Birthday Card

For this birthday card I have used various shades of pink backing papers I was given.  I think they might be Stampin' Up but not totally sure but they are double-side and fabulous quality.  The image is by Saturated Canary and is called Sweet 16.  I have coloured the image with my Promarkers and highlighted areas with my Sakura Stardust clear pen and then did the colouring of the backing as per Coops' tutorial.  I have used my Marianne Designs Craftables Square die (CR1203) which has a set of flowers inside that you be used a lot as well so certainly a good buy.  As I do a lot of square cards I think one of my sons might need to buy me the circle one for Christmas!!!  The flowers are made from the Marianne Designs Craftables flowers die and each layer has had glitter glue  rubbed over it, sequin added and then all held together with a brad.  The card is all finished off with some ribbon, lace, pearls and Craftwork Cards sentiment.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

CRAFT - Cute

Rainbow Lady's - Photo inspiration

Always Something Creative - Cotton

Pattie's Creations - Birthdays or thanksgiving

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

2 Sisters - Anything goes

Craft Your Days Away - Embellishment BINGO board - pearls/flowers/ribbon

Crafting When We Can - Female birthdays

Gingerloft - Lace, fabric or felt

Stamps R Us - Bling it on

Marianne's Designs - Sparkle and shine

Try it on Tuesday - Anything goes

Ooh-la-la-Creations - BINGO board - pearls/flowers/lace
Stamp-n-Doodle - Tic-tac-toe - for me I could choose ribbon/die-cut/brads or digi/lace/flowers or flowers/brads/glitter!!!
Whimsy Stamps - Flower power
Divas by Design - Monochromatic

Saturated Canary Challenge No 4 - Thursday 10 November 2011

Over at the Saturated Canary Challenge this time the challenge is "Autumn colours".  For me autumn means orange, brown, green, blue and yellow.  For my card I have used Krista's image called Peggy Sue.  Isn't she such a beauty?  I have coloured her with Promarkers and highlighted the spots in her dress with Adirondack Terracotta Acrylic Paint.  I cut around the image, rounded the corners and then used an orange chalk ink pad around the edge.  The backing papers are all scrappy bits from the box and include Dovecraft Sugar and Spice and DCWV textured card which I have embossed and then sanded.  The card is finished off with some stitching, ribbon bow, doily and some flowers from the My Craft Studio Click Print Go Paper Flowers CD (for those of you that might be thinking that I've got my MCS package to print - I haven't - I had to use Windows Photo Viewer and print it from there which is such a nuisance).  The flowers I have added the same acrylic paint to the centre to tie it all in together.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Crafts and Me - Birthdays

Papercrafting Journey - Embossing

Saturated Canary Challenge - Autumn colours
Pattie's Creations - Birthdays or thanksgiving

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Crafty Catz - Use a digital image

Cardmadfairy's Challenge - Texture and digital image

Secret Crafter - Spots and stripes

Just Some Lines - Orange and light blue

2 Sisters - Anything goes

Dream Valley - Stitching

The Pink Elephant - Embossing

Try it on Tuesday - Anything goes
Desert Island Crafts Challenge - Use at least 3 out of 10 desert islands items - I have used ribbon, polka dots and embossing
Sassy Cheryl - Anything goes

The Craft Barn Blog Candy

Oh my goodness me The Craft Barn has some wonderful blog candy up for grabs:

If you would love to be in with a chance of winning the blog candy you need to nip over to The Craft Barn Blog and read the rules.  The closing date for the candy is 25 November 2011.

House Mouse Challenge - Monday 7 November 2011

Well it seems such an age since I've taken part in the House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge but with all that has happened in the last 4.5 months I decided I would have a play time today.  The challenge this time on the House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge is "thankful designs".

The image I have coloured with Promarkers and then inked the edges with a chalk ink pad.  The backing papers are from Basic Grey.  The card has been finished off with some buttons, lace, ribbon with knots tied in it, flowers, ribbon bow, gems, stitching, leaves and a Craftwork Cards sentiment.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Totally Stampalicious - Anything goes

Simon Says Stamp and Show - Some upcycling or recycling (the ribbon is from a tag I was given and the lace is from the edge of a top)
Heart Song Inspirations - Anything goes

House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge - Thankful designs

Incy Wincy - Stitching
Penny Black and More - All creatures great and small

Ooh-la-la Creations - Stitching

Creative Card Crew - Thankful

Ribbon Carousel - Photo inspiration

Paper Pretties - Buttons

Penny's Paper Challenge - Give thanks

Sisterhood of Crafters - Giving thanks

CRAFT - Cute

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Fussy and Fancy Friday - Be thankful and sentiment

Card Making Mamas - Be thankful

Basic Grey - Mix and match (green backing paper from Oliver Paper Pad, yellow backing paper from Lime Rickey Paper Pad and green zigzag cut from paper from Oliver Paper Pad)

One Stop Craft - Ribbons and lace

Craft Your Days Away - Embellishment BINGO board - lace/flowers/buttons for me

2 Sisters - Anything goes

My Sheri Crafts - Be thankful

Di's Digi Designs - Ribbons and bows

Mark's Finest Papers - Favourite technique - well I have quite a number of these but one includes stamping and colouring in with my Promarkers which I have done on this card
City Crafter - Thanksgiving/thanks
Make it Monday Kraft Outlet - Give thanks
Pile it On - Thanksgiving or give thanks
The Squirrel and the Fox - Summer
Pretty Little Ribbon Shop Challenge - Buttons and bows
Let's Ink it Up - Show us your favourite technique - well I have quite a number of these but one includes stamping and colouring in with my Promarkers which I have done on this card
Sentimental Sundays - Thanksgiving/thank you
My Partner in Crafting Crime - Use a freebie (lace and ribbon)
Art Impression Stamps - Use 2 or more ribbons
Gingerloft - Lace, fabric or felt
Dream Valley - Stitching
The Corrosive Challenge - Give thanks
Stampin' Sisters in Christ - Card that depicts gratitude

Faye Whittaker Card

For this card I have used my new Joanna Sheen Faye Whittaker CD.  I love the images on these CDs especially the ones beside the sea.  I used one of the decoupage sheets and layered up with Pinflair.  The backing paper is from the CD and I have simply mounted up with different shades of blue card.  The flowers are die-cuts from a book which I have distressed with Tim Holtz's Tumbled Glass and Faded Jeans distress ink pads and put brads in the centre.  The shells are made with a silicone mould and wet toilet roll.  Once dry I have inked them with Tim Holtz Antique Linen and Pumice Stone distress ink pads.  The card is then finished off with a bow, ribbon, Craftwork cards sentiment and a decorated inside (Backing paper, shape for writing sentiment and then some shells cut out of the backing paper).

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

2 Sisters - Ribbon

Crafty Emma - Entertain us - song "I do like to be beside the seaside"

Pile it On - Thanksgiving or give thanks

Craft Your Passion - Anything goes and brown

Heart Song Inspirations - Anything goes

Creative Card Crew - Thankful

Penny's paper Challenge - Give thanks

Sisterhood of Crafters - Giving thanks

Do You Stack Up? - Inspired by a song - "I do like to be beside the seaside"

Shelly's Images - It's what's on the inside

Alphabet Challenge - U for under the sea

Fussy and Fancy Friday - Be thankful and sentiment

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Card Making Mamas - Be thankful

Commissioned Card

I was asked to make a simple card with no sentiment for someone to give to their friend to cheer them up.  I decided to use this gorgeous Tilda image which I have coloured with Promarkers and then die-cut the image.  The backing papers are all scraps, some of which I have torn and they are mainly blues with a tad of green.  The card is simply finished off with some grosgrain ribbon and two Papermania Glitterations added to the ribbon.  The customer loved it and said it was perfect for what she wanted.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Sir Stampalot - Blue and green

CRAFT - Cute

Charisma Cardz - Cutesy

Magnolialicious Challenge - Photo inspiration

Totally Stampalicious - Anything goes

Sweet Stampin' - Photo inspiration

Aud Sentiments Design Team Card - Thursday 10 November 2011

Well another fortnight seems to have flown by and it's time for another challenge.  The challenge this fortnight is "thanksgiving/thank you".  

This fortnight we are lucky enough to be sponsored by Wee Stamps.

For my card I have used the Wee Stamps image called "Silver Fairy".  Isn't she a cutie?  She was lovely to colour in with my Promarkers and my Sakura Stardust clear pen.  Again I have gone for an orange colour scheme and have used all scraps of paper and card from my scraps box, some of which have been distressed with Tim Holtz's distressing tool or distress inks.  Underneath the image I have embossed two pieces of card, one with a polka dots embossing folder and the other with a swirl embossing folder which then I have sanded to reveal the white core.  The ribbon is strategically placed as they are scraps and don't quite meet up - hope you can keep the secret!!  The card has been finished off with some lace, gems, flowers and a Craftwork Cards die-cut sentiment.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

2 Sisters - Ribbon

Secret Crafter - Flowers, ribbon and lace

Craft Your days Away - Autumn/Fall

Sweet Stampin' - Photo inspiration

Cupcake Inspiration - Photo inspiration

Sparkles Forum - Autumn

Cutie Sunday - Monochrome

One Stitch at a Time - Use a digi

Pile it On - Thanksgiving or give thanks

Totally Stampalicious - Anything goes

Heart Song Inspirations - Anything goes

Kaboodle Doodles - Colours of fall

Daisy Doodles - Anything goes and digi

Creative Card Crew - Thankful

Digital Tuesday - Anything goes

Penny's Paper Challenge - Give thanks

Sisterhood of Crafters - Giving thanks
Crafting for all Seasons - Texture
Digi Stamps 4 Joy - Gratitude

Creatalicious Challenge - Distress your edges
Ruby's Rainbow - Something with wings
Truly Scrumptious - BINGO board - lace/flowers/ribbon
Papercrafting Journey - Embossing
Meljen's Designs - Orange and/or brown

Crafty Purple Frog Challenge - 10 November 2011 - Use orange

Time for another challenge over at the Crafty Purple Frog Challenge.  The topic this fortnight is "use orange".

I have to admit I was pretty stumped when I saw the challenge "use orange" but you'll have a good laugh as I am posting two Design Team cards portraying orange today.  It's a colour I don't use very much but I must use it more.  For my card I have used the Crafty Purple Frog pyromage image called "Autumn Breeze".  She is so gorgeous.  I have used some Dovecrafts Sugar and Spice papers along with various orange scraps I had.  A piece of DCWV card I embossed and then sanded back to reveal the white core.  I made up the pyromage and then used some green Stickles around the outside of the image for some sparkle.  the card is finished off with some X-cut punched leaves, Tim Holtz Tattered Floral flower, an orange flower from my stash (I have about two of these left but can't remember where I got them from so I'm not very happy), lace, Craftwork Cards sentiment, die-cut butterflies and some acrylic paint dabbed into the centre of the flowers.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Card Making Mamas - Cut it out

Card Mad Fairy - Friendship

Challenge up Your Life - Friendship

Craft Your Days Away - Autumn/fall

Cupcake Inspiration - Photo inspiration

Craft Your Passion - Anything goes and brown

Heart Song Inspirations - Anything goes

Kaboodle Doodles - Colours of fall
Crafting for all Seasons - Texture
Ruby's Rainbow - Something with wings
Flutter by Wednesday - Friendship
Truly Scrumptious - BINGO board - embossing, flowers and glitter
Papercrafting Journey - Embossing
Meljen's Designs - Orange and/or brown

Charity Stall - November 2011

Well another month has whizzed by and it was time to set up the charity stall today.  Sadly over 60% of the companies in the complex have moved out so I go there each month thinking it might be my last.  Last month the card sales were £3.00 for the whole week.  I don't have to pay anything for the stall so I haven't got any outlay but it is sad as when I started going there 4 years ago some months would sell £20-30 of cards, half of which always went to charity and the rest went into the kitty for more supplies.  I know come 2012 I might have to go looking for some more outlets but I'm not thinking about that now as there is still lots of things to do in relation to the death of my mum four months ago.

The cards on the stall are mostly mine but a friend has made some and I have three lovely blogging friends that have given me cards for the stall.  I always make sure people know they are donated cards as I would hate to take the credit for other peoples' work.  People also donate me crafting items that they longer use/need and these are always used on my cards for charity.  I had hoped come the end of December to have got to the total made for charity in 5 years of £1,500 but I am £80 short so it's unlikely I will make that but I will in time.  At the moment I am raising funds for SCOPE as I try to do local charities and national charities and then different kinds of charities eg children, cancer, animals etc.  I am always open to offers for names of charities to help if you have a special charity that is "close to your heart"

Less is More Challenge - 29 October 2011

Over at the Less is More Challenge this week the topic is "stars".  As soon as I saw this challenge I knew which stamp to use - this large Artylicious stamp that I have had for a few years now.  I tried stamping on some DCWV blue textured card for a different effect with a Brilliance blue ink pad - well it was a scrap I had left over and the saying "nothing ventured, nothing gained".  I then used a star corner punch and layered it onto some blue holographic card I had left over from another card (yes it is blue but I took 20 different photos and this was the best!!).  The card is then very simply finished off with a Christmas Blessings peel-off and a gem star.

Do you want a good laugh - I was doing another post which you'll see shortly and noticed is said my Less is More Challenge card was draft.  For some reason it hadn't posted it so I am in a rush now to post before the deadline .............

Sweet Pea Stampers Challenge - 4 November 2011 - Remember

The time has come for another challenge at Sweet Pea Stampers.  This fortnight the challenge is "Remember".

For my card I have used the Crafty Purple Frog decoupage image called "Field of Poppies".  I took a My Craft Studio (MCS) backing paper into word and shrunk down as I am still unable to use MCS as it still won't print to my printer any more.  It is so annoying as I used to use it for virtually all of my cards.  I used some green DCWV card, the backing paper and then just simply did some matting and layering of the image.  The second piece of backing paper I cut out the whole poppy images to decoupage up.  I did the "remember" in Word using Word Art as I thought it was striking.  I have just finished the card off with some ribbon and some black acrylic paint to the centre of the poppies on the decoupage to add a bit of dimension.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Craft Your Days Away - Autumn/fall

Totally Gorjuss - I remember

The Squirrel and the Fox - hats or flowers

Cupcake Inspiration - Photo inspiration

Dream Valley - Anything goes

Sparkles Forum - Remembrance Sunday

Lollipop Crafts - Anything goes

Pollycraft Monday - Anything goes

Papertake Weekly - Anything goes and option of bling

Fresh Brewed Designs - Anything goes

Rainbow Lady's - A time to remember with poppies
Inspire me Friday - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes

Crafty Ann's Challenge #53 - Floral Frenzy

 Another fortnight has come and gone and it is time for another challenge over at Crafty Ann's Challenge Blog.  This time the topic is "floral frenzy".

As I am running short of Christmas cards for the stall I decided to make another Christmas card.  I used the same image as last time but have used a green polished stone paper, red poinsettia paper, poinsettia script image and also lots of the poinsettias cut out.  I have kept the colour scheme to red and green (yes the mount under the image is a bright green holographic but after about 20 photos this is the best I can get with the flash on the camera).  The card is finished off with some tartan ribbon, sentiment off the computer and gem.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Sweet Stampin' - Anything goes

The Squirrel and the Fox - Hats or flowers

One Stitch at a Time - Christmas

Dream Valley - Anything goes

Cupcake Craft - Take a leaf out of my book

Lollipop Crafts - Anything goes

Papertake Weekly - Anything goes and option of bling

Pixie Cottage - Christmas card and/or sketch

Fresh Brewed Designs - Anything goes

Crimbo Crackers - Anything goes Christmas

Simon Says Challenge - 2 November 2011

Over at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge this week the topic is "buttons".  Oh I so love using buttons so I had to have a go.

I decided to make three Christmas cards for the Docrafts Craft for Life Appeal.  Here is a close-up of them below

I have used various scraps of backing papers, some are DCWV and Papermania, the others I don't know (that's why one card is slightly smaller as I didn't like such a big gap from the paper mats to the card edge!!).  I have inked all the edges as I hate seeing the raw edges.  The image in all three cards is a little Gorjuss girl sitting on a polar bear - now where have I been as I've only just realised the Gorjuss girls have been brought out in clear stamp sets as well?  The images I have coloured in with my Promarkers and chose different colour tones for the outfits and hair to match the backing papers.  The cards have been finished off with sentiments, buttons and flowers (some bought but the poinsettias are from Crafty Ann's Digi Store).

I am entering these cards into the following challenges:

One Stitch at a Time - Christmas

Jules - Always with a Heart - Use up snippets
Stamp With Fun - Buttons

Papertake Weekly - Anything goes and option of bling

A Passion for Promarkers - A day at the zoo
Simon Says Stamp - Buttons

Crimbo Crackers - Anything goes Christmas

Charisma Cardz - Cutesy

Sew many Challenges - Use 2 different backing papers

CD Sunday Challenge - 30 October 2011

Over at the CD Sunday Challenge the topic is "puss cat".  Well a new CD popped through my door this week and when I had a trawl through I saw an image and had to print it off - well I have to check what it was like didn't I - well that was my excuse!!!  The CD is called THE BIG ONE and it includes 450 decoupage sheets from the Greatest Hits of La Pashe.  For someone like me who makes their cards solely to sell them to raise funds for different charities this CD is such a bonus.  I have always liked the La Pashe images but have only been able to buy the odd sheets as once you've used it it is gone whereas I now have them forever.  I can't thank La Pashe enough for doing this.  The CD is available here.

The image I used was a Flippin Christmas but I have just used it as a normal decoupage.  I have just layered together with some Pinflair glue gel so as not to be too high as lots of people are conscious about postage costs these days.  I have used a holly and berry stamp and stamped all over the front and back of the card and coloured the leaves and berries in with watercolour pencils.  The card is just finished off with a sentiment off the sheet and some Flowersoft Polar White on the cat's fur trim on his hat and bobble.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Winter Wonderland - Clean and simple (CAS) Christmas card

CD Sunday - Puss cat

One Stitch at a Time - Christmas

Lollipop Crafts - Anything goes

Bows n Berries - Clean and simple (CAS)
Papertake Weekly - Anything goes and option of bling
Pixie Cottage - Christmas card and/or sketch

Fresh Brewed Designs - Anything goes

Crimbo Crackers - Anything goes Christmas
Top Tip Tuesday - Make your own backgrounds

Another New baby Card

Along with making a new baby card for the mum and dad I also made a card for the Nanny and Grand-dad.

This image I bought from Crafts U Print as soon as I heard the baby was going to be called Noah.  The sheet comes with a pink background image and the blue background image I used.  I printed off the blue image four times so I could do various layers of decoupage with my foam tape.  I struggled with the monkey's tail and the giraffe's necks but got there in the end!!!  I have just done some simple matting and layering as I didn't want to detract from the gorgeous image.  I used my Letraset Fineliner to write Noah Jon on the package the stork is delivering.  The card is then finished off with a seam binding bow and a personalised insert.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Delicious Doodles - Good versus evil - well you can't beat the "good" of the birth of a new baby

Crafty Emma - New beginnings

Dream Valley - Anything goes

Lollipop Crafts - Anything goes

Ribbon Carousel - Anything goes
Papertake Weekly - Anything goes and option of bling
Fresh Brewed Designs - Anything goes

I Brake for Challenges - No white/cream cardstock

Crazy Challenge - Photo inspiration

New Baby Boy Card

A friend has become a Nanny so I made this card for her daughter and her partner.  The images and papers are from my Kraftyhands "Bouncing Babies" CD.  Yes I have used a lot of images and the matting and layering plates but the card is A4 and needed a lot on it.  The card has been finished off with personalised information regarding the birth, insert, charm, brads, plastic bottle embellishment, ribbon, various shop bought baby embellishments and Papermania Glitterations.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Crafts 4 Eternity - At least one metal embellishment

Crafty Emma - New beginnings

Lollipop Crafts - Embellish it - at least 3+ embellishments - ribbon/Papermania Glitterations, charm, shop bought embellishments, plastic bottle dummy

Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT - Oh baby!

Ruby's Rainbow - Use metal on your project

Paper Shelter - Anything goes

Crafts and Me - Use blue

Creative Craft - Numbers or a sentiment

Charisma Cardz - Anything goes

The Crafty Purple Frog Challenge - 27 October 2011

Along whizzes another fortnight and it is time for a new challenge over at the Crafty Purple Frog.  This fortnight the challenge is "sparkle".  Well that one shouldn't be too difficult as most of us like sparkle on our cards/projects.

For my card I have used the pyromage sheet called "Night Rose".  I decided to keep the colour scheme as black, white and purple.  When I made a card recently and stamped the backgrounds I did two at once - a tip that I use - if I just stamp one background I seem to do something wrong and then have to start again whereas if I do two at once mostly everything goes fine and then I have an extra lot of papers to work with!!!  The backing papers are from the scraps box.  The book pages are a die-cut that I won in a challenge a while ago and I thought they needed to go on a card.  I have inked all the edges of the paper and card as I hate seeing white edges.  I have made the pyromage up with Pinflair glue gel so it isn't too high.  The card has been finished off with some organza ribbon, Craftwork Cards sentiment, a gorgeous K&Co gem/pearl embellishment (I had an idea about these as I don't like the "sticky" between the linked gems as other things can stick to it - so out came my anti-static bag, brushed over the top and then I wiped over with a tissue to buff up and hey presto no extra sticky anywhere), flowers given to me by a crafting friend which I have rubbed Stickles into and a glass sparkly embellishment.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Totally Papercrafts - layer upon layer

Emerald faeries - Flowers, flowers, flowers

Lollipop Crafts - Embellish it - 3 + embellishments (gems, glass sparkly embellishment, flowers, pearls and ribbon)

Paper Pretties - Embellish

Scrapbook Sisters - Anything goes

Top Tip Tuesday - Bubble, bubble we are cooking up some trouble OR Top Tip - I am offering the Top Tip I mentioned above re the linked gem/pearl embellishments that you can get - I had an idea about these as I don't like the "sticky" between the linked gems as other things can stick to it - so out came my anti-static bag, brushed over the top and then I wiped over with a tissue to buff up and hey presto no extra sticky anywhere and a gorgeous embellishment to go on a card.
Crafty Ribbons - BINGO board - gems/flowers/glitter for me
Charisma Cardz - Anything goes

Aud Sentiments Design Team Card - Thursday 27 October 2011 - A funny card

Well we had a lovely array of cards for the challenge last fortnight.  This fortnight you are challenged to make a "funny card".  

This fortnight we are lucky enough to be sponsored by Bugaboo Stamps.  There are a lovely array of images here to choose from.  

For my card I have used the image called "Stella Peeker - Another Drink".  Even with a wonderful image I struggled with this challenge as I don't normally do funny cards but I let the image and the wording do all the talking.  I coloured the image with my Promarkers and highlighted the cherries and Stella's glasses with Glossy Accents.  The backing papers/card are scraps I had in my scraps box.  These papers led me on the direction of burgundy, white and turquoise.  I inked the edges of the papers/DCWV card I used.  The card has been finished off with some gems, a turquoise grosgrain ribbon, burgundy checked ribbon and a flower with a brad centre.

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

Inspire me Friday - Anything goes

Totally Papercrafts - Layer upon layer

Stamp-Scrap-Doodle - Bon appetit

Always with a Heart - Use up your snippets and then link to your most viewed blog post (well I did get an almighty shock here as it was certainly not one I had expected!!!).  Here is the link to my most view post at 353 pageviews.

Pile it On - Be happy

Lollipop Crafts - Embellish it - 3 or more embellishments (gems, flowers, ribbons and brad)

Paper Pretties - Embellish

Paper Shelter - Anything goes