Happy Christmas

Here is another Christmas card I have made using my Holly Owl stamp from Woodware.  I have coloured the image in with Promarkers and added glossy accents to the eyes and Pinflair Pearl Wand for the berries highlighting the centre when dry with my white Posca pen.

The backing papers I have used are from Hobbycraft.

I have finished the card off with some wood embossing on some gold mirri card, stamped poinsettias, Marianne Designs holly sprigs and sentiment from a Bearlymine backing paper (sadly no longer available).

The Promarkers that I have used are:

Owl - Red, Berry Red, Cardinal Red, Walnut, Burnt Sienna, Bright Green, Lush Green, Vanilla, Pastel Yellow and Mustard

Holly - Lush Green and Pine.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Aud Sentiments - Christmas or winter sentiment

Crafts Galore Encore - Anything goes

613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with the option of zentangle art or doodling

A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes

Crafty Friends - Anything goes

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything goes

Tuesday Throwdown - Anything goes

Lemon Shortbread - Anything goes

Stamping Sensations - Anything goes
I Love Promarkers - Anything goes
Crafting by Designs - Anything goes
Creative Inspirations - Festive Fun

Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes
Penny's Paper - Anything goes
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes
The Paper Funday - Anything goes with the option of Christmas holiday
Simon Says - Traditional Christmas (red, green and gold for me is traditional Christmas colours)

Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps December 2019 Facebook Challenge - HAPPY CHRISTMAS/HAPPY BIRTHDAY

 Today is the start of the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Facebook Group Monthly Challenge.

The topic for the Facebook December challenge is 
"HAPPY CHRISTMAS/HAPPY BIRTHDAY".

Here is my inspiration post with this theme.  

Here is a Christmas card I have made using the Ching-Chou Kuik image "Poinsettia Fairy - Greyscale". I have coloured the image in with Promarkers.

The backing papers are from Hobbycraft. I used a piece of red Crafter's Companion Centura Pearl and put it through a poinsettia embossing folder and sanded back a bit to reveal the white core.

I have kept the embellishments to a minimum to help with postage and I have added some gems, LOTV digital sentiment, satin ribbon and a spotty organza ribbon.

The Promarkers that I have used are:

Face/skin - Saffron, Spice and Oatmeal
Hair - Putty, Sandstone and Saffron
Dress/Greenery - Moss, Olive Green and Marsh Green
Poinsettias - Red, Berry Red and Crimson.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

World Wide Open Design Team November Challenge - Anything goes
Passion for Promarkers - 3 or more layers
Digi Choosday - Anything goes
Crafty Creations - Anything goes
I Love Promarkers - Anything goes with the option of circles
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes
Simon Says - Anything goes
Fab n Funky - Christmas
Creative Moments - Anything goes with the option of ribbon and/or bows
QKR Stampede - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option of clean and simple
Polkadoodles - Anything goes
613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with the option of zentangle art or doodling
A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes
We Love to Create - Anything goes
Creative Fingers - Anything goes
A Perfect Time to Craft - Anything goes
Crafty Hazelnut Patterned Paper December Challenge - Anything goes
Crafty Hazelnut Christmas - Anything goes Christmas with the option of things with wings
Aud Sentiments - Christmas or winter sentiment

Colour Crazy Challenge Blog - Friday 29 November 2019

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

The topic this week is "anything goes".

 This week we are lucky to be sponsored by The Paper Shelter.

 For my card I have used The Paper Shelter image called "Christmas Shopping".  When you purchase this image you will get a black-and-white image, a coloured image, a background and a background with the coloured image on it so that is fabulous value.

For my card I have used the black-and-white image and the backing paper.  I have coloured the image in with Promarkers and then fussy cut the image out.

The backing papers are from Summertime Designs and the green grid paper is from my friend Lozzy.

I have finished the card off with sequins on the tree and a LOTV digital sentiment stamp.

The Promarkers that I have used are: 

Face/skin - Saffron, Spice and Oatmeal 
Hair - Buttercup, Vanilla and Pastel Beige

Dress/coat/shoes - Lime Green, Pear Green, Lime Zest, Pastel Yellow and Mustard

Present - Grass, Bright Green, Canary and Sunflower

Holly/berries - Berry Red, Leaf Green and Bright Green.

I am entering this card into the following challenges: 

Creatalicious Challenge - Anything goes with the option of stitching - real or faux

World Wide Open Design Team November Challenge - Anything goes

Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes

Lemon Shortbread - Anything goes

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything goes

Crafty Friends - Christmas

Cardz 4 Galz - Get Ready for Christmas

Creative Moments - Anything goes with the option of ribbon and/or bows

Always Fun - Anything goes

Passion for Promarkers - 3 or more layers

Digi Choosday - Anything goes

Crafty Creations - Anything goes

I Love Promarkers - Anything goes with the option of circles

Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes

Simon Says - Anything goes

Fab n Funky - Christmas

Penny's Paper - Anything goes

QKR Stampede - Anything goes

Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option of clean and simple

Polkadoodles - Anything goes

The Paper Shelter - Blast from the past

Aud Sentiments - Christmas or winter sentiment

Ching-Chou Kuik's Digital Stamps Inspiration Post - Friday 22 November 2019

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

Before I do I'd like to remind you that our challenge this month is "REMEMBRANCE/THANKSGIVING/THINKING OF YOU".

This week the Design Team were challenged with "CHRISTMAS".

Here is my inspiration post with that theme.

For my Christmas card I have used the Ching-Chou Kuik image called "Aurora Woods".  I have coloured the image in with Promarkers and used a white Posca pen for the snow and glitter glue on the fur.

The backing papers were given to me by a friend.

I have finished the card off with some sparkly ribbon, two Hobbycraft die-cut deer coloured with Promarkers and a LOTV digital sentiment.

The Promarkers that I have used are: 

Face/skin - Saffron, Spice and Oatmeal 

Hair/Antlers/Ears - Cinnamon, Caramel and Cocoa

Trees - Henna, Bright Green, Leaf Green and Lime Green

Hat - Pumpkin, Spice and Cocoa

Background - Pastel Blue and Powder Blue.

I am entering this card into the following challenges: 

Ally's Angels - Anything goes

I Love Promarkers - Anything goes with the option of stitching - real or faux

A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes

Creative Crafters - Anything goes

Creative Fingers - Anything goes

Creatalicious Challenge - Anything goes with the option of stitching - real or faux

World Wide Open Design Team November Challenge - Anything goes

Lemon Shortbread - Anything goes

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything goes

Crafty Friends - Christmas

Passion for Promarkers - Sparkle and Shine

Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes

Digi Choosday - Anything goes

Crafty Sentiments - Christmas

The Paper Shelter - A Christmas card

Cardz 4 Galz - Get Ready for Christmas

Cute Card Thursday - Winter

Alphabet Challenge - "R" is for ribbon

Creative Moments - Anything goes with the option of ribbon and/or bows

QKR Stampede - Anything goes

Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option of spot and/or stripes

Polkadoodles - Anything goes

Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps - New release

I have been without the internet since last Saturday so I am here today to show you the arrival of a new image in the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Etsy Store:

This image is called "Poinsettia in December".

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

This set is available at a special introductory price of $2.80 (original price of $4.00).

Hurry as this offer ends on 25 November 2019.

Lots and lots and lots of robins 🎄🎅 for Christmas

I recently bought the Simply Cards and Papercraft magazine when I went on holiday.  With the magazine was an embossing folder, dies and stamps.

 For my selection of Christmas cards I went with the red, gold and green traditional colour scheme for Christmas.  I used various backing papers from my stash and put them through the wreath embossing folder.  I then used a gold Pan pastel to highlight the embossing of the wreath.

 Next came the long saga of die-cutting.  I could not realise how my robin bodies were not the same in the picture until I eventually realised I have to remove a die from the shape of the robin.  Needless to say that this was hard to do with wire cutters and it left sharp edges so I had to be very careful to not catch my fingers on them (well I did it once and paid the price and had to wash, clean and cover my cut with a plaster).  As this part was intended never to be used inside the body of the robin it should have been added to the main fused dies rather than needing to be cut off and not everyone has wire cutters and the metal was far too tough to cut with scissors.

Once the robin pieces were cut I then inked with brown VersaMagic ink pad.  I then added googly eyes.

The poinsettias I stamped and then cut out of red paper.  I did one full layer with just adding some green for the leaves and then cut these bits off on the second layer so I could decoupage the poinsettias.

For the greenery I have cut from various green and gold papers and I have used the die from the magazine along with some from Marianne Designs and Crafter's Companion.  As some of the die-cuts were too big for these 5 inch cards I cut them down to fit.

I then stamped various sentiments onto the cards.

Next came the building up of the images using various greenery dies, the poinsettias and the robins.

The cards have been finished off with some red glitter glue for the berries as well as some gold Pinflair pearl wand and finally some doodling.

These cards, although small, have taken a long time but I hope the recipients will like them.

Here is a photo of all the 10 cards together.

I am entering these cards into the following challenges:

Crafty Sentiments - Anything goes
Digi Choosday - Anything goes
Crafty Creations - Anything goes
Cute Card Thursday - Festive

Dragonfly Dreams - Christmas/winter

Lemon Shortbread - Anything goes

Tuesday Throwdown - Fall/Holiday

QKR Stampede - Anything goes
Crafty Friends - Christmas
Allsorts - Christmas flowers (poinsettias)
Crafty Hazelnut Christmas - Anything goes with the option of glitter
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option of birthday
Polkadoodles - Anything goes

Art Deco Christmas by Debbi Moore

 A few years ago when I subscribed to the Debbi Moore magazine I got a set of Art Deco decoupage as part of the deal.  It was amazing artwork, fantastic quality (as it was not paper but card quality die-cut decoupage) and personally I love Art Deco so I would be happy to receive these cards.  

Unfortunately they have kept this as part of the subscription deal so as I already had these to use up I did not subscribe again.  Personally it would make subscribers of the magazine feel more special if the gift was changed each year and not kept as the same (which it was when someone I know subscribed after me).  It would also be better to either have a more generic freebie ie flowers etc or if it has to be Christmas to be more of a traditional one with a few Art Deco ones thrown in.  

 I have used various backing papers from my stash, from The Works and various CDs like the Here Comes Christmas CD from Polkadoodles.

 I have left the embellishments on the card to be quite simple as this amazing decoupage can do all the talking.  I have used sentiments and elements from the decoupage sheets and used pearls and gems and glitter glue.

I am entering these cards into the following challenges:

Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes

CRAFT - Christmas

A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes

Creative Crafters - Anything goes

Creative Fingers - Anything goes

Creatalicious Challenge - Anything goes with the option of stitching - real or faux

613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with the option to scrap your stash

Crafty Friends - Christmas

Crafty Hazelnut Christmas - Anything goes with the option of glitter

Ching-Chou Kuik's Digital Stamps Inspiration Post - Friday 15 November 2019

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

Before I do I'd like to remind you that our challenge this month is "REMEMBRANCE/THANKSGIVING/THINKING OF YOU".

This week the Design Team were challenged with "PURPLELICIOUS" so lots and lots of purple (easy one for me as I loveeeeeeeeeeeeee purple!!)

Here is my inspiration post with that theme.

Here is a Christmas card I have made using the Ching-Chou Kuik image "Snowflake Dollie".  I have coloured the image in with Promarkers and stamped around the image faintly with snow snowflake stamps.

The backing papers are from Hobbycraft.

I have finished the card off quite simply with some die-cut snowflakes and stars and a stamped sentiment.

The Promarkers that I have used are: 

Face/skin - Saffron, Spice and Oatmeal 

Hair/Dress/Gloves/Wings - Lilac, Lavender, Orchid, Amethyst, Purple and Mulberry.

I am entering this card into the following challenges: 

Creative Sketchy Girls - Christmas

CCC Digi Creations - Christmas

Unicorn Challenge - Christmas/Winter

Daisy Chain - Christmas/Winter

Moving Along with the Times - Snowflakes

Creative Moments - Anything goes with the option of "Baby it's cold outside"

Cardz for Galz - Let it Snow

Crafty Hazelnut Christmas - Anything goes Christmas with the option to use a button or two or more

Ally's Angels - Anything goes

Crafty Sentiments - Anything goes

Digi Choosday - Anything goes

 I Love Promarkers - Anything goes with the option of stitching - real or faux

Crafty Creations - Anything goes

Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes

Fab n Funky - Add some sparkle

The Paper Shelter - Christmas Spirit

CRAFT - Christmas

Cute Card Thursday - Festive

QKR Stampede - Anything goes

Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option of birthday

Polkadoodles - Anything goes

In Remembrance - In support of the Royal British Legion

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie,

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

in Flanders fields.

By John McCrae

Today is Remembrance Sunday where we remember those that have given their lives for others.

I have made my card using a freebie digital download from Debbi Moore's website.  I have used two backing papers, a topper and a ribbon bow.

Early in the year I won some crafty candy from a fellow crafter so I have used the poppy/leaf/stamen/sentiment that I received in my candy.  I have cut the poppy layers out of scraps of the backing paper and edged it all in black ink.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with the option to scrap your stash

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything goes

More Mixed Media - Anything goes with the optional of black

Get Creative Challenge - Anything goes with the option of holidays

Crafting by Designs - Anything goes

The Paper Funday Challenge - Anything goes with the option of thanksgiving

Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes
Make My Monday - Poppies

Simon Says - Thinking of you

Crafty Hazelnut Patterned Papers November Challenge - Anything goes

Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option of Christmas

CD Sunday Plus - Anything goes with a CD, digital download 

or USB

Ally's Angels - Anything goes

Stamping Sensations - November Challenge

Over at the Stamping Sensations Challenge the topic for November 2019 is "Traditional Christmas Colours" eg red, green and gold.

I love to see lots of different colours in Christmas cards but I am very traditional in liking red and green with a touch of gold sometimes so this was a easy challenge topic for me.

The image I have used is a holly owl called "Christmas Owl" by Woodware.  I coloured the image in with Promarkers and added Nuvo drops for the berries.

The backing papers are from my Polkadoodles "Here Comes Christmas CD".

I have finished the card off with some wide satin ribbon, sentiment from a Debbi Moore magazine, Joanna Sheen die-cut poinsettia, Marianne Designs die-cut holly and a card candi.

The Promarkers that I have used are:

Body of owl - Sunflower and Gold
Face/eyes - Poppy Red, Cardinal, Leaf Green and Bright Green
Holly - Bright Green
Stick/claws - Gold and Burnt Sienna.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with the option to scrap your stash
Passion for Promarkers - Christmas is coming
Tuesday Throwdown - Fall/Holiday
2 Crafty Critters - Anything goes
Dragonfly Dreams - Christmas/Winter
Winter Wonderland - Use holly and/or ivy on your card
Daisy Chain - Christmas/winter
Creative Sketchy Girls - Christmas card
Unicorn - Christmas/winter
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes
CCC Digi Creations - Christmas
A Gem of a Challenge - Anything goes
Crafty Hazelnut Christmas - Anything goes Christmas with the option to use a button or two or more

Ching-Chou Kuik's Digital Stamps Inspiration Post - Friday 8 November 2019

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

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

"REMEMBRANCE/THANKSGIVING/THINKING OF YOU".

Here is my inspiration post with that theme.

For my "thinking of you" card I have used the Ching-Chou Kuik image called "Field of Poppies - Grayscale".  I have coloured the image in with Promarkers.

The backing papers are from my stash.  For the "poppy" backing paper I used a Crafter's Companion clear/watermark ink pad and brushed over with some gold mica powder.

I have finished the card off with a stamped sentiment, Sheena Douglass stamped and die-cut poppy with stamens added to the centre, skeleton leaves, red velvet ribbon and pearl dots.

The Promarkers that I have used are: 

Face/skin - Saffron, Spice and Oatmeal 

Hair - Cocoa, Caramel and Burnt Sienna

Dress - Ice Grey 1, Ice Grey 2, Ice Grey 3 and Ice Grey 4

Poppies/Greenery - Red, Berry Red, Crimson, Leaf Green, Bright Green and Moss.

I am entering this card into the following challenges: 

Allsorts - Make your own flowers

I Love Promarkers - Anything goes with the optional theme of three different embellishments (3D stamped flower, skeleton leaves and velvet ribbon)

Make My Monday - Poppies

Crafty Hazelnut Patterned Papers November Challenge - Anything goes

Classic Design Team Open Challenge - Anything goes

Digi Choosday - Anything goes

Lemon Shortbread - Anything goes

Crafty Sentiments - Anything goes

The Paper Funday Challenge - Anything goes with the option of thanksgiving

Simon Says - Thinking of you

Cute Card Thursday - Anything goes

QKR Stampede - Anything goes

Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option of Christmas

Polkadoodles - Anything goes

Go Fetch

Here is a bookmark I have made using an image from my Joanna Sheen Jayne Netley Mayhew Digital Stamps CD.

I have used the image of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier in a square frame and printed off the image three times; once for the front of the bookmark, once for the back of the bookmark and once to cut up to decoupage on the front image.

I have used a Marianne Designs die to cut the shape of the bookmark, cutting card for the middle and a front and back layer of some paper from The Works.  I then used a tiny flower shape die to cut the hole out to push the tassel out.  Finally I put the bookmark through a Crafter's Companion dotty embossing folder for some texture.

I have finished the bookmark off quite simply as it cannot stick out too much in a book so I have added a tassel, some stamped paws, paw print dog label and a bone saying "go fetch!".

I am entering this bookmark into the following challenges: 

2 Crafty Critters - Anything goes

Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes

The Paper Funday Challenge - Anything goes with the option of thanksgiving

Cute Card Thursday - Anything goes

Crafty Friends - Anything goes

Creative Fingers - Anything goes

Crafting by Designs - Anything goes

Creative Moments - Anything goes with the option of "Baby it's cold outside"

Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option of Christmas

Happy Birthday Brother

Here is a card that I made for my brother-in-law's birthday using the Pink Ink Designs image "Old Salt".

I have used the main image, a sailor, and used some of the extra stamps from the set and some seaside themed stamps from Crafter's Companion.  I have stamped some of the fish onto scraps of backing papers and cut out.

I have coloured the image in with my Promarkers.

As the card needed to be posted I finished the card off with a stamped sentiment and a decorated inside.

The Promarkers that I have used are:

Face/skin - Saffron, Spice and Oatmeal
Hair/beard - Ice Grey 1, Ice Grey 2 and Ice Grey 3

Jacket/hat - Ice Grey 1, Ice Grey 2, Cobalt Blue, China Blue and Midnight Blue

Pipe - Leaf Green and Bright Green

Fish - Amber and Spice

Anchor - Pastel Beige.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with the option to scrap your stash

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything goes

The Corrosive Challenge - Anything goes

More Mixed Media - Anything goes with the optional of black

Digi Choosday - Anything goes

Get Creative Challenge - Anything goes with the option of holidays

Lemon Shortbread - Anything goes

Crafty Sentiments - Anything goes

Crafting by Designs - Anything goes

Creative Moments - Anything goes with the option of "Baby it's cold outside"

Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps - New release

 Today sees the arrival of a set of new images in the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Etsy Store: 

 This set is called "Iris and Dandelion Set".

In this set you will get TWO greyscale images called "Iris" and "Dandelions Fly".

 This set is available in the Etsy Store at a special introductory price of $4.00 (instead of the usual $6).

Hurry as this offer ends on 15 November 2019.

New Baby Grand-daughter

Here is a card I have made for the arrival of a baby grand-daughter for someone I know (please note - the card does not actually look like this - I have just erased the details of the baby's name/date of arrival/weight etc for privacy reasons).

The topper I have used is from a Special Occasions Hunkydory Little Book (I cannot see the actual Little Book I used on their website but there are plenty to choose from here).  I have used two of the toppers so that I could decoupage the image.

The backing papers I have used are from The Works.

I have finished the card off with some hearts cut from the backing paper, button, ribbon and fluffy fibres.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Crafty Calendar - Cute and girly
Crafty Friends - Anything goes
Creative Fingers - Anything goes
Love to Scrap - Anything goes

Love to Craft - Anything goes

Creatalicious - Anything goes with the option for a man

Brown Sugar - Anything goes

Crafty Creations - Anything goes

Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes

613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with the option to scrap your stash
The Corrosive Challenge - Anything goes
More Mixed Media - Anything goes with the optional of black
Get Creative Challenge - Anything goes with the option of holidays
Let's Craft and Create - Anything goes with the option of "thank you"