Lemon Shortbread Challenge - Tuesday 10 October 2017

 It is time for another challenge over at the Lemon Shortbread Challenge Blog.

The topic is "anything goes"

Here is my project as inspiration with this theme.

 For my sweetie box for Halloween I used as my main image "Skull Guy" from the Lemon Shortbread Etsy Store.  For the pumpkins I used the image called "Halloween Greetings" and I just printed off the pumpkins a couple of times.  I have coloured both images in with my Promarkers and fussy cut them out.  On the pumpkins I put Glossy Accents on them.  Before they were completely dry I used my pokey tool to make lines on the the pumpkins.

For my box I have used my Crafter's Companion score board.  I used a die to cut a circle out of the lid.  Before adding acetate I used a tree stamp to stamp around the top and side of the box lid and bottom.  I then added in the acetate and stuck the boxes together.  I did some pin-tucks with my washi tape around the side.

The sweetie box was finished off with a Clearly Besotted Halloween sentiment and of course some sweeties to go in the box.

Roll on Halloween.

Promarkers used:

Skull guy face/neck and hand - Ice Grey 1, 2,3 and Pumpkin
Hair - Burnt Orange, Pumpkin and Spice
Top - Lime Green and Pear Green
Tie/pocket - Purple and Amethyst
Trousers - Burnt Orange, Pumpkin and Spice
Shoes - Purple and Amethyst
Pumpkins - Burnt Orange, Pumpkin, Spice, Lime Green, Pear Green and Sunflower.

I am entering this sweetie box into the following challenges: 

Di's Digi Designs - Add a sentiment

Creative Fingers - Anything goes

A Perfect Time to Craft - Anything goes

Classic Design Team Open Challenge - Anything goes
613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with the optional twist of a masculine card
Pearly Sparkles Challenge - Anything goes
A Bit More Time to Craft Extra - Anything goes
Crafts Galore Encore - Anything goes
Creative Ladybirds - Anything goes
Crafty Girls Creations - Anything goes
Delicious Doodles - Halloween (scary or cute)
Love to Scrap - Frightfully fun!
Pile it On - Fantasy
Paper Creator - Simply spooky
Penny's Paper - Anything goes
Cute Card Thursday - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the optional twist of CAS
More Mixed Media - Anything goes goes with the option of orange
Let's Craft and Create - Anything goes with the option of witchy/Autumn colours
Through the Purple Haze - Anything goes
Polkadoodles - Anything goes
QKR Stampede - Autumn leaves or anything goes
Jo's Scrap Shack - Anything goes
The Fairy and the Unicorn - Anything goes/optional theme of witching Halloween
Crafty Calendar - Halloween
Crafting from the Heart - Anything goes
Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything goes
Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Not a card
Emerald City Crafts - Anything goes
The Corrosive Challenge - Anything goes
Simply Papercrafts - Anything goes
Star Stampz - Lots of layers
Creative Inspirations - Anything goes
Create and Inspire - Anything goes
Digi Choosday - Anything goes
A Snowflakes Promise - Anything goes
Crafty Sentiments - Halloween/Fall
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes

Lemon Shortbread Etsy Store - New releases

  Just to let you know that there have been two new releases in the Lemon Shortbread Etsy Store whilst I have been away:

This image is called "Artichoke Hat".

This image is called "Chilly Day".

Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps - New release

 Whilst I was away there was the arrival of a new image in the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Etsy Store:

 

 The image is called "So Long".

Ching-Chou Kuik's Digital Stamps Inspiration Post - Friday 6 October 2017

 Here is my weekly inspiration post for the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Monthly Challenge Blog. 

Before I do I'd like to remind you that our challenge this month is "HALLOWEEN/FRIGHT NIGHT".

Here is my inspiration post with this theme.

 For my card I have used the Ching-Chou Kuik image called "Halloween Dusk".  It is available from the Etsy Store in a set along with Halloween Trio.  I have coloured my image in with Promarkers and inked around the edge with Tim Holtz's Chipped Sapphire distress ink.

I have used a backing paper from Lozzy's "paper Mixed Media Set and also another backing paper from my stash.

I have used some Clearly Besotted Halloween stamps and stamped over the purple Mixed Media paper.

I have finished the card off with a die-cut skull (coloured with a dark grey Promarker, stamped with a Sheena Douglass crackle stamp and gold paper stuck behind the eye sockets), some wide lace, stamped sentiment from the Clearly Besotted Halloween set, diet some pumpkins and then for the wooden stakes I used a Sara Davies Crafter's Companion stamp.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

A Perfect Time to Craft - Anything goes
Classic Design Team Open Challenge - Anything goes
Crafty Hazelnut Patterned Paper October Challenge - Anything goes
613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with the optional twist of a masculine card
Pearly Sparkles Challenge - Anything goes
A Bit More Time to Craft Extra - Anything goes
2 Crafty Critters - Anything goes
Crafts Galore Encore - Anything goes
Creative Ladybirds - Anything goes
Crafty Girls Creations - Anything goes
Delicious Doodles - Halloween (scary or cute)
Love to Craft - Anything goes
Love to Scrap - Frightfully fun!
Pile it On - Fantasy
Artistic Inspirations - Anything goes or option is to use cool colours
A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes
Digi Choosday - Anything goes
Creatalicious - Anything goes with the option of make your own background
Paper Creator - Simply spooky
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything goes
Crafting by Designs - Anything goes
Inspiration Destination - Anything goes
Creative Moments - Anything goes/World Smile Day on 6 October
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes
Crafty Sentiments - Anything goes
Crafty Gals Corner - Add a bat
Penny's Paper - Anything goes
Cute Card Thursday - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the optional twist of CAS
More Mixed Media - Anything goes goes with the option of orange
Little Miss Muffet - Anything goes
Let's Craft and Create - Anything goes with the option of witchy/Autumn colours
Through the Purple Haze - Anything goes
Polkadoodles - Anything goes
Crafting with Friends - Anything goes
Jo's Scrap Shack - Anything goes

Just to give you a "heads up" that this months’ challenge is a VERY special challenge.

Yes it is amazing to think that we are celebrating our 3rd anniversary of the Monthly Blog Challenge on the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Inspiration and Challenge Blog.

As it is our third birthday there will not be just one Monthly Challenge Winner but THREE Monthly Challenge Winners as well as the Artist Choice Award Winner picked by Ching-Chou Kuik herself.

It would be lovely to see you taking part in our challenge in the October 3rd anniversary celebrations.

Ching-Chou Kuik's Digital Stamps Inspiration Post - Tuesday 10 Ocotber 2017

I have made a Design Team creation as one of my Design Team members needs some time off.

For my Halloween sweetie box I have used my Ching-Chou Kuik digital stamp called "Hallo' Owlie".  I have coloured in my image in with Promarkers and fussy cut out the image.

For my box I have used my Crafter's Companion score board and stamped it with my Clearly Besotted web stamp.

I have finished the sweetie box off with pleated washi tape around the box, Clearly Besotted stamped ghosts and sentiment.

Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Facebook Group October Challenge - Halloween or Autumn

 Today is the start of the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Facebook Group Monthly Challenge.

The topic for the challenge this month is "HALLOWEEN OR AUTUMN".

I decided to play along with their challenge this month.

 For my card I have used the Ching-Chou Kuik digital stamp called "Pick a Pumpkin" (which comes in a set along with "Not Just a Pumpkin".  I have coloured the image in with my Promarkers and have edged the card with Imagination Crafts White Gold Starlight Wax.  I loveeeeeeeeeeeee this product.  Other products I have used for adding a gilding effect make me cough and triggle my asthma to play up.  Not this product.  I would recommend this product 100%.  Just need some more colours.  

The papers I have used are from Debbi Moore's Inspiration magazines.

I have used a piece of textured card and run it through a crackle effect embossing folder as I thought that it looked a bit like spider's webs.

Under the images I have used some gorgeoussssssssss Hobbycraft 6x6 Glitter Galore paper.  Normally I steer away from glitter paper/card as I hate the texture of it and the shedding of glitter.  This paper is so soft and no glitter falls off.  Maybe I might treat myself to the 12x12 paper pad for some extra glitter and sparkle.

I have fginished the card off with a Cleary Besotted Halloween sentiment stamp and some die-cut greenery coloured in with Promarkers.

I am entering this card into the following challenges: 

Inspiration Destination - Anything goes

Crafting with Friends - Anything goes

Scrapbook Stamp Society - Anything goes with the option of orange and brown

Crafting from the Heart - Anything goes

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything goes
Crafty Sentiments - Anything goes
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes

Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps - New release

  Today sees the arrival of a new image in the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Etsy Store:

The image is called "Autumn Blessing" and it is available as a special introductory price of $2.80 (instead of the original price of $4).  

Hurry as this offer ends on 30 September 2017.

Lemon Shortbread Etsy Store - New release

 Just to let you know that there has been a new release in the Lemon Shortbread Etsy Store.

This image is called "Pumpkin Hat".

Lemon Shortbread Challenge - Tuesday 26 September 2017 - Anything goes

Here is my second creation for the Lemon Shortbread Design Team.

The theme is "anything goes".

I love making pages for project books but the bought one can become too full with not many creations made ie if they have a good depth to them.  Instead of buying a book I have made my own with some cardboard covers (ready to be decorated), watercolour card pages (if I decided to do lots of inking or waterclouring for backgrounds), basic white card (if I am going to attach normal matting and layering to it) and finally held together with large book rings.  I'm not sure how many pages I will get in it but it will be certainly more than the bought book and it will be easier to take pages in/out for decorating.

For my creation I have used the Lemon Shortbread image called "Bat Flapper Girl".  I have coloured the image in the image with Promarkers and used chalks/Pan Pastels to get a moody background for the image.  I have always used the colour combo for skin of Blush, Sunkissed Pink and Coral.  Now all of a sudeen I've got addicted to the colour scheme Saffron, Spice and Oatmeal.  Strange how we change our colour favourites eh?

The purple backing paper is from Summertime Designs and the black card is from my stash.

On the purple paper I have used my Clearly Besotted Halloween stamps and used the bat image and then stamped on the image "batty for you" which came in the set as well.  I have finished the page off with two different ribbons, black lace, brads and die-cut bats.

I am entering project book page into the following challenges:

World Wide Design Team Open Challenge - Anything goes

Inspiration Destination - Anything goes

Creative Moments - Anything goes with the option of autumn colours

I Love Promarkers - Anything goes

Penny's Paper - Anything goes

Little Miss Muffet - Anything goes
CRAFT - Autumn/Halloween/Thanksgiving
Crafting with Friends - Anything goes
Colour Crazy - Anything goes
Polkadoodles - Anything goes
QKR Stampede - Anything goes
Creative Fingers - Anything goes
Jo's Scrap Shack - Anything goes

Allsorts - Things with wings (bats)

We Love to Create - Anything creative/mixed media goes
Scrapbook Stamp Society - Anything goes with the option of orange and brown
Crafting from the Heart - Anything goes
Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything goes
Crafty Sentiments - Anything goes
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes

Lemon Shortbread Challenge Blog

Lemon Shortbread Etsy Store

Lemon Shortbread Facebook Group

Ching-Chou Kuik's Digital Stamps Inspiration Post - Friday 22 September 2017

 Here is my weekly inspiration post for the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Monthly Challenge Blog. 

Before I do I'd like to remind you that our challenge this month is "FALL/FALL COLOURS/PUMPKINS".

This week the Design Team were challenged to "anything goes".

Here is my inspiration post with this theme.

 For my birthday card I have used the Ching-Chou Kuik image called "Spring Jasmine" and I have coloured her in with my Promarkers and used pearlescent shimmery chalks for the subtle background.

For the shaped of the card, the mounts and the image I have used my Dutch Doobadoo card shape.

The backing papers I think are from a Creative Crafting World CD but I am struggling to remember as I printed off a while ago and didn't leave a note with the papers where they were from - naughty me as I always like to make know where my papers come from.

To finish off the card I used a stamped sentiment, lace, ribbon, button and blue/purple Nuvo drops to add dimension to the dots on the backing paper.

I am entering this card into the following challenges: 

Classic Design Team Open Challenge - Anything goes

Crafty Hazelnut Patterned Paper September Challenge - Anything goes

Love to Scrap - Anything goes

Love to Craft - Anything goes
Crafts Galore Encore - Anything goes
Creative Ladybirds - Anything goes
Crafty Girls Creations - Anything goes
A Bit More Time to Craft Extra - Anything goes

Create and Inspire - Anything goes
Let's Craft and Create - Anything goes with the option of child's play

Unicorn Challenge - Birthday

Scrapbook Stamp Society - Anything goes with the option of handmade flowers
Corrosive Challenge - Anything goes

World Wide Design Team Open Challenge - Anything goes
A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes
The Ribbon Girl - September any image challenge
Crafting from the Heart - Anything goes
Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything goes
Digi Choosday - Anything goes
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes
Crafty Sentiments - Birthdays
Crafty Creations - Anything goes
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything goes
Inspiration Destination - Anything goes
Creative Moments - Anything goes with the option of autumn colours
I Love Promarkers - Anything goes
Penny's Paper - Anything goes
Aud Sentiments - Use a two word sentiment
Crafting with Friends - Anything goes
Colour Crazy - Anything goes
Polkadoodles - Anything goes
QKR Stampede - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Birthday (congratulations to all of those involved with the Crafty Catz DT and the sponsors.  To be going 8 years is a wonderful achievement.  Long may it continue!!)
Creative Fingers - Anything goes
Jo's Scrap Shack - Anything goes

Just to give you a "heads up" the October 2017 challenge will be a VERY special challenge.

Yes it is amazing to think that we will be celebrating our 3rd anniversary of the Monthly Blog Challenge on the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Inspiration and Challenge Blog.

As it is our third birthday there will not be just one Monthly Challenge Winner but THREE Monthly Challenge Winners as well as the Artist Choice Award Winner picked by Ching-Chou Kuik herself.

It would be lovely to see you taking part in our challenge in September with the topic of "FALL/FALL COLOURS/PUMPKINS" but make sure you pop back in October for the 3rd anniversary celebrations.

Happy 50th Birthday

 It was a colleague's 50th birthday recently.  Well if a 50th birthday doesn't mean a nice posh card in a box what does?

 My colleague loves cats so I knew which CD of mine to go straight to.  I picked my Joanna Sheen Furry Friends CD (sadly no longer available on Joanna Sheen's website) and printed the toppers out a few times so I could decoupage and I used backing papers (the pink striped and the grey textured) from the CD.

To finish decorating the card I used the grey paper and cut out "50" and "today", ribbon, button, charm, twine, glass cat bead and gems.

I made up the box and decorated it on the outside with the few cat stamps I had.  Once I made up the box I stamped the same images onto tissue paper for the card to sit on in the box.

My colleague really appreciated all the time and effort I put into making her card.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Crafty Creations - Anything goes

Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes

A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes

Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option of Halloween

Jo's Scrap Shack - Anything goes

Crafting from the Heart - Anything goes

Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes

Crafty Hazelnut Patterned Paper September Challenge - Anything goes

Unicorn Challenge - Birthday
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything goes

Ching-Chou Kuik's Digital Stamps Inspiration Post - Friday 15 September 2017

  Here is my weekly inspiration post for the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Monthly Challenge Blog. 

Before I do I'd like to remind you that our challenge this month is "FALL/FALL COLOURS/PUMPKINS".

This week the Design Team were challenged to "make your own background".

Here is my inspiration post with this theme.

 I have made a mixed media project using a card mount photo frame and stand I bought a while ago.  I made my own background for both the mount of the photo frame and for the backing for the images.

For this project a new image to the store I found was perfect - the seahorse digital stamp.  It comes in a set along with a ladybug digital stamp and a dragonfly digital stamp.  I coloured the images in with my Promarkers, highlighted areas with my Crafter's Companion clear overlay sparkle pen and fussy cut the images out.

For the frame I used my Dutch Doobadoo texture paste and a Dutch Doobadoo stencil to apply texture around the frame.  Once dried I painted on my Imagination Crafts Starlight  Metallic Blue Paint all over the frame, down the sides and on the underside a bit.  Once this was dried I used my Imagination Crafts Starlight Metallic Rich Gold Paint and stippled the paint on with a piece of sponge/scourer using the scourer side.

For the background card I used Tim Holtz's Mustard Seed, Squeezed Lemonade, Broken China and Salty Ocean distress inks and rubbed over the colours in various areas.  I then I used various seaside/texture themed stamps using the same tonal ink pads and stamped around the backing paper.  I then stamped the fish again, coloured in with Promarkers, fussy cut and decoupaged onto the backing card for some dimension.

I typed up the sentiment at the top and the names at the side (which I have whitened out for the recipients' privacy) in Word and cut out.

The project has been finished with some stamped/coloured in shells, die-cut shells, pearls and some gems.

I am entering this card into the following challenges: 

Crafting by Designs - Anything goes

Crafty Creations - Anything goes

Creatalicious Challenge - Anything goes with the optional of mythical creatures

A Perfect Time to Craft - Anything goes

2 Crafty Critters Crazies Challenge - Anything goes
Classic Design Team Open Challenge - Anything goes
Love to Scrap - Anything goes
Love to Craft - Anything goes
Crafting with Friends - Anything goes
Crafts Galore Encore - Anything goes
Creative Ladybirds - Anything goes
Crafty Girls Creations - Anything goes
A Bit More Time to Craft Extra - Anything goes
613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with the option of distress it
Artistic Inspirations - Anything goes
Let's Craft and Create - Anything goes with the option of child's play

More Mixed Media - Anything goes with the option of brown

Inspiration Destination - Anything goes or option of a recipe - to use flowers, die-cuts, ribbons and pearls or buttons
Creative Fingers - Anything goes
Create and Inspire - Anything goes
Glitter n Sparkle - Anything goes
Scrapbook Stamp Society - Anything goes with the option of handmade flowers
Corrosive Challenge - Anything goes
Crafting from the Heart - Anything goes
Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything goes
Digi Choosday - Anything goes
A Snowflake's Promise - Anything goes
Crafty Sentiments - Dies and/or punches (dies used for the shells and sentiment banner at the bottom)
Simon Says - It's written in the stars (hope starfish are OK)
Passion for Promarkers - Let it shine (used Crafter's Companion clear overlay sparkle pen on areas of the seahorses and gems)
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes
Crafty Creations - Anything goes
World Wide Design Team Open Challenge - Anything goes
Colour Crazy - Anything goes
A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes
QKr Stampede - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option of Halloween
Jo's Scrap Shack - Anything goes

Just to give you a "heads up" the October 2017 challenge will be a VERY special challenge.

Yes it is amazing to think that we will be celebrating our 3rd anniversary of the Monthly Blog Challenge on the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Inspiration and Challenge Blog.

As it is our third birthday there will not be just one Monthly Challenge Winner but THREE Monthly Challenge Winners as well as the Artist Choice Award Winner picked by Ching-Chou Kuik herself.

It would be lovely to see you taking part in our challenge in September with the topic of "FALL/FALL COLOURS/PUMPKINS" but make sure you pop back in October for the 3rd anniversary celebrations.

Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps - New release

  Today sees the arrival of a new image in the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Etsy Store:

 The image is called "Autumn Rose" and it is available as a special introductory price of $2.80 (instead of the original price of $4).  

 Hurry as this offer ends on 18 September 2017.

Just to Say .......................... Enjoy Your Retirement

My Union Representative where I work is leaving on Friday to say his new life - his retirement.  He's helped me over the years so I wanted to make him a card.

As he enjoys time near the sea it had to be a seaside/nautical themed card.

I have used my Debbi Moore Shabby Chic Seaside CD and Debbie Moore Shabby Chic Nautical CD.  I have used backing papers (striped and shells), decoupage topper, embellishments and I have cut another backing paper with shells on it to use as embellishments.

I have finished the card off with a stamped sentiment, satin ribbon and some Crafty Ribbons small shell ribbon.

I just hope he has a long and happy retirement.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes

Crafty Creations - Anything goes

Aud Sentiments - Anything goes with sentiment

Allsorts - Use at least 2 DPs (I have used a blue striped paper and a shell paper)

Crafting from the Heart - Anything goes

Cards 4 Guyz - Nature

Crafty Hazelnut Patterned Paper September Challenge - Anything goes

Creative Fingers - Anything goes

Creative Moments - Anything goes or the option to make a card for Grandparents' Day
Artistic Inspirations - Anything goes
Cute Card Thursday - Add a banner or flag

Lemon Shortbread - New Release - Skull Guy

Over at the Lemon Shortbread Etsy Store there have been some new release including this image called "Skull Guy".  I have got him to use for a challenge in October but I just couldn't wait to show you what he could look like coloured in.  I have coloured my image in with Promarkers and then used various texture stamps for the background.

The backing papers I have  used are from Summertime Designs.

I have embossed two pieces of card.  The dotty card was coloured in with my Cosmic Shimmer Copper Shine Metallic Gilding Polish.  I struggle to get a smooth coverage with the tool that comes with the polish and I have ruined so many images that I was trying to edge so I use my finger instead.  The web effect style embossing was highlighted with my Imagination Crafts White Gold Starlight Wax (I love this product as it has no smell and have lots of other colours on my wish list) using my trusted finger again.

I have finished the card off with a Clearly Besotted Halloween sentiment and die-cut bats and spiders.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Crafty Creations - Anything goes

Aud Sentiments - Anything goes with sentiment

Crafting with Friends Extra Challenge - Anything goes

Glitter n Sparkle - Anything goes

Pammie's Inky Pinkies - Anything goes

A Snowflake's Promise - Anything goes

Crafty Sentiments - Dies and/or punches

Crafty Hazelnut Patterned Paper September Challenge - Anything goes

613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with the option of distress it

QKR Stampede - Use Fall colours or anything goes

The Crafty Addicts - Anything goes or something girlie
Crafty Catz - Anything goes or the optional twist of "thank you"

Inspiration Destination - Anything goes or option of a recipe - to use flowers, die-cuts, ribbons and pearls or buttons