Saturday 4 December 2010

Collecting the tree ... for Sweet Stampin'

Good morning to one and all.  What a week it has been - snow everywhere, more to come, and lucky me I got a pretty nasty virus on my PC.   I was searching for a new Christmassy look for my blog, and looked at one site that has their own backgrounds and lists other blogs with free backgrounds as well.  I started going down the list, and opened one blog that has quite obviously had been hacked into or deliberately placed, and it was full of the most disgusting porn with the virus lurking.  It took me virtually all day to clean my PC.  Although I have all the standard anti-virus applications, none of them worked against this, because everytime I tried to do a scan this virus prevented it, until a free download from Microsoft called Security Essentials did the job.  This sort of thing makes me so angry.   I did email the blog concerned, and they have removed the offending link - it was not their fault.  Enough of the rants

Anyway I have a background I just had to have - the birds are my namesakes so what is a girl supposed to do when she is a Robin as well!!

On to this weeks' Sweet Stampin' challenge.  We are sponsored by LadyBug Crafts Ink, and I know there is a yummy prize for the winner.  We woud like to see your backgrounds created especially for your card - that means no branded DPs, but you can create one of your own.



I have done something fairly simple and have stamped and embossed with Winter Wonderland embossing powder straight on to my base card because I did not want to detract from this beautiful image from Lili of the Valley.  For the trees in the background I followed a project in the December issue of Craft Stamper  by Kay Carley for a technique using copics.  i thought it looked so effective so gave it a go.  The tree stamps I have had for years, and I have never used them, but they just suited this, and after colouring I added some Diamond Stickles..  For the sky I brushed some Distress Ink through a Spellbinder Impressabilities.  To finish I just mounted the whole thing on some Bazzill and finished off with a toning satin ribbon.  No greeting as I am not yet sure who this is for.

I am entering this for the following challenges:
I really appreciate it that you take the time to look at my blog and leave such lovely comments.  Thank you each and every one of you.

26 comments:

  1. Oh Val, this is lovely! You could always put 'Merry christmas Viv' on it as a greeting????? LOL Have a nice day!

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  2. So sorry to hear about the porn/virus problems but what a stunning blog background you've got now, love it!

    Love the background you've created and the trees look amazing, I have been too intimidated to try the technique, you've made it look brilliant

    Anne
    x

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  3. Gorgeous card, beautifully done! Ger x.

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  4. what a lovely creation and a great image just perfect for our challenge this week at Winter Wonderland
    Hugs Kate xx

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  5. Beautiful background Val. Don't you love it when you create your own dp. That is an adorable image and beautifully done. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Paper Cupcakes this week. "Hugs" Carol

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  6. Super card Val! I like the embossing on the base card as it doesn't detract from the lovely main image.

    Janet xx

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  7. Beautiful card with a sweet image! Thanks for joining us at Stamp Something!

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  8. Glad you are over your nasty virus. Deffinitely not one to catch. Love the robins on the background. We have one visiting for nuts in the garden. He has a super red breast but dosn't stay still long enough for me to take a picture.

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  9. Awwww, so sweet!!! Thanks for playing along with the Woodware USA Anything Goes Challenge!

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  10. i love this card its adorable stamped beautifully and the colours are stunning xx

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  11. What a beautiful card! Really like the way you made your background, so lovely! Thanks for joining us at DDCC!!

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  12. Super card Val love it. I am going to be there too lol Thanks for sharing Love Cynthia x

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  13. Wow! This is great! I love how you have created the scene
    Linds x

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  14. Background is gorgeous Val, they have a robin visiting the hedge just outside my little one's classroom & their teacher has told them it is a messenger for Father Christmas and only visits to keep an eye on them!! Love your card & the DP is fab x

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  15. The bears are a lovely image, the whole scene is. Your colouring is ace.
    Jen x

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  16. This is lovely Val. Funnily, when I first saw it, I was admiring the background trees and I didn't at first notice that the Daddy Polar Bear was holding a tree. I thought the brown think in his hand (which is the tree's trunk) was a rifle with the butt pointing outward and the business end over his shoulder. Then I realised it wasn't an ironic Polar Bear hunting scene! Silly me! Great trees! Great card! Warmest wishes, Lesley

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  17. And this is lovely too. When I went to the NEC, this was the only rubber stamp I bought from LOTV. Of course I wanted them all! Great read and turquoise combo and lovely colourwork! Warmest wishes, Lesley

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  18. ps. Love your new Christmassy blog decor! WW, Lesley

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  19. This is such a sweet image and a fab card. Thanks for playing along at Winter Wonderland. Hope to see you back on Friday. Marianne x

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  20. Ah, this is really lovely Val! I love those bears and your sparkly trees.

    Sorry to hear of your virus problems. Clever you for sorting it yourself. I am hopeless with computers but luckily know a lovely 'lady who can' and she had a mega job sorting me out last year with a particularly bad one. They really make you sick in more ways than one don't they!

    Glad your computer has a clean bill of health now and love your new background and header.

    Hugs
    Lesley Xx

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  21. I just love your bears and the stamping of all those trees is just fab!! Thanks for joining us this week at Raise The Bar : )
    Hugs~
    Dana

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  22. Oh this is such a sweet image. Love those polar bears! Thanks for playing in the WoodwareUSA Anything Goes challenge this week. Good luck!

    Kerry

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  23. Gorgeous card....Love those bears!!! ;)

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  24. Val, What an adorable creation! Thanks for joining us this week at Dutch Dare Card Challenge.
    hugs ♥

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  25. Hi Val. Thanks so much for letting me know that you gave my Copic technique a go. It really is easy isn't it and I see from your beautiful card that you got a lovely result with it. xx

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  26. Wow stunning card! Thanks for joining us at The Stamp Man challenge.

    Lisa :)

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Thank you soooo much for all the wonderful comments you leave on my Blog. I appreciate each and every one....and for you taking the time to do so....I will try to get over to your Blog too.
Love and big hugs
Val xx

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