Colour Crazy Challenge Blog - Friday 16 April 2021

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

The weekly topic is always "anything goes".
This week we are lucky to be sponsored by SheepSki Designs.
For my male orientated card I have used the SheepSki Designs image called "Bob - Image No 60".  This is a lovely fun image suitable for a small child but even a man/woman that likes anything DIY/robotic etc.

I have coloured the image in with Promarkers and edged around the image with Tim Holtz's Speckled Egg distress oxide and Gathered Twigs distress ink.

I recently won a challenge over at the Classic Design Team Challenge Blog.  As my prize I got to pick a set of digital papers from Michelle's store (Keen Crafter Designs).  I got it down to a choice of three and in the end went for the "Steampunk" set as I knew I had this image for a DT card.

I printed three of the backing papers off and tore all their edges and inked with the Gathered Twigs distress ink.  Under the image I laid some hessian which I frayed.  I then used my cog dies and two different backing papers and cut out all the cogs, inked the edges and added to the card with brads (including two screw head brads).

I have finished the card off with some die-cut spanners, wrenches and screwdrivers and a stamped sentiment onto one of the backing papers.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Morgan's Artworld - Anything goes
Crafty Hazelnut Patterned Paper April Challenge - Anything goes
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything goes
Crafter's Castle - Anything goes
Jan's Digi Stamps - Anything goes
Lemon Shortbread - Anything goes
The Paper Funday - Anything goes with the option of Spring has Sprung
Aud Sentiments - Anything goes and sentiment
CD Sunday Plus - Anything goes using a digital download or a CD/USB (digital image and also digital papers used)
Crafty Sentiments - Anything goes
Digi Choosday - Anything goes
I Love Promarkers - Anything goes with the option of paper piecing
Penny's Paper - Anything goes
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes
Creatalicious Challenge - Anything goes with the option of making a slimline card
QKR Stampede - Anything goes
A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes
Creative Fingers - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option of embossing - wet or dry
Polkadoodles - Anything goes

New Release in the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Etsy Store

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

This is a set called "Wild Passion". 

In this set you will "Inner Passion - Greyscale" and "Getting Wild - Greyscale".

These images are available at a special introductory price of $3.00 (original price of $4.00).

Hurry as this offer ends on 18 April 2021.

I'm a little late to celebrate your birthday

I needed to make a belated card for someone.  I decided to use my Just Inklined "The Big One" CD and used this builder/DIY chap to make a flippin' card ie you get to see the front and back of the character as there is a layer of acetate in between.

The other week when I was on holiday this card took me two days to make as it just kept on going wrong.  I restarted once and I nearly put this one into the bin but asked my hubby's advice and he said "can't you put some ribbon on it?".  Thankfully I had some perfect ribbon and that did the trick.

On the yellow paper I used various tool stamps to stamp onto the paper and just coloured in the handles with Promarkers.

I finished the card off by die-cutting some DIY tools (thanks Lozzy - these are fiddly to do at times but so wonderful), peel-off letters coloured with a red Promarker, stamped sentiment and a peel-off glitter frame over the sentiment.

I was pleased to hear that the recipient liked his card.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Love to Craft - Anything goes
Mix It Up - Anything goes with the option of no stamping
Crafts Galore Encore - Anything goes
613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with the optional twist of "in the garden"
More Mixed Media - Anything goes with the option to use some yellow
The Corrosive Challenge - Anything goes
Creative Moments - Anything goes
Crafty Creations - Anything goes
Get Creative - Anything goes
The Paper Funday - Anything goes with the option of Spring has Sprung
CD Sunday Plus - Anything goes using a digital download or a CD/USB (CD used)
Digi Choosday - Anything goes

Ching-Chou Kuik's Digital Stamps Inspiration Post - Monday 12 April 2021

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

Our challenge this month is:

"FOUR LEGGED FRIENDS".

Here is my inspiration post with that theme. 

For my birthday card I have used the Ching-Chou Kuik digital image called "Hello Spring - Greyscale".  This time I have coloured my image in with coloured pencils and my Spectrum Noir blending solution.  It certainly took a lot longer to colour in over several days but I enjoyed doing it.

The backing papers I have used from The Works.  On one of the backing papers I have stamped around the edge with different leaf/greenery stamps.  I have also done the same with the sentiment that I stamped on a tag.

I have finished the card off quite simply with some fabric flowers, stamped sentiment, various short lengths of ribbon in my stash and some Nuvo pearl drops.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Classic Design Challenge - Anything goes (congratulations on your 5th birthday)
I Love Promarkers - Anything goes with the option of ribbon or twine (various ribbons used)
CCC Digi Creations - Include an animal
Morgan's Artworld - Anything goes
Cute as a Button - Anything goes
Digi Doodle Studios - Include an animal
QKR Stampede - Anything goes
Love to Craft - Anything goes
Mix It Up - Anything goes with the option of no stamping
Moving Along with the Times - Animals/birds
Crafts Galore Encore - Anything goes
Crafty Friends - Girls and/or ladies
2 Crafty Critters - Anything goes with critters
A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes
A Bit More Time to Craft Extra - Anything goes
Pearly Sparkles - Animals, birds and/or insects
Creatalicious - Anything goes with the option of flowers
Dragonfly Dreams - Feature a creature
613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with the optional twist of "in the garden"
Let's Craft and Create - Anything goes with the option to use some flowers
More Mixed Media - Anything goes with the option to use some yellow
Inspiration Station - Photo inspiration (my inspiration is from the leaves and the colour green)
The Corrosive Challenge - Anything goes
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything goes
Jan's Digi Stamps - Anything goes
Unicorn Challenge - Include an animal
Lemon Shortbread - Anything goes
Crafty Sentiments - Anything goes
Digi Choosday - Anything goes
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes
Creative Craft Cottage - Include an animal
The Paper Funday - Anything goes with the option of Spring has Sprung
Creative Moments - Anything goes
Crafty Creations - Anything goes
Get Creative - Anything goes
Simon Says - Happy birthday
The Paper Shelter - Include a sentiment
Aud Sentiments - Anything goes and sentiment
Crafty Catz - Anything goes 
Polkadoodles - Anything goes

Ching-Chou Kuik's Digital Stamps Inspiration Post - Monday 5 April 2021

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

Our challenge this month is:

"FOUR LEGGED FRIENDS".

Here is my inspiration post with that theme. 
For my birthday card I have used the Ching-Chou Kuik image called "Purple Night Adventure - Greyscale".  Isn't that dog so very cute?  I'd like a cuddle off him right this very moment.

I have coloured the image in with Promarkers, inked around the edge with Tim Holtz's Chipped Sapphire distress ink and added Nuvo pearl drops to the top of the mountains to look like snow.

The backing papers are from The Works.

I have finished the card off with a doily, small and a large rose (as I make virtually all of my own flowers I am determined in 2021 to use up my stock of bought flowers - it might take me a while as I sometimes look at them and think they are too nice to be used and make some flowers - is anyone else like me???) and a LOTV digital sentiment.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

CD Sunday Plus - Anything goes (digital image used for my card)
We Love to Create - Anything goes
Alphabet Challenge - Z is for zoology
Crafty Sentiments - Anything goes
Digi Choosday - Anything goes
Simon Says - Anything goes
World Wide Open Design Team - Anything goes
Penny's Paper - Anything goes
Little Red Wagon - Happy birthday
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes
Classic Design Challenge - Anything goes (congratulations on your 5th birthday)
I Love Promarkers - Anything goes with the option of ribbon or twine
CCC Digi Creations - Include an animal
Cute as a Button - Anything goes
Digi Doodle Studios - Include an animal
QKR Stampede - Anything goes
Moving Along with the Times - Animals/birds
Crafty Friends - Girls and/or ladies
2 Crafty Critters - Anything goes with critters
A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes
A Bit More Time to Craft Extra - Anything goes
Pearly Sparkles - Animals, birds and/or insects
Crafty Hazelnut Patterned Paper April Challenge - Anything goes
Creatalicious - Anything goes with the option of flowers
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option of colour inspiration
Polkadoodles - Anything goes
Allsorts - Anything goes with the option of monochromatic
Dragonfly Dreams - Feature a creature
613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with the optional twist of "in the garden"
Stamping Sensation - Fantasy and magical
Let's Craft and Create - Anything goes with the option to use some flowers
More Mixed Media - Anything goes with the option to use some yellow
Inspiration Station - Photo inspiration (my inspiration is from the flowers and the colours purple and green)
The Corrosive Challenge - Anything goes
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything goes
Crafter's Castle - Anything goes
Passion for Promarkers - Something beginning with "B" (birthday and blue)

A Perfect Time to Craft Open Challenge Blog - April 2021

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

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

This monthly we were lucky to be sponsored by "The Hungry JPEG".  

The Design Team got the wonderful collection "The Febulously Spring Floral Bundle" to make our cards/creations with.

Once I'd got all of the bundle download I went through from start to finish.  I chose a few kits in the bundle but when I came across:

the kit called "Sunflowers" by Yuliya Art all of the other choices were no more, if you no what I mean, as sunflowers are in my top 3 favourite flowers along with poppies and roses.

For my bright and cheery card I have used a backing papers, have taken a frame into Craft Artist so I could add the sentiment "Happy Birthday" and make into an insert for inside the card and cropped some of the sunflowers/daisies and printed out four times and fussy cut.

I have used a piece of white vellum and put it through a Crafter's Companion large dot embossing folder and I have put a piece of gold mirri card to go under the topper into a Crafter's Companion distressed embossing folder for some texture.

I have finished the card off with some lace, Viva Decor dots in bronze and gold to the centres of the sunflowers and Nuvo peal drops to the centre of the daisies.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

World Wide Open Design Team - Anything goes
Creative Fingers - Anything goes
Creative Moments - Anything goes
CD Sunday Plus - Anything goes (digital downloads used for my card)
We Love to Create - Anything goes
Digi Choosday - Anything goes
Simon Says - Anything goes
Penny's Paper - Anything goes
Little Red Wagon - Happy birthday
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes
Classic Design Challenge - Anything goes (congratulations on your 5th birthday)
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes

Wishing you Oceans of Happiness

I wanted to make a crafty friend a special card to say thank you for her Random Act of Kindness (RAK).  My constraints was that my card unfortunately had to stay relatively flat and needed to have no metal on it as I didn't want to cause it any problems on its way to the USA.

For my card I have used this amazing image from The Paper Shelter called "The Mermaid and the Treasure".  

I have coloured my image in with Promarkers.  I have used a little heart stamp around the edge of the image.

The papers I have used are from Sara Davies' Nautical Collection for Crafter's Companion.

I have used various dies t- do the word "ahoy", bubbles, seaweed and shells.

I have finished the card off with some Nuvo pearl drops and some stamped sentiment.

Thankfully the card has made its way to the USA and the recipient liked it.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

I Love Promarkers - Anything goes with the option to add a number
Lemon Shortbread - Anything goes
QKR Stampede - Anything goes
The Paper Shelter - Design Team call
A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes
More Mixed Media - Anything goes with the option of using green
Crafty Hazelnut Patterned Paper March Challenge - Anything goes
Crafty Sentiments - Anything goes
Digi Choosday - Anything goes
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes

Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps - New release

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

This image is called "Blooms in Spring".

In this set you will get a partially coloured image by Ching-Chou Kuik herself and a black-and-white image.

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

Hurry as this offer ends on 27 March 2021.

Happy Easter

Over at the Paper Shelter Challenge Blog the topic this week is "Let it be Spring".  Spring to me means the arrival of new flowers/animals, the change in the weather (fingers crossed x) and also Easter so I have picked this beautiful girl playing with her bunny friend for an Easter card.

For my card I have use a pre-coloured image from The Paper Shelter called "Enchanted Dancing".  In this set you get a black-and-white image and a coloured image.  For my card I have used the coloured image and printed it out twice so that I could decoupage the image.  It was a bit fiddly in some areas to cut out but well worth it to add some more dimension.  I stamped the background of the image with a Stamp Addicts cloud die and a See D's dotty stamp.

The backing papers I have used are from Do Crafts.

I have finished the card off quite simply with some wide lace, sequins, stamped sentiment and some Easter eggs stamped and cut out of scraps from the backing paper used.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

The Paper Shelter - Let it be Spring (Spring to means the arrival of some pretty flowers/animals being born, the change in the weather and Easter so I have picked this gorgeous little girl playing with her bunny friend for an Easter card)
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes
Penny's Paper - Anything goes
The Paper Funday Challenge - Anything goes with the optional twist of Irish Luck (use the colour green)
Inspiration Station - Photo inspiration (I have gone for a cute and cuddly inspiration for the bunny and also for friendship in sending an Easter card)

613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with the option to make a slider card
Creatalicious - Anything goes with the option of St Patrick's Day - use some green
Ally's Angels - Anything goes
A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the optional twist of fantasy - make it magical

It's your birthday - have a ball

This is a card I made for a friend's birthday.  I used a kit from CraftsUPrint called "All Wrapped Up" by Gillian Hutchinson.  Isn't he so very cute?  In this set you get the main topper, decoupage, smaller topper, insert and sentiments.  

For my card I have used the main topper, decoupage, small toppers and insert.

For my layer under the topper I used Tim Holtz's Faded Jeans and Pumice Stone distress inks around the edge to create a border (there was no point doing the whole piece of 7x7 inch card as the topper would be sitting on it).  I then used a few texture stamps and the same inks to create some texture on the card.  I then used Tim Holtz's Chipped Sapphire distress ink second and third generation with a paw stamp around the edge of the card.

I finished the card off quite simply as I wanted the image and decoupage layers to do the talking so I just added a gingham bow.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes
Let's Craft and Create - Anything goes with the option of purple and green 
613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with the option to make a slider card
CD Sunday Plus - Anything goes with a CD, USB or digital download (digital image and sentiment)
Digi Choosday - Anything goes
Creative Fingers - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the optional twist of fantasy - make it magical
Inspiration Station - Photo as inspiration

Polkadoodles - Anything goes
Creative Moments - Anything goes
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything goes

Colour Crazy Challenge Blog - Friday 19 March 2021

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

The weekly topic is always "anything goes".

This week we are lucky to be sponsored by Oddball Art.
For my card I have used the Oddball Art digital stamp called "Monday Mornings Frazzled Fran Needs her Coffee Image No 154". I laughed when I saw one of the sentiments and I had to use this image and sentiment "don't even talk to me til I've had my coffee!" as this is certainly me EVERY morning!!

I have coloured the image in with Promarkers and the backing is done with Pan Pastels.  Around the edge I have used a brown Versafine Clair ink pad with a coffee ring stamp to add a bit more detail to to the background.

I have used various The Works purple paper scraps and a coffee bean paper given to me in a K&Co paper pad some years ago.

I have finished the card off with a LOTV digital sentiment, raffia ribbon and a circle die-cut border.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Unicorn Challenge - Make it Feminine
Crafty Calendar - Feminine
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes
I Love Promarkers - Anything goes with the option to add a number
Simon Says - Use 2 or more patterned papers
Penny's Paper - Anything goes
World Wide Open Design Team - Anything goes
Creative Fingers - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the optional twist of fantasy - make it magical
Polkadoodles - Anything goes

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

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

Our challenge this month is:

"EASTER or FLORAL"

but the Design Team had another challenge of:

"USE PEARLS or GEMS or SEQUINS".

Here is my inspiration post with that theme.   

I decided to use sequins and Nuvo pearl drops on my card to fit in with the theme.

This week for my birthday card I have used the fully coloured image by Ching-Chou Kuik herself called "Butterflies Fly".  In this set you will get the coloured image and a black-and-white image.

I have used papers from The Works.  I have cut out the layers with a Daisy Mae Designs cross-stitch dies.  This is the first time I have used them and they cut beautifully.  Just wish they had put a few more dies in the set even if it meant they cost a little more.  On the outer layer I sewed a half cross-stitch all the way around the edge which took a while.  I think I should have used a slightly darker thread to make the stitching more prominent.

I have finished the card off with a piece of frilly lace/ribbon, vellum die-cut butterflies (I have added Stickles glitter glue to their wings and Nuvo pearl drops to the wings and body), LOTV digital sentiment and some shocking pink sequins.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Crafty Friends - Happy birthday
2 Crafty Critters - Anything goes with critters
Unicorn Challenge - Make it Feminine
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes
CCC Digi Creations - Use lace, ribbon and/or flowers (I have used a piece of ribbon/lace)
The Paper Funday Challenge - Anything goes with the optional twist of Irish Luck (use the colour green)
Crafty Calendar - Feminine
My Time to Craft - Make it feminine
Digi Choosday - Anything goes
The Paper Shelter - Digital image
CRAFT - Feminine
Ally's Angels - Anything goes
Cute Card Thursday - Celebrate
Creatalicious - Anything goes with the option of St Patrick's Day - use some green
A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes
CD Sunday Plus - Anything goes with a CD, USB or digital download (digital image)

Good Luck in your New Job Sam

I wanted to make a "Good Luck in Your New Job" card.  For my card I have used The Paper Shelter image called "Businessman".  I liked the colourway of The Paper Shelter image called "Workout Time!" and I have gone with using the backing paper for that one instead and have gone ahead with colouring using that colourway.  The image has been coloured in with my Promarkers.  I have added Glossy Accents to the glasses.  I have fussy cut out the image - a lot easier this time as the image is quite tall as I wanted to fit everything onto a 8x8 card.

I like doing fussy/lots and lots added to cards but I like doing more simple cards especially with male cards.

I have simply used some grey paper and black glitter paper to compliment the backing paper.

I have done the sentiment off the computer and layered it up with the grey card and black glitter card and added a bulldog clip to the top.  Instead of ribbon I have used some silver stretchy fibres for some interest on the card.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

The Paper Shelter - Digital image
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes
613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with the option to make a slider card
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything goes
Get Creative - Anything goes with the option of St Patrick's Day
Crafty Sentiments - Anything goes
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes
Ally's Angels - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option to use 3 of your favourite colours
Polkadoodles - Anything goes
More Mixed Media - Anything goes with the option of green
Through the Purple Haze - Anything goes with the option of a sketch
Creative Moments - Anything goes
The Corrosive Challenge - Anything goes

Hope Your Birthday is Full of Chills and Thrills

It is my nephew's 16th birthday today.  Not the kind of 16th birthday he would have imagined years ago.  At 16 they are at a difficult age as to what to use as the subject for their cards.  Their uncle picked this image so it was up to me to make into a card.

The image is called "Frankly I'm Shocked" by Gillian Hutchinson over at CraftsUPrint.  I know he is supposed to be scary but I think he's cute in another way. In this kit you get the main topper, little tag, lots and lots of sentiments as well as lots of layers of decoupage.  I printed it out onto glossy photo paper for a change.

As it is a card for a teenager I have just done some simple matting and layering, added an insert and finished the card off with a die-cut "16", die-cut mount, ribbon and some fibres.

I hope my nephew likes it - if not it is Uncle Paul's fault!!

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Cardz 4 Guyz - For a teenager
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes
Crafts Galore Encore - Anything goes
Let's Craft and Create - Anything goes with the option of purple and green 
More Mixed Media - Anything goes with the option of green
Through the Purple Haze - Anything goes with the option of a sketch
Creative Moments - Anything goes
613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with the option to make a slider card
The Corrosive Challenge - Anything goes
Crafty Creations - Anything goes
Get Creative - Anything goes with the option of St Patrick's Day
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option to use 3 of your favourite colours
Polkadoodles - Anything goes

Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps - New release

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

This is a set of Digital Decoupage where you have the whole coloured in image by Ching-Chou Kuik herself.  

This set includes the image "Purple Woods" and "Dreamy Moon".

These images can be used just as toppers but you could take the image further and make into your own decoupage or pyromage or inserts or whatever you want.