Ronnie Relaxing by Paula from Pollycraft

Emma (Crafty Emma) sadly lost her father last September following an accident at work.  He was airlifted to hospital by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance but sadly their help couldn't save Ronnie.  As Emma and her family knew that the Yorkshire Air Ambulance had played a very important part in trying to save Ronnie they have been raising funds since then for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.  Paul from Pollycraft has designed a wonderful image of "Ronnie Relaxing" and he costs £1.50 and all money for this digital image will go to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance Fund.  I recently had a holiday away in Yorkshire and also saw a post from another blogger raising funds for the same charity, so I decided that my current chosen charity as all my cards are sold to raise funds for different charities, would be the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.  I didn't need to think twice about purchasing this gorgeous image.

Emma has put a challenge on her blog.  Click here if you want to go and have a look and want to purchase this image.  Alternatively it can be purchased from Pollycraft Designs.  There are some gorgeous prizes to win with Emma's Challenge.

Please help Emma and her family raise more funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

I have made this card with some Dawn Bibby backing paper and a heavily embossed card.  Some of the backing paper I have torn and distressed the edges with Tim Holtz's Shabby Shutters Distress Ink.  I have coloured the image with Promarkers.  Even though I don't like green the card has turned out very green as I thought that chair looked like a comfy green chair.  I have finished the card off with some raffia ribbon and a selection of digital flowers from Bearly Mine Crafts.

This card also fits the following challenges:

Stampin' Sisters in Christ - Flowers

Paper Sundaes - No people

Die-cut Dreams - Tear it up

Stamp with Fun - Animals

Kaboodle Doodles - Embossing

The Creative Cottage - Going green - for someone who dislikes green - this is well and truly green overload!!!

The Crafty Purple Frog

Thanks to a blogging friend I have now got addicted to Sweet Pea Stamps and recently came across The Crafty Purple Frog who has been given the license to turn Ching-cou Kuik's wonderful images into decoupage/pyromage.  Click here to have a look.  I chose this image to use as it was bright and cheery because of the sunflowers.  I have used two different Basic Grey backing papers - the pink has been distressed around the edges with Tim Holtz's Mustard Seed and Brushed Corduroy Distress Inks and the yellow pieces have been torn (oh I so love doing this) and I have punched the edge of one but then both pieces have again been distressed with Tim Holtz's Mustard Seed and Brushed Corduroy Distress Inks.  I have used the Crafty Purple Frog Sunflower Mermaid pyromage this time which is so beautiful.  The card is finished off with some tags from my stash, three little baby sunflowers and of course some card candy.

This card fits the following challenges:

Pile it On - Spring

Paper Cutz - Use a tag and any colour/theme

Totally Papercrafts - Spring

Stampin' Sisters in Christ - Flowers

Magical Crafts - Something for the Girls

Die-cut Dreams - Tear it up
By the Cute and Girly - Fairytales

Sweet Pea Stampers - Wonderland

Crazy Amigo - Flowers

Gingersnap Creations - Botanical

Crafty Creations - Distressing

Crafts and Me - Brown/Pink/Yellow.

A Good Luck in Your New Job Card for our Son

I have spent the week-end making a card for our son who is due to start a new job tomorrow.  He doesn't finish full-time college until June but as the full-time course means he's off two days in the week they have allowed him to start his job but only one day a week until he finishes college.  From age 14-16 he did a day release at college for an apprenticeship.  From 16 to 17 he's been doing a two year IT Diploma.  His new job is in IT at a stationery firm, hence the images of stationery items on his card.  He LOVED his card but is nervous about tomorrow.  Ah bless ..........  His mum and dad are very proud that he's managed to get a job even before completing college especially when so many people are chasing too few jobs.

The CD Sunday Challenge - First Challenge - 18/4/10

Wendy (Crafty Butterfly Stamping Blog) has set up a new challenge “The CD Sunday Challenge Blog” and this week is their first challenge.  I wish Wendy and all the Design Team the best for their new challenge blog and I hope to take part as often as I can.

Their first challenge is called “Wings and Things”.  Last year I won one of Sharon Duncan’s CDs in some blog candy and this is where I used this beautiful bird image from.  The CD is called “Past Times – Flowers” and has some gorgeous images on it along with backing papers, inserts etc.  I have finished off the card with a ticket sentiment, Papermania glitteration, one of Jak Heath’s blossoms and some fibres.

This card fits the following challenges:

CD Sunday Challenge – Wings and things

Pollycraft Challenge – Pink/brown and green

Penny’s Challenge – Anything goes

Creative Card Crew - Birthdays

The Creative Cottage – Things with wings

Totally Papercrafts – Spring

One Stop Craft – Things with wings

Paper Sundaes – No people

Stampin’ Sisters in Christ – Flowers.

Moving House Card

Our neighbours sadly have to move out next week-end so I thought I’d make them a cheery card.  The image is from The Creative Cottage and also the backing papers and flowers which I have distressed the edges with Tim Holtz’s Tattered Rose distress ink.  The flowers I printed off a number of times and distressed with Tim Holtz Tattered Rose distress ink.  The card is finished off with some ribbon, card candy and a ticket sentiment from Crafty Ann’s Digi Store.

This card fits the following challenges:

Pollycraft Challenge – Pink/brown and green

Penny’s Challenge – Anything goes

The Creative Cottage – Things with wings

All that Scraps – Distressing

Sophisticats – Distressing

Rainbow Lady’s Challenge – Trees

Frosted Designs – Trees

Paper Sundaes - NO people
Totally Papercrafts – Spring
One Stop Craft – Things with wings

Stampin’ Sisters in Christ – Flowers.

Karen's Doodles Scandinavia 14/4/10

Well it’s time for a sketch challenge on Karen’s Doodles Scandinavian Challenge.  I thought I’d have a go and have used one of Karen’s new doodles that I got in one of her blog hops recently.  Isn’t it gorgeous?  I have coloured the image in with Promarkers.  I have then used my new See D’s Morsel stamps around the edge using Tattered Rose, Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint and Crushed Olive Tim Holtz Distress Inks to build up a frame with various flowers, leaves and swirls.  The backing paper is some scraps of papers I had left in various shades of orange.  The card is finished off with some card candy, a tag and a peel-off.

This card fits the following challenges:

Karen’s Doodles Scandinavia – Sketch

Creative Card Crew – Birthdays

Penny’s Challenge – Anything goes

Flutter by Wednesday – Open theme

The Creative Cottage – Things with wings

Stamp Something – Something Layered

Totally Papercrafts – Spring

Paper Cutz – Use a tag and any colour/theme

One Stop Craft – Things with wings

Our Creative Corner – Beautiful butterflies

Saturday Challenge – A day out

Stampin’ Inspirations by Maria – Orange and use up scraps

Stampin’ Sisters in Christ – Flowers.

Card for the Charity Stall

I recently won a Digital Tuesday Challenge and my prize was three Stitchy Bear Stamps that I could pick myself.  Well, what a time I had as there were so many wonderful creations.  In the end I went for one stamp called Edward and Bella.  It didn't mean anything to me as I know nothing about Twilight but I have some Forum friends who LOVE TWILIGHT so I thought I'd give this stamp a go as it might sell well for the charity stall.  I have coloured the image with Promarkers and highlighted areas with the Sakura Stardust clear pen to make areas glittery/sparkly.  The background paper which I cut into patchwork pieces was my own design as this is the topic this week on the Passion for Promarkers Challenge Blog  - to design a backing paper made solely with the Promarkers.  I used black and ice grey 2 to make the paper with a mixture of dots, zig-zags and thick lines.  I have finished off the card with some stamped flowers with ice grey brads in the centre, ribbon/flower/bow/pearl embellishment from my stash, some buttons, some card candy and a ticket sentiment from Crafty Ann's Digi Store (there are some on the sheet with words and some not, so one with no words I put on "Have a Twilight-y Happy Birthday").  I'm sure those of you who are Twilight fans will tell me whether I've got it right or not!!!

This card fits the following challenges:

Practical Scrappers - Glitter and bling

Penny's Challenge - Anything goes

Incy Wincy - Something Magical
Stamp Something - Layering

Crafty Angels - My favourite things

Passion for Promarkers - Make you own background using Promarkers

Creative Card Crew - Birthdays

ABC Challenge - S is for Sparkle

The Creative Cottage - Things with Wings

One Powerful Hour - Patchwork

One Stop Craft - Things with Wings

Everybody Art - Paper patch

Allsorts - In stitches

Sweet Stamping - In stitches

Stamp, scrap and doodle - Bow, buttons and bling.

Commissioned Wedding Card

I was asked to make a card for my son's colleagues to sign for someone getting married.  I used my new My Craft Studio for the image, backing paper and inserts.  I have adorned the card with some silver mirri card, Dawn Bibby's die-cut flowers, ribbon rose, two crystal hat pins, ribbon, pearls and a chain link and heart charm.  I have highlighted various areas of the car with Sakura Stardust clear pen to add a bit of glitter/bling.  The lady who asked for it to be made was so pleased with it which is such a relief when you make a card.  I have made a decorated envelope for the card to be given to the recipient.

This card fits the following challenges:

Crafty HO's - Pastel colours

Practical Scrappers - Glitter and bling

Crafty Angels - My favourite things - flowers, ribbon etc

ABC Challenge - S is for Sparkle
Stamp Something - Layering

Penny's Challenge - Anything goes

Cute Card Thursday - Touchy feely

Totally Papercrafts - Spring - a card for a Spring wedding next week

Totally Gorjuss - Charming.

Card for Eleven Challenges

I saw the topic for this weeks' Passion for Promarkers Challenge and thought yikes - like a lot of other people - but I thought I'd have a go.  The topic this week is to create a background for your project using Promarkers.  I deliberated on various different things but after I had coloured this gorgeous Ching-chou Kuik Sweet Pea stamp an idea came to me.  I did some swirls of three different blues (pastel blue, aegean and midnight blue) onto a piece of matt photo paper.  I then waited for it to dry and then put some dots on the mid blue lines courtesy of the blender.  It's a delicate effect and I might use it again.  The Sweet pea stamp has been coloured in with Promarkers and highlighted in places with the Sakura Stardust Clear pen just to add some glittery/sparkly accents.  The two different die-cut flowers are from Dawn Bibby and were a light blue but I coloured them with the mid and dark blue and finished off the centres with some card candy.  The raffia was light blue and I thought added some nice texture but didn't quite go so out came my Tim Holtz Faded Jeans Distress Ink Pad and hey presto the colour matches better.  I distressed the edges of the backing paper and stamped image to tie in and used the Tim Holtz applicator which I got with the QVC TSV a few months ago.  Personally I found this easier than the cut-and-dry foam so I shall need to get some more foam pieces.  I finished off around the card with some faux stitching.

This card fits in with the following challenges:

Cute Card Thursday - Touchy feely

Passion for Promarkers - Create a background using Promarkers

ABC Challenge - S is for Sparkle

Your Next Stamp Challenge - Stitching

Penny's Challenge - Anything goes

Incy Wincy - Something Magical

Pink Elephant - 1 image, 2 dies and 3 different favourite embellishments (2 different flower die-cuts and my three favourite embellishments are flowers, card candy and the use of raffia/ribbon/fibres)

One Stitch at a Time - Torn, distressed or shabby

Totally Gorjuss - Texture

Totally Papercrafts - Distressing

Stamp Something - Stitching.

Passion for Promarkers Challenge - Tuesday 6/4/10

Well I am hoping by the "skin of my teeth" I am making the deadline for the Passion for Promarkers Challenge this week with the topic of "The Young Ones".  This is a cute little boy image from Dottie's World with him holding his teddy bear.  I can remembering my two boys doing this.  I have coloured the image in with Promarkers, used papers from my stash (not sure of the makes as I was given these) and finished off with a peel-off.

This card also fits the following challenges:

Simon Says Challenge - A card for a child

Stamp, Scrap and Doodle Challenge - Birthdays
Cupcake Craft Challenge - Childhood Memories

Dottie's World - Green, Pink and Turquoise (there is red and salmon pink in this backing paper and also salmon pink in the mount I used - it's not bright pink so I am sure I'd get away with it for a boy - especially as one of my son's favourite colour when he was young was pink!!!)

Creative Inspirations - Green, brown and blue.

Card made whilst on holiday

I couldn't go away a week without taking some of my crafting stuff with me and I did manage to get a little "time out" to have a colouring session and make some cards.  This card is made with a gorgeous Inky Impressions image.  I've had this little girl for sometime now but never printed her off and coloured her in which is such a shame.  I used papers that made their way from the dining room table - to my craft trolley on wheels - on holiday to Yorkshire - and out again from my craft trolley to sit on the dining room table again until I use them up!!!  I have used a new "toy" I got after winning a Cupcake Craft Challenge and had some money to spend in the Simon Says Stamp Store.  I bought some Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pads and also a Tim Holtz distressing.  I'd normally used a nail file but wasn't really happy with the outcome.  This little tool is FAB and certainly distresses the edges and gives it a wonderful texture I could never get with a nail file!!  I have coloured the image with Promarkers and also some sparkly Sakura pens but no matter how I tried with the camera you can't really see the sparkle too much and you can't ready the wording on the sentiment.  It does say "Get Well Soon" and is from Dawn Bibby along with the die-cut/embossed butterflies and dragonfly.

I can fit this card into the following challenges:

Flutter by Wednesday - Sparkle

Totally Papercrafts - Distressing

Raise the Bar - Let's Spring for it!

Saturday Secret Crafter - Get Well Soon

One Stitch at a Time - Torn, distressed or shabby

Crafty HO's - Pastel Colours

Corrosive Challenge - Texture

Totally Gorjuss - Texture

Quixotic Challenge - The Joys of Spring.

Charity Stall - April 2010

Well we are just back away from a week in Hawes in Yorkshire.  We stayed in a lovely cottage and got to see some wonderful scenery.  I had forgotten on Friday that the charity stall needed setting up so I gave them a call and told them my son would come and set it up this morning which he did for me.  It's a while since he's had to set it up but I think he's done well.  I showed him before he left how to set up the easel cards to try and give some height to the stall.  I have also got a nice "fat" basket of cards that have been donated to me by friends in the crafting/blogging world and also a friend who now has got the contagious crafting bug!!!  Thank you.

I have got to the stage of getting a bit stuck for charities to help.  I try to alternate between local and national ones but as I've been doing this for four years now I sometimes struggle.  I saw Hazel's blog last night (Dido's Designs) and saw a post on there asking for old bras and to follow a link.  I duly did this and saw that Annie and her family have raised £1,300 so far for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.  That's a wonderful achievement.  As we are just back from Yorkshire I think it is fate to pick this as my charity for the next 4-6 weeks or so.  

If you have a charity that is "close to your heart" please get in touch with me including some contact information for the charity eg a website and I will keep a list and work my way through donating to them.

Crafty Ann's Challenge Blog - Friday 9 April 2010

The time has come for another Crafty Ann's Challenge.  This fortnight the topic is "Let the Sunshine In" and you can interpret this in any way.

I have used one of Crafty Ann's digital images of some lovely daffodils.  I always think seeing daffodils popping their heads out means spring and then summer on their way and they need a little sunshine to do this.  I have used a 6x6 inch card and made it into an easel card and have used three different Crafty Ann's digital papers (Abstract 1) Crimson red, golden yellow and burnt orange.  The "stopper" for the easel card is one of Crafty Ann's flower blossoms in two different sizes finished with a brad.  The card is finished off with some card candy, some gingham ribbon, a Crafty Ann's ticket sentiment and some peel-offs.

Please click here and look at this fortnight's challenge.

This card also its the following challenges:

One Stitch at a Time - Anything goes
Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - How does your garden grow?
Pollycraft Designs - Anything goes
The Pink Elephant - Nature
Raise the Bar - let's Spring for it it!!
Quixotic Challenge - The Joys of Spring

The Arrival of the Sir Stampalot Challenge Blog

Here is another card I have made for my next stall which is due again shortly.  I have used a gorgeous Sweet Pea stamp - I like these sooooooo much that I have ordered some more - naughty eh????  I have used some papers from off my table ie to be used up along with a mount I was sent by a blogging friend.  Yet again it is another one that lost out to the letter delivery service and was dog-eared in two corners thus the flowers I put in corners diagonally as I'd have felt it such a shame if I hadn't used them.  I have coloured the image with Promarkers.  I have aged the papers and images with Tim Holtz's distress inks.  I love the effect this gives.

This card fits the following challenges:

Sir Stampalot - Fantasy - Well the Sir Stampalot Challenge has started up and is raring to go with such a WONDERFUL prize this month.  Here's wishing you the best of luck with your new challenge blog and I shall look forward to having look at creations and will try to enter as often as I can

Sketchy Colors - Orange, turquoise and brown
Papertake Weekly Challenge - Open theme

Paper Sundaes - Photo as inspiration

Creative Card Crew - Vintage/aged

Crafts and Me - Fairies or wings.