Commissioned Christmas Card

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

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

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

 

 

 

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

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

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

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

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

The Crafty Purple Frog Challenge - 24 November 2011

Another fortnight has whizzed around and we had some lovely entries for the last challenge.  This fortnight we are challenged to make something "for someone special".

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, I apologise for photos overload but I had to show everything as I have made an extra special card and matching bookmark and notepad.  The image, backing papers, bookmark and notepaper are on a soon to be released Crafty Purple Frog CD called "Flight of Fancy".

The card I have used is an 8x8 as I wanted to make a statement.  I have used the decoupage image and 3d the image with Pinflair glue gel.  The backing papers I took into Word and re-sized.  The notepaper I shrunk down to make a little handbag sized notepad.  The bookmark I have stuck to card and then added a beloved tassel.  The card has been finished off with some My Craft Studio Click-Print-Go flowers, Papermania Glitterations, tassel, ribbon sparkle srystal embellishment and Craftwork Cards sentiment.

I am entering this project into the following challenges:

One Stop Craft - Blue

Cupcake Inspiration - Photo inspiration

One Stitch at a Time - Anything goes

Pile it On - Anything with a "p" - I've used pink, peacock, present and Papermania Glitterations

Crafting When We Can - Female birthday

Lollipop Crafts - Anything goes

Creative Craft - Free for all

Pixie Cottage - Sketch and/or matching set

Papercraft Star - Anything goes

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

It's time for another challenge at Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog.  As I mentioned last week we have now been split into two teams.  Team A will post their cards/creations on the first Thursday of the challenge and Team B will post their cards/creations on the second Thursday of the challenge as we are a fortnightly challenge.  

This fortnight the challenge is "anything holiday" and we have been sponsored by Polkadoodles.

I am in Team B so there is NO card for me to share with you today but please pop over to the Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog to see the cards/creations for Team A and I will be back next week with mine.

Crafty Ann's Challenge #54 - Sketch and/or monochrome

Another busy day as it's time for another challenge at Crafty Ann's Challenge Blog.  This time Ann has challenge us to "sketch and/or monochrome":

Well for my card I had planned to go for the sketch and the monochrome but a plain red backing paper didn't do the lovely image proud so off I went and used one of Crafty Ann's tartan papers.  The image is "cracker teddy" and I have coloured him with Promarkers and added Flowersoft Polar White to the edge of his hat and his pom-pom.  I have used various craps of card for mounting and I have cut a scrap of red striped card into squares, rounded the edges and went around the edge with a red Promarker.  The card is finished off with some peel-offs, Crafty Ann's poinsettias finished off with Papermania Glitterations to the centre.  I have kept the embellishments low in height and to a minimum as it can be a costly time at Christmas when posting cards.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

2 Sisters - Anything goes

Totally Gorjuss - Christmas traditions - crackers

I Did it Creations - Christmas/winter

Pile it On - Traditional Christmas

Forever Friends - Christmas is coming

Digital Tuesday - Christmas time

Digi Doodle Shop - Red and green
Winter Wonderland Challenge - Awwwwwwwwwww cutie
Paper Sundaes - Use a digi

Sweet Pea Stampers Challenge - 18 November 2011

I am hoping that this post goes on my blog.  I've had problems with not being able to get on the internet for a day and even now it's so slow to load the pages.  My son thinks the wireless router and Virgin modem aren't talking to each other properly - well they better as being able to get on the computer is my lifeline.

Well it's time for another challenge at the Sweet Pea Stampers Challenge Blog.  This time the topic is "sticker shock".

For my card I have used my Sweet Pea Stamp by Elaine Cox called Katie.  I have coloured her with Promarkers, highlighted areas with my Sakura Stardust clear pen, torn around the edges and inked with a green chalk ink pad.  The backing papers I was given so I am unsure of the make.  Some of my DCWV card I have embossed for the image to lie on.  The stickers I have used I got in some blog candy.  They are a fabulous quality and are from the company  Studio 112 and I have used two swirly frames and two corners.  The card is finished off with some ribbon, roses, large flower, skeleton leaves and some green pearl gems added to the ribbon.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Mark's Finest Papers - Favourite technique - for me I do so love my stamping and colouring

2 Sisters - Anything goes

The Pink Elephant - Embossing

Craft Your Days Away - Embellishment BINGO board - pearls, flowers and ribbon for me

Crafty Emma - Rose and ribbon

Crazy Boots - Fantasy

Try it on Tuesday - Anything goes
Whimsy Stamps - Flower power
Papercrafting Journey - Embossing
Fairy Tale Challenge - Photo inspiration
Let's Ink it Up - Favourite technique - stamping and colouring (closely followed by distressing and embossing which I just had to use on this card as well!!!)

Aud Sentiments Design Team Card - Thursday 10 November 2011 and Thursday 17 November 2011

There have been some changes recently at the Aud Sentiments Design Team Blog.  We have been split into two groups, Team A and Team B.  Team A will post their cards on the first week of the challenge and Team B will post their card on the second week of their challenge.  I am on Team B and was due to post my card today but I posted it last week so I am re-posting now.  Click here and have a look at my fellow Team B cards/projects.

The challenge still has a week to run and the topic is "thanksgiving/thank you".  It would be lovely if you could join in.

In a Sweet Pea Dream Challenge - November 2011

Over at the In a Sweet Pea Dream Challenge Blog this month the topic is "create a thankful project using fall colours".  Well for me autumn/fall provides us with a wonderful array of colours including brown, green, blue, orange, reds and yellow.

For my card I have used the Sweet Pea Stamp by Ching Chou-Kuik called "Midnight Waiting".  I have coloured her with Promarkers, added a touch of Sakura Stardust clear pen, chalked the background, really distressed around the edge of the image with my Tim Holtz distressing tool and then used a green chalk ink pad around the edge.  The backing papers are from the Prima Botanicals Collection which are of wonderful quality - too nice to use really but it has to be done.  I have kept the card simple with just some simple matting and layering, two ribbons, crochet flower, Craftwork Cards sentiment and two Papermania Glitterations (I love these but can only find these for sale where I am charged £1.00-£1.50 postage per sheet and when they only cost a £1.00 that's too much.  I spied some at the NEC at bought them but now wished I'd bought some more).  I have tried to keep this card very simple - which is certainly a challenge for me and many other crafters!!!

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Fussy and Fancy Friday - Be thankful and sentiment

2 Sisters - Anything goes

My Sheri Crafts - Be thankful
Sentimental Sundays - Thanksgiving/thank you

Corrosive Challenge - Give thanks

Stampin' Sisters in Christ - Card that depicts gratitude

Simon Says Stamp and Show - Some women only
Crazy Boots - Fantasy

Try it on Tuesday - Anything goes

Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT - fairies

Party Time Tuesday - Sketch and/or thanks

My Time to Craft - Take two of something (Two ribbons, two different backing papers and two Papermania Glitterations)

Creative Card Crew - Thankful

Simon Says Stamp - Thanks or thanksgiving

Flutter by Wednesday - Open theme

Crafting for all Seasons - Thanksgiving, thank you or a sketch

The Paper Variety - Thanks, thank you or thankful

Fresh Brewed Designs - I am thankful

A Papercraft Star - A special thank you

Penny's Paper Challenge - Give thanks

Sisterhood of Crafters - Give thanks

Ruby's Rainbow - Something with wings

In a Sweet Pea Dream - Thankful and autumn colours

Crafts and Me - Simples
Shellys' Images - Anything goes
Little Miss Muffet - Simplicity and option of charm