Crafty Ann's Challenge #73 - Friday 31 August 2012

It's time for another challenge over at Crafty Ann's Challenge Blog.  The topic is "you have a choice of either a monochrome card in shades of turquoise/aqua OR lilac/purple OR you can do a duotone card using both of these colour palettes".  Please make sure that you follow this colour scheme.  It is NOT a general monochrome challenge.

For my card I used an iris digital image designed by Crafty Ann which I coloured in with Promarkers, die-cut, inked the edges and then stacked up like a pyromage.  I have used various backing papers/embellishments from Crafty Ann's including the Imperial Purple Digital Scrapbooking Kit and Sweet Sage Digital Scrapbooking Kit (for the little butterfly which was then changed to match the rest of the colour scheme).  The card has been finished off with a Craftwork Cards sentiment and some card candi.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

One Stitch at a Time - Use a digi

Come and Get It - Show us your flowers

House of Gilli - Favourite colour combo (for me it has to be lilac and purple)

Cupcake Craft - Flowers

Through the Craft Room Door - Divas or anything goes

Party Time Tuesday - Anything goes

Everybody Art - Anything goes

LEJ Designs - Anything goes

Crafts and Me - Birthdays

I Love Promarkers - Anything goes

Natalie and Amy's Challenge - Anything goes - this is the first challenge of the Natalie and Amy Challenge Blog.  I wish them every success

The Perfect Sentiment - Anything goes and sentiment
Southern Girls Challenge - It's all about the flora
Daring Cardmakers - Focus on flowers
Inspire me Friday - Anything goes
Stampin with the Dragon - Birthdays
Pattie's Creations - Birthdays

Aud Sentiments Design Team Card - Thursday 30 August 2012

Another fortnight has whizzed by and it's time for another challenge at Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog.  This fortnight the challenge is "Christmas or Holiday Sentiment".

This fortinight we are lucky to be sponsored by Robyn's Fetish and the winner will receive 5 digital images of their choice.

For my card I have used the Robyn's Fetish image called "Paul Penguin Sleighing".  I have coloured the image with my Promarkers and die-cut the image and chalked the dges.  The backing paper is a freebie from Bearly Mine Designs and I have also used a piece of green Bearly Mine Designs Mini Dots.  I have finished the card off with some Marianne's Designs corners cut out of red mirri card, red mirri card candy, Crimson Cloud die-cut poinsettia  and a Craftwork Card sentiment.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Winter Wonderland - Red and green

A Gem of a Challenge - Animals or teddies

One Stitch at a Time - Use a digi

Craft Your Passion - Emboss it

Totally Stampalicious - Anything goes

Creative Card Crew - Christmas

Party Time Tuesday - Anything goes

LEJ Designs - Anything goes

I Love Promarkers - Anything goes

Natalie and Amy's Challenge - Anything goes - this is the first challenge of the Natalie and Amy Challenge Blog.  I wish them every success

The Perfect Sentiment - Anything goes and sentiment

Happy Hauntings from Bearly Mine Designs

The ever so talented Donna from Bearly Mine Designs has just launched another digi kit called "Happy Hauntings".  Oh isn't that the cutest ghost????

This kit would normally sell for £5.00 but until 31 August 2012 there is 25% off so it is £3.75.

Bearly Mine Challenge - 28 August 2012 - Anything that glitters

Today sees the start of a new challenge over at Bearly Mine Challenges.  This time the challenge topic is "all that glitters".

This week we are sponsored by Donna of Bearly Mine Designs and the very lucky winner gets to pick two digi sets of their choice.

For my card I decided to use a shaped card I had to add a bit more of a focal point.  The image is from Dilly Bean Stamps and is called "mermaid".  The image has been coloured with Promarkers and areas highlighted with my Sakura Stardust clear pen.

  

The backing papers I have used for my card are Floral Dreams and The Boys Zone from Bearly Mine Designs.  The card has been finished off with a Marianne Designs die-cut, Craftwork Cards sentiment, Bearly Mine Designs flowers, gems, punched out hearts with faux stitching and glitter strips.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Paper Shelter - Anything goes

Divas by Design - Anything goes

Do You Stack Up? - Fantasy

Papercrafting Journey - Anything goes

Moving Along with the Times - Shape it up

Cute Card Thursday - Bling it up

Pattie's Creations - Birthdays

One Stitch at a Time - Use a digi

Dilly Bean's Challenge - Hearts

Come and Get It - Show us your flowers

Stampin' Sisters in Christ - Use punches, dies or shapes of any kind

Pile it On - I spy something with "p" - pink and Promarkers

Love to Create - Handmade flowers

Cupcake Craft - Flowers

Totally Stampalicious - Anything goes
Through the Craft Room Door - Diva or anything goes
Crafty Sentiments - Let's sparkle
LEJ Designs - Anything goes
Everybody Art - Anything goes
Party Time Tuesday - Anything goes

An update on me - well it's nearly 6 weeks since I made a card.  To say I am missing it is an under-statement.  I feel very lost.  I have tried a bit of colouring but with splints with metal strips in them it is not good!!!

Bank Holiday Sale at Bearly Mine Designs

Donna, Bearly Mine Designs, is having a sale for the Bank Holiday.  Please visit Donna's blog to have a look at the wonderful digi sets and CDs she has for sale.

Crafty Ann's Challenge #72 - Christmas in August or Winter Olympics

Today sees the start of another challenge over at Crafty Ann's Challenge Blog.  This time the challenge is "Christmas in August or Winter Olympics".

I have done a scrapbook layout in Craft Artist using Crafty Ann's Traditional Christmas Scrapbook Kit.  I have used embellishments as well from this kit.  I converted Crafty Ann's frames from this kit into intelligent frames (think that is what they are called) so that I could enter the pictures we took on Christmas Day 2011 of the food we have.  Being two ex-chefs we always like things to look nice and taste nice especially on Christmas Day.  My husband ALWAYS does the roast turkey dinner and I normally sort out the cheese board and bits-and-pieces for tea with the help of my boys.

I am entering this layout into the following challenges:

Cupcake Inspiration - Photo inspiration

Celebrate the Occasion - Christmas in August

My Time to Craft - Christmas in August
Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Aud Sentiments Design Team Card - Thursday 16 August 2012

Today sees the start of another challenge at the Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog.  This time the challenge is "use a number in your sentiment".

This fortnight we are lucky to be sponsored by Digi Darla Designs.

For my card I have used the Digi Darla Designs image called "Ashley with Rose".  I have coloured the image with Promarkers and fussy cut.  

        

The backing papers I have used are Floral Dreams, The Boys Zone and Mini Dots from Bearly Mine Designs.  I have done some simple matting and layering, using a Martha Stewart lattice border punch as an edge to the mount underneath the punch.  The card has been finished off with some corner edges (from the Bearly Mine Designs Country Collection), flowers cut from a backing paper freebie from a magazine, sentiments from the computer and some die-cut butterflies.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Poodles Parlour - Let's see those die-cuts

Sweet Stampin' - Things with wings

One Stitch at a Time - Anything goes

Dream Valley - Die-cuts and punches

Paper Pretties - Anything goes

Whimsy Stamps - Lots of layers

Ruby's Rainbow - Butterflies

Happy Birthday Card

For this card I designed all the background some months ago for a Design Team card but the challenge blog had to close down.  The backing papers are from my Tim Holtz backing paper pad that my son bought me for Christmas 2010.  I am VERY slowly using it up as I like it too much to use all at once!!  All the papers I distressed with my Tim Holtz distressing tool and added a black chalk ink pad to accentuate the distressed edges.  I have kept to the colour scheme of black and turquoise so added some black card which I embossed with a button mask and then sanded back to release the white underneath.  The image is a Dilly Bean image called "Pinky's skull bow".  I got to like these images courtesy of my friend Sue - she has a lot to answer for.  The image has been coloured in with Promarkers.  The card has been finished off with some bunting, fibres, flowers with brad centres, Marianne's Designs corner and grass embellishment and a Craftwork Cards sentiment.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Designs by Lisa Somerville - Add texture

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Chocolate, Coffee and Cards - Emboss

Poodles Parlour - Let's see those die-cuts

Dilly Bean Challenge - Worn, torn and distressed

Just Some Lines - layer it up

Dream Valley - Die-cuts and punches

Twisted Tuesday - Are you feeling blue and twist of using one other colour - blue and black for me

Whimsy Stamps - Lots of layers

Paper Pretties - Square cards

Bearly Mine Challenge - 14 August - Fly, fly, fly

Today sees the start of another challenge over at Bearly Mine Challenge Blog.  We had a lovely array of entries for last weeks' challenge.  This week we are being challenged to "fly, fly, fly" ie anything with wings.

This week we are lucky to be sponsored by Whimsy Stamps.

For my card which I made many weeks ago I have used the Paper Shelter image called "let's make a pic-nic".  Isn't she a gorgeous image?  With these images you get a black-and-white version and also a coloured version.  It is the coloured version I have used for my card.

  

I have used the Bearly Mine Designs Floral Dreams and Gingham Backing Papers.  I have die-cut the image and chalked the edges.  I have used a piece of blue Coredinations cardstock and embossed with a star embossing folder and used a blue chalk ink pad to highlight the stars.  The card has been finished off with some ribbon, lace, faux stitching, heart pin, die-cut butterflies and a Craftwork Cards sentiment.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Fresh Brewed - Birthdays

Divas by Design - For a female

Crafts and Me - Use a digi

4 Crafty Chicks - Up and away

Moving Along with the Times - Summer

Digi Doodle Shop - Things with wings

Designs by Lisa Somerville - Add Texture

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Chocolate, Coffee and Cards - Emboss

Poodles Parlour - Let's see those die-cuts

Totally Gorjuss - Lacy, lacy

Sweet Stampin' - Things with wings

One Stitch at a Time - Anything goes

Dream Valley - Die-cuts and punches

Bunny Zoe's - Summer

Whoopsi Daisy - Anything goes

Lollipop Crafts - Fun in the sun

Paper Pretties - Anything goes
Party Time Tuesday - Garden delights
Ribbon Carousel - Summer
Twisted Tuesday - Are you blue? Twist - to use one other colour plus blue - I have used pink with my blue

New Home Card

I thought I'd post a card on my blog a card that I made for my son who moved out of home 2 weeks ago.  Thankfully I'd made the card over a month ago and as I've not been able to make anything now due to my hands he's lucky he's got something!!!

I hadn't got any nice photos of the front of my son's house so decided to decoupage an image of the back of the house.  The backing papers and embellishments were a monthly freebie from Crafter's Companion for the special occasions taking place in the UK this year.  As it is an important stage in my son's life I thought this colour scheme would be perfect.  I have finished the card off with embellishments (paper flowers, buttons, tickets, sentiments, bows and belt/buckle) off the sheets from Crafter's Companion.  I've inked edges of everything - even more than normal - as when I made this card I was really struggling using scissors and saw white edges where there shouldn't be and it really irritated me.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Joanna Sheen Challenge - Try something new (used some new freebie papers from Crafter's Companion)

Craft Your Passion - Anything goes
Unstampbelles - Paper flowers
Papertake Weekly - Anything goes and option of felt

Crafty Catz - Anything goes

Challenge up Your Life - Anything goes

Clear it Out - Manly card and use 2 or more patterned papers

Stampin' Sisters in Christ - Create a card that depicts "home" to you

Cupcake Inspiration - Photo inspiration

One Stitch at a Time - Anything goes

My son LOVED his card for the card itself and the struggle that I had making the card.  

As you can imagine it's certainly not been an easy time with him moving out.  Our children can drive us mad at times but when they are gone we miss them so much.  I was lucky that he attended University part-time but at the University in the town where we live so he didn't have to move out.  My husband has been away at the Olympics for three weeks and due home on Friday for the week-end and then back again for another three week stint for the Paralympics so with my son gone it's been very hard as I've missed them both.  My youngest son has looked after me as I am still off work.  I have seen a Consultant this week who does think it is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome but I can't understand why I can barely move my neck or right shoulder.  I have heavy duty splints to wear at nights and some lighter ones still with metal plates to wear in the daytime so I struggle doing the slightest thing and I have to do typing, rest for a while and then do a little bit more. 

Bearly Mine Designs New Christmas Digi Set and an Olympic Fever Sale

The ever so talented Donna from Bearly Mine Designs is launching a new Christmas digi kit called "Christmas Light".  Please make sure you pop over to the Bearly Mine Shop and check out this new kit and the others in the shop.

Donna is also having an Olympic "Gold" Fever Sale.  Just look at what you can get for a gold order, silver order or bronze order.  Pop over to the Bearly Mine Shop to have a good look around - well who can't resist a sale????  Donna also designs some freebie papers each month and if you pop over to the blog she's made some lovely ones again this month.

Donna' Friday Weekly Candy

Today sees the start of another of Donna's Friday Weekly Blog Candy.  Make sure you pop on over to Donna's blog and check out what you need to do.

Crafty Ann's Challenge #71 - In a nod to the Olympics - Circles

Another fortnight has whizzed by and it is time for another challenge at Crafty Ann's.  This time the topic is "in a nod to the Olympics, circles - there needs to be more than one on your project".

For my two cards I have used the same papers for the background and they are from the Imperial Purple and Cream Dream Scrapbook Kits.  The gorgeous flower embellishment and circle frames are from the Imperial Purple Scrapbook Kit. 

For this Get Well Card I have added some butterflies from the Imperial Purple Scrapbook Kit.  The card has been finished off with some buttons for the centres of the flowers, sentiment off the computer and a ribbon bow.

For this happy birthday card I have added Stickles glitter glue to the centre of the flowers for come sparkle, added some butterflies of varying sizes from the Sweet Sage Scrapbook Kit with Stickles added to the centres of the butterflies, some fine satin ribbon and finally a seam binding ribbon bow.

I am entering these cards into the following challenges:

The Crafty Pad - Things with wings

Pan Pastels - Schools out or buttons and bows (get well soon card is being entered for this challenge)

One Stitch at a Time - Use a digi

Paper Playtime - Anything goes

Paper Pretties - Use 2 or more designed papers

Kaboodle Doodle - Birthday or any special day (happy birthday card is being entered for this challenge)

Twisted Tuesday - Anything goes

Party Time Tuesday - Anything goes

The Stamping Boutique - Anything goes

Penny's Paper Challenge - Butterflies and/or bows
Paper Play - Layer it up
Papercrafting Journey - Anything goes
Digi Doodle Shop - Ribbons and bows
Wags ' Whiskers - Birthdays (happy birthday card is being entered for this challenge)
Simply Create - Anything goes
Inspire me Friday - Anything goes
Cardmadfairy's Digi Days - Go floral

Aud Sentiments Design Team Card - Thursday 2 August 2012

Today sees the start of another challenge over at the Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog.  This time we are being challenged to "welcome baby".  The card/project must include a sentiment.

For this challenge we are being kindly sponsored by the Stamp Fairy and the winner will receive a $10 gift certificate to spend in the Stamp Fairy store.

I have used the "Barry the Moon" digital image and made one into a baby boy birth card and one into a baby girl birth card.

For the baby girl card I have coloured the image in with my trusty Promarkers and added white spots with my Picket Fence Distress Ink Marker.  The backing papers are from a Forever Friends New Arrivals Paper Pad which I won and I have simply matted and layered adding some silver mirri card.  The card has been finished off with some lace, ribbon, buttons and sentiment off the computer.

For my baby boy birth card I have again coloured my image with Promarkers, added white spots with my Picket Fence Distress Ink Marker, added some faux stitching and added some sparkly dots with my Sakura Stardust clear pen.  The backing papers I have used for this card are The Boys Zone from Bearly Mine Designs.  The card has been finished off with a sentiment ribbon and some buttons.

I am entering these cards into the following challenges:

The Poodles Parlour - Anything goes

Pattie's Creations - Animals/insects

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Cupcake Inspiration - Photo inspiration (baby boy card is being entered for this challenge)

Pile it On - Cute as can be

One Stitch at a Time - Use a digi

Paper Playtime - Anything goes

Whoopsi Daisy - Lots of layers

Hooked on Crafts - Let's celebrate

Joanna Sheen Challenge - Animal crackers
Paper Play - Layer it up
Crafty Ribbons - Seeing spots and dots (baby boy card is being entered for this challenge)
Papercrafting Journey - Anything goes
DYSU - Polka dots (baby boy card is being entered for this challenge)
Milk Coffee Challenge - Tic-tac-toe - (baby girl card is being entered for this challenge - I have chosen the middle line of sentiment, digi and lace)
My Craft Spot - Oh baby!
Crafty Boots - Babies