Kym's Crafty Cards

Allsorts Challenge - 29 January 2012

2012-01-29T00:01:00.001Z

Over at the Allsorts Challenge this week the challenge is "one or more hearts". For my card I have used a Mami Doodles image called "The Kiss". Aren't they a cute little couple? I have coloured the image in with my Promarkers and Flexmarkers. The backing card are all I've had for ages and ages especially the purple star one. I decided to do a Valentine's Day card with non-traditional colours ie not pink or red but decided to go with a colour combination of purple and green - not sure why!! The card has been finished off with some spotty satin ribbon, lace, two wooden die-cut hearts, sentiment off the computer, sparkly glass embellishment, buttons and some flowers with Stickles glitter glue on them.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Cupcake Craft - All you need is love

Paper Creations Ink - Love/romance

Ribbon Carousel - Card with non-traditional colours

Craft Room - Valentine's

Paperplay - Lovely lace

Digi Doodle - Anything goes

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Mami Doodles - For a loved one

The Poodle Parlour - Valentine/love

Allsorts - One or more hearts

Di's Digi Designs - Valentine's

Crazy 4 Challenge - Lots of layers
One Stitch at a Time - Use a digi
Truly Madly Crafty - Anything goes
Robyn's Fetish - Make it sparkle

4 Crafty Chicks Challenge - 27 January 2012

2012-01-28T00:03:00.001Z

Over at the the 4 Crafty Chicks Challenge Blog the topic is "pins". For my card I have used a scrap of backing paper left from my recently posted Debbi Moore Regency Card and also a gorgeous blue fan-like paper from Basic Grey (I had two paper pads out so it's either from Lime Rickey or Oliver). The image is from the Crafty Purple Frog and called "Serene Winter" from the CD which will hopefully be on sale soon. I have embossed some card with a new criss-cross embossing folder. The card is finished off with some Polar White Flowersoft with some white glitter mixed into it to resemble snow, 3 stick pins, flowers from a My Craft Studio Click-Print-Go CD, sentiment off the computer and some Papermania Glitterations.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Pile it On - Add lace
Gingerloft - Let it snow
Shopping Our Stash - Winter blues (my old stuff is my pins as these are what I had when I did sewing many years ago)
Crafting for all Seasons - Blue and white
Little Red Wagon - Winter Wonderland
4 Crafty Chicks - Pins
Pattie's Creations - Emboss
Inspire me Friday - Anything goes
Hotshot Crafts - Flowers

Deep Ocean - Sparkle and/or glitter

Cupcake Inspiration - Photo inspiration

Fresh Brewed Challenge - Snow/winter
Mark's Finest Papers - At least 4 layers

Pile it On Challenge - 22 January 2012

2012-01-28T00:01:00.002Z

Over at the Pile it On Challenge this week the challenge is "add lace". For my card I have used a gorgeous Crafty Purple Frog image called "Oriental Guardian". I love this image as she's just got such a look about her. The image has been decoupaged and then I pleated some frilly lace around the image. The backing papers (black distressed and green diamond) are both from my Basic Grey Oliver paper pad. The card has been finished off with some raffia ribbon, doily inked with a green chalk ink pad, pearls, flowers, 2 stick pins, gems and peel-off corners.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Pile it On - Add lace

Cute Card Thursday - You're a gem

4 Crafty Chicks - Pins

Do you Stack up? - Ribbons

Totally Papercrafts - Pearls and lace

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes
Secret Crafter - Ribbon
Mark's Finest Papers - At least 4 layers

Birthday Card and Box

2012-01-27T00:01:00.002Z

I made this card for a lady's 65th birthday. The CD I bought with some Christmas money and is the Debbi Moore Splendour of Regency. It is a 3CD set and has some absolutely fabulous images on there to use. I did a concertina card with 3 A5 sides on each side and used 4 of the same decoupage images in 4 different colours. For the front of the card I used another of the toppers. The flowers were die-cut from a book and distressed with various Tim Holtz distressing inks to match the papers ie Tumbled Glass, Tattered Rose, Forest Moss and Antique Linen. All have matching brad centres. I have used ribbon off the topper sheets, a Craftwork cards sentiment and verse on the computer to finish off the card.

For the box I did print off an A4 one from the CD but as I had made the card A5 concertina it wouldn't fit in so I had to make my box with the Crafter's Companion Boxer board. It took me two attempts as no matter how hard I try it is very difficult to use this board independently from the Ultimate Pro. I only bought my Ultimate a few months before the Ultimate Pro came out and as my funds are very limited as I make all my cards to sell solely to raise funds for different charities I just can't go out and buy the Ultimate Pro. If anyone has any tips to get it fitting better without using the Ultimate Pro please let me know. I know I am not alone as I have seen many threads on the web. I push the card right to the edge but for some reason it doesn't always fit together when glued. For the box I printed off some backing paper, a box off the CD which I then cut up for the main image, made some more matching flowers and added a Craftwork Cards sentiment.

I am entering this card and box into the following challenges.

Crafty Emma - Anything but a card - I am entering the box I have made

Mark's Finest papers - Birthday card

Incy Wincy - Anything but a card - I am entering the box I have made

The Crazy Challenge - Vintage

My Mum's Craft Shop - Flowers

Moving Along with the Times - Blooming marvellous
Hotshot Crafts - Flowers
Inspire me Friday - Anything goes
Prairie Fairy Friday - Anything but a card
Stamping with the Dragon - Anything goes

The Crafty Purple Frog Challenge - 26 January 2012

2012-01-26T00:01:00.006Z

Well we had a lovely array of entries for the last challenge at the Crafty Purple Frog and we also had a good number of people requesting to join the Design Team. I am sure Amy will be in touch very soon about that.

It's time for another challenge at the Crafty Purple Frog and I am your official host and I have chosen the topic "Valentine's Day/Show some love". A lot of people send Valentine's Day cards but there are others that don't or don't have a special someone to send one to so I chose "show some love" as well.

For my card I have chosen the Crafty Purple Frog pyromage sheet called "Red Hearts". I have used a duo backing paper and an A4 backing paper from a My Craft Studio Click-Print-Go CD. The flowers and leaves are also from the same CD so I have printed them off, cut them out and then inked the edges with Memento ink. When printing out flowers I also tend to print on the back of the images with a corresponding colour and for this I have used a red polished stone paper from Crafty Ann's Digi Store. The card has been finished off with a doily, lace, gems, brads for the centres of the flowers, Craftwork Cards sentiment and a laser cut wooden LOVE die-cut which I have inked with a red chalk ink pad.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

The Poodles Parlour - Valentine's/love

Totally Papercrafts - Make your own flowers

Stamp, Scrap and Doodle - Have a heart

Corrosive Challenge - I heart you

Pile it On - Add lace

Cupcake Craft - All you need is love

Paper Creations Ink - Love
Anything Goes - To the one I love

Craft Room Challenge - Valentine's
Card-a-Day Challenge - Valentine's/Get Well Soon/Thank You
Pixie Cottage - Sketch and/or love and kisses
The Sisterhood of Crafters - Use striped paper
My Mum's Craft Shop - Flowers
Moving Along with the Times - Blooming marvellous
Paperplay - Lovely lace

Crafts and Me Challenge - Guest Design Card - Wednesday 25 January 2012

2012-01-25T00:01:00.002Z

Here is my second and last card as Guest Designer for the Crafts and Me Challenge Blog. This time the challenge is "pink and sparkly". I have used some yummy backing papers I got from a friend for Christmas. They have glitter all over them and are so yummy but they had to be used. The gorgeous image I have used is called "Morning Glories". The digital stamps at Crafts and Me are only £2 each so are a real bargain. I have coloured the image with Promarkers and highlighted areas with Stickles glitter glue and my Sakura Stardust clear pen. I have cut around the image and then distressed with my Tim Holtz's distressing tool and then used a chalk ink pad around the edges. To add a bit more sparkle the card has been mat and layered with some bright pink holographic card. I've had this for ages and ages as it was too bright for most cards but I think it helped to bring this card alive. The card has been finished off with some lace, seam binding which I have ruffled, glittery gem decoration, Craftwork Cards sentiment, some flowers I have made with two punches and then added glitter glue to the centre (I've had some bad buys with glitter glues and normally stick with Stickles now but I did try out another make which I am really happy with - Craft Essentials), Marianne's Designs flourish and then finally I got the pink flowers for my birthday and have added some Stickles glitter glue to these.

I have really enjoyed my time this month with the Crafts and Me Challenge Blog. Thank you so much for having me.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Papercrafting Journey - Floral

Do You Stack Up? - Patterned papers

Moving Along with the Times - Things with wings

Paperplay - Ribbon each way

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Craft Your Days Away - Distressing

Mark's Finest Papers - Birthday card

Pile it on - Add lace

Marianne's Designs - In with the new (new lace, glitter glue and flowers)
My Mum's Craft Shop - Flowers

Commissioned Birthday Card

2012-01-23T22:33:00.002Z

I was asked to make a birthday card for a customer. The image and backing papers are from Joanna Sheen's Times Gone By CD. I have just done some simple matting and layering. The papers and topped have been distressed with Tim Holtz Vintage Photo distress ink. The card is finished off with some ribbon I've had for ages (I don't very often use wide ribbon. I won this about 2-3 years ago and thought it was about time it made its way to a card), tag, sentiment off the computer, personalised inside and card candy.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Joanna Sheen Monthly Challenge - Celebration

Delightful Sketches - Distressing/vintage

Card Making Mamas - Something old (wide ribbon and tag)

Craft Your Days Away - Distressing

Mark's Finest Papers - Birthday card

The Crafty Pad - Let's see something for the boys

The Crazy Challenge - Vintage

Here Come the Boys Challenge - 22 January 2012

2012-01-22T21:29:00.001Z

Over at the Here Come the Boys Challenge Blog the topic this time is "dinosaurs". What little or bog boys don't like dinosaurs? For my card I have used a Crafts U Print image of a dinosaur having a stroll through a city. I printed off the image 5 times so I could do my own decoupage layers. I have just done some simple matting and layering, added a sentiment and some glittery stars.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Crafty Sentiments - Anything goes and sentiment

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Crazy 4 Challenge - A child's birthday

Here Come the Boys - Dinosaurs

Birthday Sundaes - Birthday card and sentiment.

Saturated Canary Challenge No 9 - Dies and/or punches

2012-01-22T00:01:00.005Z

The challenge over at the Saturated Canary Challenge this fortnight is "dies and/or punches". For my card I have used the Saturated Canary image called "Becca and Bo", Becca is gorgeous isn't she and Bo is a cutie. I have coloured my image with Promarkers, die-cut around the image and then stuck some gathered ribbon around the die-cut. I decided to go a bit more flamboyant with my backing papers - the distressed lime green and the highly patterned papers are both from my Basic Grey Lime Rickey paper pad. The card has been finished off with a Craftwork Cards sentiment, satin edged organza ribbon, laser die-cut heart, buttons, flowers, leaves and pins.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Saturated Canary - Die-cuts and/or punches and DT call
Paper Creations Ink - Love/romance

Incy Wincy - Bold and bright

Daisy Doodles - Anything goes
The Stamping Boutique - Die-cuts

Scrap-Creations - Die-cuts

Papertake Weekly - Buttons, bows, bling and blooms

Crafts and Me - Pins

Penny's Paper Challenge - Ribbons and buttons

I Love Promarkers - Anything goes

Papercrafting Journey - Floral

Craft us Crazy - Full of love

Paperplay - Ribbon each way

Shelly's Images - Anything goes

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Stamp, Scrap and Doodle - Have a heart

Basic Grey - Favourite things - well some of my favourite things I have used on my card are lace, ribbon, flowers, pins, digital images and using my Promarkers

Allsorts - Needles and pins
Robyn's Fetish - Love
Corrosive Challenge - I heart you
Dream Valley - Animals
Sentimental Sundays - Die-cuts and sentiment
Pile it on - Add lace

One Lucky Crafter!!!

2012-01-21T16:14:00.001Z

Recently Jules at Always with a Heart had some Promarker Candy up for grabs. I try to enter my cards into challenges and enter candy to try and win things to put to good use for my cards that I make solely to sell to raise funds for different charities. I was "over the moon" to hear that I had won 20 Promarkers from Handy Hippo to celebrate them selling individual Promarkers and I could pick which ones I want. What a dilemma on what yummy colours to pick. I picked some ones I'm running low on due to them being used to much I think (!!) but then I got some other colours to try out.

I just wanted to say a personal thank you for Jules for setting the candy up on her blog and Handy Hippo for sponsoring the challenge. These Promarkers will keep me going for a long time.

Sweet Pea Stampers Challenge - 20 January 2012

2012-01-20T00:02:00.004Z

Another fortnight has flown around and it's time for another challenge at Sweet Pea Stampers. This time we have been challenged to "Baddabling". I have to admit I didn't know what it meant so I had to look it up and it means bring on the bling.

For my card I have used the Ching Chou-Kuik Fantasy Art Collection Sheet 14 by Sweet Pea Stamps. I have coloured the image with Promarkers highlighting areas with Stickles glitter glue, then torn around the edge with my X-cut tearing ruler and distressed with a chalk ink pad. I need some therapy as I've used some more of my gorgeous Tim Holtz backing papers. I have finished off the card with a punches border, fabric butterflies, some gorgeous K&Co gem/pearl swirls, Craftwork Cards sentiment, doily, organza ribbon flower and some large gems for some added bling.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Sweet Stampin' - All that glitters

Mark's Finest Papers - Use a border punch (Martha Stewart lattice punch)

Sparkles Forum - New craft goodies (die-cut sentiment and fabric butterflies)

One Stitch at a Time - Anything goes

Stampin' Sisters in Christ - Use something new (die-cut sentiment and fabric butterflies)

The Crafty Pad - Show us your New Year sparkle

Pan Pastel - Anything goes

Heart Song Inspiration - Glitter and/or white-on-white

Creative Craft - We're talking the colour blue

Papertake Weekly - Buttons, bows, bling and blooms

I Love Promarkers - Anything goes
Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Crafty Ann's Challenge #57 - What's new pussycat?

2012-01-20T00:01:00.004Z

It's time for another challenge over at Crafty Ann's Challenge Blog. This fortnight we are being challenged to "what's new pussycat?". Crafty Ann wants us to share a new technique we have learnt or use some new stash.

I decided to make a scrapbook page - quite new to me as I haven't done that many - but the ones I have done I've added extra embellishments on after printing but this one has been totally done with Serif Craft Artist and I have used Crafty Ann's new digital scrapbook Traditional Christmas Kit. This was certainly a challenge for me as I like adding bits and pieces after I've seen what it looks like printed out but I managed to used various elements from the scrapbook kit to give me the same effect. I think I need more practice using Serif Craft Artist as I struggled a bit but I got there in the end.

I am entering this scrapbook page into the following challenges:

Crafty Hazelnut Christmas - Use a digi image and/or papers

One Stitch at a Time - Anything goes
Creative Card Crew - Seeing red
ABC Christmas - Anything goes Christmas
Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Aud Sentiments Design Team Card - Thursday 19 January 2012

2012-01-19T00:01:00.003Z

We had a lovely array of entrants to our challenge for the last fortnight. This fortnight we are being challenged to "use the word love". We are being sponsored by:

TLC Creations

and

Mami Doodles

For my card I have used the Mami Doodles image called "The Kiss". I have coloured the image in with Promarkers. I have done some matting and layering, using quite a number of scraps from my box. The card has been finished off with some card candy, seam binding, flower with brad centre and a Craftwork Cards sentiment.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Alphabet Challenge - Y for you can choose

Totally Papercrafts - Spots and stripes

Secret Crafter - Anything goes with blue

The Ribbon Girl - Blue and pink

Sentimental Sundays - Ribbon

One Stitch at a Time - Anything goes

Paper Creations Ink - Love/romance

Daisy Doodles - Anything goes

Totally Stampalicious - Gettin' ready for valentine's Day

Digital Tuesday - Romantic card

Crafty Creations - Valentine's theme

Scrapbook Sisters - My sweet Valentine

Craft us Crazy - Full of love

Commissioned Birthday Card

2012-01-18T20:20:00.001Z

I was asked to make a card for a lady who loves bunny rabbits. Well who wouldn't love this gorgeous image from Joanna Sheen's Jayne Netley Mayhew CD. I teamed the image up with some chocking pink mirri card and put some through my Swiss Dots Cuttlebu embossing folder. The flowers are from the Crafter's Companion SWALK Cd and I have cut them out and inked the edges, adding coloured brads to the centres. The card is finished off with a personalised insert, sentiment off the computer and some die-cut/embossed butterflies.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

2 Sisters - Use metal (brads)

Paper Sundaes - Favourite Paper Sundaes Challenge - I've gone for Challenge #86 - finishing touches - as I think finishing touches can make a card - my finishing touches are flowers, brads, butterflies and a sentiment
Pile it On - Fuzzy friends
Pixie Cottage - Sketch and/or embossing

Robyn's Fetish - Animals

Penny's Paper Challenge - 4 January 2012

2012-01-17T19:37:00.001Z

Over at the Penny's Paper Challenge the topic this fortnight was "birds". For my card I have used an image from a Joanna Sheen CD. I have just done some simple matting and layering, added a stamped sentiment which I distressed and the card has been finished off with some ribbon, card candy and insert.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Gingersnap Creations - Ribbon

Penny's Paper Challenge - Birds
Alphabet Challenge - Y for you can choose
Crafty Emma - Vintage dahling

Sentimental Sundays - Ribbon

The Cheerful Stamp Pad - Birds of a feather

Crafty Cardmakers - No floral embellishments

My Time to Craft - Favourite embellishment - one of my favourites has to be ribbon

Crafty Sentiments - Anything goes and sentiment

Scrap Creations - Die-cut

Saturated Canary Challenge No 8 - Clean and Sinple

2012-01-12T21:42:00.001Z

The current challenge at Saturated Canary is clean and simple (CAS) so I thought I would play along. Due to the awfully dark and cold weather at the moment I decided to do a bright and summery looking card. I have used Krista's image called Lolita - a Ragamuffin waiting for the fairies. I have coloured the image with Promarkers and then added highlights for the sky and grass with shimmer chalks. I have just done some simple matting and layering and used a piece of Martha Stewart large spots glitter paper to do all the talking to make sure it stayed CAS. The card is simply finished off with a piece of ribbon and a Craftwork cards sentiment.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Saturated Canary - Clean and simple (CAS)
Sweet Stampin' - Spots and dots
Paper Sundaes - Saturated colours

Dream Valley - Anything goes

Lexi's Creations - Anything goes

Passion for Promarkers - Inspired by a song - Sunshine and summertime by Faith Hill

Anything Goes - Anything goes

Craft Room - Clean and simple (CAS)

Scrap-Creations - Glitter

My Mum's Craft Shop - Here come the girls

Commissioned Birthday Card

2012-01-12T21:15:00.001Z

I was asked to make a birthday card with the following remit - for a young lady who loves music, girly but not too girly, no flowers or masses of things on the card and to include some stars but the reason why (she's the star in their eyes!!).

Oh my goodness me I thought but then my Kenny K image called Mad Skillz came to the rescue. I have coloured the image with Promarkers and cut out with my Nestabilities die and inked around the edges with a chalk ink pad. The backing papers are a mixture of from my stash and the lovely glittery one is a new one given to me by a blogging friend. The card has been finished off with some organza ribbon, Craftwork cards sentiment, peel-off stars and two Papermania gem brads (these are new to me - I got them for my birthday back in October but they were sooooooooooo nice I had to keep them a while but I feel it's now time to start using them).

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Kenny K's Challenge - New beginnings (new paper and brads for me)

Crazy 4 Challenge - New Year - new toys - new techniques

Crafty Calendar - New news with the option of button and bows

Mark's Finest Papers - Brads or eyelets

Corrosive Challenge - Ring in the New Year

Crafty Cardmakers - No floral embellishments
CRAFT - Celebration
Crafty Creations - Something new

Moving Along with the Times - Spots and stripes

The Crafty Purple Frog Challenge - 12 January 2012 - Anything Goes and DT Call

2012-01-12T00:01:00.001Z

Well it's time for the first Crafty Purple Frog Challenge for 2012 and the chosen topic is "anything goes". Nice and easy to start you off. We are also having a Design Team Call so if you fancy taking part please look at the blog to find out what you have to do.

For my card I have used one of the six Red is my Passion Heart Toppers. It's brilliant that you can make six different cards from one sheet. I have cut the image out and then put red Stickles glitter glue around the edge for some sparkle. I have just done some simple matting and layering, using up scraps from the "scraps box". The card is finished off with some lace, pearls, flowers and a Craftwork Cards sentiment.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Crafty Emma - Anything goes

Gingerloft - Anything goes

One Stitch at a Time - Use 3 embellishments (I have used lace, flowers and pearls)

Dream Valley - Anything goes

The Pink Elephant - Hearts

Crazy Challenge - Lace and/or pearls

Lexi's Creations - Anything goes

Lollipop Crafts - Anything goes

Anything Goes Challenge - Anything goes

Commissioned Birthday Card

2012-01-10T23:55:00.002Z

This is a card I was asked to make. As the child is quite young I kept the embellishments to a minimum. The image was perfect for animal loving child and came from Crafts U Print. I printed out the image several times so that I could decoupage the image.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Lollipop Crafts - Anything goes

Crafty Emma - Anything goes
Birthday Sundaes - Birthday card
Celebrate the Occasion - Child's birthday

Make my Monday - Animals

Joanna Sheen Challenge - January 2012

2012-01-08T19:42:00.001Z

Over at the Joanna Sheen Challenge this month the topic is celebrations. I had to make a card for someone who has had a new baby girl come into their life recently. I have used a gorgeous mother and baby image and decided therefore to go with a more shabby chic card. I have used various card/paper from my stash. I have used my new Marianne's Designs die that I got from Joanna's website and it is FAB. Not only do you get the circle you get various sized shapes to make flowers with. I have distressed the die-cut and all the paper with a dark brown chalk ink pad. The card has been finished off some flowers, lace, congratulations die-cut sentiment and there is a small tab sentiment embellishment that has now gone on the front but until the recipient gets it I haven't put that picture on here as I've put the baby's name on it.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Joanna Sheen Monthly Challenge - Celebrations

Paper Creations Ink - Die-cuts and/or punches

Craft Your Passion - Anything goes and distressing

Kaboodle Doodles - Celebrate

Daisy Doodles - New beginnings

Papertake Weekly - Anything goes and option of something new

My Mum's Craft Shop - Something new

Ruby's Rainbow - Baby or child

Fresh Brewed Challenge - Use something new (used some nice new lace - yes I know I should use the old up first!!)

Scrapbook Sisters - Anything goes

Cute Card Thursday - What's new

Card Making Mamas - New year or something new (new lace for me)

Crafty Catz - New beginning

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Crafty Calendar - New news and option of button and bows

Crazy 4 Challenge - New year - new toys - new technique (new lace for me)

Craft Your Days Away - New beginnings

One Stop Craft - BINGO board (distressing, ribbon/lace and flowers, top row)

Crafty Emma - Anything goes

Gingerloft - Anything goes

Dream Valley - Anything goes

Corrosive Challenge - Ring in the New Year

Cupcake Inspirations - Photo inspiration

Top Tip Tuesday - Anything goes (TIP: I store my Promarkers and some other pens in the Letraset wallets on my shelf in my craft tardis. I keep the handle end closest to me but was forever opening up the wallets to see the colours inside. Now I've attached pieces of fibres and ribbon to each handle indicating the colours of pens in the wallets eg this one has silver, gold, black, bright pinks and purples. I cannot believe how much simpler this makes finding the right wallet)

After making this card I still had three toppers from the sheet leftover. In 2010 I decided that I would not put unused toppers from a sheet in a drawer to be used at some stage and would instead use them to make up more Craft for Life cards for the Marie Curie Appeal. This saves them not being used or getting dog-eared and needing to be thrown out. It also increases the cards that I have given to the Marie Curie Appeal. Here are another three cards ready to be taken into the shop when we are next in town.

First Regular Monthly Charity Stall of 2012

2012-01-07T18:51:00.002Z

Yesterday saw us setting up the regular monthly charity stall that I have. Sadly there are a lot of businesses that have left the complex so I never know how much longer it will continue. At the moment I am raising funds for the new Gamma Plus Appeal at Bedford Hospital - the target is to raise £600,000 for a new Gamma Camera.

Flashback Friday Challenge 19.0

2012-01-06T13:00:00.003Z

Over at the Flashback Friday Challenge we are being challenge to show our first "clean and simple card" (CAS). It's taken a while to look through my photos and then search my blog for the corresponding post but I have come up with this card. My original post can be found here.

Crafty Ann's Challenge #56 - Let's think hot!

2012-01-06T00:04:00.004Z

Well the Crafty Ann's Challenge Blog Design Team have now had a little break and it's time to get down to challenges again. This fortnight we have been given the challenge "Let's think hot!" ie hot colours or summery images.

Last year I decided when making Design Team cards I would print off and colour in more than one image as often I would have things go wrong. Since starting this system more things go right which means there are more cards for my stall. This time things went right so I couldn't decide which colourway I liked best so I decided to show you both.

Here is a close-up of card no 1 with a red and green colourway and below is a close-up of card no 2 with a red and brown colourway,

For both cards I have used one of Crafty Ann's newer digital images of the barge and canal. I have coloured the image in with my Promarkers. It took a while and I managed to use 9 different shades of green and 6 different shades of brown!!! I have then used my X-cut tearing ruler around the edges and highlighted this with a chalk ink pad. The backing papers in both cards are the red/orange Funky Paper Collection, green Polished Stone and brown Polished Stone. The flowers I have made using a new Marianne's Designs die which has a large circle but inside it has various flower sizes. The paper is the red/orange used as the backing paper and I have distressed the edges with a chalk ink pad along with all the backing papers as I HATE seeing white edges. The flowers are finished off with brads to hold them together. The extras added to the card are inserts, ribbon and sentiments off the computer.

I am entering these cards into the following challenges:

The Squirrel and the Fox - Something new - new die and new outing for this digital image for me

Robyn's Fetish - Anything goes

Pile it on - Anything goes

Sentimental Sundays - Anything goes

One Stitch at a Time - Use a digi

Craft Your Passion - Anything goes and distressing

Paper Creations Ink - Die-cuts and/or punches

Heart Song Inspiration - Anything goes

Incy Wincy - Anything goes

Ribbon Carousel - Anything goes

Papertake Weekly - Anything goes and optional new theme - new die for me

Cupcake Craftroom - Anything goes
My Mum's Craft Shop - Something new - new die for me

Fresh Brew Challenge - Use something new - new die for me

Scrapbook Sisters - Anything goes
Card Making Mamas - New Year or something new - new die
Fairytale Challenge - Something new - new die
Inspire me Friday - Anything goes
Little Miss Muffet Challenge - Something new - new die
Delicious Doodles - All things new - new die

Sweet Pea Stampers Challenge - 6 January 2012

2012-01-06T00:02:00.002Z

The arrival of the New Year sees lots of changes at the Sweet Pea Stampers Challenge Blog. Click here to go and have a look. This fortnight the challenge is "classy/black tie".

I struggled at first with the challenge topic and decided to go for black and white and also for an elegant fairy. I have used the Sweet Pea Stamps Caron Vinson image called Royal Flower. I have just done a light colouring of the image with Promarkers and distressed around the edges with my Inkylicious Ink Dusters and Tim Holtz's Black Soot distress ink pad. The backing papers are scraps left over from a Design Team card and are by Crafty Ann's Digi Store. The calendar has been finished off with a calendar tab, buttons, ribbon bow, ribbon flowers, peel-offs, doily (distressed with Tim Holtz's Black Soot distress ink pad) and some gems.

I am entering this calendar into the following challenges:

Sweet Stampin' - New beginnings - I chose New Year and made this calendar

Sir Stampalot Monthly Challenge - Monochromatic

Fashionable Stamping - Anything goes using new stash (new ribbon flowers and some buttons)

By the Cute and Girly - New beginnings

Stempeltraume - Anything goes

Aud Sentiments Design Team Card - Thursday 5 January 2012

2012-01-05T00:01:00.001Z

Well 2012 seems to have whizzed around quickly. It's time for another challenge at the Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog. This time we have been challenged to "use your scraps and any sentiments". This fortnight we are being sponsored by:

and

The Teams have had a re-jig so I am now in Team A so here is my card - or should I say cards:

I have made four A6 cards for my regular charity stall and used up scraps of backing papers that I had that weren't big enough for bigger cards. Some also had dog-eared edges so tearing the edges hid this. I chose all different shades of blue and I have torn the edges of some of the papers to give the illusion of waves. The images I have simply printed off, cut out and edged with a silver Pentouch pen. Then I used a very old See D's set of stamps and stamped out the fish quite a number of times and cut out to add a bit of dimension. I have kept these cards very flat and embellishments to a minimum as funds are so very limited for everyone and these kind of cards are so much cheaper to post.

I am entering these cards into the following challenges:

Crafts 4 Eternity - Quote on project

Robyn's Fetish - Anything goes

Pile it On - Anything goes

One Stitch at a Time - Use a digi

Simon Says Stamp and Show - Something old and something new (something old is the See D's stamp and backing papers and something new are the digital images)

Heart Song Inspiration - Anything goes

Incy Wincy - Anything goes

Papertake Weekly - Anything goes and option of something new

Through the Craft Room Door - Monochromatic

Cupcake Craftroom Monthly - Anything goes

Top Tip Tuesday - Anything goes
Pixie Cottage - Sketch and/or monochromatic

Strawberry Kisses Giveaway

2012-01-04T19:32:00.000Z

Crafter's Companion are due to release their new CD and stamps entitled Strawberry Kisses on Friday 6 January 2012 as the Pick of the Week. They are having a Blog Hop to celebrate. Leann Chivers is also offering a Coredinations SO MOD paper pad so pop on over to Leann's blog to look at her gorgeous card and have a look at what you need to do.

Crafts and Me Challenge - Guest Design Card - Wednesday 4 January 2012

2012-01-04T00:02:00.006Z

I was sooooooooooo lucky recently to win a Guest Design Team post for January 2012 over at Crafts and Me recently on Facebook. To say I was happy was an under-statement. It took me a while to decide which image to use for the "Christmas Bumper Challenge - Anything Goes" which they have on the Crafts and Me Challenge Blog continuing this fortnight.

For my card I have used the gorgeous Crafts and Me Sara Burrier image called "Lady of Opal". Isn't she gorgeous? I have coloured her in with Promarkers and highlighted areas like the centre of the flowers with blue Stickles glitter glue. I die-cut the image and then distressed the edges with Tim Holtz's Tumbled Glass distress ink pad. Now came some playing. I had a go at using a new Cricut cartridge I got before Christmas. It was for the Cricut Cake but could be used on the Expression/Create or Imagine. I did a fancy shape in blue and laid it on top of a fancy shape in white which I edged with a duck egg blue Promarker. I also cut the mount for the sentiment and the large mount for the inside with the same Cartridge. The card is finished off with some Marianne's Designs butterflies with Stickles glitter glue down their centres, Marianne's Designs scrolls and circle mount, gems, flowers (die-cut from a book, distressed with Tim Holtz's Tumbled Glass distress ink and edged with Tim Holtz's Faded Jeans ink pad and held together with brads), blue seam binding and white dotted organza ribbon.

It would be lovely if you could visit the wonderful creations from the Crafts and Me Design Team. I have thoroughly enjoyed making this card and have one more to go in two weeks' time so please come back and have a look.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Crafting for all Seasons - Fairies

Rainbow Lady's - Your choice

Totally Gorjuss - Happy

Robyn's Fetish Challenge - Anything goes

Pile it On - Anything goes

One Stitch at a Time - Use a digi

Paper Playtime - Use something recycled - ribbon from clothing

Magical Monday - Anything goes

Paper Creations Ink - Die-cuts and/or punches

Shabby Tea Room - Time flies

Heart Song Inspirations - Anything goes

Incy Wincy - Anything goes

Craft Your Passion - Anything goes and distressing

Top Tip Tuesday - Anything goes

Party Time Tuesday - Something new - Cricut Cartridge, digi image and ribbon

Ribbon Carousel - Anything goes

Papertake Weekly - Anything goes and option new theme - new digi image, Cricut cartidge and ribbon

Scrap-Creations - Something old, something new (Old is brads which I've had a box since I first started cardmaking - think many of us might have bought them and new is my digi image, ribbon and Cricut cartridge)

Through the Craft Room Door - Monochromatic
Flutter by Wednesday - Open theme
My Mum's Craft Shop - Something new - new is my digi image, ribbon and Cricut cartridge
The Pixie Cottage - Sketch and/or monochrome
Paper Pretties - Use brads or eyelets
Inky Impressions - Anything goes
Fresh Brewed Challenge - Use something new - new is my digi image, ribbon and Cricut cartridge

Chance to win some Promarkers

2012-01-02T22:48:00.000Z

Jules over at Always with a Heart has some amazing candy to win to celebrate the Handy Hippo selling individual Promarkers. The candy is for 20 single Promarkers of your choice. Well who wouldn't want to win that? The challenge is open to UK residents only. Candy closes on 8 January 2012.

If you fancy having a go please go over to Jules' Blog to find out the rules.

Happy New Year Everyone

2012-01-01T00:01:00.000Z

Wishing all my crafty friends and blogging friends a very Happy New Year and all the very best for 2012

My Favourite Cards of 2011

2011-12-31T18:32:00.000Z

Debby over at the "A Scrap Journey" is challenging us to pick our top five cards for 2011. I thought my previous post to pick 12 was hard enough but Debby has made it even harder. If you fancy playing along please visit Debby's blog to find out how to take part.

Well, here goes my choice:

This stamp drove me mad as every time I went to buy it it was out of stock. Fortunately my son managed to get it for me for Mother's Day

I have really got into monochrome this year and this one of my first outings with the wonderful Saturated Canary images

One of my true loves is still my Sweet Pea Stamps and I made this for a competition

This is my House Mouse Christmas card that I made for my husband. It's been a very hard six months but he has been there by my side

Last, but no means least, is the Sweet Pea Stamps Mother's day card I made for my mum this year. I wasn't sure she'd like it but she loved it. Sadly she died suddenly in June and therefore I never imagined this would be the last card I made for her.

A Year in Review Blog Hop

2011-12-31T18:23:00.001Z

Karin over at "With an "i" for Paper" is asking us to highlight our favourite projects for the last year. You are able to pick 12 items - sounds enough doesn't it - but I certainly struggled. The cards/projects I have chosen are as follows:

This was a thank you card I made after Christmas last year

This stamp drove me mad as every time I went to buy it it was out of stock. Fortunately my son managed to get it for me for Mother's Day

This was a card I made with very bright colours which I didn't like at the time but did when it was finished

Just love this Halloween card in the end especially the bats added to the buttons

I have really got into monochrome this year and this one of my first outings with the wonderful Saturated Canary images

One of my true loves is still my Sweet Pea Stamps and I made this for a competition

Another monochrome card, this time for Christmas

Another monochrome card made for my part of the Sweet Pea Stampers Design Team

This is a calendar made with the wonderful Crafty Purple Frog images

This is a monochrome Sweet Pea Stamps canvas that I made for Dawn Bibby when she first joined Create and Craft to wish her luck. I've been lucky enough to meet Dawn twice at her shop and she is a lovely lady

This is my House Mouse Christmas card that I made for my husband. It's been a very hard six months but he has been there by my side

Commissioned Birthday Card

2011-12-30T19:10:00.000Z

Here is a commissioned card I was asked to make a while ago but haven't had a chance to put it on my blog. I decided to make a card, bookmark and decorated envelope. I have used a gorgeous image from Joanna Sheen's Jayne Netley Mayhew CD along with some backing papers and a matching booking. I have tried to keep the tone of the card quite low so as not to detract from the wonderful image. Embellishments used are ribbon, card candy and a beloved tassel.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Secret Crafter - Anything goes

Mark's Finest Papers - Anything goes

Top Tip Tuesday - Anything goes

Dutch Dare - My favourite things - using craft CDs, ribbon, card candy and tassels.

Rainbow Lady's - Your choice

Fussy and Fancy Friday - Animal print or Happy Birthday - Happy 2nd Birthday to the Fussy and Fancy Challenge Blog

The Stamp Man Challenge 3rd Annual Awards

2011-12-30T18:54:00.000Z

Over at The Stamp Man Challenge Blog they'd like us to join in by showing our favourite/best project that you feel you made during the year. The Top Prize is a £30 Stamp Man Gift Voucher and there are also 4 runner-up prizes so what have you got to lose?

I have decided to show a card I made back in October 2011 with a Sweet Pea Stamp. I have chosen this card as I love stamping, colouring with my Promarkers, love the colours I chose for the papers/card and all the different textures. You can find my original post on my blog here.

Aud Sentiments Design Team card - Thursday 22 December 2011 to Tuesday 3 January 2012

2011-12-29T00:01:00.003Z

Well Christmas has come and gone for another year. Today sees Week 2 of the Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog and it is Team B's turn to show you their creations. The topic is "anything goes".

This fortnight we are being sponsored by

and

Here is my card:

For my card I have used the Sassy Cheryl image called Cappuccino Anyone image along with a TLC sentiment. I have coloured the image with Promarkers and added some Flowersoft Polar White to the froth of the cappuccino. The backing papers are all scraps I had leftover from other cards. The card is finished off with the TLC sentiment. snowflakes, wired edged glitter snowflake ribbon, some fine glitter added to areas of the backing paper and some card candy.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Stampin' with the Dragon - Let it snow

Little Miss Muffet - Anything goes

Stampin' for the Week-end - Anything goes

Fussy and Fancy Friday - Monochromatic and sparkle

Prairie Fairy - Holly Jolly Christmas but no red or green

One Stop Craft - Winter wishes

Secret Crafter - Anything goes

Mark's Finest Papers - Anything goes

2 Sisters - Snowflakes

Pile it On - Bling it up

Incy Wincy - Winter wonderland

Top Tip Tuesday - Anything goes

Craft Room - Anything goes
Simon Says - Anything goes
Crimbo Crackers - Snowflakes
Passion for Promarkers - Celebration
I Love Promarkers - Anything goes

CD Sunday Challenge - 18 December 2011

2011-12-28T19:44:00.000Z

Over at the CD Sunday Challenge the topic is "Fifties Fun". For my card I have used my My Craft Studio (MCS) Fab Glam Fifties CD. I love this image - maybe because it's purple and maybe because I'd love to have been around to wear dresses like that. I have done some simple matting and layering. The card has been finished off with a sentiment off the computer, lace, pearls and some buttons threaded and tied with some silver thread which I've had for ages and ages and ages.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

The CD Sunday Challenge - Fifties Fun

Shopping Our Stash - Tie it up
Craft Room - Anything goes

Sparkles Forum - Anything but a Christmas card

Secret Crafter - Anything goes

Mark's Finest Papers - Anything goes

To a Special Friend

2011-12-27T21:18:00.000Z

I was asked to make a card for a lady's special friend who is going through a hard time. I chose to use this Crafty Purple Frog image as the recipient likes angels/fairies/mystical images. I have used the pyromage/invertage sheet entitled Ivy Mermaid. I have done some simple matting and layering. The card is finished off with some lace, flowers, gems and Craftwork Cards sentiment.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Creative Inspirations - Anything goes
Fairytale - Something simple

Fussy and Fancy Friday - Monochromatic and sparkle

Mark's Finest Papers - Anything goes

Crafting When we Can - Friendship

21st Birthday Cards

2011-12-27T21:00:00.001Z

I was asked to make a special 21st birthday card. I decided to use this image and backing papers and for the life of me I can't remember what CD I got it off but someone might be able to enlighten me. For the glasses on the front of the card I added Glossy Accents.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

My Mum's Craft Shop - Anything goes

Scrapbook Sisters - Anything goes

Little Miss Muffet - Anything goes

Dutch Dare - Make it shimmer

Creative Inspirations - Anything goes

Do You Stack Up? - Stripes
Secret Crafter - Anything goes

Top Tip Tuesday - Anything goes

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T11:50:00.000Z

Yes another Christmas has whizzed around. Above you will see the usual Upshaw tradition of sending a Christmas photo to all our family and friends on Christmas Day. We can’t say Christmas and the New Year is going to be an easy time as it is the first Christmas without my mum. She’d soon have had a moan and groan on Christmas Day as out would come the ironing table to put the camera on, Paul would have to set the timer and run around to get in place and it would take up to 10 takes of the photo to get a decent enough one to send around to everyone – but we won’t have that this year and it seems so unreal. We want to thank you for all your kindness and support this year especially in the last six months which hasn’t been at all easy.

We hope you all have a lovely Christmas and wish you all the very best for 2012.

Paul, Kym, Kevin, Steven and Marjorie xxxx

PS It took only two takes to get the above photo!!

Our Christmas table awaiting our lunch which my husband is cooking for us - turkey with all the trimmings yum yum

Our Christmas cake

We wish you all a Happy Christmas and all the very best for 2012. For those that are having a difficult time we send all our best wishes.

My Favourite Five Christmas Cards 2011

2011-12-24T20:10:00.000Z

Debby over at a Scrap Journey has challenged us to show our favourite five Christmas cards we have made in 2011. Oh my goodness me I've certainly struggled with picking 5. I got to 8 and then had to leave it a while. In the end I have gone for the following:

Card No 1

This is the card I made for my husband. It is a House Mouse decoupage and was for my husband. We've been married 20 years now and he's seen me through good times and bad times and especially during the last six months since the sudden death of my mum

Card No 2

This is a Sweet Pea Stampers design Team card and it had to be for an nontraditional Christmas card. I had this card in mind for a friend who loves purple like me but I chose the additional colour of lime green. It sounds revolting but it seemed to work well.

Card No 3

This is a card I made for a good friend who has acquired the role of Auntie to our two boys over the years. She does like traditional Christmas cards like me but she's got a serious House Mouse addiction like me!!!

Card No 4

This is the Christmas card I made for my aunt and uncle. I had over 20 years of not being in contact with my aunt due to a family rift but now we are as close as ever.

Card No 5

I recently have fallen in love with the saturated Canary digital images designed by Krista. I have chosen this card as one of my five favourites as I kept the colour tone to white, black and greys.

Do you feel like showing your favourite five Christmas cards for 2011. If you do please go and visit Debby's blog. She is offering some candy for a random winner who links up their favourite cards.

Less is More Challenge - 16 December 2011

2011-12-23T20:58:00.001Z

Over at the Less is More Challenge this week the topic is music. I have used a Kanban stamp and a Mo's Digital image of a gorgeous angel which I have paper-pieced.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Less is More - Music
Delicious Doodles - Anything goes
Little Miss Muffet - Anything goes
Digi Doodle Shop - Anything goes
Creative Inspirations - Anything goes

Humorous Christmas Card

2011-12-23T07:20:00.000Z

My husband asked if I'd got a card to give to his friend so I said "no" as I have made all my cards this year and even need to put finishing bits on cards for the neighbours over the week-end, so yesterday I whipped up this card for him.

I have used a backing paper from my stash and cut it into various shapes. The humorous image is from The Big One Decoupage- CD-Rom by La Pashe of Santa's elves and reindeer having a beer or two or three!!! I have decoupaged up the front of the Santa and just put the back of the Santa on the back of the card (as it's one of the Flippin' range whereby there is a front and back to one of the images). I've simply finished the card off with a sentiment off the sheet, fibres, Crafty Ann's Digi Store poinsettia with a gem for the centre.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Crafty Hazelnut - Anything goes

Mark's Finest Papers - Christmas

Crazy 4 Challenge - Santa
Paper Playtime - Say it with sentiments

Try it on Tuesday - Anything goes

Top Tip Tuesday - Anything Christmas

Everybody Art - Anything goes

My Mum's Craft Shop - Anything goes

Scrapbook Sisters - Anything goes

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Aud Sentiments Design Team Card - Thursday 22 December 2011

2011-12-22T00:06:00.001Z

Oh me oh my another fortnight has come around like a blink of the eye for the Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog. This fortnight the topic is "anything goes" and a Design Team call as well. We are sponsored by Sassy Cheryl.

This week it's Team A's turn to post their cards so therefore there is no card from me until next week as I am Team B. Click here to have a look at the wonderful creations from Team A.

Crafty Purple Frog Challenge - 22 December 2011 - Christmas

2011-12-22T00:01:00.002Z

Here sees the last challenge of 2011 for the Crafty Purple Frog Challenge Blog. This time the topic is "Christmas".

For my card I have used one of my favourite images, Poinsettia Fairy from Crafty Purple Frog. I have used the decoupage version but there is also the pyromage/invertage version to choose from as well. I have decoupaged the image, adding some Stickles and my Sakura Stardust clear pen to highlight areas of the image. I have just done some simple matting and layering using papers I had in my stash. The border around the image is using Crafty Ann's poinsettia. The card is finished off with a Craftwork Cards sentiment.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Crafty Hazelnut Christmas - Anything goes

One Stop Craft - Christmas sparkle

Cupcake Inspiration - Photo inspiration

One Stitch at a Time - Anything goes

Craft Your Passion - Things with wings

Paper Playtime - Say it with sentiments

Crazy Challenge - Christmas

Try it on Tuesday - Anything goes

Top Tip Tuesday - Anything Christmas

Everybody Art - Anything goes

Bearlymine Challenge - Anything goes

Papertake Weekly - Last Christmas card of the year
Scrapbook Sisters - Anything goes
Crafts and Me - Anything goes
My Mum's Craft Shop - Anything goes

Some of my Christmas cards

2011-12-21T07:44:00.000Z

Well I have to admit that I managed to make every single Christmas card I sent this year. Unfortunately, due to the postage costs I had to keep the ones to be posted as flat as possible.

These cards include images from LOTV, Margaret Sherry, the Big One Decoupage CD-Rom, Walter and Winnie CD and some bought decoupage/topper sheets I was given. There is simple matting and layering, adding of sparkle via glitter or Stickles and sentiments added with peel-offs and Craftwork Cards sentiments.

These are a selection of the cards that I posted

I am entering these cards into the following challenges:

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes
Crafty Hazelnut Christmas - Anything goes
One Stop Craft - Christmas sparkle
Paper Playtime - Say it with sentiments
Crazy Challenge - Christmas
Try it on Tuesday - Anything goes
Top Tip Tuesday - Anything Christmas
Everybody Art - Anything goes
Bearlymine Challenge - Anything goes

Special House Mouse Card

2011-12-19T00:42:00.000Z

Here is another House Mouse decoupage card. It started out as an A5 card but went slightly wrong so I had to adapt and go to an A4 card. I quite like it this big as with the decoupage being bigger than a lot it sits well on an A4 card. I have used the backing paper and insert off the CD as well. The card has been finished off with some My Craft Studio Click-Print-Go flowers with brad centres, two star pins and sentiment off the decoupage sheet.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Creative Card Crew - Tis the season

My Mum's Craft Shop - Cute and funky Christmas

Crafting for all Seasons - Christmas
Always Something Creative - Christmas

Crafty Hazelnut Christmas - Anything goes

Dream Valley - Christmas

Retirement Card

2011-12-19T00:28:00.000Z

I have used my new Joanna Sheen Jane Shasky CD to make this card. The images are gorgeous and it was hard to choose but I eventually decided on this one. I have used the backing papers from the CD to mat and layer all four sides of the 8x8 card (the inside is personalised so that's why I've not shown it). I printed off two sheets of the toppers so I could do some decoupage and fill up the card a bit more. The card has been finished off with a doily cut in two, flower brads, cherry blossoms, sentiment off the computer and Papermania Glitterations.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Just Tracy's Monthly - Celebration
Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Secret Crafter - New Year/Celebration

The Crafty Pad - Anything but Christmas

Sparkles Forum - Anything but a Christmas card - happy 1st Birthday to all of those involved with the Sparkles Forum

Paper Sundaes - Celebrate

Corrosive Challenge - Anything but Christmas

A Christmas Card for my Aunt and Uncle

2011-12-19T00:03:00.000Z

I have made this card for my aunt and uncle using Joanna Sheen's Nostalgia Cd. I loved this image of the old-style letterbox. For my card I printed off the insert, one sheet of backing paper and one topper sheet. I have used the large topper on the insert for a change. The other two large toppers I have put on the front of the card, one layer of which I used as decoupage. I have used Flowersoft Polar White to add dimension for the snow on the main image. The card has been finished off with some Crafty Ann's Digi Store poinsettias which have gems for the centre, organza ribbon and a Craftwork Cards sentiment.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Paper Sundaes - Celebrate
Creative Card Crew - Tis the Season

Paperplay - Christmas

Craft us Crazy - Christmas and/or humorous

Charisma Cardz - Last minute Christmas makes
Crafty Hazelnut Christmas - Anything goes

One Stitch at a Time - Anything goes

Dream Valley - Christmas

A Very Special Christmas Card

2011-12-19T00:01:00.001Z

Today, whilst my husband is away, I have been putting the finishing touches to his Christmas card. I wanted it to be extra special as we've had a very very hard six months since the death of my mum. When I saw this House Mouse decoupage image of two mice by the fireside I thought this was the perfect image as my husband has been by my side during this difficult time. I have used a backing paper from the Joanna Sheen House Mouse insert CD of little hats - it wasn't intended for this decoupage sheet but I liked the little hats. I have used the matching insert and cut it down to fit inside my 8x8 card. I used my Cricut Doodlecharms cartridge for the straight edged hearts, scalloped hearts and the stockings. I have added peel-offs to the stockings of our initials and some hearts. The card is then finished off with a sentiment off the backing sheet, some ribbon and lots of love.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Craft Room - Die-cuts and punches

Tuesday Throwdown - For someone special - my husband

Creative Card Crew - Tis the Season

Paperplay - Christmas

Craft us Crazy - Christmas and/or humorous

4 Crafty Chicks - Christmas card

Frosted Designs - Ribbon

Paper Cutz - All hearts come home for Christmas

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Crafty Catz - Santa's hat
Crafty Hazelnut Christmas - Anything goes

Totally Gorjuss - Someone special

One Stitch at a Time - Anything goes

Dream Valley - Christmas

Joanna Sheen Challenge - It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Saturated Canary Christmas Party Challenge

2011-12-17T18:18:00.001Z

Over at the Saturated Canary Challenge Blog there is a Christmas Party challenge. To enter the challenge you have to link up any Christmas/New Year project and then people looking at the blog will need to vote for their favourites. If you like my card I would appreciate it if you can find the time to vote HERE.

For my card I have used the Saturated Canary image called "Christmas Nutcracker". I decided to keep the colour scheme as black, white and grey/silver so I coloured the image in with varying shades of grey Promarkers. I have then distressed around the image and added some faux stitching. Two of the black and white papers are from Crafty Ann's Digi Store, the other is by Martha Stewart Crafts. The flowers have been made by rubbing dried unused baby wipes with Tim Holtz's Black Soot distress ink pad and then die-cutting with a circle scallop die in my Cuttlebug. The three layers of the flowers are held together with some 22mm brads - I've never seen such big brads - and the surface area looked too big so I coloured a snowflake peel-off with a black promarker and added one to each brad. I have spiralled some memory wire and added a black bead. the card has been finished off with some card candy, peel-off sentiment, grey metallic ribbon, stocking charm and come black organza ribbon.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Saturated Canary Christmas Party - Christmas/New Year project

One Stitch at a Time - Use a digi
Crafty Boots - Christmas

Lexi's Creations - Untraditional Christmas ie no red or green

The Cutie Pie Challenge - Use a sentiment

Lollipop Crafts - Happy holidays

Fantabulous Cricut - Rolling in ribbon

Celebrate the Occasion - Christmas but no red

Craft Room - Die-cuts and punches

Bearlymine - Untraditional Christmas

Creative Craft - Faux or real stitching

Creative Card Crew - Tis the season

Passion for Promarkers - Celebrations

Whimsy Stamps - Charm to your creations

Divas by Design - Merry Christmas

Crafts and Me - Christmas

Sisterhood of Crafters - Christmas - celebrate the holidays

Crafting for all Seasons - Christmas

Delightful Sketches - Anything goes

Paperplay - Christmas

Craft us Crazy - Christmas and/or humorous

4 Crafty Chicks - Christmas

Pixie Dust - Stitching

Always Something Creative - Merry Christmas

Cute Card Thursday - Stripes

Frosted Designs - Ribbon

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Prairie Fairy - Holly Jolly Christmas - no red or green

Crafts 4 Eternity - Wire, beads and charm

Crafty Hazelnut Christmas - Anything goes

Mark's Finest Papers - Christmas

Di's Digi Downloads - Christmas

Sweet Pea Stampers Challenge - 16 December 2011

2011-12-16T00:01:00.008Z

Well it's time for the last Sweet Pea Stampers Challenge for 2011. This time the challenge is "make a gift".

I make a number of calendars for people for Christmas at work as I cannot afford to buy things for everyone. I have used the Sweet Pea Stamps image called "Goth Night". It took me a while to get her but she's one of my favourites. I have splashed out and used some of my Tim Holtz paper pad my eldest son bought me last Christmas. I have used a few bits and pieces but thought it was time to carry on and use some more. I have distressed all the edges of the paper with Tim Holtz's Tattered Rose distress ink pad. I have coloured the image with Promarkers and highlighted areas with my Sakura Stardust clear pen and also my white gel pen. I have finished the card off with some pearls, lace, Marianne's Designs die-cuts, flowers, calendar pad and cord to hold up the calendar.

I am entering this gift into the following challenges:

Stempetraume Challenge - Lace

Simon Says Stamp and Show - Some depth

Die-cut Dreams - Make a date
Top Tip Tuesday - A gift

Anything goes - Anything but a card

Craft Room - Die-cuts and punches
Ooh-la-la-Creations - Anything but a card
One Sweet Challenge - Christmas ornament or gift
Papercrafting Journey - Christmas
Fussy and Fancy Friday - Monochromatic and sparkle
Fairytale Challenge - Gift or gift packaging
Creative Stamp Friends - Christmas crafts
Scrapbook Sisters - Two colours - pink and white for me

Aud Sentiments Design Team card - Thursday 8 December 2011 to Tuesday 20 December 2011

2011-12-15T00:01:00.004Z

Well it's now week two of the Aud Sentiments Challenge with the topic of "anything holiday". We are being sponsored by Prairie Fairy and TLC. It's now Team B's turn to show you their cards and as I am on Team B here is mine.

For my card I have used the Prairie Fairy image called "Mistletoe Kisses". Isn't she a cutie? I have coloured the image in with Promarkers, added Glossy Accents to the lenses of her glasses and added Polar White Flowersoft to her pom-pom, cuffs of her coat and collar to add some texture and dimension. The papers and card were from my scrap box, some of which I have embossed and sanded. The card has been finished off with some red wide satin ribbon, Craftwork Cards sentiment and Crafty Ann's Digi Store poinsettias.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Crafts 4 Eternity - Red, green and cream
One Stop Craft - Traditional Christmas colours

Crafty Emma - Traditional Christmas

2 Sisters - Christmas

The Squirrel and the Fox - Christmas
One Stitch at a Time - Use a digi

Lollipop Crafts - Happy holidays

Creative Card Crew - Tis the season

Divas by Design - Merry Christmas

Sisterhood of Crafters - Christmas - Celebrate the holidays

Crafting for all Seasons - Christmas
Delightful Sketches - Anything goes
Paperplay - Christmas
Do You Stack Up - Winter
4 Crafty Chicks - Christmas card
Cute Card Thursday - Stripes
Crafty Ribbons - Traditional colours for Christmas
Papercrafting Journey - Christmas

Kenny K's Challenge - Sunday 11 December 2011

2011-12-14T14:17:00.001Z

Over at the Kenny K's Challenge this week the topic is "hues of blues". It is very sad that Donna has had to step down running this Design Team due to her health but my fellow Sweet Pea Stampers Design Team/Crafty Purple Frog Design Team is taking over running the blog. Wishing Donna all the very best and also wishing Sarah-Louise all the very best in her new role.

For my card I have used various papers from my stash, some Papermania, some DCWV and the others I have no idea but one has gorgeous sparkly glittery dots all over it. The Kenny K image I have used is called "Mistletoe". I have coloured the image with Promarkers and highlighted areas with my Sakura Stardust clear pen, die-cut the image and then inked around the edge with my Brilliance ink pad. The card has been finished off with some My Craft Studio flowers (some of which I have coloured with the same Brilliance ink pad) held together with tiny brads, a doily inked with the same ink pad giving it a bit of shine, gingham ribbon, sentiment off the computer and gems.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Kenny K's Challenge - Hues of blues
Crafts and Me - Christmas
I Love Promarkers - Blue and white

Inky Impressions - Winter fun

Everybody Art - Blue and white

Paper Sundaes - Anything Christmas

The Squirrel and the Fox - Christmas

Sisterhood of Crafters - Christmas - celebrate the holidays

Passion for Promarkers - Celebrations

Crafter's Companion Monthly Challenge - December 2011

2011-12-11T20:04:00.000Z

Over at the Crafter's Companion Monthly Challenge Blog the topic this month is "new beginnings". This can be a new baby, new house, wedding, new day at school etc.

For my card I used my new Popcorn CD that I got free from Create and Craft with just paying for the P&P. There are a nice selection of images to use on here. I chose a little decoupage image of baby Popcorn with his blanket. It did come on a topper but I decided to cut around the image. The backing paper is from the CD as well and the brown card is from my stash. I decided to go for brown tones as I thought that this would be suitable for a baby girl or baby boy. The card is finished off with a die-cut sentiment, gingham ribbon, plastic teddy bear charm, metal charm hand and foot and a flower held together with a button.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Crafter's Companion Monthly Challenge - New beginnings
Papertake Weekly - Anything goes and option of something dangly
Ruby's Rainbow - Monochrome

Crafty Creations - A card with a sentiment

Cute Card Thursday - Anything goes

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Little Miss Muffet - Button and ribbons

Totally Papercrafts - Anything but Christmas

Secret Crafter - All creatures great and small - I've picked a bear

Corrosive Challenge - Anything except Christmas

One Clever Lady

2011-12-11T11:55:00.000Z

I received an e-mail this morning from Lynn of Lynn's Designer Creations with a gorgeous Christmas banner to use. I have to admit I've always hated the colour green - even so much that for years I would never even eat green sweets!! The colour green though was my mum's favourite colour. The banner made me shed some tears as it will be the first Christmas without my mum and she would have loved to have seen this green banner and I love it too in memory of my mum. Lynn is such a clever lady making these banners.

Thank you so very much xxx

Anyone for Anya? - Sunday 4 December 2011

2011-12-09T14:58:00.002Z

Over at the Anyone for Anya Challenge Blog this week the topic is "something Christmasy". For my card I stamped little Anya i her lovely fluffy coat and muff - could have done with these today as it's cold and blowy here - and coloured the image in with promarkers. I then die-cut the image but then inked through the Nestabilities die with Tim Holtz's Tumbled Glass distress ink. I have used up all the last of the blue scraps of paper - so no more blue cards unless I print stuff off the computer. The card has been finished off with flowers with sequin and brad centres, ticket sentiment from Crafty Ann's Digi Shop and some lovely snowflake/glitter wire edged ribbon given to me by a friend.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Anyone for Anya? - Something Christmasy

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes
Crafty Hazelnut Christmas - Mainly monochromatic
I Did it Creations - Flowers
The Cheerful Stamp pad - A Christmas greeting
Craft Your Passion - Anything goes and glitter

Kaboodle Doodles - Colours of Christmas

Heart Song Inspirations - Christmas and/or red, green and white
Ruby's Rainbow - Monochrome
Creative Card Crew - Tis the season

Fresh Brewed Challenge - Christmas

Delightful Sketches - Blue Christmas
ABC Christmas - Y is for yippee
Hot Shot Crafts - Promarkers
Prairie Fairy - Beat the winter blues

Crafty Calendar - Cold and frosty

Cute Card Thursday Challenge - Thursday 8 December 2011

2011-12-09T14:38:00.002Z

Over at the Cute Card Thursday Challenge this week the topic is "anything goes". I thought this cute little Willow Sketchie card fitted the bill. I have used the same Tim Holtz pricking ruler and Marianne's Designs dies but totally different shape of card and image. The image is a pre-coloured image from Walter and Winnie CD. The card has been finished off with the die-cuts, clear Stickles glitter glue, ticket sentiment and card candy.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Di's Digi Designs - All white bar image

2 Sisters - Punches and/or die

Craft Your Passion - Anything goes and glitter
Kaboodle Dooles - Colours of Christmas

Creative Card Crew - Tis the season

Fresh Brewed Challenge - Christmas

Cute Card Thursday - Anything goes

Frosted Designs - Glitter
Alphabet Challenge - W for white Christmas
Moving Along with the Times - Last minute Christmas

Marianne's Designs Divas - Sparkle and shine
Card Making Mamas - Christmas

Mami Doodles - Make it sparkle

Crafty Calendar - Cold and frosty

Hot Shot Crafts Challenge No 1

2011-12-09T07:45:00.003Z

Over at the Hot Shot Crafts Challenge Blog it is their first challenge. The topic is "Promarkers". Well that's a nice one for me as I loveeeeeeeeeeeee my Promarkers.

For my card I decided to go with a white-on-white theme. I coloured the Karen's Doodles image in with Promarkers and die-cut. I have used various Marianne's Designs dies to add some dimension to the card. The first layer I pricked with my Tim Holtz ruler and then scored two lines. The card has been finished off with some white clear Stickles, ticket sentiment and card candy.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Hot Shot Crafts - Promarkers

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Di's Digi Designs - All white bar image

2 Sisters - Punches and/or dies

Pile it On - Bling it up

Craft Your Passion - Anything goes and glitter

Ooh-la-la Creations - Lots of sparkle

Creative Card Crew - Tis the season

Fresh Brewed Challenge - Christmas

Crafting for all Seasons - White-on-white

Cute Card Thursday - Anything goes

Frosted Designs - Glitter
Alphabet Challenge - W for white Christmas
Crafty Catz - Anything goes
Stampin' for the week-end - Christmas
Fussy and Fancy Friday - Photo inspiration
Card Making Mamas - Christmas
Mami Doodles - Make it sparkle

Crafty Purple Frog Challenge - 8 December 2011 - It's cold outside

2011-12-08T00:02:00.003Z

It's time for another challenge over at the Crafty Purple Frog Challenge. This fortnight the topic is "it's cold outside".

For my card I have used an image from the Flights of Fancy CD which should hopefully be on sale soon. There are some gorgeous goodies on this CD. I have used an image called "Serene Winter". It's certainly a wintry image and fits in perfectly with the challenge Topic. I have decoupaged the image and then highlighted areas with my Sakura Stardust clear pen and also with some Polar White Flowersoft to look like snow and give it some texture. Whilst it was still wet I sprinkled in some white glitter to give some extra sparkle - well it is Christmas. The backing papers are all from the scrap box and include some embossed vellum. I have finished the card off with some wintry snowflake wire edged ribbon, snowflake 3D stickers, two Marianne Designs scrolls, sentiment and some buttons.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Raise the Bar - It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Totally Papercrafts - Let it snow

Mark's Finest Papers - Favourite embellishment - well I have quite a few but one of my favourites is ribbon
Come and Get It - Anything goes Christmas
Quirky Crafts - Snow

The Pink Elephant - Snowflakes and sparkle

Hooked on Craft - Winter Wonderland

Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT - Snowflakes and sparkle

Crafty Sentiments - Snowflakes

Top Tip Tuesday - Let it snow

Creative Card Crew - Tis the season

Papertake Weekly - Anything goes and option something dangly
The Pixie Cottage - Sketch and/or last minute gifts and cards
For Fun Challenge - Christmas sparkle
Penny's Paper - Merry Christmas
Fresh Brewed Challenge - Christmas
Crafts and Me - Winter (snow and snowflakes)
Crafty Creations - A card with a sentiment
Delightful Challenges - Delightful blue Christmas
ABC Christmas - Y is for yippee!!
Papercrafting Journey - Christmas challenge

Aud Sentiments Design Team card - Thursday 8 December 2011

2011-12-08T00:01:00.001Z

Another fortnight seems to have whizzed by and it's time for another challenge at the Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog. This time the topic is "anything holiday". This fortnight we are being sponsored by Prairie Fairy.

As I am in Team B I will be showing my card next week but please visit the Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog to have a look at all the wonderful creations by Team A.

Please come back next week to see my creation.

Joanna Sheen Challenge - December 2011

2011-12-06T20:54:00.001Z

Well last week saw the start of the Joanna Sheen Monthly Challenge. The challenge this month is "Christmas Wishes" so as I love Joanna's Cds, stamps and her website it would be rude of me not to take part in the challenge!!!

For my card I have used an image from the Joanna Sheen Nostalgia CD. I have used one of the topper sheets, sheet of backing paper and co-ordinating insert. The topper sheet has two images the same size so I decoupaged it up one layer. I have used Flowersoft Polar White over the snow on the buildings. The card has been finished off with some organza ribbon, two die-cut flowers held together with brads, seam binding and a Craftwork Cards sentiment. I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Joanna Sheen Challenge - Christmas wishes
I Brake for Challenges - Vintage
Scrapbook Sisters - Anything goes

Do You Stack Up? - Ribbon or anything you can tie

By the Cute and Girly - Let it snow

Raise the Bar - It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Fussy and Fancy Friday - Photo inspiration

The Poodles Parlour - Christmas

Pattie's Creations - Christmas

2 Sisters - Punches and/or dies

Heart Song Inspirations - Christmas and/or red, green and white

Try it on Tuesday - Father Christmas

Quirky Crafts - Snow

My Time to Craft - Vintage Christmas

Creative Card Crew - Tis the season

City Crafter - Home for the holidays

Papertake Weekly - Anything goes and option of something dangly
Totally Papercrafts - Let it snow

Simon Says Challenge - 30 November 2011

2011-12-06T13:14:00.002Z

Over at the Simon Says Challenge the topic is "anything goes" and over at the One Sweet Challenge (formerly In a Sweet Pea Dream) the challenge is to make a "Christmas themed card with a non-traditional Christmas image". The card is made with scraps of card and paper but includes some sheet of lovely quality paper a friend gave me that was free in her cardmaking magazine this month. Two pieces of card I have embossed - one with Swiss dots and the other with an ornate design. The image is a Sweet Pea Stamp called "Dragonfly Fantasy". I have coloured with the image with Promarkers, highlighted areas with Sakura Stardust clear pen and added Glossy Accents to the flowers. The card is finished off with some flowers with Adirondack acrylic paint centres, lace and sentiment off the computer.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp - Anything goes
One Sweet Challenge - Christmas themed card with a non-traditional Christmas image

Scrapbook Sisters - Anything goes

Stamp, Scrap and Doodle - Holiday card

Let's Ink it Up - Anything Christmas

Come and Get It - Anything goes Christmas

One Stitch at a Time - Be square

I Did it Creations - Flowers

Crazy Challenge - Anything goes

Heart Song Inspirations - Christmas and/or red, green and white

Stamps R Us - Emboss it

Tuesday Throwdown - Celebrate the Season
Inspire me Friday - Anything goes
Artistic Stamper - Christmas

Commissioned Birthday Card

2011-12-05T20:37:00.000Z

I was asked to make a card for a customer's sister-in-law. I have used a My Craft Studio (MCS) CD and took the images and backing papers into Word to print off but thankfully I'd made a backing paper and added the scrolls and printed out before I had the problem of not being able to print from MCS CDs so I used this up. The card is finished off with some handmade flowers die-cut from a book and distressed with Tom Holtz's Fired Brick distress ink pad, sentiment off the computer, brads, fibres and a personalised inside.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Fab n Funky - Anything goes
Scrapbook Sisters - Anything goes
Do You Stack Up? - Ribbon or anything that you can tie - fibres around the card for me

4 Crafty Chicks - Birthday

2 Sisters - Punches and/or dies

I Did it Creations - Flowers

One Stitch at a Time - Be square

Crazy Challenge - Anything goes

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Crafteezee - Envelope boxes for sale

2011-12-05T18:32:00.000Z

Tracy, aka Crafteezee, has come across some boxes that are perfect to save time on measuring, cutting and scoring envelope boxes to fit her embellished cards so she has had some made. You can e-mail Tracy for orders at: t.payne@homecall.co.uk for a quote. She is able to ship worldwide.

To celebrate Tracy is offering a pack of 25 boxes as candy. All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is:

1. Write a post on you blog about the boxes and link back to Tracy's blog
2. Add the picture to your blog sidebar and link back to Tracy's blog
3. Add your name to Mr Linky.

To be in with a chance of winning you have to enter by 2 January 2012.

Saturated Canary Challenge No 5 - 24 November 2011

2011-12-04T19:14:00.001Z

Over at the Saturated Canary Challenge this fortnight the challenge is "anything goes". The ever so talented Krista recently had a special offer on her digis so it would have been very rude not to have a little splurge. One of the ones I bought was called "Christmas Angel - A Ragamuffin". Isn't she such a darling? I have coloured my image with Promarkers and highlighted areas with my Sakura Stardust clear pen. I have die-cut around the image and then used a chalk ink pad around the edge. The backing papers, card and embossed vellum were all in the scraps box. The card is finished off with some raffia ribbon, die-cut swirls, pearls and pinwheel flowers I made with scraps of the paper, inked the edges and added button with thread in the centre.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

The Pink Elephant - Photo inspiration

Crafty Boots - Anything goes
Craft Room - Make your own flowers

Creative Card Crew - Monochromatic

Digistamps4Joy - Christmas digi but no animals

Divas by Design - Anything goes

Paper Shelter - Anything goes

Scrapbook Sisters - Anything goes

Raise the Bar - It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Fussy and Fancy Friday - Photo inspiration - I got inspiration from the decoration on the tree

Come and Get It - Anything goes Christmas

I Did it Creations - Flowers

Saturated Canary - Anything goes

Crafts and Me - Pearls and swirls
Bearlymine - All my favourite things (buttons, Promarkers, ribbons, gems/pearls, chalk ink pads and die-cutting)

Commissioned Birthday Card

2011-12-03T00:01:00.000Z

I was asked to make a special card for a lady's mother. I decided to use Joanna Sheen's Jayne Netley Mayhew CD and also the matching kingfisher stamp I had. I have coloured the image with Lyra watercolours. The backing papers are from the CD. The card has been finished off with brads, flowers, decorative pin and skeleton leaves.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Stampin' Sisters in Christ - Card featuring a bird

Party Time Tuesday - Anything goes

Simon Says - Anything goes

Scrapbook Sisters - Anything goes

4 Crafty Chicks - Birthday

Art Impression Stamps - Flowers or paper piecing or both

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Last Monthly Charity Stall of the Year

2011-12-02T20:14:00.000Z

It's the last monthly charity stall this coming week. Sadly a lot of businesses have left the complex over the last four years. Yes, I get very sad when maybe only 1-2 cards sell but my husband reminds me that the charities wouldn't even get that if I didn't do anything.

For this month I have continued my charity as SCOPE who have the vision that the world is "where disabled people have the same opportunities to fulfil their ambitions as non-disabled people". If you would like to have a look at the work that Scope does please click here.

I have been lucky this year to win some blog candy and also some challenges. All that I win I put towards my charity work. I also feel truly blessed that I have friends on forums and in Blogland that send me items that they no longer use/what to help me with my charity work so that I can put it to good use. You are such wonderful people. THANK YOU TO YOU ALL.

Flashback Friday 18.0 - Friday 2 December 2011

2011-12-02T19:34:00.000Z

Over at the Flashback Challenge this month the challenge is to show your first owl card that was put on your blog. Do I have to?

This is a commissioned card I made back in August 2008 for a colleague whose boss was retiring. He was a Consultant and he loved music and gardening so that was the logic behind this card. My original post on blog in August 2008 can be found here.

Sweet Pea Stampers Challenge - 2 December 2011

2011-12-02T00:05:00.008Z

Welcome back for another challenge at Sweet Pea Stampers Challenge Blog. This time the topic is "non-traditional Christmas colours".

I have to admit I really struggled on this challenge as I am a traditional Christmas kind of girl ie red, green, blue, white, silver and gold. For my colour scheme I decided to look through my scraps box to give me some inspiration and I decided to go with lime green and purple - yikes!!!

The Sweet Pea Stamp image I have used is called "Holly Fairy". I have coloured her with Promarkers and Sakura Stardust clear pen, chalked the background, added Glossy Accents to the holly berries, distressed the edges around the image with my Tim Holtz distressing tool and then inked the edges with a green chalk ink pad. I was naughty recently and bought a new Marianne's Designs die with a gorgeous square but also inside the square are various sized flower shapes. As I make a lot of my flowers it was another shape to use and cost-effective - well that's my excuse. The square die cuts beautifully although a bit of a pain to push out all the holes but certainly worth it. Hope I might get a few more of the shapes for Christmas. I have made up the flowers with various layers, added a clear sequin flower (which I have had for many years now) and brad to hold it altogether. The card has been finished off with a TLC sentiment left over from my Aud Sentiments challenge card yesterday as I always print off two in case I make a mess when die-cutting, some dark purple ribbon, faux stitching, K&Co bright green teardrop gems and some tiny circle gems.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Stamptacular Sunday - Anything Christmas

Stempeltraume - Christmas

Gingerloft - Christmas or winter

Addicted to Stamps - Christmas

Totally Stampalicious - Non-traditional Christmas colours

Stamp +Fun = Creativity - Distressing
Craft Room - Make your own flowers
For Fun - Christmas card
Simon Says - Anything goes
Cooking it up with Katie - Anything goes
Croft Crafts - Christmas
2 Sisters - Holiday

Sweet Stampin' - Punches and dies
One Stop Craft - Christmas Fairies
Lollipop Crafts - B is for ........... bling and berries
Marianne's Designs - Sparkle and shine
Stamp with Fun - Stitches
Totally Gorjuss - Sparkle
Dream Valley - Sparkle
Pile it On - Sugar and spice
The Artistic Stamper - Christmas
Scrapbook Sisters - Anything goes
Creatalicious Challenge - Christmas and sparkle
Raise the Bar - It's starting to look a lot like Christmas
Papercrafting Journey - Anything goes
Daring Cardmakers - Holly and Narcissus
The Poodles Parlour - Christmas

Crafty Ann's Challenge #55 Tic-tac-toe

2011-12-02T00:01:00.010Z

The time has come for the last Crafty Ann's Challenge for 2011. I hope you have enjoyed the year of challenges as much as the Design Team have.

This fortnight Crafty Ann has challenged us to this tic-tac-toe board. What you have to do is make a card or project using three items in a straight row horizontally, diagonally or vertically or the four corners.

For my card I chose to use the right vertical column with ribbon or bow or both; bauble and gold or silver. For my card the gold backing paper is from Crafty Ann's digi store. I have then printed off and cut out two of the gold baubles and one with a snowman in along with one of the gold frames. I accented the snow with a white Sakura pen. They have all been edged along with the papers with my gold Pentouch pen. I have attached some swirly cord to the baubles and kept the gold ones flat but the the snowman one on 3d foam for dimension. The frame has a Happy Christmas and two star peel-offs on it. The card is simply finished off with some gold card candy and two gold ribbon bows.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

2 Sisters - Holiday
Crazy 4 Challenge - Snow

Crazy Challenge - Stars and/or snowflakes
Gingerloft - Christmas or winter

Craft Your Passion - Tis the season

For Fun Challenge - Christmas card
Digistamps4joy - Christmas digi but no animals
Divas by Design - Anything goes
Cooking it up with Katie - Anything goes
Croft Crafts - Christmas

Delightful Sketches - Let it snow
Do You Stack Up? - Ribbon or anything you can tie
Creatalicious Challenge - Christmas and sparkle
Raise the Bar - It's starting to look a lot like Christmas
Papercrafting Journey - Anything goes
Totally Papercrafts - Let it Snow
Fussy and Fancy Friday - Photo inspiration
Crafty Catz - Colours of Christmas and option of sparkle
Cardmadfairy's Digi Days - Winter wonderland
The Poodles Parlour - Christmas

Aud Sentiments Design Team Card - Thursday 24 November 2011 - Anything holiday - TEAM B

2011-12-01T00:01:00.002Z

Well you might remember me posting last week that the new challenge was going "live" on the Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog and the topic was "anything holiday".

We were being sponsored by Nikki Hall from Polka Doodles. Make sure you have a look here at the CDs and stamps that Nikki designs and has for sale along with lots and lots of lovely other crafting goodies.

The Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog has been lucky to gain a regular sponsor to the challenge blog. Create with TLC will provide regular sentiments for the Design Team to work with. make sure you go and have a look here for sentiments to buy but there are always often freebies as well.

The Design Teams have now been split into two groups and one group will reveal their cards on the first week of the challenge and the second group will reveal their cards on the second week of the challenge. As I am in the second group, Team B, it is now time to reveal my card for the challenge.

Oh isn't he just the cutest little snowman? I have coloured him with Promarkers and then added Polar White Flowersoft to the fur trim of his hat for some dimension. The backing papers and foiled vellum are all scraps from the scraps box. Along with the image I used the lovely Create with TLC sentiment. The card is finished off with some brads, ribbon and a gorgeous 3d snowflake.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Crafty Catz - Snowmen

Pattie's Creations - Christmas

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Deep Ocean - C is for ....... - for me I have chosen Christmas and cute

Totally Papercrafts - Christmas

2 Sisters - Holiday
Stamptacular Sunday - Anything Christmas
Always with a Heart - Use up snippets
Crazy Challenge - Stars and/or snowflakes
Gingerloft - Christmas or winter

Craft Your Passion - Tis the season

Scrap-Creations - Christmas
For Fun Challenge - Christmas card
Digistamps4joy - Christmas digi but no animals
Divas by Design - Anything goes
Cooking it up with Katie - Anything goes
I Love Promarkers - Snowmen and snowflakes
Croft Crafts - Christmas

Commissioned Christmas Card

2011-11-29T20:23:00.006Z

I was asked to make a card for someone to give to a friend who has lost a loved one and therefore not looking forward to Christmas so they didn't want the usual "Happy Christmas" or "Merry Christmas" on the card. For my card I have used a Sugar Nellie image called "Gingerbread". Well I decided to be very brave and go for non-traditional colours that we normally use for Christmas (ie reds, greens, gold, silver, blue) as I know it's going to be a difficult time for the recipient and stuck with various shades of orange. They are are pieces from my scrap box so I am not sure of the make. I quite like the bit without the mount on the right where the ribbon is but my orange scrap of card and paper wouldn't fit across so what is a girl to do eh? I have coloured the image with my Promarkers and highlighted areas with my Sakura Stardust clear pen and then added Polar White Flowersoft to her furry parts of her coat, hat and boots and then sprinkled in a bit of orange glitter in for a bit of sparkle. The card is finished off with some fibres around the Hunkydory shaped card, card candy, ribbon flowers, brads and a Craftwork Cards sentiment which I have coloured with a Burnt Orange Promarker.

The customer said I got the card 200% right - maybe that's because I am not feeling like Christmas as it will be six months since my mum died and the first Christmas without her. Glad to make the customer happy and to know the recipient will like it as well.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Creative Card Crew - Monochromatic
Always with a Heart - Use up snippets

Papercrafting Journey - Anything goes

CRAFT Challenge - Unusual Christmas

Night Shift Stamping - Glitter
Desert Island Crafts - Use at 3 items or more (ribbon, fussy cutting and 3 or more patterned papers (5 used) and I even managed polka dots

Pattie's Creations - Christmas

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Deep Ocean - C is for ....... - for me I have chosen Christmas and cute

Alphabet Challenge - V is for vibrant

Stampin with the Dragon - Anything goes Christmas

Card Making Mamas - Sentiments

Totally Papercrafts - Christmas

Drunken Stampers - Monochromatic

Totally Gorjuss - Sparkle

Stamptacular Sunday - Anything Christmas

Stempeltraume - Christmas

Simon Says Stamp and Show - Some stars

Cupcake Inspiration - Photo inspiration

Gingerloft - Christmas or winter

Addicted to Stamps - Christmas

Sundays with Chrissy - Christmas but non-traditional colours

Pile it On - Sugar and spice

Craft Your Passion - Tis the season

Totally Stampalicious - Non-traditional Christmas colours

Oldie but a Goodie - Christmas but no red or green

Scrap-Creations - Christmas
2 Sisters - Holiday

Kenny K's Challenge - 27 November 2011

2011-11-28T00:01:00.001Z

Over at the Kenny K's Challenge this week is "stitching - real or faux". For my card I have used the image called "Troublemaker". It's one of Kenny K's first images I had but it's still one of my favourites. I have coloured the image with my Promarkers and decided to go for a monchrome colourway this time. I have added Glossy Accents to the ice-cream. The backing papers are all downloaded from Summertime Designs and one I printed on both sides so I could do a scroll effect and therefore there would not be just plain white showing the other side. All the papers have Tim Holtz's Black Soot distress ink around them along with the image and a layer I edged with a Martha Stewart punch. Next came the doily - I inked with Black Soot and then sprayed with Crafter's Companion Spray and Shine. I like the shiny effect it gave. The card has been finished off with some faux stitching, Dawn Bibby sparkly flowers with black brads for the centres, ribbon bow, black peel-offs, length of ribbon with knots tied at intervals for a bit of dimension and a computer generated sentiment (which of course had Black Soot put around it!!!).

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Creative Card Crew - Monochromatic
Sassy Cheryl - Anything goes
Penny's Paper Challenge - Tie it on (tied a ribbon bow and also tied knots into my ribbon)

Fresh Brewed Challenge - Black Friday

I Love Promarkers - Anything goes

Papercraft Star - Anything goes

Moving Along With the Times - Ribbons and bows

Papercrafting Journey - Anything goes

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Fun With Shapes and More - Cold as ice - not sure the cold ice-cream will suffice

Card Making Mamas - Sentiments

Sweet Stampin' - Punches and dies

A Gem of a Challenge - Monochromatic and sentiment

Kenny K's - Stitching - real or faux

I Did it Creations - Eat, drink and be merry

Pile it On - Sugar and spice

Dream Valley - Sparkle

Totally Gorjuss - Sparkle

Commissioned Birthday Cards for Two Brothers

2011-11-27T21:45:00.000Z

I was asked to make birthday cards for two little brothers who are MAD about animals. I decided it was the perfect time to buy the Peerless Designs Cuddle Upz CD after seeing some gorgeous cards made by Shirley (Nannieflash). Oh my goodness me Sarah Hallam is certainly one talented lady. I decided to do them both a Cuddle Upz card but it was oh so difficult to pick which images to use. In the end I decided to go for the elephants and giraffes.

For my first card I used the Cuddle Upz elephant, backing paper, insert and some extra images so that I could fully decorate the cards inside and out and also the envelopes as I know the grandmother would hand deliver the card. Due to recipient being a child I didn't any 3d embellishments as I would hate them to be pulled off and swallowed etc.

For the second card I used the images of the giraffes. I think they are my favourites as they amaze me as animals how they hold their necks up. Again I have used Cuddle Upz, extra images, backing papers and insert.

I am entering the card into the following challenge:

The CD Sunday Challenge - On safari

Papercrafting Journey - Anything goes
Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Birthday Sundaes - Birthday card and sentiment

Commissioned Birthday Card

2011-11-27T21:14:00.000Z

I was asked to make an extra special birthday card for a gentleman's 80th birthday from his work colleagues - yes he's still working some hours aged 80!! For my card I decided to use Joanna Sheen's Times Gone by CD. As quite a few members of staff needed to sign I decided to make an A4 card. I used backing papers and images off the CD and used card from my own stash. The card is finished off with lots of buttons, peel-offs, rope, metal anchor charm and sentiment off the computer.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Crafty Sentiments - We want to see metal

Rainbow Lady's - Cards for Men

Papercrafting Journey - Anything goes

Craft Your Days Away - Buttons or bows

Crafty Emma - Special milestone birthdays

Mark's Finest Papers - Make it masculine

Fab n Funky - Happy birthday

Craft Your Days Away - 26 November 2011

2011-11-27T00:01:00.004Z

Over at the Craft Your Days Away Challenge this time the topic is "button or bows". For my card I have used another image from the Walter and Winnie Does Christmas CD and again followed the Willow Sketchie Challenge. The main backing paper is another one from Dovecraft and the scraps are from my scrap box. The image I have die-cut and inked the edges with a chalk ink pad. The card is finished off with some wide burgundy organza ribbon, button, thin green organza ribbon and a Craftwork Cards sentiments (this one says "from our house to yours").

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Willow Sketchie - Sketch and using 2 ribbons and 1 button

Totally Papercrafts - Christmas

Scrapbook Sisters - Christmas time
Everybody Art - Christmas card
Ribbon Carousel - Holiday card

Penny's Paper Challenge - Tie it on - tied ribbon through button

Papercrafting Journey - Anything goes
Craft Your Days Away - Buttons or bows

Willow Sketchie Challenge - 24 November 2011

2011-11-26T20:51:00.000Z

Over at the Willow Sketchie Challenge there is a lovely sketch with the addition of using 2 ribbons and 1 button.

For my card I have used a 5x5 scalloped card and used a pre-coloured image from my Walter and Winnie Does Christmas CD. They are such cute characters on here. I have cut the image out with a Nestabilities die and distressed the edges with a red chalk ink pad. The backing papers are from Dovecraft but all the rest are scraps from my box. The card is finished off with some gingham ribbon, button, organza ribbon and a Craftwork Cards sentiment (this does say Christmas wishes but no matter what I do my camera hates taking photographs of these sentiments).

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Willow Sketchie - Sketch and using 2 ribbons and 1 button

Totally Papercrafts - Christmas

Scrapbook Sisters - Christmas time
Everybody Art - Christmas card
Lollipop Crafts - Anything goes

Pollycraft Monday - Anything goes

Ribbon Carousel - Holiday card

Penny's Paper Challenge - Tie it on - tied ribbon through button

Papercrafting Journey - Anything goes

Less is More Challenge - 19 November 2011

2011-11-25T21:08:00.000Z

Over at the Less is More Challenge last week the topic was "silhouettes". I didn't think I had anything suitable to use for the challenge until yesterday when I came across some stamped images and for the life of me can't remember who they are by so if anyone knows please let me know so they can be credited for their gorgeous images.

The images have been stamped and then I have used my Inkylicious brushes with Tim Holtz's Fired Brick distress ink pad on one and Tim Holtz's Spiced Marmalade and Mustard Seed distress ink pads on the other. I have then distressed the edges with my Tim Holtz distressing tool and inked the edges. They are then simply mounted onto some scraps of designer paper and card. I have finished them both off with a Papermania stamped sentiment.

Another two cards ready for when I see my aunt next. She should take them into her local Marie Curie Shop but strangely enough money seems to only get there as she buys the cards. She always buys cards for people and to know that it is a charity very close to her heart as she has survived breast cancer twice it means so much to her and me.

I am entering these cards into the following challenges:

Less is More - Silhouettes

One Stitch at a Time - Anything goes

Lollipop Crafts - Anything goes

Creative Card Crew - Monochromatic (second card down)

Creative Craft - Free for all

Polkadoodles Challenge 18 November 2011

2011-11-24T21:40:00.000Z

Over at the Polkadoodles Challenge the challenge is a shaped Christmas. For my card I have used an image from the Polkadoodles Pretty Sweet CD and coloured her in with Promarkers. I have used a book shaped die-cut set that I won and used some scraps of Dovecraft backing paper and some green paper. I cut the image out and just edged with a scrap of green mirri card. The card is finished off with some Crafty Ann's poinsettias, pearls, ribbon bow and Craftwork Cards sentiment.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Polka Doodles - Shaped Christmas
Paper Sundaes - Beautiful bows

Bunny Zoe's - Anything Christmas with pearls

By the Cute and Girly - Christmas girls

Creative Craft - Free for all

I Love Promarkers - Anything goes

Papercraft Star - Anything goes

Papercrafting Journey - Anything goes

The Crafty Pad - Christmas Cheer - red/green or gold/silver

One Stitch at a Time - Anything goes