite a good cook, I play videogames, and I love Marmite! 4. Post a picture you love: I haven't any photos of my kids on the computer yet, so here's a painting I love, 'St George and the Dragon' by Uccello. I love that the Lady has the Dragon on a leash! 5. Tag five other people. Jules Debby Melly Coops and to be honest I want to add all of you, because you are all so inspiring!! Please take it if you want to! luv, Mags x

I came across a blog for beginning carders at Crafty Cardmakers which has a tutorial on Spotlight cards which look very intriguing. I made this for the two lovely ladies at my local Art and Craft shop, which is closing today. The latest rent increase was too much for them, so they're going online. Anyway, the stamp, ribbon, circle punch and card are from their shop, the bp is from an old magazine (yes, I'm using up stash!) and the flower is Prima, also from stash. I used felt tips to colour the circle which is why the colours are so bright and cartoony! I do like this little mouse, he's so easy to decoupage, too. It's by Funstamps 'Monty's Pot of Violets.' Where has the sun gone? It's so gloomy today, I put the lights on at lunchtime! Thanks for looking. luv, Mags x

These cute Wild Sprouts are wonderful for little girls' cards! This one is for the Anyone for Anya colour challenge which has a photo of a gorgeous vase of pink, red and purple flowers as inspiration. I don't know what I'd do without the inspiration from all your blogs, seeing all the different interpretations of the challenges. It's much appreciated! I used Promarkers, of course (I love my Promarkers!) The papers are from an old magazine (patterned) and Bearly Mine designs (spotted) which has a sale until the 27th - oh dear, my purse is getting so thin! The dotty paper is lilac irl, not blue. The sketch is from Sketch and Stash challenge I got the patterned paper last year, so it qualifies as old stash, and the stamp is one I haven't used before. She came from Dies to Die For I ordered some stuff from Bunny Zoe's Crafts on Sunday night and the parcel arrived first thing on Tuesday morning! I indulged in my first Magnolia stamps. I'll have another card t

It's another digi image! I'm getting the hang of these, I hope. It's so helpful to have a daughter or son to explain the mysteries of the digital age! This is for Pollycraft Monday Challenge whose theme is 'In Stitches.' The image is from Pollycraft's Critters and Cogs set which I think is brilliant for boys, girls and Science Fiction fans like my hubby! The stitching is doodled, so I hope it counts! I like the effect round the image and sentiment, it gives a nice defined outline without being fussy. Hubby smiled when he saw this card, so it's not triggered his 'I Don't Do Cute' Meter. Go, me!! Iused Promarkers: Leaf Green, Lush Green, Tulip Yellow and Gold. The star has been stickled and the card candy is from Paperchase - originally I was going to use star shaped jewels, but because the recipient will be under 3 I had better thoughts! Paper is Daisy Bucket 'My Little Monsters' which came in a special offer pack from Dies To Die For w

At last I've sorted the washing from last week's holiday in Scarborough and had a go at making cards! Yippee! This is for my dear friend Nic, who is expecting twins at the end of November. The image and sentiment are a digi download from Bugaboo Stamps Isn't it great?! She has stickles on her dress andGlossy Accents on her specs and shoes (I must say, stilettos aren't the most appropriate footwear for a pregnant lady, but don't they look good!!!) The fantastic papers are also a download, from Bearly Mine Designs The plain purple paper (which shimmers irl!) is from stash. Even my husband likes the card! He does not do cute. Not One Bit. So now that I've finally made a card that doesn't make him grimace, I'm feeling quite pleased with myself! I am also following a Rosemary Conley Diet book. Today is Day 3 and so far it's going well. We Shall See. Have a good evening, people, and thanks for looking! luv, Mags x Recipe: Image: JJ Pregnancy from Bugaboo

Does anyone else remember Joan Baez' version of the old song 'Matty Groves'? It takes me straight back to the Fifth Form Common Room at school... Anyway, I'm away to Scarborough (not to the Fair!) for a week. I shall see you guys when we get back - there'll be no internet, so my hubby won't be able to connect to his work computer 'Just checking e-mails, dear!' luv, Mags x

It's Penny Black Saturday Challenge Week 112 and the theme is a recipe: ONE circle TWO papers THREE flowers. This is my first 'recipe' challenge and it wasn't nearly as difficult as I feared! I had a lot of fun with White Flowersoft, stickles, Glossy Accents and Glamour Dust. The gingham paper is from stash (I think it's 'Craft Creations') and the lovely flowered paper is Kanban, from my local shop. Flowers are Prima, leaves from a Woodware punch. Punch and brads are from my local shop, which is CLOSING in THREE WEEKS! What am I going to do if I can't drop in and chat to Julie and Nina? If you go to Stamperama in Stevenage, or the Ally Pally, or several other shows whose names I don't know, look for a couple of lovely ladies who specialise in glitter on acetate. Julie is tall and dark-haired and often wears a flower in her hair; Nina is shorter and older and has a lovely German accent. They are sweet and funny and very talented. Ok, I'm going to

WAHAYYY!!!!! *hyperventilates* Oh my, and the 3 stamps and 20 (20!) die-cuts are the most adorable LotV images. So exciting! luv, Mags x (who is still on Cloud Nine!)