Bearly Mine Designs Jubilee Week-end Sale

Great news for everyone.  Donna over at Bearly Mine Designs is holding a Jubilee Week-end Sale.  Details of the sale are below:

Isn't that a wonderful offer????????  

Tomorrow sees the start of Donna's Weekly Candy for her followers only.  Make sure you visit her blog to go and have a look.

Commissioned Birthday Card

I was asked to make an extra special card for someone who loves purple and burgundy.  Yikes - I don't think I've put these colours together but I think they go quite well.

Over at the Polkadoodles Challenge Blog they are celebrating their 3rd birthday - congratulations!!!  The challenge this week is "add doodling as a border or element" and as it is their 3rd birthday it has to be a birthday card or project for them.  For my card I have used three different backing papers and an image from the Pretty Sweet Polkadoodles CD.  I have used my new Marianne's Designs corner die.  After cutting out I kept the die in place and coloured with chalk and then sprayed with Crafter's Companion Irridescent Glitter.  I have finished the card off with lace, pearls, doodling, hat pins, flowers, buttons and Craftwork Cards sentiment.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Polkadoodles - Add some doodling and a birthday card

Totally Gorjuss - Something new (new die, hat pins and buttons)

Party Time Tuesday - Anything goes

Scrapbook Sisters - Anything goes

Simon Says - Anything goes

Hotshot Crafts - Die-cuts

Hooked on Crafts - All that glitters

Die Cuttin' Divas - Anything goes

Today sees Team B showing you their wonderful creations for the Aud Sentiments Challenge.  The challenge is "a card or project with any sentiment".  Make sure you go and have a look at their creations.  If you want to enter your card into the challenge you need to go here.

This is my card that I made last week as I am in Team A.

House Mouse and Friends Challenge - 21 May 2012

Over at the House Mouse and Friends Challenge the topic is "polka dots and all round fun".  For my card I have used a House Mouse image called "daffodil" which is from Joanna Sheen's shop.  I have coloured my image with Promarkers, cut the image out and distressed the edges with a chalk ink pad.

        

My yellow backing paper is from the Floral Dream Digi Kit from Bearly Mine Designs and the polka dot green and yellow circles are from the Mini Dots Digi Kit from Bearly Mine Designs.  I cut the circles out with my Cricut Expression and layered it up with plain green and plain pink circles as well - definitely a circle overload!!!  The card has been finished off with some My Craft Studio Click-Print-Go flowers cut out, inked and gems added to the centre, two yellow hat pins, Craftwork Cards sentiment, die-cut butterfly cut from pink mirri card and pearls added to the body of the butterfly.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Totally Papercrafts - Animals

Stempeltraume - Anything goes

Sentimental Sundays - Pocket full of posies

House Mouse and Friends - Polka dots and all round fun

Creative Card Crew - Dimension

Crafty Creations Challenge - Circles

Scrapbook Sisters - Anything goes

Fab n Funky - Celebration

Crafting for all Seasons - Many layers

Simon Says Stamp - Anything goes

Commissioned Birthday Card

I was asked to make a very bright and cheery card for a lady to give to a family member who loves to read her kindle.  I thought this image from D'Arcy's Diaries was perfect as it is called "e-books rock" (DarcysDiaries_044).  I have used a bunting shape that I got from Joanna Sheen's shop recently.  I stamped the pennant with a Versmark ink pad and a Creative Expressions stamp which I doubt I have ever used - terrible eh??  My excuse was that there were lots in the set!!!  I then rubbed over with my Pan Pastels - oh I do love this so much as they are such a dream to use.  The backing paper is from my scraps box.  The D'arcy's Diairies image I have coloured with my Promarkers and then cut out with a die and inked the edges.  The card has been finished off with some My Craft Studio Click-Print-Go flowers (some have brads for the centre and some have buttons), gingham ribbon (I've had this short scrap leftover for about a year but hadn't used it as it was too short for a bow), ribbon bow, pearls and a Craftwork Cards sentiment.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Crafter's Companion - Here comes summer (I decided to think of colours associated with summer ie orange, red and yellow)

Alphabet Challenge - handmade flowers

Paper Pretties Wednesday - Bold bright colours

Crafts and Me - Fabulous flowers

I Love Promarkers - Die-cuts

Delightful Sketches - Flowers, flowers, everywhere

D'Arcy's Diairies - Pennants/bunting

Digi Doodle Shop - Let's get spotty

Fun with Shapes and More - Pennant 

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Totally Gorjuss - Something new (digital image and also my new pearls)

Stamp Dreams - Anything goes

Cupcake Inspiration - Photo inspiration

Sentimental Sundays - Pocket full of posies

Robyn's Fetish - Birthday cards with the sentiment on the front

Love to Create - Add a sentiment

Crafty Boots - Anything goes and optional extra of using a bow

My Craft Spot - Buttons and bows

Kaboodle Doodle - Anything goes

Oldie but a Goodie - Anything goes (using an old and unloved scroll stamp)

LEJ Designs - Ribbons galore

Celebrate the Occasion - Anything goes

Party Time Tuesday - Anything goes

Crazy Amigo - Orange

Crafty Sentiments - Anything goes

Shopping Our Stash - May flowers
Fashionista Challenge - Simply Summer (I decided to think of colours associated with summer ie orange, red and yellow)
Creatalicious Challenge - BINGO board (I chose flowers, anything but a square and buttons)
The Naughty Step - Free and easy
Just keep on Creating - Anything goes
Deep Ocean - Swirls
Creative Card Crew - Dimension
Totally Stampalicious - Summertime and the livin' is easy (I decided to think of colours associated with summer ie orange, red and yellow)

Wild orchid Challenge - 28 May 2012

Over at the Wild Orchid Challenge the topic is BINGO board.  I have used a Joanna Sheen Times Gone By image to make my New Home card.  I have used the two smaller images for the front of the card and decoupaged it up one layer.  The backing paper is from the CD as well.  As it is for a lady I have finished the card off with some lace, buttons, sentiment off the computer, ribbon bow and various flowers including cherry blossoms (Wild Orchid Crafts) and roses.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Wild Orchid Challenge - BINGO board (I have chosen the middle horizontal row of ribbon and lace, flowers and pink)

Fab n Funky - New beginnings - new home for my card

Bearly Mine Challenge - 29 May 2012 - Animal Kingdom

Well we had an amazing amount of entries for the Bearly Mine Challenge last week.  Click here to see details of the winner.

Today sees the launch of a new challenge and it is Team A's turn to show you their wonderful creations.  The challenge is "animal kingdom".  

The sponsor for this challenge is the wonderful Donna of Bearly Mine Designs and she is offering 2 digi sets for the winner.

Flashback Friday Challenge 24.0

Over at the Flashback Friday Challenge this month we are challenged to show our first masculine card.  It's quite scary looking back at my blog so far back to 2007 as my posts were rather short and don't get me started on my lack of photographic skills!!!  It is nice to see how people have progressed over the years with their crafting though - including me.

Here is my card that I posted on my blog on 29 August 2007.  It was one of a selection of cards I made for my brother-in-law's wedding.

If you feel up to a challenge in showing your first masculine card make sure you pop over to the Flashback Friday Challenge and take part this month.

Crafty Ann's Challenge #66 - Butterflies and Flowers

Today is launch day for another challenge over at Crafty Ann's Challenge Blog.  This time the challenge is "butterflies and flowers" and we want to see both on your project please but it can be just one of each as long as they are the main focal points and not tiny little embellishments.

For my card I have used Crafty Ann's digital image called "blossoming hibiscus".  The words inside the image say "every flower is a soul blossoming in nature".  I have used two of Crafty Ann's abstract backing papers in the yellow and orange and then used a green polished stone.  As the image is round I decided to keep some of the layers round including adding a doily which I inked the edges of.  The card has been finished off with some punched leaves, satin ribbon, gingham ribbon bows and some Marianne Designs Creatables butterflies cut from copper mirri card.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Sweet Stamps - Anything goes

Robyn's Fetish - Anything goes

One Stitch at a Time - Anything goes

Marianne Designs Divas - Spread your wings
Paper Pretties Wednesday - Bold bright colours
Card Making Mams - let's get punchy

Aud Sentiments Design Team Card - Thursday 24 May 2012

Today is a sad but happy day for the Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog.  Sad in that we have lost a number of members of our Design Team:  Yvonne, Maria, Tammy, Gemma, Michelle, Audrey, Wilma and Penny.  You have all been a pleasure to work with.  Today though sees the arrival of some new members for the Design Team and I shall enjoy working with them all:

Mel

Rachelle

Debbie

Pauline

Doreen N

TC

Doreen O

Sandra

Helen.

These new members join the existing Design Team:

Ali

Ruthie

Julie

Dee

Kym - me

Carol

Lisa

Krista

Onto business, the Aud Sentiments challenge this fortnight is "any sentiment".  This fortnight we are being sponsored by DTS Art.

I have used the DTS Art image called "Fairy Pari Berry Fruit Fairy".  Isn't she just gorgeous???  I have coloured her in with Promarkers and highlighted areas with a white gel pen and some Stickles glitter glue.  The backing papers used are a freebie from Bearly Mine Design back in 2010 and the Bearly Mine Mini Dots.  The other card/mounts are from my stash.  I have used my new Marianne Designs Creatables die called "fence" and in the set is the fence, bird house and little bird.  I have used Tim Holtz's Antique Linen Distress Ink and my Inkylicious brushes to distress the fence, bird house and bird.  In front of the fence I have cut out a lot of Bearly Mine spotted flowers and inked all the edges and added pearls and peel off to the centres.  The card has been finished off with a Craftwork Cards sentiment and a large flower embellishment.

Please make sure that you pop over to the Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog to check out all the gorgeous creations.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Fairy Tale Challenge - Things with wings
Sentimental Sunday - Whimsical

Crafts 4 Eternity - Wonderful wings

Secret Crafter - In the garden

Sweet Stamping - Fairies/angels

Crazy 4 Challenge - Birthdays

Stamptacular Sunday - In the garden

One Stitch at a Time - Anything goes

Marianne Designs Dives - Spread your wings
Paper Pretties Wednesday - Bold bright colours
Penny's Paper Challenge - Anything goes
Ruby's Rainbow - Things with wings
Crafts and Me - Fabulous flowers
I Love Promarkers - Die-cuts
Southern Girls - Dying to die-cut (or punch)
Delightful Sketches - Flowers, flowers and more flowers
Rainbow Lady's - Pink and Turquoise - Cynthia congratulations on getting your hubby back in the UK.  Hope the move goes smoothly and I'll look forward to the challenges starting again in September.  have a good summer!!!
DYSU - A little birdie told me
Milk Coffee Challenge - Use those die-cuts
Simply Create Too - Mother's day (or feminine)

Debbi Moore My Fair Lady

I recently took part in a challenge where you had to use your favourite colour.  Well I had to use purple/lilac as they are my favourite colours.  I now know the card has been received so I can post it on my blog.  I used a patterned pearlescent purple/gold card that I got from the Colemans Craft Warehouse in Rushden.  The gorgeous image is from Debbi Moore's My Fair Lady CD.  The frame already had a glitter effect but I went around with my Sakura Stardust clear pen for extra sparkle.  The flowers are from the CD.  I've finished the card off with some lace, purple pearls, personalised insert and sentiment from off the CD.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Bunny Zoe's - Anything goes

Alphabet Challenge - H for handmade flowers

Crafty Catz - Girlie time

CD Sunday - Easy elegance

Party Time Tuesday - Vintage or shabby chic

Scrap-Creations - BINGO board (lace, pearls and glitter (Sakura stardust used around the edges of the frame))

Penny's Paper Challenge - Anything goes

Creative Inspirations - Anything goes

Saturated Canary Challenge No 17 - May flowers

Over at the Saturated Canary Challenge the topic is "May flowers".  For my card I have used the Saturated Canary image called "Mad".  The backing paper and insert are from the Country Collection from Bearly Mine Designs.  Instead of a white or cream card I decided to go with kraft.  I have coloured the image with my Promarkers and highlighted areas with a white gel pen and die-cut the image.  The card has been finished off with a Marianne Designs Creatables Decorative Elegance Scroll which I have covered with Stickles glitter glue for some sparkle.  I have finished the card off with some pearls, flowers, ribbon bow and a Craftwork Cards sentiment.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Saturated Canary Challenge - May flowers

Crazy 4 Challenge - Birthdays

Passion for Promarkers - Birthdays
Scrap Creations - BINGO board - digi image, die-cuts/punches and flowers
The Crafty Pad - BINGO board - ribbon, flowers and gems/bling
Joanna Sheen Challenge - Happy birthday
Penny's paper Challenge - Anything goes
Papercraft Star - A birthday card or tag
The Paper Shelter - Bring on the bling
Crafts and Me - Fabulous flowers
Truly Scrumptious - Pretty in pink
I Love Promarkers - Die-cuts

Bearly Mine Challenge - 22 May 2012 - Anything Goes

Well it's time for my second card to post as part of the Bearly Mine Design Team.  This week the challenge is "anything goes".  

The challenge this week is sponsored by "I am Roses" and the prize is a $35 voucher - whoopee!!!

For my card I have used a Kenny K image called "All That" and I have coloured my image with my Promarkers and added a few touches with a white pen.  I have used a Bearly Mine Designs Mini Dots backing paper and also one of the new papers from the Tropical Dreams digi kit.  I have finished the card off with some lace, pearls, cherry blossom flowers, decorative pin, gems, ribbon bow and Craftwork Cards sentiment.

    

It would be lovely if you could pop on over to the Bearly Mine Designs Challenge Blog to look at the wonderful creations from the Design Team.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Whimsy Stamps - Anything goes

Paper Shelter - Birthdays and sentiment

Crafts and Me - Pearls and lace

I Love Promarkers - Anything goes

Fresh Brewed Challenge - Photo inspiration

Inky Impressions - Use lace or trim

Moving Along With the Times - Keep it real

Pattie's Creations - Use 3 or more from chosen list (I chose flowers, gems/pearls, ribbon and sentiment)

Crazy 4 Challenge - Birthdays

Cupcake Inspiration - Photo inspiration

Robyn's Fetish - Anything goes

One Stitch at a Time - Anything goes
Creative Card Crew - Add dimension
Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT - Something with wings
Passion for Promarkers - Birthdays

Donna's Weekly Blog Candy

Donna of Bearly Mine Designs is offering some fantastic candy EVERY FRIDAY.  To take part in the weekly candy you need to:

1. Become a follower of Donna's blog (NO Candy Blogs will be allowed)
2. Grab the "Donna's Weekly Candy" banner from her blog sidebar to your own blog to spread the word, linking back to Donna's Blog
3. Then come back to Donna's Blog on 1 June 2012 for the start of her weekly candy.

Crafty Ribbons Best of British Event

Over at the Crafty Ribbons Blog they are having a Best of British event over the next 16 days.  Make sure you go and have a look at their blog to find out what it is all about.

Thank You Card

I needed to make a thank you card and decided that Debbi Moore's Cards for Men CD would come to the rescue.  I love the old style car on this one so as I'd used the blue car before this time I went for the red one.  I printed off a backing paper, decoupage sheet and a design sheet which I used to decorate the inside and back of the card as I was using an 8x8 card blank.  The decoupage I made up with foam pads so it is quite raised but it's being hand delivered so I need not worry about the postage costs as it would certainly not fit through that tiny slot at the Post Office!!!  I have done lots of matting and layering for some dimension and finished off the card with a Craftwork Cards sentiment, organza ribbon, card candi and some black Papermania Glitterations.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Bunny Zoe's Monthly - Anything goes

LEJ Designs - Lots of layers

Robyn's Fetish - Anything goes

Commissioned Graduation Card

I was asked to make a graduation card for a customer.  I didn't have a suitable image so off I went to Crafts U Print and found the perfect image that I bought and used.  

The script backing paper was from Joanna Sheen's Furry Friends CD and the ivory paper was a polished stone backing paper from Crafty Ann's Digi Store.  I did some simple matting and layering, tearing of one layer on the front of the card, inside the card and on the envelope.  

The card has been finished off with some red ribbon, black ribbon, card candi, peel-off stars and a sentiment/verse/envelope sentiment created on the computer.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Crafty Emma - Anything goes

Truly Scrumptious - Anything goes

Paper Pretties Wednesday - Graduation card
Delightful Sketches - Add ribbon
Paperplay - Destruction

4 Crafty Chicks - Graduation

Shelly's Images - Anything goes
Designs by Lisa Somerville - Graduation
Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Aud Sentiments Design Team Card - 10 May 2012 - 22 May 2012

Today sees Team B's wonderful creations for the challenge currently underway at the Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog.  The challenge topic for this fortnight is fathers and you MUST use some form of the word dad in your sentiment such as dad, daddy, father, papa etc.  

This fortnight we are lucky to be sponsored by Helen aka Ellephantastic.  Here is a little bit of information about Ellephantastic:

Ellephantastic is very honoured to sponsor this challenge. Hi I am Helen. I suffer with CFS/ME & found a few years ago I could no longer work due to my illness. To give myself something to do (when feeling well) I decided to go back to my roots....crafting!!  I grew up drawing, knitting & 'Cutting & Sticking'. Now I like to do all kinds of paper crafting, card making, altered art, knitting & sewing. I also design & draw my own digital art. My fun hobby has unintentionally grown into a li'l crafty business for me which I am loving. There is nothing I like better than to put a smile on someone's face because of my crafting. You can order & buy a lot of my work from my shop. You can also now buy some crafting products.

This was my card that I made for the challenge and I posted last week:

Please make sure that pop on over to the Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog to check out the creations from Design Team B.  You still have until Tuesday to enter the challenge.

Commissioned Get Well Card

The same customer asked for a very similar card to use for another of their friends that doesn't like over-the-top card but loves to see flowers on cards.  Again I have used a backing paper from one of the new releases from Bearly Mine Designs called "Floral Breeze" and I have used a tiny piece of a Bearly Mine Mini Dots paper as well - it's handy to have scraps for just this purpose.  The image is from a Debbi Moore Designs Magazine which I just simply mounted.  Under the image I stamped a LOTV postcard stamp and used my Inkylicious brushes to add Tim Holtz's Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink and then I tore around the image this time and inked the edges.  The embellishments I used are a sentiment off the computer, ivory cherry blossom flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts and some gems.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes
Crazy 4 Challenge - Photo inspiration
Platypus Creek - Flowers
My Time to Craft - Happy healing
Whimsy Stamps - Anything goes
My Mum's Craft Shop - Feeling blue/get well soon
Crafty Emma - Anything goes

Sweet Stampin' - Flower power

2 Sisters - Make it girly

Truly Scrumptious - Anything goes

Simon Says Stamp - Anything goes

Commissioned Birthday Card

I was asked to make a very simple card for a customer as the recipient doesn't over-the-top cards.  I used a backing paper from one of the new releases from Bearly Mine Designs called "Floral Breeze".  The image is from a Debbi Moore Designs Magazine which I just simply mounted.  Under the image I stamped a LOTV postcard stamp and used my Inkylicious brushes to add Tim Holtz's Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink and then I cut around the image, inking the edges again of course.  The embellishments I used are a Craftwork Cards sentiment, large gardenia flower from Wild Orchid Crafts and some gems.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

CRAFT - Celebration

Crafts 4 Eternity - Photo inspiration

Crafty Emma - Anything goes

Sweet Stampin' - Flower power

2 Sisters - Make it girly

Truly Scrumptious - Anything goes

Cupcake Inspiration - Photo inspiration

Simon Says Stamp - Anything goes

Oozak - Spring colours

Sweet Stamps - My favourite colour - purple/lilac

Commissioned Goodbye and Good Luck Card

I was asked to make a "goodbye and good luck" card for a gentleman who was leaving his job.  I'm not sure why but this character from Joanna Sheen's furry friends CD came to mind.  I kept the colour scheme to red, white and blue and made a stepper card.  The main image I put on the back, then I print out some more so I could decoupage and put on the front so when the card is stood up there are two dogs but when it's flat there is one!!  The card is finished off with some card candi and sentiment off the computer.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Southern Girls - About the boys

Pixie Dust - For the boys

Totally Papercrafts - No pesky girls allowed

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Craft Your days Away - All creatures great and small

Crafty Emma - Anything goes

Little Claire's - Male themed

Crazy 4 Challenge - Photo inspiration

Truly Scrumptious - Anything goes

The Naughty Step - Free and easy

Crafty Boots - Good luck

Desmet Designs - Red, white and blue
Rainbow Lady's - "Age" as in decoupage
Allsorts - Card for a man or boy
Lollipop Crafts - Just for him
LEJ Designs - Lots of layers

Wedding Card

My aunt recently got married so I wanted to make a special card for her.  As she is a far from serious person I wanted a humorous card so what was better than this House Mouse decoupage image from the Joanna Sheen House Mouse decoupage set called "Just the Two of us"?

 The card is an 8x8 scalloped card and I made a box for it to go in and decorated that as well.

For the front of the card I finished it off with some lace, pins, punched hearts, flowers and a personalised sentiment as I used a backing paper from the Joanna Sheen House Mouse CD and it came with a sentiment banner which I typed into.

The inside of the card has been finished off with a personalised verse.

All I will say is that she LOVEDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD her card so I made a perfect choice with the House Mouse!!!

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Sisterhood of Crafters - May flowers

Crafts and Me - Punches and die-cuts
Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Card Making Mams - Flowers
Craft Your Days Away - All creatures great and small

Crafty Emma - Anything goes

Truly Scrumptious - Anything goes

The Naughty Step - Free and easy

Cupcake Inspiration - Photo inspiration

Platypus Creek - Flowers

House Mouse and Friends - Humour

Bunny Zoe's - Anything goes

Fashionista Challenge - Wedding, anniversary or wedding shower

Bearly Mine Designs - Challenge #35 - Dies

Well we had a gorgeous array of entries for the Bearly Mine Challenges last week - the first for me as a member of the new Design Team.  

This week Team A take the reins and the challenge is "dies".  This week we are being sponsored by Cheery Lynn Designs.  The prize on offer is this wonderful die called "Waltzing Matilda Die" - isn't it lovely?????

As I am in Team B there is no card from me this week but please go over to Bearly Mine Challenge Blog to see the wonderful creations by Team A and also to find out the winner of the Fairy Challenge from last week.

Bearly Mine - Launch of Tropical Dreams Digital Image Kit

Donna has certainly been busy and now has yet another digital image in her store called "Tropical Dreams".  

It is a selection of 26 bold and wild tropical 6x6 paper for those who dare!  If you dare, make sure you pop over to the Bearly Mine Designs Shop to but this kit.

Sweet Pea Stampers Challenge - 11 May 2012

Today sees the launch of another challenge at the Sweet Pea Stampers Challenge Blog.  This time the topic is "flower power".

For my card I have used a Ching Chou-Kuik Sweet Pea Stamp (Fantasy Art Collection no 14, Plate #43).  I have coloured the image with Promarkers and highlighted a few areas with my Sakura Stardust clear pen.  The patterned backing paper is called "Patchwork Party" and is from Bearly Mine Designs.  The other papers are from my stash.  I took a piece of card and embossed with an embossing folder.  The card has been finished off with some cherry blossom flowers, other tiny flowers, hat pins, Craftwork Cards sentiment, two ribbons and two  fabric butterflies.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

2 Sisters - Anything goes

Cupcake Inspiration - Photo inspiration

House of Gilli - Embossing

Paper Pretties Monday - Use ribbon

The Crafty Pad - Girly girl

Simon Says Stamp and Show - Your favourite stamp

Crafty Ribbons - Flowers

Do You Stack Up? - Use a flower
One Sweet Challenge - May flowers
Crafty Catz - Happy birthday
Inspire me Friday - Anything goes
Mema's Crafts Monthly Challenge - BINGO board - I have chosen blue, flowers and embossing
Card Making Mamas - Flowers