Sweet Pea Stamps Guest Designer - January 2015 - Project No 1

Here is a creation I have made as a Guest Designer for Sweet Pea Stamps.

There are far too many gorgeous images to choose from but in the end I ended up choosing an image from Enys Guerrero called "Minerva" which is available as a digital stamp.

For a very long time now I wanted to make one of these creations and eventually came across this YouTube from Katherine Skipper that shows clearly how to make a 4 drawer easel card.

 The image to me cried out for colourtones of grey, black and white and a steampunk feel.

 I have coloured the image in with my Graph'it pens and fussy cut around the image.

 I have used lots and lots of different dies to create the effect I wanted.  As it is something to go on my craft desk I have added a calendar and post-it note holder.

 I have decorated the card inside and out along with all the drawers.

 The drawers are now holding brads, die-cut shapes and some sentiments printed off from a CD.

I have finished this 4 drawer easel card off some dotty ribbon, Chloe's large sparkly gem, flowers, sequins, brads, post-it note pad, calendar tab, buttons, 25mm black satin ribbon overlayed with some white cotton border lace and finally a Tando-Creative key that I won in a challenge recently which I have coloured with a dark grey Graph'it pen.

I am pleased how this has come out and will enjoy it sitting on my craft desk throughout 2015.

I am entering this creation into the following challenges:

Moving Along with the Times - Dies and/or punches
4 Crafty Chicks - Flowers
613 Avenue Create - Anything goes or use a Winnie the Pooh quote
Come and Get It - Get your steampunk on
Creative Fingers - Anything goes
Scribble and Scrap - Anything goes
Crafty Hazelnut Patterned Paper January Challenge - Anything goes
Crafty Calendar - What's new? (I have tried out for the first time to make an easel drawer box.  It certainly took a long time and a lot of patience but I am pleased with the outcome)
Not Just Cards - Anything goes
Love to Scrap! - Anything goes
Craft Your Passion - Anything goes
Incy Wincy - Make an easel card 
The Crazy Challenge - Embossing
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes
Tuesday Throwdown - Embossing
Top Tip Tuesday - Something new (I've wanted to make one of these 4 drawer easel cards for ages so I had a go.  It took a long time to make but well worth it)
Papertake Weekly - Get in shape (my 3 or more shapes are a square shaped easel card and mount underneath the image, rectangles to cover the inside and outside of the drawers, triangle corner die-cuts and circle buttons and brads)

Sweet Pea Stamps Facebook Art Contest - Progressive Challenge - Part 1
Creative Moments - Anything goes/sketch
Penny's Paper Challenge - Anything goes
Inky Impressions - Folds
Fab n Funky - Button it!
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes
Inspiration Destination - Anything goes

Buckwell Craft Supplies

If you want some crafting goodies why not pop on over to Buckwell Craft Supplies.

You will see items from Creative Expressions, Spellbinders, Couture Creations, Rangers and Tim Holtz.  Soon the shop will stock items from Crafters Companion.  She is also stocking some gorgeous ribbons.  I have to say the organza ribbon is the best quality I've ever used!!!

Postage and packaging is £1.00 per order whatever you spend ie no minimum or maximum spend.

The shop can be found at:  http://buckwellcraftsupplies.co.uk/

Lozzy can be contacted for any questions at:  buckwellcrafts@yahoo.co.uk

Why not pop on over and take a look at Buckwell Craft Supplies.

Each month there is a monthly challenge on the Buckwell Crafts Challenge Blog. 

The blog can be found at: http://buckwellscraftychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/

Ching-Chou Kuik's Digital Stamps Monthly Challenge Blog - Kym's Inspiration Post - Monday 19 January 2015

It is Monday and therefore time for me to show you an inspiration post for the Ching-Chou Kuik's Digital Stamps Monthly Challenge Blog.

For my third and final inspiration post for January 2015 I decided to make a mixed media project using a plain MDF photograph frame that I got in Michaels when I went to the USA last October.

For my altered frame I have used the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamp called "Peony" and coloured it in with my Graph'it pens.  For the background of the image I coloured with a blue Graph'it pen and then used a little dotty stamp and stamped with a white chalk ink pad.  I then put a splodge of Stickles glitter glue on my tile and then pressed the dotty stamp into it to give me sparkly dots.

Next came the work on the frame.  I painted the whole frame with white gesso and whilst it was still wet I laid in some lightweight mesh to give some texture.  Once dry I inked over with Tim Holtz's Dusty Concord distress ink.  Next I used a piece of an ink blending mat that I cut into an A6 size piece.  I then used my Big Bite hole punch in the large and small holes to make a dotty effect all over the piece of blending mat.  I then used a piece of sponge and inked through these holes with some purple acrylic paint making a random dotty effect on the frame.  I then cut the image to size and put into the frame with a piece of acetate to protect the image (as the frame didn't come with a glass cover).

I then used my new "toy" for Christmas - my third glue gun.  I've killed off two glue guns, not for overwork but just because they stop working so I hope this one last longer.  This time I've gone for a well known DIY brand so fingers crossed.  I love it's fine point and easy handle to pull to expel the glue.  With my dodgy hands I have struggled with my previous two but this one is so easy to use I have had it out more since Christmas than I ever did with my other ones and I am using it to adhere things I'd normally have just used my Pinflair/Collall 3D glue gel for!!  I used the glue gun to adhere the strings of pearls around the inside and outside of the frame, all the flowers, spiral stamens, faux glass embellishment and pearls.

I hope you like my altered photo frame.

The flowers/stamens I have used are as follows:  25mm Cosmo Daisies, 25mm Cherry Blossoms and lilac spiral stamens all from Buckwell Craft Supplies.

I am entering this altered frame into the following challenges:

Penny's Paper Challenge - Anything goes
Fab n Funky - Something new (adding some lightweight mesh to the gesso to add some texture and making my own dotty background stencil)
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes
Inspiration Destination - Anything goes
Creative Inspirations - Anything goes and option of a sketch
4 Crafty Chicks - Flowers
CCC Digi Creations - Digi/flowers
Creative Fingers - Anything goes

613 Avenue Create - Anything goes or option to use a Winnie the Pooh quote
Polkadoodles - Case it (well my decorated photo frame is inspired by a member of the Ching-Chou Kuik Facebook Design Team, Fernanda, who makes the occasional card but her main love/passion is mixed media.  Here is one example of her work and another (this one gave me the inspiration to use my string of pearls which I have had for years and years).  I have therefore taken my inspiration from some of the creations she's done to get colour and texture into my creation.  I hope she agrees!!)
Not Just Cards - Anything goes
Love to Scrap - Anything goes
Craft Your Passion - Anything goes

Sweet Pea Stamps Facebook Art Contest - Progressive Challenge - Part One

Over at the Sweet Pea Stamps Facebook Art Contest they are holding a Progressive Challenge throughout 2015 for something a little different.

The rules of the Progressive Challenge are as follows:

(1) The theme for Part One is "Anything Goes" and you can create any project you want.

(2) You must use a Sweet Pea image, digital image or rubber stamp. Whatever image you use must be available in the Sweet Pea Stamps online store.

(3) You can enter as many times as you want. Your entry, or entries, must be a NEW and DIFFERENT PROJECT.

(4) To be eligible for your FREE image in two weeks, you must enter this first part of our progressive challenge. 

(5) If you write a blog post about your entry, we would love for you to list a link to our Facebook Group.

(6) Please use this album to enter your projects

(7) You MUST ALWAYS HAVE FUN!!!

Certainly different but certainly fun.  There are challenges that allow you to ask for a free image to use for the challenge but some people have no intention whatsoever of entering and just want to receive the free image.  It is kindness itself that companies will give away freebies so doing something like this will stop those that just want a freebie and those that actually take part want to actually take part in a challenge and have some fun and that the freebie is just an added bonus.

I have made this card for someone celebrating their birthday this month.  It can be quite gloomy at this time of the year so I thought this bright and cheery card would be perfect.

This is a Sweet Pea Stamps image by Norma J Burnell called "Forest Guardian".  It is available as a rubber stamp (and if you are quick it is "on sale" at the moment!!) and as a digital stamp.  I coloured the image in some time ago and thought it was about time it was made into a card.  I have coloured the image in with tones of yellows and oranges and highlighted areas with my Graph'it white pen.  I have inked around the edge with Tim Holtz's Stormy Sky, Mustard Seed and Spiced Marmalade distress inks.

The backing papers are from my stash.

I have used a Creative Expressions script stamp and stamped over a Tim Holtz Butterfly die-cut and also some tissue paper.  With the tissue paper I allowed it to dry and then cut 30 of two different sizes of Spellbinders scallop circle die.  I then shared them between the two and made then into flowers held together with a brad, scrunched up, inked with Tim Holtz's Mustard Seed distress ink and brushed over with some Stickles glitter glue for some added sparkle.  After stamping the butterfly die-cut I have inked this with Mustard Seed and Spiced Marmalade distress ink.

I have finished the card off with a Craftwork Cards die-cut sentiment, little dangley butterfly charm (made with a charm, jump rings and some small beads), tiny confetti butterflies (despite the size I made the butterflies 3 dimensional by folding the top layer in half, sticking together and inking with Mustard Seed distress ink.  Not an easy task when the butterflies are so small but the tweezers Joanna Sheen sells in her shop were perfect for the job), 5mm cream pearls and 25mm gold organza ribbon.

I am entering this card into the following challenges: 

Sweet Pea Stamps and Friends Facebook Art Contest - Progressive Challenge - Part One - Anything goes

Crafty Sentiments - Girly challenge

Digi Choosday - January birthdays

Penny's Paper Challenge - Anything goes

Inspiration Destination - Anything goes

Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes

Creative Inspirations - Anything goes and option of a sketch

Moving Along with the Times - Dies and/or punches

4 Crafty Chicks - Flowers

Aud Sentiments - Anything goes

CCC Digi Creations - Digi/flowers

Simply Create Too - Happy Mother's Day (or for a female)

Brown Sugar Challenge - Birthdays for a girl

Sister Act Card Challenge - Anything goes

Suzy Bee's Blooming Challenge - Anything goes with a twist to add some sparkle (Stickles glitter glue)

Di's Digi Designs - Add sparkle (Stickles glitter glue)

Little Claire's Challenge - Bright and beautiful

613 Avenue Create - Anything goes or use a Winnie the Pooh quote

Pile it On - Fantasy

Scribble and Scrap - Anything goes

Ladybug Crafts - Say it with flowers
Not Just Cards - Anything goes
Love to Scrap - Anything goes
Crafty Boots - Butterflies
Craft Your Passion - Anything goes

Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps

Here is a weekly reminder to tell you that Ching-Chou Kuik's digital stamps are available from her Etsy Store.  You will see a wonderful array of beautiful images for all occasions and there will be more added on a weekly basis so remember to go and have a look.

Ching-Chou Kuik's Etsy Store can be found at:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/gjzcck

There is an Inspiration and Monthly Challenge Blog.  Here you will find a challenge topic for each month.  The topic for January is "add some flowers and some ribbon".  

For anyone that enters this challenge they need to do a post on their blog, add the link to the InLinkz (add a second link direct to your blog rather than the blog post if you have used an image from the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Etsy Store) and then click the link to e-mail me and I will arrange for "The Wild Princess" image to be sent to you as a New Year freebie from Ching-Chou Kuik.

There will be a Monthly Blog Challenge Winner who will get to pick two digital images as their prize from the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Etsy Store.  This winner will be picked by Random.org.

There is also a Monthly "Artist's Choice Award" and this means that anyone that has entered the Monthly Blog Challenge using an image from Ching-Chou Kuik's Digital Stamps Etsy Store will be in with a chance of winning 5 digital images of their choice award.  This winner will be picked by Ching-Chou Kuik herself.

Daily you will also find inspiration for Weeks 1, 2 and 3 from the Design Team members Alica, Anthony, Dianne, Karina, Linda, Vannessa and myself.

For Weeks 4 (and 5 if there is one) each day there will be a card/creation showcased that a crafter has entered into the monthly blog challenge or shared on the Facebook Group or entered into the monthly Facebook Challenge.

If you would like to have a look at these images made into cards why don't you join the Ching-Chou Kuik's Digital Stamps Facebook Group.  This Group can be found at:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/721131444589832/

Here you will also find details of the monthly challenge they have. Anyone can also post cards/creations on here that they have made from Ching-Chou Kuik's digital stamps and you will see creations made by the Monthly Challenge Blog Design Team (Alica, Anthony, Dianne, Karina, Linda, Vannessa and myself) and the Facebook Design team (Collette, Fernanda, Helen and Sylvia).

 The Monthly Facebook Group Challenge is the "World of Magic".  There are certainly plenty of images in the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Etsy Store to choose from so you can enter the challenge.  Why not pop over and have a look.

Gruffies and Guest Challenge Blog - January 2015 - Anything goes or the option of buttons or bows or both

Today it is time for me to show you another card for the Gruffies and Guests Challenge Blog.  The topic for January 2015 is "anything goes with the option of buttons or bows or both".

The prize this month has been provided by "Scribble and Scrap Crafts" and the lucky winner will get a £10 voucher to spend in their store.

Here is a card that I have made using some Joanna Sheen House Mouse decoupage that I bought a few years back (I can't see any of the decoupage sets in the store but there are always images on the paper pads or the CDs that could be used instead).  It's about time it got cut out and made into cards.

The backing papers are from an 8x8 paper pad I bought from The Works for £3.  It is lovely quality paper and fitted in nicely with the "love them" that I chose for my card.

I have finished the card off with a sentiment off the decoupage sheet, 15mm American seam binding ribbon, Cheery Lynn Hearts and Gears die-cut inked with Tim Holtz's Antique Line and Victorian Velvet distress ink, 25mm Rose Pink organza ribbon overlayed with 25mm cream Veletta textured ribbon and finally some very tiny little dotty buttons.

I am entering this card into the following challenges: 

House Mouse and Friends - Anything goes with optional sketch
Bunny Zoe's Challenge - Buttons
Glitter n Sparkle - Use some pink
Penny's Paper Challenge - Anything goes
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes
Inspiration Destination - Anything goes
Creative Inspirations - Anything goes and option of a sketch
ABC Challenge - B is for buttons and bows
Moving Along with the Times - Dies and/or punches
Aud Sentiments - Anything goes
Creative Fingers - Anything goes
Crafty Hazelnut Patterned Paper January Challenge - Anything goes
Sister Act Card Challenge - Anything goes
My Time to Craft - Love is all around
Allsorts - Spring flowers

Buckwell Craft Supplies

If you want some crafting goodies why not pop on over to Buckwell Craft Supplies.

You will see items from Creative Expressions, Spellbinders, Couture Creations, Rangers and Tim Holtz.  Soon the shop will stock items from Crafters Companion.  She is also stocking some gorgeous ribbons.  I have to say the organza ribbon is the best quality I've ever used!!!

Postage and packaging is £1.00 per order whatever you spend ie no minimum or maximum spend.

The shop can be found at:  http://buckwellcraftsupplies.co.uk/

Lozzy can be contacted for any questions at:  buckwellcrafts@yahoo.co.uk

Why not pop on over and take a look at Buckwell Craft Supplies.

Each month there is a monthly challenge on the Buckwell Crafts Challenge Blog. 

The blog can be found at: http://buckwellscraftychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/

New images in the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Etsy Store

There have been some new releases in the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Etsy Store this week:

 This image is called "Embrace the Ocean"

 This image is called "Happy Birthday"

 This image is called "Gentle Heart"

This image is called "Spring Banquet".

Aren't they stunning?

Hurry on over to the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Etsy Store to have a look at these and the other images in the store.  

There are now 95 images in the Store.  It won't be long before we reach an amazing 100 images in the Etsy Store.

The Monthly Blog Challenge for January 2015 is "add some flowers and some ribbon".

If you enter a card/creation into the challenge you can e-mail me and I will arrange for the image "The Wild Princess" to be sent to you as a New Year freebie from Ching-Chou Kuik.

You MUST enter the challenge to be sent the free image.

Don't forget that if you use a Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamp from her Etsy Store you get two entries into the Blog Challenge.  For the first link-up use your blog post and for the second link-up just do your main blog.

Make sure you pop on over to the blog regularly.

For this week and next week you will have daily inspiration posts from the Design Team members.  

For week 4 there will be showcased cards/creations that I have seen made for the Monthly Blog Challenge, shared on the Facebook Group or entered into the Facebook Group Monthly Challenge.  You never you might get showcased if you make something with one of Ching-Chou Kuik's Digital Stamps from her Etsy Store

Don't forget you still have chance to enter the Monthly Facebook Group Challenge.  The topic for January is the "World of Magic".  There is certainly plenty of images in the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Etsy Store that could be used for this challenge.

REMINDER - Buckwells Crafty Challenge Design Team Call

Just a reminder that there is a Design Team call going for Buckwells Crafty Challenge.  Lozzy the owner of Buckwell Craft Supplies and the Buckwells Crafty Challenge is holding a Design Team (DT) call and are on the look-out for 4-6 ladies/gentleman to join the DT?

The details of the DT call are as follows:

• You need to have a blog on which you post regularly
• You need to be able to make 2 cards/creations a month (1 for our monthly Challenge and 1 for an Inspiration post)
• Are you happy to use printable pattern papers supplied by Buckwell Craft Supplies and images that are supplied from our Sponsors?
• You can live anywhere in the world
• You are able to comment on a allocated number of entrances per month to the monthly challenge
• You are happy to join our existing Design Team ladies.

If you feel you can commit to all of the above please pop on over to Buckwells Crafty Challenge Blog and enter your details into the DT call.

Entrants can come from across the world.

Don't leave it too long as the DT call ends on 30 January 2015.

Did you know that over at Buckwell Craft Supplies Lozzy has designed backing papers that she is selling on CDs.

Here are some examples:

 This set is called "Big Love" and consists of 27 backing papers for £1.55

This set is called "Checkout" and consists of 68 backing papers for  £1.55

 This set is called "Flower Set" and consists of 30 backing papers for £1.55

 This set is called "It's Stripes" and consists of 28 backing papers for £1.55

 This set is called "Mix Metal" and consists of 16 backing papers for £1.55

This set is called "Purple Passion" and consists of 39 backing papers for £1,55

 This set is called "Sea Shells" and consists of 34 backing papers for £1.55

This set is called "Solid Square" and consists of 24 backing papers for £1.55

 This set is called "Swirly Dots" and consists of 21 backing papers for £1.55

 This set is called "Tile Set" and consists of 22 backing papers for £1.55

This set is called "Vintage" and consists of 56 backing papers for £1.55.

Why don't you pop on over to Buckwell Craft Supplies to see these papers and all the other yummy things in the shop.