Wishing you Oceans of Happiness

I wanted to make a crafty friend a special card to say thank you for her Random Act of Kindness (RAK).  My constraints was that my card unfortunately had to stay relatively flat and needed to have no metal on it as I didn't want to cause it any problems on its way to the USA.

For my card I have used this amazing image from The Paper Shelter called "The Mermaid and the Treasure".  

I have coloured my image in with Promarkers.  I have used a little heart stamp around the edge of the image.

The papers I have used are from Sara Davies' Nautical Collection for Crafter's Companion.

I have used various dies t- do the word "ahoy", bubbles, seaweed and shells.

I have finished the card off with some Nuvo pearl drops and some stamped sentiment.

Thankfully the card has made its way to the USA and the recipient liked it.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

I Love Promarkers - Anything goes with the option to add a number
Lemon Shortbread - Anything goes
QKR Stampede - Anything goes
The Paper Shelter - Design Team call
A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes
More Mixed Media - Anything goes with the option of using green
Crafty Hazelnut Patterned Paper March Challenge - Anything goes
Crafty Sentiments - Anything goes
Digi Choosday - Anything goes
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes

Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps - New release

There is a new arrival in the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Etsy Store:

This image is called "Blooms in Spring".

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

This image is available at a special introductory price of $3.00 (original price of $4.00).

Hurry as this offer ends on 27 March 2021.

Happy Easter

Over at the Paper Shelter Challenge Blog the topic this week is "Let it be Spring".  Spring to me means the arrival of new flowers/animals, the change in the weather (fingers crossed x) and also Easter so I have picked this beautiful girl playing with her bunny friend for an Easter card.

For my card I have use a pre-coloured image from The Paper Shelter called "Enchanted Dancing".  In this set you get a black-and-white image and a coloured image.  For my card I have used the coloured image and printed it out twice so that I could decoupage the image.  It was a bit fiddly in some areas to cut out but well worth it to add some more dimension.  I stamped the background of the image with a Stamp Addicts cloud die and a See D's dotty stamp.

The backing papers I have used are from Do Crafts.

I have finished the card off quite simply with some wide lace, sequins, stamped sentiment and some Easter eggs stamped and cut out of scraps from the backing paper used.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

The Paper Shelter - Let it be Spring (Spring to means the arrival of some pretty flowers/animals being born, the change in the weather and Easter so I have picked this gorgeous little girl playing with her bunny friend for an Easter card)
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes
Penny's Paper - Anything goes
The Paper Funday Challenge - Anything goes with the optional twist of Irish Luck (use the colour green)
Inspiration Station - Photo inspiration (I have gone for a cute and cuddly inspiration for the bunny and also for friendship in sending an Easter card)

613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with the option to make a slider card
Creatalicious - Anything goes with the option of St Patrick's Day - use some green
Ally's Angels - Anything goes
A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the optional twist of fantasy - make it magical

It's your birthday - have a ball

This is a card I made for a friend's birthday.  I used a kit from CraftsUPrint called "All Wrapped Up" by Gillian Hutchinson.  Isn't he so very cute?  In this set you get the main topper, decoupage, smaller topper, insert and sentiments.  

For my card I have used the main topper, decoupage, small toppers and insert.

For my layer under the topper I used Tim Holtz's Faded Jeans and Pumice Stone distress inks around the edge to create a border (there was no point doing the whole piece of 7x7 inch card as the topper would be sitting on it).  I then used a few texture stamps and the same inks to create some texture on the card.  I then used Tim Holtz's Chipped Sapphire distress ink second and third generation with a paw stamp around the edge of the card.

I finished the card off quite simply as I wanted the image and decoupage layers to do the talking so I just added a gingham bow.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes
Let's Craft and Create - Anything goes with the option of purple and green 
613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with the option to make a slider card
CD Sunday Plus - Anything goes with a CD, USB or digital download (digital image and sentiment)
Digi Choosday - Anything goes
Creative Fingers - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the optional twist of fantasy - make it magical
Inspiration Station - Photo as inspiration

Polkadoodles - Anything goes
Creative Moments - Anything goes
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything goes

Colour Crazy Challenge Blog - Friday 19 March 2021

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

The weekly topic is always "anything goes".

This week we are lucky to be sponsored by Oddball Art.
For my card I have used the Oddball Art digital stamp called "Monday Mornings Frazzled Fran Needs her Coffee Image No 154". I laughed when I saw one of the sentiments and I had to use this image and sentiment "don't even talk to me til I've had my coffee!" as this is certainly me EVERY morning!!

I have coloured the image in with Promarkers and the backing is done with Pan Pastels.  Around the edge I have used a brown Versafine Clair ink pad with a coffee ring stamp to add a bit more detail to to the background.

I have used various The Works purple paper scraps and a coffee bean paper given to me in a K&Co paper pad some years ago.

I have finished the card off with a LOTV digital sentiment, raffia ribbon and a circle die-cut border.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Unicorn Challenge - Make it Feminine
Crafty Calendar - Feminine
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes
I Love Promarkers - Anything goes with the option to add a number
Simon Says - Use 2 or more patterned papers
Penny's Paper - Anything goes
World Wide Open Design Team - Anything goes
Creative Fingers - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the optional twist of fantasy - make it magical
Polkadoodles - Anything goes

Ching-Chou Kuik's Digital Stamps Inspiration Post - Monday 15 March 2021

Today is the day for me to show you my creation for the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Facebook Group.

Our challenge this month is:

"EASTER or FLORAL"

but the Design Team had another challenge of:

"USE PEARLS or GEMS or SEQUINS".

Here is my inspiration post with that theme.   

I decided to use sequins and Nuvo pearl drops on my card to fit in with the theme.

This week for my birthday card I have used the fully coloured image by Ching-Chou Kuik herself called "Butterflies Fly".  In this set you will get the coloured image and a black-and-white image.

I have used papers from The Works.  I have cut out the layers with a Daisy Mae Designs cross-stitch dies.  This is the first time I have used them and they cut beautifully.  Just wish they had put a few more dies in the set even if it meant they cost a little more.  On the outer layer I sewed a half cross-stitch all the way around the edge which took a while.  I think I should have used a slightly darker thread to make the stitching more prominent.

I have finished the card off with a piece of frilly lace/ribbon, vellum die-cut butterflies (I have added Stickles glitter glue to their wings and Nuvo pearl drops to the wings and body), LOTV digital sentiment and some shocking pink sequins.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Crafty Friends - Happy birthday
2 Crafty Critters - Anything goes with critters
Unicorn Challenge - Make it Feminine
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes
CCC Digi Creations - Use lace, ribbon and/or flowers (I have used a piece of ribbon/lace)
The Paper Funday Challenge - Anything goes with the optional twist of Irish Luck (use the colour green)
Crafty Calendar - Feminine
My Time to Craft - Make it feminine
Digi Choosday - Anything goes
The Paper Shelter - Digital image
CRAFT - Feminine
Ally's Angels - Anything goes
Cute Card Thursday - Celebrate
Creatalicious - Anything goes with the option of St Patrick's Day - use some green
A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes
CD Sunday Plus - Anything goes with a CD, USB or digital download (digital image)

Good Luck in your New Job Sam

I wanted to make a "Good Luck in Your New Job" card.  For my card I have used The Paper Shelter image called "Businessman".  I liked the colourway of The Paper Shelter image called "Workout Time!" and I have gone with using the backing paper for that one instead and have gone ahead with colouring using that colourway.  The image has been coloured in with my Promarkers.  I have added Glossy Accents to the glasses.  I have fussy cut out the image - a lot easier this time as the image is quite tall as I wanted to fit everything onto a 8x8 card.

I like doing fussy/lots and lots added to cards but I like doing more simple cards especially with male cards.

I have simply used some grey paper and black glitter paper to compliment the backing paper.

I have done the sentiment off the computer and layered it up with the grey card and black glitter card and added a bulldog clip to the top.  Instead of ribbon I have used some silver stretchy fibres for some interest on the card.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

The Paper Shelter - Digital image
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes
613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with the option to make a slider card
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything goes
Get Creative - Anything goes with the option of St Patrick's Day
Crafty Sentiments - Anything goes
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes
Ally's Angels - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option to use 3 of your favourite colours
Polkadoodles - Anything goes
More Mixed Media - Anything goes with the option of green
Through the Purple Haze - Anything goes with the option of a sketch
Creative Moments - Anything goes
The Corrosive Challenge - Anything goes

Hope Your Birthday is Full of Chills and Thrills

It is my nephew's 16th birthday today.  Not the kind of 16th birthday he would have imagined years ago.  At 16 they are at a difficult age as to what to use as the subject for their cards.  Their uncle picked this image so it was up to me to make into a card.

The image is called "Frankly I'm Shocked" by Gillian Hutchinson over at CraftsUPrint.  I know he is supposed to be scary but I think he's cute in another way. In this kit you get the main topper, little tag, lots and lots of sentiments as well as lots of layers of decoupage.  I printed it out onto glossy photo paper for a change.

As it is a card for a teenager I have just done some simple matting and layering, added an insert and finished the card off with a die-cut "16", die-cut mount, ribbon and some fibres.

I hope my nephew likes it - if not it is Uncle Paul's fault!!

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Cardz 4 Guyz - For a teenager
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes
Crafts Galore Encore - Anything goes
Let's Craft and Create - Anything goes with the option of purple and green 
More Mixed Media - Anything goes with the option of green
Through the Purple Haze - Anything goes with the option of a sketch
Creative Moments - Anything goes
613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with the option to make a slider card
The Corrosive Challenge - Anything goes
Crafty Creations - Anything goes
Get Creative - Anything goes with the option of St Patrick's Day
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option to use 3 of your favourite colours
Polkadoodles - Anything goes

Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps - New release

There is a new set of digital decoupage images in the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Etsy Store:

This is a set of Digital Decoupage where you have the whole coloured in image by Ching-Chou Kuik herself.  

This set includes the image "Purple Woods" and "Dreamy Moon".

These images can be used just as toppers but you could take the image further and make into your own decoupage or pyromage or inserts or whatever you want.

Ching-Chou Kuik's Digital Stamps Inspiration Post - Monday 8 March 2021

Today is the day for me to show you my creation for the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Facebook Group.

Our challenge this month is:

"EASTER or FLORAL"

but the Design Team had another challenge of:

"USE YOUR FAVOURITE COLOURE AND YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE COLOUR TOGETHER".

Here is my inspiration post with that theme. 

Well this was certainly a difficult one for me.  I loveeeeeeeeeee purple so that was my favourite colour and my least favourite colour is more than definitely green so putting them together was hard.  I shy away from using green as much as I can!!

For my birthday card I have used the Ching-Chou Kuik image called "Dark Lilies".

I have coloured the image in with Promarkers, added highlights with my Sakura white gel pen and Inked around the edge with a Java VersaMagic ink pad.

The backing papers are all scraps in my "scraps folder".

I have finished the card off with a LOTV digital sentiment, die-cut border, die-cut humming birds, Sue Wilson die-cut greenery and three fabric flowers which I have had for a very long time.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Jan's Digi Stamps - Anything goes
2 Crafty Critters - Anything goes with critters
A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes
A Bit More Time to Craft Extra - Anything goes
Pearly Sparkles - Must use a digi stamp
Crafty Hazelnut Patterned Paper - Anything goes
Classic Design Challenge - Anything goes
QKR Stampede - Anything goes
Cute as a Button - Anything goes
Morgan's Artworld - Anything goes
Crafty Sentiments - Anything goes
Try it on Tuesday - Say it with flowers
Digi Choosday - Anything goes
I Love Promarkers - Anything goes with the option to use pretty papers
CCC Digi Creations - Use lace, ribbon and/or flowers (I have used flowers on this card)
The Paper Funday Challenge - Anything goes with the optional twist of Irish Luck (use the colour green)
Crafty Creations - Anything goes
The Corrosive Challenge - Anything goes
Passion for Promarkers - Use a circle (circle sentiment and lots of circles on the backing paper)
Simon Says - Beautiful Blossoms
Little Red Wagon - Fun feathered friends
Cute Card Thursday - Anything goes
Krafty Chicks - Stamp act
Let's Craft and Create - Anything goes with the option of purple and green 
More Mixed Media - Anything goes with the option of green
Polkadoodles - Anything goes
Dragonfly Dreams - Include a flower or flowers
Creative Moments - Anything goes
613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with the option to make a slider card
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything goes
Simon Says - Use some green

Have a Fabulous 50th Birthday

This is a card I made for a friends 50th birthday tomorrow.  I used a weekly freebie for watching the Debbi Moore Facebook Live every Thursday evening from 6.30pm.  I used the images and paper from a recent Art Deco freebie.  It was a gorgeous collection and hard to choose but in the end I went with the gold coloured images.

The card I made is a stepper card and I have used three images and a sentiment off the freebie download.  I then cut the numbers "5" and "0" our five times from scraps of the backing paper to make the "5)".  There were also some more scraps from the gold paper and silver card I used so I used a "50" confetti die and cut out quite a lot (well actually a lot) of confetti to fall out of the card when it is opened tomorrow - whoops what a mess!!

Talking of mess.  I decided to add highlights of glitter to parts of the card when I had finished it.  I was oh so careful to check I'd got all the leftover glitter.  Boy was I wrong.  Somehow or other some got behind the feather and when I stood up and moved the card towards the window to check whether I needed anymore glitter anywhere I had a fountain of glitter fall to the fall onto my mat.  What a mess.  Despite vacuuming the mat I can still see glitter on the mat and it seems to be in places throughout the house.  This is why I normally stick to glitter glue but as I have pots of glitter to use up I thought I would but what a mess!!

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Creatalicious - Anything goes with the option of I've got the blues
CD Sunday Plus - Anything goes (digital kit download)
Crafts Galore Encore - Anything goes
Crafty Friends - Happy birthday
Love to Craft - Anything goes
Love to Scrap - Anything goes
Crafter's Castle - Anything goes
Unicorn Challenge - Make it Feminine
CRAFT - Anything goes
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes
Crafty Calendar - Feminine
My Time to Craft - Make it feminine
Through the Purple Haze - Anything goes with the option of a sketch
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option of dies/punches
613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with the option to make a slider card

A Perfect Time to Craft Open Challenge Blog - March 2021

Today sees the start of another challenge over at the A Perfect Time to Craft Open Challenge Blog.

The topic is always "ANYTHING GOES" and you are allowed unlimited entries into the challenge. 

This month our sponsor is "SheepSki Designs".

For my card I have used the SheepSki Designs image called "Bartholomew".

I have coloured the image in with Promarkers and used Pan Pastels for the background.

The backing papers are from The Works and also from some digital papers I won in a challenge sponsored by Keen Crafter Designs.

I have die-cut lots and lots of cogs and a clock and used bronze and silver gilding wax on them. 

I have finished the card off with some patterned ribbon which I have aged with a brown VersaMagic ink pad and a die-cut sentiment.

I am entering this card into the following challenges: 

World Wide Open Design Team - Anything goes
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything goes
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option of Africa
Polkadoodles - Anything goes
Sweet Stampin - Shabby chic/distressed
Creatalicious - Anything goes with the option of I've got the blues
CD Sunday Plus - Anything goes (digital image and papers)
We Love to Create - Anything goes
Crafts Galore Encore - Anything goes
Crafty Friends - Happy birthday
Jan's Digi Stamps - Anything goes
2 Crafty Critters - Anything goes with critters
A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes
A Bit More Time to Craft Extra - Anything goes
Pearly Sparkles - Must use a digi stamp
Crafty Hazelnut Patterned Paper - Anything goes
Classic Design Challenge - Anything goes
Mix It Up - Anything goes with the optional twist of inlaid die-cut
Love to Craft - Anything goes
Love to Scrap - Anything goes
QKR Stampede - Anything goes
Crafter's Castle - Anything goes
Cute as a Button - Anything goes
Morgan's Artworld - Anything goes

Ching-Chou Kuik's Digital Stamps Inspiration Post - Monday 1 March 2021

Today is the day for me to show you my creation for the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Facebook Group.

Our challenge this month is:

"EASTER or FLORAL".

Here is my inspiration post with that theme. 

For my Happy Ester card I have used the Ching-Chou Kuik image called "Sweet Christmas".  I like images that are multi-functional and although the flowers should be poinsettias they could be any flower for any time of the year.

I have coloured my image in with Promarkers and inked the background with Tim Holtz's Speckled Egg distress oxide and Tumbled Glass distress ink.

The backing papers are from The Works.

I have cut out a tiny doily with flower around the edge.  As I had used a double-sided piece of card I used an embossing tool on the flowers but used the colour from underneath and added Nuvo pearl drops to the centre.

I have finished the card off with a stamped sentiment, flower made by a friend in Canada and some John Lockwood greenery.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything goes
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option of Africa
Polkadoodles - Anything goes
Allsorts - Feminine
Creatalicious - Anything goes with the option of I've got the blues
CD Sunday Plus - Anything goes (digital image)
We Love to Create - Anything goes
Moving Along with the Times - Spring is coming
Jan's Digi Stamps - Anything goes
A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes
A Bit More Time to Craft Extra - Anything goes
Crafty Hazelnut Patterned Paper - Anything goes
Pearly Sparkles - Must use a digi stamp
Classic Design Challenge - Anything goes
Mix It Up - Anything goes with the optional twist of inlaid die-cut
Love to Craft - Anything goes
Love to Scrap - Anything goes
QKR Stampede - Anything goes
Crafter's Castle - Anything goes
Cute as a Button - Anything goes
Logan's Artworld - Anything goes