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Tuesday 28 April 2020

Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps - New release

 There is a new image in the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Etsy Store:
 This image is called "Carnation and Monarch".

In this set you will get a black-and-white image and a partially coloured image by Ching-Chou Kuik herself.
 This image is available at a special introductory price of $3.00 (original price of $4.00).

Hurry as this offer ends on 6 May 2020.

Sunday 26 April 2020

Home Sweet Home

Here is a new home card that I have made for my sister and her three children.  I have used my Debbi Moore Shabby Chic Owls CD.  I have printed off a decoupage sheet three times so I could do a mummy owl and three children owl (they all had pink wings so I had to colour one lot of wings/eyes blue for a boy!!).

I have also used backing papers, borders, sentiments, tag and banners from the CD.

I concentrated on the layers/decoupage so have just simply finished off the card with googly eyes for all of the eyes.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything goes
Krafty Chicks - All occasions
Penny's Paper - Anything goes
Creative Fingers - Anything goes
Creative Moments - Anything goes with the option of "April showers bring May flowers"
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option to have a sentiment
Polkadoodles - Anything goes
CD Sunday - Anything goes
A Gem of a Challenge - Anything goes
Cute Card Thursday - Dotty

Friday 24 April 2020

Ching-Chou Kuik's Digital Stamps Inspiration Post - Friday 24 April 2020

 Here is my weekly inspiration post for the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Monthly Challenge Blog.

Before I do I'd like to remind you that our challenge this month is:

 "ANIMALS".

Due to the current coronavirus situation the world has become a very worrying place.  In times like this us crafters are so lucky as we have our crafting to get us through the difficult times.

Ching-Chou Kuik would like to give a new image away to everyone that enters the Blog or Facebook Challenge.  The image is called "Calla Lily Valley - Greyscale".

NB:  For anyone that enters the Blog of Facebook Challenge in April they will be sent this image once the challenges have closed.

Here is my inspiration post with an "Animals" theme. 
 For my birthday card I have used the Ching-Chou Kuik image called "Daisy Night Adventure - Greyscale".  I have coloured the image in with Promarkers and added some white Posca pen highlights to the flowers.

The backing papers are from a Trimcraft paper pad I won in a challenge last year.

I have finished the card off with some tulle, die-cut sentiment, some John Lockwood cornflower die-cut flowers and some Nuvo pearl drops.

I am entering this card into the following challenges: 

Mix it Up - Anything goes with the option of fancy fold
I Love Promarkers - Anything goes with the option of a speedy recovery/get well
Aud Sentiments - A birthday sentiment (congratulations to all those involved with the Aud Sentiments Challenge on your 10th birthday)
Allsorts - Flowers and/or showers
Sweet Stampin' - Bloomin' wonderful
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything goes
World Wide Open Design Team - Anything goes
Creative Sketchy Girls - Flowers
Jan's Digi Stamps - Anything goes
Crafting Happiness - Anything goes with the option of purple
Crafty Sentiments - Happy birthday
Digi Choosday - Anything goes
Passion for Promarkers - Add a sentiment
Always Fun - Chicks or Farm Animals
The Paper Shelter - Happy colours
Simon Says - Flower power
Krafty Chicks - All occasions
Polkadoodles - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option to have a sentiment
QKR Stampede - Anything goes

Wednesday 22 April 2020

Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps - New release

  There is a new set in the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Etsy Store:
 This image is called "Parrot Love".

In this set you will get a black-and-white image and a greyscale image.
  This set is available at a special introductory price of $3.00 (original price of $4.00).

Hurry as this offer ends on 28 April 2020.

Tuesday 21 April 2020

Captain Tom Moore - Have a Knockout Day!

I think across the world we are all passionate about Captain Tom Moore who decided he would walk 100 lengths of his 25 metres garden with the help of his walking frame 100 times to celebrate his 100th birthday.  He wanted the money to go to the NHS Charities Together and he wanted to raise £1,000.  No-one could actually of predicted what an amazing influence Captain Tom Moore had on people.  At the time of typing up this post on my blog (6.00pm on Sunday 19 April 2020) I have looked at his fundraising page and the total raised was £26,123,862.98.  We are going through an awful coronavirus pandemic throughout the world but still people are donating to Captain Tom's excellent cause.

Due to this massive achievement an idea was raised about making cards for Captain Tom Moore.  I know some people are saying that we shouldn't do this due to the pandemic but I am sure that Marston Moretaine Post Office and then in turn the family will take all the necessary precautions but people around the country and even the world want to recognise what he has done for the NHS Charities Together.  I truly believe that all of the cards Captain Tom Moore receives will be looked at and all messages read.

For this reason I have made a card.  Wish I could hand deliver it in person as the family only live about 10 miles away but post it I will.

For my card I have used a CD from Just Inklined called "The Big One".  I have used one of the senior "flippin'" characters where you have the front decoupage and the back decoupage and you use a tri-fold card so you can put acetate in between the two sides with an aperture and then you stick both pieces of decoupage to it.  I have used the senior boxing man as Captain Tom Moore has certainly done a "knockout" job for what he has done and for what he has raised for the NHS.

The papers I have used are from Summertime Designs digital papers (sadly no longer available).  Thankfully I used papers I could print off myself as twice I had to go back to scratch because I didn't have a tri-fold card and made my own using an 8x8 scalloped card.  I also thought I'd make my card into a shaker card and printed off some papers with colours both side and die-cut little stars out of it as he is certainly a star in my eyes.

I then die-cut "100" out twice in both card and patterned paper so I could raise them up.  I then cut out "CAPTAIN TOM MOORE" out in patterned paper and card.  For all of the numbers and digits I inked around the edges with a Poppy Promarker (to get rid of the nasty wide edges of the paper and nasty brown edges of the card) before sticking them altogether.  This took over an hour to make these all raised but I think it was worth it although I might have to walk around with red fingers from the Promarker when I missed the small digits and alphabets!!
 I have finished the card off simply with all the die-cuts to say "100 today" on the outside and "100 Captain Tom Moore" on the inside, birthday sentiment from the decoupage sheet and some fussy cut stars from one of the papers.

I shall keep my fingers crossed that Captain Tom Moore likes his card.  It took a long time to make - especially with it going wrong twice - but he is so worth it.  Thank you Captain Tom Moore for what you have done/achieved.  Happy Birthday.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Crafter's Castle - Anything goes 
Creative Fingers - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option of paper piecing
Ally's Angels - Anything goes
CD Sunday - Anything goes with a CD/digital download/USB (Just Inklined CD called "The Big One" used for my card)
Aud Sentiments - A birthday sentiment (congratulations to all those involved with the Aud Sentiments Challenge on your 10th birthday)
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything goes
Digi Choosday - Anything goes
Creatalicious - Anything goes with the option of a marble background
The Creative Crafters - Anything goes
A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes
Crafting Happiness - Anything goes with the option of purple

Saturday 18 April 2020

Thanks for all that you do

 I made a banner to go in the front of our house on Tuesday and a friend asked me to make one for her front window to show appreciation for the NHS during this pandemic.  My banner can be found here.

Nikky Hall from Polkadoodles designed these images for people to use to make into cards/projects and to possibly make a donation to help the struggling NHS with this pandemic.

I have again used the pre-coloured version.  I made a heart in Craft Artist and added three of the images and two of the sentiments.  I then printed these images out again so I could decoupage the images.

The backing papers are from Summertime Designs in lovely turquoise hues (sadly no longer available.

I cut the "N", "H", "S" and hearts out three times out of card and then also out of scraps of the paper and then stuck them together.

I have finished the banner off quite simply with some Stickles glitter glue on the hearts and NHS and some Nuvo pearl drops.

I hope my friend likes her banner to support the amazing work of the NHS.

I am entering this banner into the following challenges:

Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes
Creatalicious - Anything goes with the option of a marble background
The Creative Crafters - Anything goes
A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes
Penny's Paper - Anything goes
Crafty Sentiments - Anything goes
QKR Stampede - Anything goes
Fab n Funky - Spots or dots

Friday 17 April 2020

Ching-Chou Kuik's Digital Stamps Inspiration Post - Friday 17 April 2020

  Here is my weekly inspiration post for the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Monthly Challenge Blog.

Before I do I'd like to remind you that our challenge this month is:

 "ANIMALS".

Due to the current coronavirus situation the world has become a very worrying place.  In times like this us crafters are so lucky as we have our crafting to get us through the difficult times.

Ching-Chou Kuik would like to give a new image away to everyone that enters the Blog or Facebook Challenge.  The image is called "Calla Lily Valley - Greyscale".

NB:  For anyone that enters the Blog of Facebook Challenge in April they will be sent this image once the challenges have closed.

Here is my inspiration post with an "Animals" theme. 
For my card I have used the Ching-Chou Kuik image called "Seahorse" (it comes in a set along with the images "Dragonflies" and Ladybug").  I have coloured the image in with Promarkers, chalked the background and added Nuvo drops to the background and image.

The backing papers are by Sara Davies from Crafter's Companion.

Last year I managed to get a small 6x6 seashell embossing folder.  I'd LOVE an A4 one but can't find an A4 one with seashells on it - let me know if I've missed one!!  I have embossed kraft card and then used a copper metallic Pan Pastel to highlight the embossing.

I have finished the card off with a stamped sentiment, pearls and die-cut shells and seahorses (which have all been coloured with Pan Pastels).

 I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Die-cut Divas - Animals
Cute Card Thursday - Wings
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes
Crafty Sentiments - Anything goes
World Wide Open Design Team - Anything goes
Creatalicious - Anything goes with the option of a marble background
The Creative Crafters - Anything goes
A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes
I Love Promarkers - Anything goes with the option of a speedy recovery/get well
Penny's Paper - Anything goes
The Paper Shelter - A birthday card
Aud Sentiments - A birthday sentiment (congratulations to all those involved with the Aud Sentiments Challenge on your 10th birthday)
Cut It Up - Our beautiful Earth (die-cut shells and seahorses)
QKR Stampede - Anything goes
Polkadoodles - Anything goes
Creative Fingers - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option of paper piecing

Tuesday 14 April 2020

Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps - New release

 I am here today to show you the arrival of a new image in the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Etsy Store:
 This image is called "Spring Lilies".

In this set you will get a black-and-white image and a partially coloured image by Ching-Chou Kuik herself.
 This set is available at a special introductory price of $3.00 (original price of $4.00).

Hurry as this offer ends on 20 April 2020.

Just Want You to Know How Much You Are Appreciated

 
 I work as a part-time as a Medical Secretary at our local hospital and I am still working at the moment.  My eldest son, his partner and my niece all work in the NHS too.

Nikky Hall from Polkadoodles designed these images for people to use to make into cards/projects and to possibly make a donation to help the struggling NHS with this pandemic.

I decided to make an A4 poster to go in our sun room window at the front of the house. 

For my project I used the pre-coloured version of the images.  I took them into Craft Artist and inserted a red heart behind the three images, moved the images around until I was happy, added a sentiment (from the kit from Polkadoodles) and copied twice so I could decoupage up the image and cut out.  Unfortunately when I did the group option it copied them all fine so I printed off and cut out.  It wasn't until I had put all the foam pads on and starting to stick on something had gone wrong with the group copy as the lay doctor's shoes were at her knees!!  I wasn't impressed as they'd taken a while to cut out so back I went into Craft Artist and just printed off the top collage of images.  This time I only cut one out before I checked it was right.  Thankfully it was.

The backing papers are from Summertime Designs (sadly no longer available).

At work when we have boxes of DL envelopes we often get a cardboard divider in them.  Normally that would just go in the bin but if I see it I take it home.  I cut the "N", "H", "S" and hearts out twice out of this card and then also out of scraps of the paper and then stuck them together.

I then layered up the poster along with some black card and some glitter card.
 I have finished my project off quite simply with some cheesecloth in two corners, the word "NHS" and finally some hearts.
 Here is my project sitting in the window at the front of the house.

It's only a little gesture but little things add up.

There are so many people across the world doing their bit to help others during this pandemic like transport services like trains/buses etc making sure key workers can get to work (my husband and youngest son are involved in this), supermarkets/small shops, delivery drivers, refuse workers, teachers (still working for the children at risk or children of key works), emergency services and here in the UK the NHS.

Today is my time to "shout out" to all those working in the NHS eg consultants, nurses, health care assistants, porters, cleaners, managers, secretaries, admin staff and catering staff that all your work is appreciated and you are doing an amazing job despite the current circumstances.  

Thank you.

I am entering this project into the following challenges:

Digi Choosday - Anything goes
A Gem of a Challenge - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option of a colour theme
Crafty Hazelnut Patterned Paper April Challenge - Anything goes
Crafty Sentiments - Anything goes

Just for You Friend

 I have had a love of Ching-Chou Kuik's images for a long time now.  A friend at the time had bought some, sent me a card with one on, I bought some and the rest is history.  I have been on various Design Teams working with her digital stamps, rubber stamps and also a Design Team working with her images made into decoupage and pyromage.  Now I run both Ching-Chou Kuik's Digital Stamps Blog and Facebook monthly challenges.  I could never have imagined doing this when I first saw her images and posted I think my first Ching-Chou Kuik card on my blog back in March 2010.  The card I made is above (yikes did I really make that???).

The Design Teams I run get to use Ching-Chou Kuik's digital stamps but I still have some rubber stamps made by Sweet Pea Stamps (sadly no longer in business) and I decided to use them today.

For both of the cards below I have used some thick card jigsaws that have been in my stash for years.  I stamped on both of the images with Versafine black ink.  I have coloured the images in with my Promarkers and added Crafter's Companion clear sparkle pen on the wings.  I then prepared the backgrounds using different colours and different texture stamps to give the background more depth.  I have then doodled around the edges of both.

The backing papers for both cards are from The Works.
This first card I have finished it off with stamped sentiments, wide purple satin ribbon, spotty purple/white organza ribbon, Nuvo pink pearls drops and finally a flower.
This card I have finished off with stamped sentiments, Nuvo pearls drops, spotty grosgrain ribbon and flowers.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Crafting Happiness - Anything goes with the option of a butterfly
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything goes
Crafty Friends - Anything goes
The Corrosive Challenge - Anything goes
Digi Choosday - Anything goes
Crafty Sentiments - Anything goes

Monday 13 April 2020

Happy Birthday - Have Fun!

Here is a card I have made using a CraftsUPrint image called "Boogie Down" by Lisa Fisher (Baglietto) using an image by Kenny K.  It is a decoupage sheet so I have fussy cut all the pieces and layered up.

I have used some glitter card and some plain card which I stamped with various dots/circle stamps to make it fit in with the circles of the topper.

I have finished the card off with sentiments off the sheet, card candi, embroidery thread and a musical charm.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Daisy Chain Challenge - Birthday
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes
Alphabet Challenge - Anything goes
Crafter's Castle - Anything goes
Crafty Friends - Anything goes
Ally's Angels - Anything goes
CD Sunday Plus - Anything goes  with a CD/USB/digital download (I have used a digital download from CraftsUPrint)

Sunday 12 April 2020

Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps - New release

 There is a new set in the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Etsy Store:

This is a set of digitally coloured art by Ching-Chou Kuik herself and includes the main image and two additional butterflies that are all ready to be used on your cards/projects.
  This set is available at a special introductory price of $2.00 (original price of $3.00).

Hurry as this offer ends on 15 April 2020.

Happy Easter Everyone

 We are going through serious uncertain times with the coronavirus.  I just wanted to make a bright and cheery card to say "Happy Easter" to my family, friends and people around Blogland/Facebook.

I recently won a Polkadoodles challenge and got to pick an image as my prize.  I came across "Helga Hippo" when I was choosing a Design Team image for the end of May.  Isn't she just a cutie?  I have used the Polkadoodles image "Helga Hippo - Sitting Pretty".

I have coloured her in with Promarkers and chalked the sky and used a new stencil to add the sun's rays shining down on Helga.

The backing papers are from The Works.

I have finished the card off with some stamped and fussy cut Easter eggs (I used scraps of the floral paper and the orange paper to stamp on - waste not, want not), stamped sentiment, purple seam binding ribbon, pink ric rac ribbon, John Lockwood Cornflower die-cut flowers, Sue Wilson greenery die-cut from green card and the flowers were finished off with some rather gorgeous gems a friend sent me from Holland.

Despite everything I hope you can all manage a Happy Easter.  Special wishes to those that have poorly loved ones and ALL of the people that are still working during this pandemic.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Alphabet Challenge - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option of a colour theme
Polkadoodles - Anything goes
Crafty Friends - Anything goes
Ally's Angels - Anything goes
QKR Stampede - Anything goes
A Gem of a Challenge - Anything goes
Allsorts - Something old, something new (Something old (ric-rac ribbon must be 10 years old as it came from my sewing box and Easter egg/Easter sentiment stamp I've used for years and years) and something new (new Polkadoodles image and new stencil used for the rays from the sun)
Dragonfly Dreams - Add a flower/flowers
Lemon Shortbread - Anything goes
613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with the optional twist of geometric papers
Die-cut Divas - Animals
Love to Craft - Anything goes
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes
More Mixed Media Challenge - Anything goes with the option of yellow


Friday 10 April 2020

Ching-Chou Kuik's Digital Stamps Inspiration Post - Friday 10 April 2020

  Here is my weekly inspiration post for the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Monthly Challenge Blog.

Before I do I'd like to remind you that our challenge this month is:

 "ANIMALS".

Due to the current coronavirus situation the world has become a very worrying place.  In times like this us crafters are so lucky as we have our crafting to get us through the difficult times.

Ching-Chou Kuik would like to give a new image away to everyone that enters the Blog or Facebook Challenge.  The image is called "Calla Lily Valley - Greyscale".

NB:  For anyone that enters the Blog of Facebook Challenge in April they will be sent this image once the challenges have closed.

Here is my inspiration post with an "Animals" theme.  
For my birthday card I have used the Ching-Chou Kuik image called "Nocturnal Sparkle".  I have coloured my image in with Promarkers.

The backing papers I have used are from a pad that I won in a challenge and it's by Trimcraft and various layers I have cut out of the paper with my Sue Wilson hexagon dies.

I have finished the card off with some crochet flowers a friend made for me, fabric leaves, stamped sentiment and some Dawn Bibby diamante gems.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Morgan's Artworld - Anything goes
Move Along with the Times - Diamante embellishments
CCC Digi Creations - Add a flower/flowers
More Mixed Media Challenge - Anything goes with the option of yellow
Dragonfly Dreams - Add a flower/flowers
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything goes
Creative Craft Cottage - CAS or fully loaded (fully loaded for me)
Digi Choosday - Anything goes
Penny's Paper - Anything goes
Creative Moments - Anything goes with the option of something to look forward to
Lemon Shortbread - Anything goes
Die-cut Divas - Animals
Crafter's Castle - Anything goes
Mix it Up - Anything goes with the option of a fancy fold
Fab n Funky - Birthday
As You Like It - Is your favourite animals or people on projects and why? (I would have to say I colour more people images than I do than animals as I really struggle getting the fur right on some animals.  Yes this card has an animal on it but you will see that I couldn't do its fur justice!!)
Alphabet Challenge - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option of a colour theme
Polkadoodles - Anything goes

Thursday 9 April 2020

Two Bugaboo Christmas Cards

Here are two fun Christmas cards I have made.  Both are using Bugaboo Digital Stamps.

My first card using the Bugaboo image called "Reindeer Blocks".  I have coloured the image in with Promarkers.

I have used some backing paper from my stash, some glitter card from Hobbycraft and I have put some blue card through a snowflakes embossing folder for some more added interest.

I have finished the card off simply with some sequins so it is thin enough to be posted come December time.
 My second card using the Bugaboo image called "Snowmen Trio".  I have coloured the image in with Promarkers.

Again I have used backing paper from my stash, glitter card from Hobbycraft and I have used a Christmas word border embossing folder to add some interest.

I have finished the card off with some ribbon, sequins and a Creative Expressions Lisa Horton stamped sentiment (I have wanted these for such a long time but I recently saw the everyday and Christmas sentiment stamps sets reduced on the Hunkydory website so I couldn't miss out on them!!)

I am entering these cards into the following challenges:

Creative Craft Cottage - CAS or fully loaded (although these cards are quite CAS for me I have added dimension using quite a few layers as no matter what I still prefer fully loaded!!)
Digi Choosday - Anything goes
Fezziwigs Festive Frolics - Festive Animals (first card with the reindeer)
Cute Card Thursday - Ribbons (second card)
Crafty Hazelnut Christmas - Anything goes
Penny's Paper - Anything goes
Creative Moments - Anything goes with the option of something to look forward to
Lemon Shortbread - Anything goes
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes
The Paper Shelter - Digital image
Krafty Chicks - Christmas