Do more of what makes you happy

Here is a "just because" card I have made using a Bugaboo image called "Fried Chicken".

I have coloured my image in with Promarkers, added clouds with Pan Pastels and added Glossy Accents to the chicken's sunglasses.

The papers I have used are from my stash.

I have finished the card off quite simply with a stamped sentiment and Card Candi.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps - Critters
Allsorts - Anything goes with the option to add a number
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with an option of in the garden
Penny's Paper - Anything goes
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes
Digi Choosday - Anything goes
Passion for Promarkers - 3 or more papers (blue/white/grey striped, blue glitter effect paper and blue and white dotty paper)
Crafty Sentiments - Anything goes
Cd Sunday Plus - Anything goes (digital image used)
Crafty Hazelnut Patterned Paper - Anything goes
Pearly Sparkles - Anything goes
2 Crafty Critters - Anything goes with critters
613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with the option of heart or soles
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything goes

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 "Strength".

In this set you will get two images:  one lighter with less greenery and a darker one with more greenery.

It is available at a special introductory price of $3.00 (original price of $4.00).

Hurry as this offer ends on 25 February 2021.

Happy Birthday - Celebrate Your Day

It was my friend's birthday on Monday.  We haven't seen each for a couple of years as we live in East Anglia and she lives on the South Coast.  We were at school together until her family moved down there.  She was my bridesmaid at my wedding 29.5 years ago.  Not my usual style of card for her but because of the COVID-19 pandemic and what it is doing to the world I thought what better to have a fantasy world card where there is no COVID-19 pandemic, no people having to look after people getting poorly with it, no restrictions of what you can and cannot do and most of all people not dying because of it.

For my card I have used my new USB by Debbi Moore called "The Amazing World of Oz".  It's an amazing USB with stunning images/papers etc.

For my card I have used one of the scenes and printed it out A5 size twice onto photo paper so I could cut it down a bit and decoupage it.  Yes it took a while to cut around the image but worth it.  I have used a backing paper, insert ribbon strip and sentiments all off the USB.

As I wanted the scene to be the main focus on the card I have just simply finished the card off with a spotty organza bow.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes
QKR Stampede - Anything goes
613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with the option of heart and soles
Creative Fingers - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option of in the garden
Polkadoodles - Anything goes
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes
Crafty Creations - Anything goes
Creative Moments - Anything goes
The Corrosive Challenge - Anything goes
CD Sunday Plus - Anything goes (Debbi Moore USB used)

Colour Crazy Challenge - Friday 19 February 2021

It is time for another challenge over at the Colour Crazy Challenge Blog.

The weekly topic is always "anything goes".

This week we are so lucky to "Dr Digi's House of Stamps" for our sponsor.

For my card I have used the Dr Digi's image called "World's Best Dad".  I know it's well early but I thought I'd make this into my youngest son's card to give to his dad on Father's Day in June as his dad loves a good mug of very strong tea!!

I have coloured the image in with Promarkers and added glossy accents to his glasses to make them pop out.

The backing papers are from The Works.

I have finished the card off and made circular ended banners using a Phill Martin Sentimentally Yours Double Debossed Flags, wrapped around some twine and then tied 6 knots, stamped sentiment onto yet another of the double debossed flag and finally some Nuvo pearl drops added here and there.

I am entering this card into the following challenges: 

Digi Doodles - Include a sentiment
Jan's Digi Stamps - Anything goes
Pearly Sparkles - Anything goes
Crafty Hazelnut Patterned Paper February Challenge - Anything goes
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes
The Paper Funday - Anything goes with the optional twist of love is in the air
613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with the option of heart and soles
More Mixed Media - Anything goes with the option of red
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything goes
Lemon Shortbread - Anything goes
Get Creative - Anything goes with the option to use red or pink
World Wide Open Design Team - Anything goes
QKR Stampede - Anything goes
Crafty Sentiments - Anything goes
Digi Choosday - Anything goes
I Love Promarkers - Anything goes with the option of birthdays
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes
Penny's Paper - Anything goes
Creative Fingers - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option of in the garden
Polkadoodles - Anything goes

Ching-Chou Kuik's Digital Stamps Inspiration Post - Monday 15 February 2021

Today is the day for me to show you another creation for the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Facebook Group for February 2021.

Our challenge this month is:

"ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE".

Here is my inspiration post with that theme. 
For my card I have used the Ching-Chou Kuik image called "Key to my Heart - Greyscale".  I have coloured the image in with Promarkers and inked around the edge with Tim Holtz's Fired Brick distress ink.

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

I have finished the card off with a stamped sentiment and some 3d cardboard hearts.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Morgan's Artworld - Anything goes
Jan's Digi Stamps - Anything goes
I Love Promarkers - Anything goes
613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with the option of heart and soles
Di's Digis - 1 or more hearts
Lemon Shortbread - Anything goes
Get Creative - Anything goes with the option to use red or pink
Crafty Sentiments - Anything goes
Digi Choosday - Anything goes
Crafty Gals Corner - Add a heart
Fab n Funky - Love/hearts
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes
As You Like It - Do you prefer digital, clear or rubber stamps? - I like them all but my preference has to be digital stamps as you can re-size them to any project you are doing and you don't have to have somewhere to special to sore them as they stay on your computer.  The only downside I personally have for digital stamps is that we have an inkjet printer running a CISS system.  I'd love to be able to print via a laser printer and do water colouring of my digital stamps.  Oh one can dream eh?
Aud Sentiments - Anything goes and a sentiment
Ally's Angels - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the optional twist to add some metal
Polkadoodles - Anything goes
The Cutie Pie - Hearts and flowers
A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes
Gem of a Challenge - Anything goes
QKR Stampede - Anything goes
CD Sunday Plus - Anything goes (digital image and digital papers used)
World Wide Open Design Team - Anything goes

I'm Dotty About You

Well today is Valentine's Day.  I have already made and published the card I have made for my husband here.  He does not look at my blog so I was safe doing this.  I did though want a tag to go with his presents.  I recently saw a set of stamps by Daisy Mae Designs entitled "Love is in the Air" at Craft Stash and just had to have it.  I have a toy Dalmatian that goes with us when we go away so this stamp reminded me of Jasper. 

I die-cut three tags, two from white card and one from a scrap of thick brown paper from a The Works paper pad using Lisa Horton's tag dies.  On the bottom tag I used an AALL & Create dotty stamp set and a satin red Versafine ink and stamped dots around the edge.  The brown tag I then stuck on top and added some peel-off borders to the edge.  To the top tag I used the Dalmatian stamp and stamped with black Versafine and coloured in with Promarkers.  I then used my heart stencil with my Festive Berries distress ink.  I then stamped the sentiment "I'm dotty about you" and finally added some sequins for some sparkle.

About 2-3 years ago I stopped buying wrapping paper.  Instead I bought a very long roll of brown parcel paper and cut a piece off I want and then stamp all over it depending on who it is for eg flowers, hearts etc.  The picture above shows the tag along with the presents for my husband.

I am entering this tag into the following challenges:

CRAFT - Not a card
Aud Sentiments - Anything goes and a sentiment
Ally's Angels - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the optional twist to add some metal
Polkadoodles - Anything goes
Cute as a Button - Anything goes
QKR Stampede - Anything goes
Love to Scrap - Love is .......
Creative Craft Cottage - Happy Valentine's/love
Creative Moments - Anything goes
613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with the option of heart and soles
More Mixed Media - Anything goes with the option of red
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything goes
The Corrosive Challenge - Anything goes
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes
Allsorts - Masculine
2 Crafty Critters - Anything goes with critters
Gem of a Challenge - Anything goes

Ching-Chou Kuik's Digital Stamps Inspiration Post - Monday 8 February 2021

Today is the day for me to show you my next creation for the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Facebook Group for February 2021.

Our challenge this month is:

"ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE".

Here is my inspiration post with that theme.  

For my card I have used the Ching-Chou Kuik image called "Gentle Heart".  I have coloured the image in with Promarkers and inked around the edge with Tim Holtz's Fired Brick distress ink.

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

I have used my Cropodile to punch holes around the edge of the die-cut shape so I could thread some cross-stitch threads through them.

I have finished the card off with some stamped hearts with "I LOVE YOU" stamped in them by Leonie Pujol, wooden hearts coloured by Promarkers, cross-stitch thread bow and some sparkly gems.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Morgan's Artworld - Anything goes
Cute as a Button - Anything goes
Digi Doodles - Include a sentiment
QKR Stampede - Anything goes
Love to Scrap - Love is .......
Jan's Digi Stamps - Anything goes
Moving Along with the Times - Valentines/love
Incy Wincy - Sports and/or mainly red
Classic Design Challenge - Anything goes
CCC Digi Creations - Valentine's/Love
I Love Promarkers - Anything goes
The Paper Funday - Anything goes with the optional twist of love is in the air
Crafty Creations - Anything goes
Simon Says - Love is in the air
Penny's Paper - Anything goes
Little Red Wagon - Total eclipse of the heart
Fab n Funky - Anything goes
The Paper Shelter - For the one I love
CRAFT - Valentine/love
Cute Card Thursday - Anything goes
Krafty Chicks - Stamp act
Creative Craft Cottage - Happy Valentine's/love
613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with the option of heart and soles
Di's Digis - 1 or more hearts
My Time to Craft - Love
More Mixed Media - Anything goes with the option of red
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option of Love/Valentine/Anniversary
Polkadoodles - Anything goes
Allsorts - Love is ....
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything goes
The Corrosive Challenge - Anything goes

Happy Birthday - Dream a Little Dream

It was our friend's birthday recently so she had to have a special card so I have had this Art Deco A4 easel card.

Debbi Moore does a Facebook Live every Thursday from 6.30pm (UK time).  If you watch the show you will be given a code for a free kit from her website come the Friday evening.  Recently she gave away a gorgeous Art Deco kit so I have used the kit to make this card using the topper sheets and backing papers.  It took me ages to decide but as our friend does not like red I went for the black/white/gold colour scheme.

I have finished to easel card off with a sentiment from the topper sheet, two feathers and some really large gems.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

The Paper Funday - Anything goes with the optional twist of love is in the air
Crafty Creations - Anything goes
Penny's Paper - Anything goes
Love to Craft - Anything goes
Crafts Galore Encore - Anything goes
A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes
A Bit More Time to Craft Extra - Anything goes
CD Sunday Plus - Anything goes 
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes
Creative Moments - Anything goes
613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with the option of heart and soles
Creative Fingers - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option of Love/Valentine/Anniversary
Polkadoodles - Anything goes

Happy Anniversary

Here is a card that I have made using the freebie following Debbi Moore's Facebook live last Thursday evening.  The free kit had lots of love themed items along with fashion.

For my card I have used this large topper sheet and printed it off twice to decoupage the image.  

I have used backing papers from Summertime Designs.

I have finished the card off with a stamped sentiment ribbon and some stamped roses which I have fussy cut out.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Pearly Sparkles - Anything goes
Crafty Hazelnut Patterned Paper February Challenge - Anything goes
CCC Digi Creations - Valentine's/Love
My Time to Craft - Love
Creative Fingers - Anything goes
Simon Says - Love is in the air
Little Red Wagon - Total eclipse of the heart
CRAFT - Valentine/love
Creative Craft Cottage - Happy Valentine's/love
613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with the option of heart and soles
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option of Love/Valentine/Anniversary
Polkadoodles - Anything goes
Allsorts - Love is ....

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 "Spring Blooms".

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 8 February 2021.

Ching-Chou Kuik's Digital Stamps Inspiration Post - Monday 1 February 2021

Today is the day for me to show you my first creation for the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Facebook Group for February 2021.

Our challenge this month is:

"ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE".

Here is my inspiration post with that theme.  

For my card I have used the Ching-Chou Kuik image called "Flora and Fauna - Rose".  I have coloured my image in with Promarkers and inked around the edge with Tim Holtz's Fired Brick distress ink.

The backing papers are from Debbi Moore Designs.

I have finished the card off with a die-cut X-cut border, dotty ribbon, die-cut hearts which I have inked through with the Fired Brick distress ink and a heart stencil and a Crafter's Companion sentiment.

I am entering this card into the following challenges: 

Lemon Shortbread - Anything goes
Crafty Sentiments - Anything goes
Digi Choosday - Anything goes
Simon Says - Anything goes
Aud Sentiments - Sending love and a sentiment
As You Like It - True love or fabulous friends - Both are so very important with what we are going through in the world at the moment.  I have gone for "true love" as sending a bit of love to someone will mean the world to them and that means so very much
Cardz for Galz - Inspired by a Beatles Song - All you need is love (1967)
Polkadoodles - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option of thank you
Sweet Stampin' - Love
Morgan's Artworld - Anything goes
Cute as a Button - Anything goes
Digi Doodles - Include a sentiment
Love to Scrap - Love is .......
Love to Craft - Anything goes
Moving Along with the Times - Valentines/love
Crafts Galore Encore - Anything goes
A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes
A Bit More Time to Craft Extra - Anything goes
Incy Wincy - Sports and/or mainly red
Crafty Hazelnut Patterned Paper February Challenge - Anything goes
Classic Design Challenge - Anything goes
Simon Says - Love and/or hearts

A Perfect Time to Craft Open Challenge Blog - February 2021

 Today sees the start of another challenge over at the A Perfect Time to Craft Open Challenge Blog.

The topic is always "ANYTHING GOES" and you are allowed unlimited entries into the challenge. 

This month our sponsor is "CraftsUPrint".

For my Valentine's Day card I have used the mini kit called "Old and Wrinkly Mini Kit" by Elaine Hayhoe.  For the top layer of the cute little wrinkly dogs I made a concertina with some scraps of card so that when my husband pulls the card out of the envelope the heads will automatically jump up.

I have used the topper sheet, insert and embellishments.

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

I have finished the card off with thick ribbon to make the frame shape, sentiments from a Debbi Moore CD and Stickles glitter glue added to some of the hearts for some sparkle and shine.

I am entering this card into the following challenges: 

Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes
Penny's Paper - Anything goes
Digi Choosday - Anything goes
Simon Says - Anything goes
Aud Sentiments - Sending love and a sentiment
As You Like It - True love or fabulous friends - Both are so very important with what we are going through in the world at the moment.  I have gone for "true love" as sending a bit of love to someone will mean the world to them and that means so very much.  This card I have made for my husband for Valentine's Day as I love him so much.  We will be married 30 years come July and we were supposed to go on a special cruise but obviously that is on the "back burner" for the moment!!
Cute Card Thursday - Valentine's
Polkadoodles - Anything goes

Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option of thank you
Allsorts - Four legged friends
Love to Craft - Anything goes
Moving Along with the Times - Valentines/love
Crafts Galore Encore - Anything goes
2 Crafty Critters - Anything goes and critters
A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes

A Bit More Time to Craft Extra - Anything goes
Pearly Sparkles - Anything goes
Simon Says - Love and/or hearts
CD Sunday Plus - Anything goes (digital kit from CraftsUPrint)
Classic Design Challenge - Anything goes