Saturday Spotlight Challenge Blog 28/11/09

I was asked to make a card for someone who has a birthday next month and decided to use this Card Creations Art Deco CD image of Vivian and made it bigger to fit an A4 card so quite a number of people can sign it.

It fits the criteria for the Saturday Spotlight Challenge Blog this week as the topic is "hats on!!!" - well I'd certainly like a hat like that in the cold weather!!!

Polka Doodles Challenge Blog 27/11/09

I have seen the Polka Doodles Challenge Blog for a little while but haven't got around to purchasing any items so I could take part in the challenges.  I rectified this today so I thought I'd have a go in my first challenge.  This week's challenge was to use three different papers and a stamped image.  I have used three different papers from the Christmas download.  The stamped image is a Little Claire Designs called Christmas Eve which I was given for my birthday recently.  The image was stamped with Memento and coloured in with Promarkers.  I have done some doodling on my base card, added some ribbons, added a sentiment and finally some fibres.

Paper Cutz Challenge Blog - 27/11/09

This is another blog that I only came across recently, Paper Cutz, but thought I'd have a try with their current challenge of "anything goes".  I decided to do a Christmas card - boring I know - but orders are coming and I have to get on with them.  The backing paper is again from the Artylicious Season's Greetings CD which is gorgeous.  The image is from a Michelle Marsden Triple Treasures Christmas CD and I printed out three images the same and did some decoupage.

Crafty Catz Challenge Blog 27/11/09

I only came across the Crafty Catz Challenge Blog a few weeks ago but enjoyed looking at the wonderful creations.  I decided to have a go with this weeks' challenge which was for a fairy or angel.  The image and papers are from an the Artylicious Season's Greetings CD and adorned with some extra items from my crafting stash.

Charisma Cardz 26/11/09 and Cute Card Thursday 26/11/09

Over at Charisma Cardz Challenge Blog the topic this week is "anything Christmas" and the topic at the Cute Card Thursday Challenge Blog was to make a card for a younger boy.  I decided to combine these two challenges and make a Christmas card for a little boy.  I used some backing papers and stickers that I was given.

A Different Use for My Craft Studio CDs

My husband this year has decided to make Christmas cakes for various members of the family and wanted me to do something on the computer to go on top of them.  I have used the new Parchment Designs 2 CD from My Craft Studio for the main decoration but the large circles have been adorned by holly from the Magic of Christmas CD.  It wasn't too bad when my husband want a full circle or even a half circle but when he asked for a third ie for people on their own that was a little more difficult.  We shall laminate the designs for the top of the cakes before wrapping the cakes up to give away.  I hope these go down well with the family as he made them in April and they have been maturing for many months now and smell .................. yummy!!!

Thank You Card

I have made this card using one of Mo Manning's wonderful digital images.  I've made the image a little larger so that it takes up most of the A5 card.  I have used this weeks' DP2 Challenge criteria for this card - three different papers (one chocolate brown from my stash and the two patterned papers are from a Daisy and Dandelion paper pad), 2 ribbons (a chocolate ribbon and a pastel pink ribbon) and some decorative edging eg a punch, lace etc (well I've chosen some gorgeous lace I was sent this week.  I have coloured the image in with my Promarkers.

This card also fits the Quixotic Challenge this week of tearing.  I'm still not confident using tearing but I do like doing it when I edge with a chalk ink pad to highlight it more.

Joanna Sheen Monthly Card Swap November 2009

This month on Joanna Sheen's Card Swap this month was sketch.  I used some of my Anya Images and coloured them in with promarkers as I've fallen in love with them.  I used my new Debbi Moore Glitz and Glamour CD for the backing paper and also one from Summer Driggs, made faux ribbon with card but couldn't resist a proper piece as well.  I am hoping my card swap partner has got her card now.  I've already received my card swap card from my partner this month - normally it's "watch this space" ie wait for your card but I say "watch this size" - it's amazing that we both chose the same size/shape of card and it's not a usually used size - or not by me that is!!!

This card also meets the criteria for the following challenges:

Anya Ink - Vintage

Anyone for Anya - Make a fake

Lily-Boo Too's Challenge - Purple

Creative Care Crew - Favourite things - ribbon, Promarkers, using CDs, stamping

Card for my Brother-in-Law

No, I haven't made all these cards today - it's just the fact that I've taken photos of them today and then posted on here.

On Sunday I spoke to my brother-in-law.  He asked me if I'd forgotten something recently and I said "no".  He asked about his birthday but I said I'd posted his card a week or so before half-term but it turns out it never arrived.  Needless to say I felt awful but it might be at a bottom of a pile during the strikes so I said I'd make him another one.  It's nice that my cards are longed for enough to be missed!!!

I couldn't remember what card I'd made for him and I don't tend to take photos of all family ones so decided to make him a card one from the Card Kits for Men CD that I have got.  This card will be off to Herefordshire tomorrow and I just hope this one doesn't get lost!!!

In Memory of Layton John Cleaver

A fellow crafter, Jak Heath, lost her great nephew to meningitis recently.  Two images were made, one by Jim Harker and one from Mo Manning.  These are being sold at the cost of £4.00 for the pair to raise funds for Meningitis Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign.  I didn't think twice in purchasing these and helping this worthy cause.  Click here if you want to go and look at the images.  Jak would also like to see cards you have made with these images.

This card fits the criteria for the following challenges:

CRAFT - to use a postbox as inspiration

Allsorts - a Christmas Carol or Song Title - so I've chosen "Frosty the Snowman"
Ildi Co's Creative Challenge - a Christmas Song as inspiration - again I've chosen "Frosty the Snowman"

Christmas Card

This Christmas card fits the criteria for three challenges.  The backing paper is from the free CD with the Create and Craft club recently.  I feel so sorry for that poodle on the sleigh - think he should have bee coloured blue as that's the colour he'll turn being out in the snow!!!

Daisy May Challenge - Red Christmas

Simon Says Stamp - Animal Antics

Colour Create - Green, red and white and optional theme of Christmas.

New Challenge Blog Starting

Sketchy Colors is a new Norwegian Challenge Blog that is starting up (it is all in Norwegian and English so people throughout the whole world can participate in the challenges).  To celebrate they are giving away some gorgeous blog candy.  Click here to have a look at the Challenge Blog.

Have Yourself a Fairy Merry Christmas

I like a very traditional Christmas card but I know we are all different so I try to make a wide variety of cards to sell.  I have used a Cute Daisy May image - one of my favourites I hasten to add - and coloured her in with Promarkers.  I have used two different backing papers from a Crafts Beautiful magazine and I have gone around some of the backing paper with a silver Sakura Stardust pen and used the clear Sakura Stardust pen to give her sparkly wings.  I have decorated with some punched out snowflakes, some fibres wrapped around the backing paper, some purple and some pinky/silver seed beads through onto wire, added some glitter around the edge of one of the backing papers and it is all finished off with some pink fluffy fibres.

This card meets the criteria for the following challenges:

Cute Daisy May - Touchy, touchy

Digital Tuesday - White, purple and silver/gold

Rainbow Lady's Challenge - Beads

Dare U to Digi Stamp - Glitter

One Stop Craft - Snowflakes

Lots to Do - Free theme

Joanna Sheen's Forum Monthly Challenge - To use a magazine 

Passion for Promarkers Challenge 17/11/09 and Alphabet Challenge 19/11/09

I was determined to take part in the Passion for Promarkers Challenge this week with the colour combo of Marsh Green and Burnt Umber as I had bought them in specially a couple of weeks ago from Joanna Sheen's website.  I love being able to see what colours are coming up as I haven't been able to afford everyone but buying in small amounts is possible and I can at least do this well beforehand.  This little Anya I bought recently and she is such a darling.  She did have three yellow bags but I didn't think they looked right so I coloured some burnt umber over the top and liked the colour so much that I coloured her hair the same - don't tell Anya she's got yellow under her burnt umber!!!  I have distressed some backing papers I got recently in a sale, added some velour swirly ribbon, some green grossgrain ribbon, six brads, a sentiment made in My Craft Studio (MCS) and finished off with two sunflowers.  Due to the flowers all over the Paisley backing paper and the sunflowers this card meets the criteria for the Alphabet Challenge this week of F is for Flowers.

Allsorts Challenge 14/11/09 and Sophisticat's Challenge 16/11/09

I have made this card following the sketch on the Sophisticat's Challenge Blog this week.  I was lucky enough to win the challenge there last week.  This card also fits the criteria for the Allsorts Challenge this week of an item for a child.  This card is for a 2-3 year old - I am just awaiting clarification of which age before putting a number on!!!  I have used some backing papers from Allissa's Design Studio and also some Summer Driggs.  The sticky ribbon, other backing card, card candy and fibres were from my stash.

Commisioned Leaving Work Card

I thought the A4 card was it for the leaving card for my son's workplace but he told me last night another colleague wanted a special card making for the lady that is leaving.  I decided to use the Crafter's Companion Flower Fairies CD for this one and chose Zinnia as she's my favourite.  I used my Crafter's Companion Gold Sparkle on the printed backing paper.  Although I did it outside it still made me cough no end.  That's all my commissioned cards finished for now and I feel quite relieved - just got to wait and see if everyone likes it.  My husband is going to pick my son up from work so they'll take the cards so they don't have a battle on his bike's handlebars on his way to work tomorrow evening!!!

Commisioned Leaving Work Card

My son asked me to make a card for a lady leaving his work in a few weeks' time.  This week he said he needed the card by tomorrow - oh my goodness me.  It's an A4 card as it has to be signed by everyone at work.  The back of the card I have done a personalised verse as well.  The last A4 card I did for them I decorated the envelope so this was requested this time as well as it's so much nicer giving a card over like that.  I have used the card Creations Di Kaye Art Deco CD for this card.  I am relieved it's finished and it's taken 1.75 rolls of double-sided tape to make!!!

Commissioned Birthday Card

I was asked to make an extra special birthday card.  I know this card is coming each year but always struggle with it as it always has to be tigers (and it is the lady's daughter who is made about Tigger!!!).  I've used Joanna Sheen's Animal Antics in the past along with Joanna Sheen's Jayne Netley Mayhew CD last year.  Thankfully I take photos of the majority of my cards so could refer back and could see that I didn't use the images on the front of this A4 card from the Jayne Netley Mayhew CD so that's why they have been picked this time.  The backing paper I have used throughout the card is one of the CD as well.  Just hope it goes down well.

Commissioned Birthday Card

A customer wanted a special card for her son's birthday.  He loves any kinds of planes so I have used my Card Kits for Men CD from Crafty Computer Paper for the Spitfires image and decoupaged them up.  The backing paper is a camoflauge from Summer Driggs.  Think any child into planes should love this.

This card fits the criteria for the Allsorts Challenge this week as it has to be a card or anything else for a child.

Cards for a Friend

A friend is having to do a 60-70 mile round trip each day for 19 days for some hospital treatment.  She can't drive to/from this treatment so is relying on friends/family to do this.  I thought I'd make her some cards that she can give to these people when her treatment is over to say a big thank you to them all.  Some are regular cards, some are easel cards and some are  ???? or what I've called Z cards (I was putting the easel cards together and instead of using it like a tent fold as the proper easel I just like them stood on their side which actually looks like a Z.  No doubt these have some "proper" name so if you know please let me know).  They are all from items that already had and aren't too ornate as I'd never have the time to do that many but I've used decoupage, gems, card candy, sentiments from the computer etc and I hope she likes them.