Aud Sentiments Challenge - 20 June 2013 - Summer

Today sees the start of another challenge over at the Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog.  This time the topic is "summer" so you need to add a sentiment in relation to summer ie fun in the sun, picnic time, the surfs up etc.

This fortnight our sponsor is Stamp and Create.

For me summer means the great outdoors and especially the seaside and that is why I have decided to go through for a seaside theme card.  I have used a Sweet Pea Stamps image by the Artist Elisabeth Bell and is called "Beach Ball" and is available in a rubber stamp from Sweet Pea Stamps.

I have coloured the image in with my Promarkers/Flexmarkers and have highlighted areas with my white gel pen.  The backing papers I have used are from a seaside paper pad from Crafty Individuals.  I used a chevron embossing folder and some cardstock to gain some texture and have highlighted the embossing with some Tim Holtz Vintage Photo distress ink and my Inkylicious brush.  I have die-cut the image and mounted it on a Marinanne Designs die-cut which I have threaded twine through.  I have finished the card off with some ribbon, card candi, Craftwork Cards die-cut sentiment and some real shells.

It would be lovely if you could pop on over to the Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog to have a look at the other creations by the Design Team for this challenge.  Next Thursday Team B will show you their creations.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Sister Act Card Challenge - Anything goes
Inspire me Friday - Anything goes
Kaboodle Doodle - Summer
Whoopsi Daisy - Fun in the sun/summer
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes
Crafty Sentiments - Fun in the sun
LEJ Designs - Add some texture
Loves Rubber Stamps - Summer theme
Flourishes - Scallops
Made Especially for You - Happy Summer
Ribbon Carousel - Fun in the sun
Deep Ocean - Welcome summer
Paper Pretties - Summer fun
Crafting by Designs - Anything goes with a twist to show us your season - summer for me
Inky Impressions - Anything goes
I Love Promarkers - Anything goes
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes

Delicious Doodles Horrorscope Series - Cancer

On Saturday sees the release of the new installment of the Delicious Doodles Horrorscope Series.  This time it's the turn of Cancer.

Discontinued Stamps and Sale Stamps at Sweet Pea Stamps

There are some wonderful bargains to be had over at Sweet Pea Stamps.  There is a section for "discontinued rubber stamps" and the stamps in there are $2 each.  There is also the "sale section" to look at as there are some bargains there as well.

Ching-Chou Kuik's Restless Thoughts

It's time for me show another card/creation on the Sweet Pea Stamps Blog.

For my card I have used the Sweet Pea Stamps image called "Restless Thoughts" by the artist Ching-Chou Kuik.  This image is available as a digital stamp or a rubber stamp.  The image does come with some toadstools around the gorgeous fairy but in this instance I have fussy cut around the image and removed them.  I have coloured the image in with Promarkers and highlighted areas with Pan Pastels and some Stickles glitter glue on her wings - well every fairy should sparkle shouldn't they??

  

The background that the fairy is actually sitting in front actually comes like it is in the Bearly Mine Designs Spring Surprise Set.  It is a gorgeous setting and makes you want to be there.  I have also used some papers from the Bearly Mine Designs Just Plaids Set.  I have finished the card off with some flowers, seam ribbon binding bow and a sentiment from a Debbi Moore CD.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes
Crafty Ribbons - Anything goes with ribbon
Sister Act Card Challenge - Anything goes
Inspire me Friday - Anything goes
One Stitch at a Time - Use a digi
Bunny Zoe's - Wings
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes
Tuesday Throwdown - Fantasy

Delicious Doodles Zodiac - Cancer

Wednesday sees the next installment of the Delicious Doodles Zodiac series.  This time it's the turn of Cancer.  Isn't she gorgeous?  Pop over to the shop on Wednesday to have a look.

Sweet Pea Stampers Challenge - June 2013 - One for the children

Last month a Sweet Pea Stampers we said a sad goodbye to one of the Design Team, Nataliya and subsequently Susie has decided to leave the Team.  We had a Design Team call and will now have a look at the blogs of all those that applied and will be in touch shortly.

It's the second Friday of the month and this means that it's the start of another challenge over at the Sweet Pea Stampers Challenge Blog.  This month the topic is "one for the children".

For my card I have used the Sweet Pea Stamps rubber stamp by Brigid Ashwood called "Jinx".  I have coloured the image in with Promarkers, highlighted areas with my white gel pen and Stickles glitter glue and fussy cut around the image.

    

  

The backing papers that I have used for this card are Bearly Mine Designs Gingham, Bearly Mine Designs Damask, Bearly Mine Designs Vintage Fantasy and Bearly Mine Designs Rose's Dreams.  I have used the Vintage Fantasy paper and die-cut and stamped with a large dot stamp by Sheena Douglass.  Out of plain purple card I cut out a scalloped oval and stamped with a mesh effect stamp from the same Sheena Douglass stamp set called "Ageing Beautifully".  I have finished the card off with a Craftwork Cards die-cut sentiment, number and star peel-offs, raffia ribbon, lace and Stickles glitter glue.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

613 Avenue Create - Anything goes and optional twist of celebration
Robyn's Fetish - Die-cuts or punches
Bunny Zoe's - Wings
Creative Stamp Friends - Birthday
The Cutie Pie - One fr the kids
Fab n Funky - Birthday
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes
Crafty Ribbons - Anything goes with ribbon
Southern Girls - Use a punch or die-cut

Delicious Doodles Challenge - 14 June 2013 - All creatures great and small

It's Friday again and time for Team B over at the Delicious Doodles Challenge Blog to show you their creations.  This week the challenge is "all creatures great and small" so that is a nice and easy one for everyone.

I decided to go for a monochrome card for a card for a male that loves animals and I have used the Delicious Doodles image called "Zebra and Foal".  This is such a gorgeous image.  The backing papers were from my stash and I have used my Tim Holtz Black Soot distress ink pad and my Inkylicious brush to colour a doily.  I have finished the card off with buttons, twine, card candi and a Carftwork Cards die-cut sentiment.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

The Corrosive Challenge - Animal antics
Craft Your Passion - Father's Day/Masculine
Platypus Creek - For the boys
LEJ Designs - Something for the boys/men
Tuesday Throwdown - You're the man
Top Tip Tuesday - Masculine
City Crafter - All about him
Papertake Weekly - Hello boys
Crafty Sentiments - Card/project for a male
Crafting by Designs - Anything goes and twist of Father's Day/Men/Male
The Sisterhood of Crafters - Man or boy
Inky Impressions - Father's Day/for a guy
Crafting for all Seasons - One for the guys
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes

Sweet Pea Stamps Variations Week - June 2013

Over at Sweet Pea Stamps Blog it is time for Variations Week.  This takes place on the second week of the month.  All of the Design Team are given the same image to use in their own way and each day on the Sweet Pea Stamps Blog you see different creations.  I obviously love Sweet Pea Stamps but I always looked forward to this week of the month to see the variety of creations.  Now being part of the Design Team I get to take part.

This month the image that we have been given to use is called "Red, White and Blue" and is by the talented Artist Karen Middleton.  The image is available in a rubber stamp. I decided I wanted to keep the colour scheme to red, white and blue as per the name of the stamp.  I love this colour scheme.  I have coloured the image with my Promarkers and highlighted areas with my Sakura Stardust pen.

The backing papers I have used were a freebie last year with the DoCrafts Creativity Magazine for our Queen's Diamond Jubilee.  It also included a sheet of little postcards so I have used one of these and torn it in half.  I have finished the card off with some Papermania Glitterations, selection of buttons, red/white and blue/white twine twisted together and a Craftwork Cards die-cut sentiment.

If you have enjoyed looking at my card please pop on over to the Sweet Pea Stamps Blog to look at the rest of the Design Team creations throughout the week.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes
A Creative Romance - Anything goes
Sister Act Card Challenge - Anything goes
613 Avenue Create - Anything goes and optional twist of celebration
Challenges 4 Everybody - Anything goes
Robyn's Fetish - Die-cuts or punches
Ooh-la-la-Creations - Buttons and bling
Craftin Desert Divas - Red, white and blue
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes

Bearly Mine Challenge - 11 June 2013 - Anything Goes

Tuesday has whizzed around again and it is time for another challenge over at the Bearly Mine Challenge Blog.  This week is a favourite amongst crafters of "anything goes".

We are lucky to have three sponsors this week.  They are:  La-La Land Crafts, Dies to Die For and Bearly Mine Designs.

La-La Land Crafts are offering a $10 gift certificate to be spent in their shop.

Dies to Die For are offering a £10 gift voucher to be spent in their store.

Donna from Bearly Mine Designs is offering a £10 gift voucher to be spent in her store.

For my card I have used a Saturated Canary image called "Pack Light".  I have coloured my image in with my trusty Promarkers and highlighted areas with my white gel pen.

    

For my card I have used Bearly Mine Designs backing papers from the freebies section and also various collections:  Damask Delight, Mini Dots and The Boys Zone.  The card has been finished off with some lace, pink/orange ribbon bow, pearls, Craftwork Cards die-cut sentiment and some flowers die-cut and made out of pink Mini Dots paper and an orange Gingham Paper from Bearly Mine and held together with a brad.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

The Paper Shelter - Flower power
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes
I Love Promarkers - All stitched up
4 Crafty Chicks - Flowers
Digi Haven - Anything goes
Inspire me Friday - Anything goes
Fun with Shapes and More - Stitching - real or faux
QKR Stampede - Ribbons and bows
A Creative Romance - Anything goes
Sister Act Card Challenge - Anything goes
Crafty Friends - BINGO board - I have chosen the diagonal line of flowers, ribbon and die-cut
613 Avenue Create - Anything goes and optional twist of celebration
Challenges 4 Everybody - Anything goes
One Stitch at a Time - Pretty it up
Robyn's Fetish - Die-cuts and punches
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes

Pan Pastel Challenge - 9 June 2013

Over at the Pan Pastel Challenge Blog the topic is "anything goes".  For my card I have used a gorgeous new stamp from Sweet Pea Stamps.  It is called "Iridessa and Breena" and is designed by Norma J Burnell.  When I see such wonderful images like this I wish I could draw.  For my card I have made an A6 size.  I always used to make cards this size, then moved to A5 and now seem to prefer either 6x6 inch or 8x8 inch sized cards.  Here in the UK we have a "Craft for Life" Appeal which is run by DoCrafts in conjunction with Cancer Research UK.  You make an A6 card, pop it into the special bags and take into a local Cancer Shop and they will sell on your behalf to raise funds.  I like to make 50+ cards each year for this appeal as cancer has affected my family and friends. 

I decided not to use backing papers but made my own using a diamond/cross mask and used my Dairylide Yellow Pan Pastel through the mask with the special Pan Pastel sponge.  I then used a freebie butterfly mask and my Permanent Red Pan Pastel.  Thsi time though I used my new brush to use with Pan Pastels and intricate masks (as with intricate masks they tend to pull the sponges to pieces after prolonged use).  I'd seen mention on TV about using a brush with Pan Pastels so went ahead and used one of my Inkylicious brushes.  This is a BIG no-no as it hacked at the Pan Pastel.  I then bought a brush from Nikki at Polkadoodles and all I will say it is so soft and amazing how it transfers the Pan Pastel.  I think I need one for each colour family now.

The image I have coloured with my Promarkers/Flexmarkers/Pan Pastels and edged the image with my yellow and red Pan Pastel to get a perfect match with the backing paper I made.  I have finished the card off with some die-cut Marianne Designs butterflies, pearls and a Craftwork Cards die-cut sentiment.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Marianne Designs Divas - Get your dies out

Crafting When We Can - Mad for markers

Pan Pastel - Anything goes

Challenges 4 Everybody - Anything goes

The Corrosive Challenge - Animal antics

Some Father's Day Cards

Here is a selection of Father's Day cards I have made using a Debbi Moore Cards for Men CD1.  I still find Father's Day cards hard to make as I lost my dad in 1985 but they have to be made.

I was asked to keep the embellishments to a minimum as all of the cards had to be posted.  It's sad when this governs what people what to go on a card isn't it??

I have used various embellishments on the cards including card candi, Papermania Glitterations, cord, sentiments off the computer, cog die-cuts with brad centres and buttons.

I think my favourites have to be the motorbikes.  I'd love to have a ride on one.  Don't think my husband would agree!!!

I am entering these cards into the following challenges:

Love to Create - Father's day or special guy in your life
My Craft Spot - Dad

Anything Goes Challenge - Father's Day
Scrap-Creations - Father's Day

Creative Craft Challenges 2 - For the fellas

Paper Pretties - Fantastic fathers

Crafty Creations - One for the boys

Simon Says - Father's Day/masculine

The Crafter's Cafe - Father's or for a male

Milk Coffee Challenge - Father's Day and/or male inspired creations

Simply Create Too - Father's Day/for a male

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Crafts 4 Eternity - For the boys

Crazy 4 Challenge - Father's Day

Glitter n Sparkle - Father's Day/male cards

Pile it On - For or from a father

Sweet Pea Stampers - REMINDER!!!

Just a reminder that you have just under a week to enter the May Challenge over at Sweet Pea Stampers which is "birds of a feather".

We are also having a Design Team call so if you fancy joining the Sweet Pea Stampers Challenge Blog and making some creations with these wonderful images please add your name to the Design Team Call Inlinkz.

Kenny K's Challenge - Sunday 2 June 2013

Over at the Kenny K's Challenge this week the topic was "white-on-white".  This topic makes me want to "run for the hills" but I have been good and played along.  For my card I have used the Kenny K image called "Sweet Melissa".  I have coloured my image in with Promarkers and then fussy cut around the image.  I have used the same card in various dies and embossing folders to make a background.  I have brushed over Imagination Crafts Diamond Sparkle to add some shine.  The flowers are cut from a Tim Holtz Tattered Flower Die.  I have finished the card off with some seam binding ribbon, buttons and a Craftwork Cards die-cut sentiment.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

One Stitch at a Time - Anything goes

Robyn's Fetish - Use a digi

The Ribbon Girl - Add a die

Kenny K's Challenge - White-on-white

Passion for Promarkers - All that glitters
Tuesday Throwdown - Embossing

Deep Ocean - For a girl

Creative Moments - Lots of layers

Penny's Paper Challenge - Birthdays

Inky Impressions - Birthday or anniversary

Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes

Crafts and Me - Something old - these buttons belonged to my mum when she did sewing when I was little 35+ years ago!!!

Digi Haven - Anything goes - congratulations on your first anniversary!!

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

A Creative Romance - Anything goes - wishing you all the very best with your new challenge blog

Sister Act Card Challenge - Anything goes

A Gem of a Challenge - Emboss it

New Delicious Doodles Image

Here is the next instalment of the Horrorscope Series that Teri is designing over at Delicious Doodles.  It will be available in the Delicious Doodles Shop on Wednesday.

4 New Digital Images at Sweet Pea Stamps

Just to let you know that four new digital images have gone in the Sweet Pea Stamps Shop. They are by Ching-Chou Kuik and are called:  Sparkling Angel, Bird of Paradise, Tropical Queen and the image below is called Iris Grace.

Pop on over to the Sweet Pea Stamps Shop to see these new images and take time to look at all the wonderful digital images and rubber stamps available.

CD Sunday Challenge - 2 June 2013

Over at the CD Sunday Challenge this week the challenge is "Faithful Friends".  I thought that this card I made would be purrfectttttttttt!!!  Well, I couldn't resist that could I??

 This card has been made using images from Joanna Sheen's Jayne Netley Mayhew CD.  They are such cuties.  I have used matching backing papers as well.

The card has been finished off with flowers (some of which were plain and I stamped), buttons, ribbon, sentiment off the computer, gems, wooden LOVE heart, brads and Papermania Glitterations.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

CD Sunday - Faithful friends

Totally Gorjuss - Anything goes with flowers

Come and Get It - All about cats

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Make my Monday - Use lace and/or ribbon
Penny's Paper Challenge - Birthdays

Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes
Songbird Challenge - All creatures great and small

The Ribbon Girl - Add a die-cut (the flowers on the front of the card have been cut out of a book using a Tim Holtz tattered flower die)

Challenges 4 Everybody - Anything goes

Crafting When We Can - Punches and/or die-cuts
4 Crafty Chicks - Flowers
Creative Moments - Lots of layers

Aud Sentiments Challenge - 6 June 2013 - Anything Goes and Design Team Call

It is Thursday and therefore time for another challenge over at the Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog.  This week the topic is "anything goes" which is a favourite for a lot of crafters.  We are also having a Design Team Call so if you fancy joining the Aud Sentiments Design Team pop on over to the blog to see what you have to do.

This fortnight we are being sponsored by Beccy's Place.

For my card I have used the Beccy's Place imaged called "Shabby Chic Birdhouse" and have coloured the image in with my Promarkers and highlighted areas with Stickles glitter glue.  Around the image I have used Tim Holtz's Dusty Concord distress ink and a branch from a See D's stamp set.  The card I have used I think is Hunkydory and had purple/pink roses on so I thought it matched the image.  I have mounted the image on some card I have embossed with a weave effect.  The card has been finished off with some lace, ribbon, gems, Spellbinders double layer butterfly and a Craftwork Cards die-cut sentiment.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Crafty Calendar - Things with wings
QKR Stampede - Any winged creature
Totally Gorjuss - Anything goes with flowers
One Stitch at a Time - Anything goes
Robyn's Fetish - Use a digi
Polkadoodles - The colour purple
Penny's Paper Challenge - Birthdays
Inky Impressions - Birthdays or anniversary
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes
The Paper Shelter - Flower power

Fluttering By ............

Here is a card I have made using my Joanna Sheen Jane Shasky CD.  I have used a topper sheet, backing paper and customised the insert.  Underneath the topper I embossed some lilac card and then went over it with my Tim Holtz's Dusty Concord distress ink using my Inkylicious brush.

As you can see from this close-up image I used a brush and my Imaginations Craft Sparkle Medium in Diamond to give the butterflies I cut out to decoupage up some glitter and sparkle.  It's certainly a lot easier for me than glue and glitter.  I have finished the card off with some Papermania Glitterations, raffia ribbon and lace bow.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Crafty Ribbons - Anything goes with ribbon

Crafty Calendar - Anything with wings

QKR Stampede - Any winged creature

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Sister Act Card Challenge - Anything goes

Totally Papercrafts - Anything goes

Fussy and Fancy Friday - Bling it on

Craft Your Passion - Haberdashery items

Make my Monday - Use lace and/or ribbon

Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes

Tuesday Throwdown - Embossing

Papertake Weekly - Anything goes and optional extra to make a non-square card
Let's Craft and Create - Things with wings
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes

House Mouse and Friends - Monday 3 June 2013

Over at the House Mouse and Friends Challenge Blog the challenge this fortnight is "Father's Day/male card".  For my card I have used an image from Joanna Sheen's House Mouse Project Book with CD Volume 1 and I have decoupaged the image.  The backing paper is from my stash.  I have finished the card off with some star wooden buttons, sentiment off the computer and some garden string.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Papercrafting Journey - Masculine challenge

CRAFT - Father's Day/male

Craft Your Passion - Haberdashery

Crafty Cardmakers - Father's Day

Love to Create - Father's Day or special guy in your life

House Mouse and Friends - Father's Day/male card

My Craft Spot - Dad

Anything Goes Challenge - Father's Day

Party Time Tuesday - Happy Father's Day

Papertake Weekly - Anything goes and optional extra to make a non-square card

Scrap-Creations - Father's Day

Creative Craft Challenges 2 - For the fellas

Cards for Men - Dad

Challenges 4 Everybody - Anything goes
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes

My First Creation as Part of the Sweet Pea Stamps Design Team

I was one very happy lady recently when I found out that my application to join the Sweet Pea Stamps Design Team was successful.  Today sees my card debut.  Oh I am so excited to be able to work with such beautiful images and to also work with some wonderful crafters and their fantastic creations.

For my card I have used the Sweet Pea Stamps digital image by Elaine Cox called "Mirima".  For those of you that prefer a rubber stamp "Mirima" is also available in a rubber stamp.  I have coloured my image in with Promarkers and highlighted some areas with my Pan Pastels.

I have used my Tim Holtz distressing tool around the edge and then inked with a bronze Brilliance ink pad.  I have used some backing papers I got at a local shop, "the voice of the sea speaks to the soul" backing paper is from a Crafty Individuals paper pad called "The Seaside" and the dotty paper at the front was from Bearly Mine Designs The Boys Zone.  With the dotty paper I have used a wave tearing ruler and inked the edges of the paper to try and replicate the waves of the sea.

I have finished the card off with some muslin which I have frayed (a tip for fraying muslin - normally it can take me ages and ages to do but I had a brainwave and tried using my X-cut distresser and dragged it outwards and hey presto in about 2 minutes it was all frayed and a decent shape!!!), die-cut sentiment, pearls, crab charms, starfish charm and some bunting thread wrapped around my bow maker about 8 times to make a thick bow.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

A Gem of a Challenge - Summertime - hope this is OK - when I think of summer I think of anything to do with the seaside
ABC Challenge - O is for open
Simon Says - Anything goes
Fab n Funky - For the girls
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes
Happy Campers - Use metal (metal charms used)
Sister Act Card Challenge - Anything goes
Totally Papercrafts - Anything goes
Chocolate, Coffee and Cards - Fantasy and/or fairies
Inspire me Friday - Anything goes
Allsorts - Here come the girls
Crazy 4 Challenge - Summer inspiration
One Stitch at a Time - Anything goes
Robyn's Fetish - Use a digi
Natalie and Amy - Fantasy
Cupcake Craft - Summer scenes
Whoopsi Daisy - Shabby Chic or vintage
Card Mania - Shabby Chic
The Pink Elephant - Summer time theme
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes
Crafty Sentiments - Black, white and one other colour or something fishy 
Papertake Weekly - Anything goes and optional extra to make a non-square card
Deep Ocean - For a girl