Passion for Promarkers Challenge 17/11/09 and Alphabet Challenge 19/11/09

I was determined to take part in the Passion for Promarkers Challenge this week with the colour combo of Marsh Green and Burnt Umber as I had bought them in specially a couple of weeks ago from Joanna Sheen's website.  I love being able to see what colours are coming up as I haven't been able to afford everyone but buying in small amounts is possible and I can at least do this well beforehand.  This little Anya I bought recently and she is such a darling.  She did have three yellow bags but I didn't think they looked right so I coloured some burnt umber over the top and liked the colour so much that I coloured her hair the same - don't tell Anya she's got yellow under her burnt umber!!!  I have distressed some backing papers I got recently in a sale, added some velour swirly ribbon, some green grossgrain ribbon, six brads, a sentiment made in My Craft Studio (MCS) and finished off with two sunflowers.  Due to the flowers all over the Paisley backing paper and the sunflowers this card meets the criteria for the Alphabet Challenge this week of F is for Flowers.

Allsorts Challenge 14/11/09 and Sophisticat's Challenge 16/11/09

I have made this card following the sketch on the Sophisticat's Challenge Blog this week.  I was lucky enough to win the challenge there last week.  This card also fits the criteria for the Allsorts Challenge this week of an item for a child.  This card is for a 2-3 year old - I am just awaiting clarification of which age before putting a number on!!!  I have used some backing papers from Allissa's Design Studio and also some Summer Driggs.  The sticky ribbon, other backing card, card candy and fibres were from my stash.

Commisioned Leaving Work Card

I thought the A4 card was it for the leaving card for my son's workplace but he told me last night another colleague wanted a special card making for the lady that is leaving.  I decided to use the Crafter's Companion Flower Fairies CD for this one and chose Zinnia as she's my favourite.  I used my Crafter's Companion Gold Sparkle on the printed backing paper.  Although I did it outside it still made me cough no end.  That's all my commissioned cards finished for now and I feel quite relieved - just got to wait and see if everyone likes it.  My husband is going to pick my son up from work so they'll take the cards so they don't have a battle on his bike's handlebars on his way to work tomorrow evening!!!

Commisioned Leaving Work Card

My son asked me to make a card for a lady leaving his work in a few weeks' time.  This week he said he needed the card by tomorrow - oh my goodness me.  It's an A4 card as it has to be signed by everyone at work.  The back of the card I have done a personalised verse as well.  The last A4 card I did for them I decorated the envelope so this was requested this time as well as it's so much nicer giving a card over like that.  I have used the card Creations Di Kaye Art Deco CD for this card.  I am relieved it's finished and it's taken 1.75 rolls of double-sided tape to make!!!

Commissioned Birthday Card

I was asked to make an extra special birthday card.  I know this card is coming each year but always struggle with it as it always has to be tigers (and it is the lady's daughter who is made about Tigger!!!).  I've used Joanna Sheen's Animal Antics in the past along with Joanna Sheen's Jayne Netley Mayhew CD last year.  Thankfully I take photos of the majority of my cards so could refer back and could see that I didn't use the images on the front of this A4 card from the Jayne Netley Mayhew CD so that's why they have been picked this time.  The backing paper I have used throughout the card is one of the CD as well.  Just hope it goes down well.

Commissioned Birthday Card

A customer wanted a special card for her son's birthday.  He loves any kinds of planes so I have used my Card Kits for Men CD from Crafty Computer Paper for the Spitfires image and decoupaged them up.  The backing paper is a camoflauge from Summer Driggs.  Think any child into planes should love this.

This card fits the criteria for the Allsorts Challenge this week as it has to be a card or anything else for a child.

Cards for a Friend

A friend is having to do a 60-70 mile round trip each day for 19 days for some hospital treatment.  She can't drive to/from this treatment so is relying on friends/family to do this.  I thought I'd make her some cards that she can give to these people when her treatment is over to say a big thank you to them all.  Some are regular cards, some are easel cards and some are  ???? or what I've called Z cards (I was putting the easel cards together and instead of using it like a tent fold as the proper easel I just like them stood on their side which actually looks like a Z.  No doubt these have some "proper" name so if you know please let me know).  They are all from items that already had and aren't too ornate as I'd never have the time to do that many but I've used decoupage, gems, card candy, sentiments from the computer etc and I hope she likes them.

Second Easel Card and PaperCutz Challenge 13/11/09

I have used a Whiff of Joy stamp and again some Allissa's Design Studio papers and made by second easel card.  I quite like making these now.  This card fits the bill for the PaperCutz Challenge this week as you had to use a stamped or digital image.

My First Easel Card

I have seen the appearance of easel cards and thought I would have a go at one.  I'm not very good following instructions on paper but came across some diagrams on Crazy 4 Challenges which helped me a lot.  The stamped image is from Pollycraft Designs, the gorgeous papers are from Allisa's Crafting Studio, backing paper from my stash and the lovely blossoms from Jak Heath.

This card fits the criteria for 8 challenges:

Pile it On - Leaf of leaves

Sophisticats - Wings

Creative Card Crew - Doodles

Quixotic Challenges - Stitching

Lots to Do - Distressed

Crazy 4 Challenges - Easel card

Saturday Challenge - Easel card

Allsorts - Bling.

Another Calendar for the Stall

This is a calendar mainly aimed at the boys but I know some girls like planes.  It is from another Craftylasses digital download and has been decoupaged up.  The calendar is finished off with some holographic card, calendar pad, fibres and card candy.

Alphabet Challenge - 5 November 2009

Here is another calendar I have made for the stall.  It fits the criteria for the Alphabet Challenge Blog this week with the topic of D for Decoupage.  I have used a backing paper I received in some recent blog candy, a Scrapbooking Mad Digital free pyromage sheet, a calendar pad and some card candy.

Paperplay Challenge Blog - 29/10/09

I have made this calendar for my son to take to my stall I've got this week for charity.  Calendars seemed to sell quite well last year for me so I thought I'd have a go again.  The ? French script paper (not sure really what nationality it is) is from a Papermania pad I won in some blog candy recently, the grey swirly paper I'm not sure where it is from as I won this in another blog candy, the image is from Craftylasses and it is finished off with some fibres, the calendar pad and some card candy.

This fits the criteria for the Paperplay Challenge of Parlez Vous.

Crafty Ann's Challenge Blog - 6/11/09

Ann has started a new challenge blog this week.  I wish Ann and her wonderful Design Team all the best for their new venture and I will try to enter as much as possible.  The topic for the first challenge is celebrate so I decided that this A4 card would fit the bill.  The image is from the Card Creations Art Deco CD and I have used the snapshot tool to make the image bigger.  I have used a backing paper from the CD, two different pearlescent paper and a purple vellum and used my Fiskars corner edger scissors on all the layers.  The card is finished off with a sentiment, some gems, a lovely crocheted flower that I got in some recent blog candy and some fibres.

By the Cute and Girly Challenge - 1/11/09

It's challenge two for the By the Cute and Girly Design Team and this time the chosen topic is Winter Wonderland.  I know this isn't a Christmas card but the lady with her thick hat makes me think of winter.  The image is from the Card Creations Art Deco CD and I have used the snapshot tool for the image to be the right size for an A4 card.  The card is adorned with a sentiment from the computer, some ribbon I won recently in some blog candy and I thought the red shades of these leaves match perfectly the leaves in the image.

Susie's Sassy Challenge - 5/11/09

I have made this A4 card for my charity stall and realised it met the criteria for the Susie's Sassy Challenge first ever challenge as the topic is Christmas.  The printed backing paper is a digital download from Fred She Said.  The other backing paper was given to me by a friend.  The topper is from Michelle Marsden Triple Treasures Christmas CD from last year and is such a gorgeous image.  I have embellished the card with a sentiment off the computer and some gorgeous poinsettia images that were a free download from Jak at Crafter's Kitchen.

Cute Daisy May Challenge 2/11/09

Over at the Cute Daisy May Challenge Blog the topic this week is Blue Christmas.  I was in midst of making this A4 card for my charity stall when I thought I'd use this card.  It is made with an image from Joanna Sheen's Messy Rabbit Christmas CD.  I used the snapshot tool and made the image bigger.  The backing papers are from the CD and also from the freebie Christmas papers CD courtesy of the Create and Craft Club recently.  The card is finished off with a sentiment off the computer, some silver tinsel-style ribbon and a blue snowflake that I coloured recently with distress inks, clear embossed a scroll stamp onto it, heat embossed and then put on more blue Faded Jeans Distress Ink.  Inside the card is finished off with a piece of notepaper from Messy Rabbit Christmas CD.

Regular Monthly Card Stall

The time has flown by and it was time today for the stall to be set up.  I chose the same charity as last time to try and build up the amount a bit more - Help for Heroes.  I had of hoped to have made some A4 cards to go on the stall – 2 everyday and 3 Christmas but I wasn’t well yesterday.  I hope to get the cards stuck together over the week-end and then my son can take up there on Monday as it’s his day off from college.  

I am very upset this morning

I got up this morning to a post about my blog on another person's blog:

While I am sure Kym's cards are lovely they are nothing to do with me. Links to someone else's site have appeared at the bottom of the comments section of at least my last 2 postings. These links my lead people to think that I in someway endorse this other site . The site you are directed to has nothing to do with me and does not have my permission to add a link from here.

We all go 'blog hopping' and follow all sorts of links its part of the fun of being part of this community quite possibily you found your way here on a blog hop! We all enjoy (hopefully) the journey and lessons found along the way, where you go next is a treasure waiting for you to find it. Trying in direct more traffic your way by cheeky opportunism on others Blogs is on, at least not in my world view.

Have a good all and enjoy your travels.

This is the post I have put on as a reply:

I certainly don't like the tone in this post on your thread. I DON'T link to other people's blogs unless they are offering blog candy or if it's a direct link to a challenge. I know enough on my blog land to do posting and even had to get advice regarding posting my own blog candy recently and how to keep the post at the top - so to hint that I had linked to your blog deliberately is certainly not fair and has been very upsetting for me this morning.

I make all my cards to sell to raise funds for different charities so being deceitful isn't in my nature and I am very hurt and offended with this thread and also the comments that others have put. 

Maybe before people put comments like this they should know the fact before posting. I had come across your blog from another avenue and have put a link in my "blogs I like to watch" section but needless to say I have removed this as I can do without upset like this.

This incident has really upset me this morning.  I am 100% honest and would certainly not do anything under-hand and wouldn't even know how to anyone.

I just hope the comments made by these other people won't stop others from visiting my blog as I really appreciate your visits and take on board comments.

Commissioned Anniversary Card

A customer wanted a 1st wedding anniversary card for her daughter and son-in-law.  It doesn't seem a year since they got engaged last August and married last November.  I have used a Craftylasses image which is so beautiful and very magical looking.  I have adorned the card with a flower/feather from Joanna Sheen's website, a sentiment from the computer and some organza ribbon.

This card fits the criteria for Rainbow Lady's Challenge Blog of the topic of anniversary as she is celebrating her 23rd wedding anniversary.  Congratulations and all my best wishes.

Commissioned Birthday Card

A customer wanted a birthday card for her 6 year old grandson who loves animals.  I have used this Cuddly Buddly download and coloured it in with my Promarkers.  As I used some light colours the shading hasn't shown on camera.  Think I still need more practice but it's fun having a play.  I have used a Dottie's World image for the insert - I cheated though and used a pre-coloured one.


This card fits the criteria for the Passion for Promarkers Challenge this week.  The topic is open this week but needs to include an animal - I've got three animals coloured with Promarkers ie the bird, the pig and the cow!!!

Another Commissioned Card

I was asked my a customer's husband to make his wife a card for her birthday. Her Mum has asked me to make a Tigger card so I thought I'd do a nice Art Deco lady with her dog. I have used the Card Creations Di Kaye Art Deco CD for the image and backing paper. I don't like having to type in all the text for the insert as my spelling can be wrong at times when I'm tired so I took a snapshot of the image and did the insert in Word. I have decoupaged the lady up on all layers as my husband will take the card into work for the mum to pass to her son-in-law.

My Blog Candy Winner

Well, it's taken a while tonight to write all the names out and put them in the bag to be tossed around to pick a winner. I was going to ask my husband but my 17 year old son asked if he could watch the X-Factor. I said "yes" as long as he picked my name out of the bag and had a photo taken of the winning name. He didn't want his face showing as he hates having his photo taken - just like his mum - so I had to agree didn't I?

I had a lovely response and have been communicating over the weeks with some lovely people and hope to continue this. I have met so many lovely people during my time in blog world and that's why I wanted to give a little something back to say a big thank you. A few more things have made their way into the bag as a little surprise for the winner. Thank you to all those that entered.

The name of my blog candy winner, hand picked by my son is ..............

......................

......................

......................

......................

IreneM.

Please contact me Irene at p.upshaw@ntlworld.com and I will make arrange for your package to be posted to you ASAP.

Commissioned Birthday Card

I was asked to make a card for a customer to give to her friend's grand-daughter. She's a girly-girl and therefore I thought Popcorn and Souflle would fit the bill for this card. I have used my Crafter's Companion Popcorn Birthday CD and decoupage bits on it and used my new card candy (I have a lot to thank Lisa for - not - as she used these on my birthday card and fell in love with them. I know have adhesive stonesitis and now card candyitis - thanks Lisa!!!! On a serious note I think they are a fab idea as sometimes you think a card needs just something and if you've stuck it together you can't use brads. They also come in such lovely yummy colours).

Commissioned Birthday Card

I needed to make a card for a daughter who is into Tigger. I did buy some decoupage last year with Tigger but couldn't face the cutting out - it was before the die-cut Disney ones came in - but last year I couldn't face cutting it out. This year I couldn't face it either but then I felt sorry for it sitting in the drawer unloved so out it came. Needless to say it's only got two layers as I couldn't face that tail anymore. I'd also already got the pottery Tigger/Winnie the Pooh so I have stuck this on with Pinflair Glue Gel. Just hopes she likes it.

Simon Says Challenge 26/10/09 and Creative Card Crew Challenge 27/10/09

I have made this Christmas card from a freebie from Cuddly Buddly and this snowman is sooooooooo cute. He's been coloured in with Promarkers and highlighted in some areas with Stardust pens to make him sparkle. The two backing papers are from a new design set from Summer Driggs are a gorgeous blue colour so I couldn't resist using them.

For those of you that I don't do messy I have excelled myself on this card. The border around the snowman has been edged with Twinklets Diamond Dust Glitter which I got from Joanna Sheen. I love the effect this has given. The large snowflake I bought recently from an Open Day at Stamp Addicts. I have used cut-and-dry foam and an Adirondak ink pad and a Distress Ink pad to colour the background. I then used an embossing liquid and then stamped onto the snowflake with a U-mount swirl and then added some blue embossing powder. After heating up the embossing powder I then sanded the edges to distress. Not bad for me eh???

This card fits the criteria for two challenges:

Simon Says Challenge - All that sparkles (well I have the holographic card in the background, the Sakura Stardust pens and the gorgeous twinkly diamond dust)

Creative Card Crew - snowflakes (snowflake overload here - some on the backing paper, some on the image and one decorated one!!).

Second Halloween Card Made Today

This is the second card I've whipped up today for the neighbours nephews. I've got the four little bags of sweets put with the four cards on the window ledge in the porch. ALL sweets in each pack are the same and I've put post-it notes so in case I'm busy, my husband will hand the right cards over for the right person!!!

This card is made with the Mummy and Boo backing paper from The Creative Cottage Digital Download along with the ribbons and sentiment. I certainly wouldn't want to meet up with this Mummy anytime!!!

This card fits the criteria for the following challenges:

CRAFT Challenge - Halloween

Saturday Challenge - Halloween.

Crazy 4 Challenges Challenge 31/10/09

My neighbours normally come around doing "trick or treat" with their children so I have made both their children a card. I know they've got some relatives up for the week-end so when I heard the cars starting up I popped out and asked if it was nephews or nieces or both up. I'd got a spare girls Halloween card but they are two boys so I've whipped up two more cards - I know I'm silly - but I don't want the nephews feeling left out.

I have used the Dracula download from The Creative Cottage along with using their ribbon and sentiment. The backing paper is the lovely spiders web from Summer Driggs.

This card meets the criteria for the Crazy 4 Challenges topic this week of Halloween.

Award from Lindsay Mason

When I went to Blackpool for my 40th birthday earlier this month, a treat for me on the Saturday was for me to go to Dawn Bibby's shop. I got to meet the lovely talented Lindsay Mason and thankfully as my husband went and sat in the car I spent quite a while watching and at one stage Dawn even got me a chair to sit on. It was lovely to meet Dawn as well as I wouldn't really be into crafting if it wasn't for her and QVC.

Lindsay has passed an award onto me and said on her blog that I was "wonderfully enthusiastic when I met her at a demonstration a couple of weeks ago" - me enthusiastic - is she talking about the same person??? Well I have to admit I did have to think of my husband out in the car as I could easily have stayed watching until the shop shut!!!

Well, this award means you have to pass it onto five people and mention five interesting things about yourself. I'm not sure about that bit but I will have a go. I am going to pass the award onto:

Lorraine - she's a wonderful friend I have met by blogging and she decided last week her and her laptop would fall down the stairs. Thankfully she didn't break anything but hopefully an award will help to cheer her up

Linda - another good friend that I have met by blogging. Thought this award would help to send some positive vibes to her.

Lisa - another friend I have met on the blogging world. I also owe Lisa a lot of gratitude as she captured my personality and what is in my heart by making my blog header and signature. I still can't believe it is ALL MINE. She's such a clever lady.

Debbie - I met her via Dawn Bibby's Forum when it was up-and-running and she started a Birthday List and I um'd and ah'd about whether I could commit to it/whether I was good enough but I gave it a go. When Dawn's Forum sadly went down Debbie and a friend set up our own closed forum for members of the Birthday List only and we are still going strong and this is a thank you for all her hard work in keeping it all going.

Hazel - I haven't had that much contact with Hazel as we are quite newbies to each other but we comment on each others' work when we can. She's going through a difficult time at the moment and I just wanted to let her know that her blogging friends are behind her and will help during this difficult time.

Well, onto the bit I don't like/am unsure what to put in but here goes:

1. In 1983 I made the Regional Finals of the Junior Cook of the Year Competition and had to travel to Nottingham for the event. I didn't come 1st, 2nd or 3rd but it was certainly an experience and it was a long time before we'd eat anything I had made as I had to practice my timings so many times!!!

2. I left school with 8 "O" Levels but despite everything I refused to stay on at school.

3. In my third placement on my two year YTS I had a lovely Head Chef but I'd had previous not too pleasant experiences in kitchens so I was very wary around him. Some time after starting he decided to leave to gain more experience in catering. I got him a card and a mug with his name and a car on it but didn't even give it to him as I was so shy. He wrote a letter to say thank you, I wrote one back and so it went on until we met and went out. We celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary in July so the card and mug were a good omen.

4. I was 6 months short of being a fully qualified chef but after three years of training I broke my elbow in three places by skimming it along the side of a sink and despite time off sick my arm couldn't hold heavy things so I had to give up my beloved catering that I had wanted to do for sooooooooo long.

5. I have had a number of broken bones in my lifetime. I fell at the front of the house and broke my wrist once but I broke my foot by dropping a tin of baked beans on it!!!! Yes, have a good laugh!!!!

Thanks again Lindsay for the lovely award and lovely comments.

Charlene's Blog Candy

Charlene has some lovely Halloween blog candy up for grabs. Click here to go and have a look at what you need to do.

Another Commissioned Anniversary Card

Here is another of my commissioned Anniversary cards. I have used an image and backing paper from Joanna Sheen's Fashion Boutique CD. I have decoupage the image and it is finished off with some organza ribbon and a charm.

DP2 Challenge 22/10/09

Over at Mo's Digital Challenge Blog this week the topic was anything but a card. I was going to make something Christmas orientated but decided to go with a calendar for 2010 - yikes that sounds scary doesn't it 2010!!! I have coloured the Rae with journal image with Promarkers. The backing papers are from Raspberry Road Designs and are gorgeous. I thought these papers matched perfectly with the colours I had previously chose to colour Rae in with.

Creative Card Crew Challenge - 20-10-09

The topic for the Creative Card Crew Challenge this week was babies and children. I have used my Fee J Designs Bear Beez CD for this card. I have used a pyromage image, a border and some flowers to adorn the card.

Digital Tuesday Challenge Blog 20/10/09

Well, I had hoped to have made this card well before now for the Digital Tuesday Challenge for "things with wings" topic but the week hasn't panned out that way so I am just making the deadline by the "skin of my teeth"!!!

I have used a little Pollycraft Designs image of a little fairy say on an upturned flowerpot. I have coloured her in with Promarkers. The main backing paper was from a pad that I was given but the green speckled paper is what I made myself with Distress Inks and Cosmic Shimmer Powders. Even though I don't do mess I did like making this and will need to make some more sometime. The flowers were cut out of the backing paper pad and were just circles which I have cut around the edges with deckle edged scissors, nicked around the edges and then distressed with a brown chalk ink pad.

Another Anniversary Card

Here is yet another anniversary card. As I know the age of this couple I decided to go with this Daisy May image. I haven't done it the traditional reds/pinks but have instead gone for a salmon pink and copper tone throughout. Two of the papers (hearts and scroll) are from Funky Fairy, the copper card is from DCWV and the other salmon pink coloured paper/card I don't know the make as I won it recently in some blog candy. I have delved into my ribbon again that I won in another blog candy - it was hard - but I hadn't got a copper tone ribbon in my previous stash.

This card fits the criteria for the Daisy May Challenge this week of "I Love You".

Another Commissioned Anniversary Card

Here is yet another commissioned anniversary card requested for a customer. I am now running short of suitable images especially as six are needed for one customer for her six children and therefore I want them to be all different. This time I have used the Card Creations Strictly Card Dancers CD. I have used some bright yellow brads I bought in Dawn Bibby's shop recently and I have also used a piece of ribbon I won in some blog candy from the Ribbon Oasis - think I need some therapy as I've delved into this blog candy - it was hard to do though as the colours are so yummy and I want to keep them all for myself!!!

CRAFT Challenge 22-10-09

Over at the CRAFT Challenge Blog this week the topic is anniversary. As I have an order for 7 anniversary cards I could certainly do this challenge this week. I have used an image from Joanna Sheen's Fashion Boutique CDs and also followed the rules of Crazy4Challenges Challenge Blog this week ie to use geometric shapes so I did a square, rectangle, triangle and circles (the card candy) - only to find I think you have to use a stamped image - what a silly billy eh???

One Stop Craft Challenge Blog - 24/10/09 and Friday Sketchers 23/1/09

Above - this is the card before I put on the sentiment ie exactly as the Friday Sketchers sketch

Above - this is how the card looked when I added the Happy Anniversary sentiment to the front.

Over at the One Stop Craft Challenge Blog the topic this week is celebration so I thought that this wedding anniversary card commissioned by a customer would fit this criteria. The card is made from an image from Joanna Sheen's Dancing with Shadows CD. The card is designed by following the sketch from Friday Sketchers.

Card for Thirteen Challenges!!!

WOW!!! I know I had a card that fitted the criteria for 11 challenges this week and thought I'd never top it but this one fits the criteria for 13 - unlucky for some eh???? I shouldn't be making a Halloween card as I haven't got anyone to send it to but I made it to cheer me up. My DVD/freeview has stopped working again and will need to go back to where I got it from but there's about 50 hours worth of wonderful crafting shows on the hard drive which I'll never be able to get back. The moral of this is that although I can only get about 2 shows on a DVD I must copy programmes I can't bear to lose like Spellbinders, stamping shows, Joanna Sheen, various other CD demonstrators.

I have used the little witch stamp from Squiggle Stamps that I won in a Charisma Cardz Challenge a while ago. She is so cute. Just wishes she could come out more throughout the year. The backing papers are wonderful and are digital downloads from Summer Driggs and the ribbon is also from my prize from Charisma Cardz. The witch I have coloured in with promarkers.

This card fits the criteria for the following challenges:

1. Stamp Something - Halloween

2. Stampin' for the Week-end - a Haunting good time

3. PaperCutz - 3 patterned papers

4. Creative Inspirations - Halloween

5. Crafty Creations - All Hallow's Eve

6. My Time to Craft - Halloween colours

7. Rainbow Lady's Challenge Blog - Halloween

8. One Stop Craft - Halloween

9. Pile it On - ready for Halloween

10.Cupcake Craft - things that go bump in the night

11.Corrosive Challenge - spooky times

12.Stamp with Fun - Halloween

13.Crafty Cardmakers - autumn.

Phew, what a long post!!!

Card for a Colleague

A colleague at work is leaving next week so I bought this Colour my World template to make a card for her. I used Allissa Designs CDs for the papers as they were pink, bright and cheery and were FAB for this card. The recipient of this card is mad about pigs and rabbits so I used the embellishments section on Joanna Sheen's Messy Rabbit CD for the little pig and Messy Rabbit faces in the camper van. The large Messy Rabbit has been stamped with Versafine and then watercoloured with watercolour pencils. I just hope she likes it next week!!!

Card for my Nephew

I had a call from my brother-in-law last night to say that my 18 year old nephew is off to New Zealand on 1 November 2009 for up to a year. I'd bought the Colour my World template to make a card for someone else so thought that this was appropriate to use for him as well. I used the Colour my World It's a Man's World CD for the papers for the card.

This card fits the criteria for the Alphabet Challenge Blog this week as the topic is "B is for blue".

Carol's Sketch Challenge Blog 7/10/09 and Passion for Promarkers Challenge Blog 20-10-09

Carol has a lovely sketch this week over on her challenge blog. I decided to use a stamp I got in the sale at Graphicus in January time I think. I have stamped it and coloured it in with my promarkers. The backing papers are from Summer Driggs.

This card also fits the criteria for the Passion for Promarkers challenge which is for poppy and forest green. I haven't got many Promarkers - yet - but I do have these colours by chance!!!

Please excuse my picture - I'm certainly not bonding with this camera - maybe it's jealous of the time I am spending with my new Promarkers!!!

Card for Six Challenges

For this card I have used a Mo Manning digital image which I have coloured with fall colour Promarkers. The papers are digital freebies from Shabby Princess and the card is DCWV, sentiment from the computer, crocheted flower from recent blog candy I won and the organza ribbon I have coloured in diagonal patches with three different coloured Promarkers. It's hard to pick up on the photo and looks better in the flesh.

This card fits the criteria for the following challenges:

DP2 Challenge - to use a Mo Manning image, colours or topic of fall and only 2 embellishments

Our Creative Corner Challenge - beige, brown, sage and dark green

Lots to Do Challenge - a card

Stamp, Scrap and Doodles Challenge - to use the picture as inspiration

Rosie-Dee's Challenge - carrot, courgette and flower

Crafty Cardmakers - autumn.

Linda's Blog Candy

Linda has some gorgeous blog candy up for grabs. Click here to go and have a look.

Card Patterns Challenge Blog 17/10/09

Over at the Card Patterns Challenge Blog they have a nice semi-circle shaped sketch this week. I've only just come across their Challenge Blog so thought I'd have a go with using this sketch for another commissioned card I need. I have used a Joanna Sheen's Dancing with Shadows image and backing paper and the semi-circle is drawn from one of my side plates!!!

Tanda Teaser - Just for Men - 14-10-09 and Creative Inspirations 14/10/09

Over at the Tanda Teaser the topic is "Just for Men" so I have used the Card Kits for Men CD I have to make this card for a nephew. I thought it appropriate as most men seem to like computer games, computers etc.

This card also fits the criteria for the Creative Inspiration Challenge Blog this week for family.

Sketch and Stash Challenge 12-10-09

I have used the Sketch and Stash Challenge this fortnight to make this commissioned wedding anniversary card. The image is from Joanna Sheen's Fashion Boutique CD. My something "old" is the paper ribbon I have used around the middle. It was white so I coloured it with my "new Promarkers" that I bought with some birthday money. I've taken so many photos and no matter what I do it won't show up any better - you might just see it around the middle of the card - but it looks a lot better in real life. The Flora Doodles were white and I have coloured one in a SatinPromarker, one in an Ivory Promarker and one in a Caramel Promarker. Not sure I like a lot of these Promarkers having food names!!!

I'm a winner at the Saturday Spotlight With Hidden Potential Challenge Blog

I know I was picked by the random generator but I am so pleased that I've won the Saturday Spotlight With Hidden Potential Challenge last week. The topic was to dress a tree. I certainly did this as I sewed (yes me with my dodgy eyes) around the peel-off and also added beads (they were a nightmare to get on the needle).

This news has made my day even better after spending all morning at the Stamp Addicts Open Day.

Make sure you have a look at their Challenge Blog. The topic this week is to create a scene.

Christmas Card

I have made the following Christmas card for my stash for the stall. I have some commissioned cards to make but just can't concentrate on them at the moment so I thought I'd have a play with my Promarkers.

For the Cute Daisy May Challenge this week the topic is fairy-nuff. I have a number of Daisy May sheets but didn't have a fairy image so I bought another set - good excuse eh??? I decided that the fairy's wings looked a bit like holly so I have turned her into a holly Christmas fairy. As I said she has been coloured in with Promarkers as I need more practice with them. The Christmas backing paper is off the recent Create and Craft free CD (you just had to pay the P&P) and the green and red papers were given to me by a friend recently. I have made the flowers out of some papers I was also given and snipped in the edges, tweaked the edges and then inked them. The card is finished off with some peel-offs and some fibres and a snowflake charm.

This card also fits the criteria for the following challenges as well as the Daisy May Challenge:

ABC Challenge - F is for flying - well my fairy certainly can fly

My Time to Craft Challenge - Quick and cute.

Please excuse the awful photo - I can't seem to bond well with this camera!!

Stamp Addicts Open Day - Saturday 17 October 2009

(This is the card I took to show Jennie as I had used alcohol inks and distress embossing powder on it which I had learnt at the Stamp Addicts Open Day in May 2009)

I was lucky to be able to go to the Stamp Addicts Open Day today. It's a nice shop to visit anyway but when they have an Open Day it is even better. I bought some new goodies to try out including a brayer which I have wanted for months. My mum, friend and myself also watched some lovely demonstrations including stamping, use of embossing paste, Walnut Hollow metal work (that was interesting to watch) and making flowers out of grunge paper.

As we were going I spoke to Jennie (The Artistic Stamper) and showed her the halloween card I made after seeing her demonstration back in May at Stamp Addicts. It was nice to see her again and she her demo with the grunge paper flower which you can all see for yourself on her blog here.

Thank you to Sarah and Vicky for arranging the Open Day and for all the demonstrators giving up their time to encourage us all in our crafting.