A Perfect Time to Craft Open Challenge Blog - May 2020

 Today sees a new challenge over at the A Perfect Time to Craft Open Challenge Blog.

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

 This month we are very lucky to be sponsored by Tracey who runs "Fred She Said Designs".

I have used some images from Fred She Said Designs "Doodled Floral Corner 1 Digi Set".  The set is AMAZING value for money.  There is a pre-coloured version and also a black-and-white version just waiting for you to colour in yourself.  In both sets you will get borders, frames and sentiments to use.

As you can see above I struggled to just make one card as I loved these images so much so I ended up making three cards for upcoming birthdays!!

When I received the set to use I decided I wanted to use a pre-coloured version so that I can still do my beloved decoupage.

For all of the cards I took the frames into Craft Artist so that I could put two of the main images onto a piece of A4 card and also crop some flowers to use as decoupage.  I used the "Happy Birthday" and "Birthday Wishes" sentiments from the set as well.

 For this card I have used some papers from The Works and I have inked around the edge of the paper with Tim Holtz's Dusty Concord distress to darken the purple paper to match in with the image.  I have finished off this card with some Sparkles glitter glue to the centre of the flowers, Nuvo pearl drops and a dotty organza bow.

 Orange is one of the least colours I use on my cards but the orange colourway of this image just spoke to me as it was so bright and cheery so I had to use it.  For the backdrop of the image I have used two leaf stamps and stamped around the edge of the card.  I have finished this card off with Stickles glitter glue to the centre of the flowers, spotty organza ribbon bow and used a Viva Decor Perlen Pen in gold to add little dots around all of the scrolls and the centre of the frame.

 For my second purple card I have again used a paper from The Works and again inked it with Tim Holtz's Dusty Concord distress ink and then once dry I rubbed the card to make sure you could still see the foil detail on the card.  I have finished the card off with Stickles glitter glue to the centre of the flowers, added a decorative purple ribbon bow and added Nuvo Purple Rain Glitter Drops to the corners of the image.

 Here is another look at all three cards together.  As you can see I haven't done much to the main images as they are so beautiful in themselves and just added some minor embellishments.

I am entering these cards into the following challenges: 

World Wide Open Design Team - Anything goes
Creative Moments - Anything goes with the option of "April showers bring May flowers"
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes
Crafty Friends - Lace and/or ribbon
Allsorts - Add a bow
Crafting Happiness - Anything goes with the option of occupations
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes
Simon Says - Anything goes
Penny's Paper - Anything goes
Krafty Chicks - Anything goes
Creatalicious - Add some sparkle (Stickles glitter glue)
Moving Along with the Times - Flowers
A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes
A Bit More Time to Craft Extra - Anything goes
Pearly Sparkles - Add a ribbon and/or bow (bows)
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option of sending hugs
Creative Fingers - Anything goes

Colour Crazy Challenge Blog - Friday 1 May 2020

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

The topic as always is "anything goes".

  This week we are lucky that we are sponsored by "Bugaboo Digital Stamps". 

 For my bright and cheery card I have used the Bugaboo Digital Stamps image called "Fried Chicken".  I have coloured my image in with Promarkers and highlighted areas with my Wink of Stella clear sparkle pen and Glossy Accents on the glass and the chicken's sunglasses.

The backing paper I used was from The Works.  I put a piece of white card through a linked flowers embossing folder and inked the edges afterwards.  

I have finished the card off with a border die-cut, flowers, die-cut greenery, LOTV digital sentiment and a Gorjuss peg.

I am entering this card into the following challenges: 

Creative Moments - Anything goes with the option of "April showers bring May flowers"
Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes
A Gem of a Challenge - Anything goes
Make my Monday - Use a digital stamp
Crafting Happiness - Anything goes with the option of occupations
Always Fun - Embossing folders
Crafty Sentiments - For a girl
Passion for Promarkers - Animals
Digi Choosday - Anything goes
Lemon Shortbread - Anything goes
Simon Says - Anything goes
Penny's Paper - Anything goes
Cute Card Thursday - Feminine
I Love Promarkers - Anything goes with the option of three of a kind (3 flowers)
Krafty Chicks - Anything goes
Bugaboo Challenge - Anything goes
2 Crafty Critters - Anything goes with critters
A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes
A Bit More Time to Craft Extra - Anything goes
Crafty Hazelnut Patterned Paper May Challenge - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option of sending hugs
Polkadoodles - Anything goes
QKR Stampede - Anything goes
Classic DT Open Challenge - Anything goes
Digi Doodle - Flower power
Cute as a Button - Anything goes
Morgans Artworld - Anything goes

Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps - New release

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

 This image is called "Carnation and Monarch".

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

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

Hurry as this offer ends on 6 May 2020.

Home Sweet Home

Here is a new home card that I have made for my sister and her three children.  I have used my Debbi Moore Shabby Chic Owls CD.  I have printed off a decoupage sheet three times so I could do a mummy owl and three children owl (they all had pink wings so I had to colour one lot of wings/eyes blue for a boy!!).

I have also used backing papers, borders, sentiments, tag and banners from the CD.

I concentrated on the layers/decoupage so have just simply finished off the card with googly eyes for all of the eyes.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything goes
Krafty Chicks - All occasions
Penny's Paper - Anything goes
Creative Fingers - Anything goes
Creative Moments - Anything goes with the option of "April showers bring May flowers"
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option to have a sentiment
Polkadoodles - Anything goes
CD Sunday - Anything goes
A Gem of a Challenge - Anything goes
Cute Card Thursday - Dotty

Ching-Chou Kuik's Digital Stamps Inspiration Post - Friday 24 April 2020

 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:

 "ANIMALS".

Due to the current coronavirus situation the world has become a very worrying place.  In times like this us crafters are so lucky as we have our crafting to get us through the difficult times.

Ching-Chou Kuik would like to give a new image away to everyone that enters the Blog or Facebook Challenge.  The image is called "Calla Lily Valley - Greyscale".

NB:  For anyone that enters the Blog of Facebook Challenge in April they will be sent this image once the challenges have closed.

Here is my inspiration post with an "Animals" theme. 

 For my birthday card I have used the Ching-Chou Kuik image called "Daisy Night Adventure - Greyscale".  I have coloured the image in with Promarkers and added some white Posca pen highlights to the flowers.

The backing papers are from a Trimcraft paper pad I won in a challenge last year.

I have finished the card off with some tulle, die-cut sentiment, some John Lockwood cornflower die-cut flowers and some Nuvo pearl drops.

I am entering this card into the following challenges: 

Mix it Up - Anything goes with the option of fancy fold
I Love Promarkers - Anything goes with the option of a speedy recovery/get well
Aud Sentiments - A birthday sentiment (congratulations to all those involved with the Aud Sentiments Challenge on your 10th birthday)
Allsorts - Flowers and/or showers
Sweet Stampin' - Bloomin' wonderful
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything goes
World Wide Open Design Team - Anything goes
Creative Sketchy Girls - Flowers
Jan's Digi Stamps - Anything goes
Crafting Happiness - Anything goes with the option of purple
Crafty Sentiments - Happy birthday
Digi Choosday - Anything goes
Passion for Promarkers - Add a sentiment
Always Fun - Chicks or Farm Animals
The Paper Shelter - Happy colours
Simon Says - Flower power
Krafty Chicks - All occasions
Polkadoodles - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option to have a sentiment
QKR Stampede - Anything goes

Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps - New release

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

 This image is called "Parrot Love".

In this set you will get a black-and-white image and a greyscale image.

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

Hurry as this offer ends on 28 April 2020.

Captain Tom Moore - Have a Knockout Day!

I think across the world we are all passionate about Captain Tom Moore who decided he would walk 100 lengths of his 25 metres garden with the help of his walking frame 100 times to celebrate his 100th birthday.  He wanted the money to go to the NHS Charities Together and he wanted to raise £1,000.  No-one could actually of predicted what an amazing influence Captain Tom Moore had on people.  At the time of typing up this post on my blog (6.00pm on Sunday 19 April 2020) I have looked at his fundraising page and the total raised was £26,123,862.98.  We are going through an awful coronavirus pandemic throughout the world but still people are donating to Captain Tom's excellent cause.

Due to this massive achievement an idea was raised about making cards for Captain Tom Moore.  I know some people are saying that we shouldn't do this due to the pandemic but I am sure that Marston Moretaine Post Office and then in turn the family will take all the necessary precautions but people around the country and even the world want to recognise what he has done for the NHS Charities Together.  I truly believe that all of the cards Captain Tom Moore receives will be looked at and all messages read.

For this reason I have made a card.  Wish I could hand deliver it in person as the family only live about 10 miles away but post it I will.

For my card I have used a CD from Just Inklined called "The Big One".  I have used one of the senior "flippin'" characters where you have the front decoupage and the back decoupage and you use a tri-fold card so you can put acetate in between the two sides with an aperture and then you stick both pieces of decoupage to it.  I have used the senior boxing man as Captain Tom Moore has certainly done a "knockout" job for what he has done and for what he has raised for the NHS.

The papers I have used are from Summertime Designs digital papers (sadly no longer available).  Thankfully I used papers I could print off myself as twice I had to go back to scratch because I didn't have a tri-fold card and made my own using an 8x8 scalloped card.  I also thought I'd make my card into a shaker card and printed off some papers with colours both side and die-cut little stars out of it as he is certainly a star in my eyes.

I then die-cut "100" out twice in both card and patterned paper so I could raise them up.  I then cut out "CAPTAIN TOM MOORE" out in patterned paper and card.  For all of the numbers and digits I inked around the edges with a Poppy Promarker (to get rid of the nasty wide edges of the paper and nasty brown edges of the card) before sticking them altogether.  This took over an hour to make these all raised but I think it was worth it although I might have to walk around with red fingers from the Promarker when I missed the small digits and alphabets!!

 I have finished the card off simply with all the die-cuts to say "100 today" on the outside and "100 Captain Tom Moore" on the inside, birthday sentiment from the decoupage sheet and some fussy cut stars from one of the papers.

I shall keep my fingers crossed that Captain Tom Moore likes his card.  It took a long time to make - especially with it going wrong twice - but he is so worth it.  Thank you Captain Tom Moore for what you have done/achieved.  Happy Birthday.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Crafter's Castle - Anything goes 
Creative Fingers - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option of paper piecing

Ally's Angels - Anything goes
CD Sunday - Anything goes with a CD/digital download/USB (Just Inklined CD called "The Big One" used for my card)
Aud Sentiments - A birthday sentiment (congratulations to all those involved with the Aud Sentiments Challenge on your 10th birthday)

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything goes
Digi Choosday - Anything goes
Creatalicious - Anything goes with the option of a marble background

The Creative Crafters - Anything goes

A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes
Crafting Happiness - Anything goes with the option of purple

Thanks for all that you do

 I made a banner to go in the front of our house on Tuesday and a friend asked me to make one for her front window to show appreciation for the NHS during this pandemic.  My banner can be found here.

Nikky Hall from Polkadoodles designed these images for people to use to make into cards/projects and to possibly make a donation to help the struggling NHS with this pandemic.

I have again used the pre-coloured version.  I made a heart in Craft Artist and added three of the images and two of the sentiments.  I then printed these images out again so I could decoupage the images.

The backing papers are from Summertime Designs in lovely turquoise hues (sadly no longer available.

I cut the "N", "H", "S" and hearts out three times out of card and then also out of scraps of the paper and then stuck them together.

I have finished the banner off quite simply with some Stickles glitter glue on the hearts and NHS and some Nuvo pearl drops.

I hope my friend likes her banner to support the amazing work of the NHS.

I am entering this banner into the following challenges:

Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes
Creatalicious - Anything goes with the option of a marble background
The Creative Crafters - Anything goes
A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes
Penny's Paper - Anything goes
Crafty Sentiments - Anything goes
QKR Stampede - Anything goes

Fab n Funky - Spots or dots

Ching-Chou Kuik's Digital Stamps Inspiration Post - Friday 17 April 2020

  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:

 "ANIMALS".

Due to the current coronavirus situation the world has become a very worrying place.  In times like this us crafters are so lucky as we have our crafting to get us through the difficult times.

Ching-Chou Kuik would like to give a new image away to everyone that enters the Blog or Facebook Challenge.  The image is called "Calla Lily Valley - Greyscale".

NB:  For anyone that enters the Blog of Facebook Challenge in April they will be sent this image once the challenges have closed.

Here is my inspiration post with an "Animals" theme. 

For my card I have used the Ching-Chou Kuik image called "Seahorse" (it comes in a set along with the images "Dragonflies" and Ladybug").  I have coloured the image in with Promarkers, chalked the background and added Nuvo drops to the background and image.

The backing papers are by Sara Davies from Crafter's Companion.

Last year I managed to get a small 6x6 seashell embossing folder.  I'd LOVE an A4 one but can't find an A4 one with seashells on it - let me know if I've missed one!!  I have embossed kraft card and then used a copper metallic Pan Pastel to highlight the embossing.

I have finished the card off with a stamped sentiment, pearls and die-cut shells and seahorses (which have all been coloured with Pan Pastels).

 I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Die-cut Divas - Animals
Cute Card Thursday - Wings
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything goes
Crafty Sentiments - Anything goes
World Wide Open Design Team - Anything goes
Creatalicious - Anything goes with the option of a marble background
The Creative Crafters - Anything goes
A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything goes
I Love Promarkers - Anything goes with the option of a speedy recovery/get well
Penny's Paper - Anything goes
The Paper Shelter - A birthday card
Aud Sentiments - A birthday sentiment (congratulations to all those involved with the Aud Sentiments Challenge on your 10th birthday)
Cut It Up - Our beautiful Earth (die-cut shells and seahorses)
QKR Stampede - Anything goes
Polkadoodles - Anything goes
Creative Fingers - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option of paper piecing

Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps - New release

 I am here today to show you the arrival of a new image in the Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Etsy Store:

 This image is called "Spring Lilies".

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

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

Hurry as this offer ends on 20 April 2020.

Just Want You to Know How Much You Are Appreciated

 

 I work as a part-time as a Medical Secretary at our local hospital and I am still working at the moment.  My eldest son, his partner and my niece all work in the NHS too.

Nikky Hall from Polkadoodles designed these images for people to use to make into cards/projects and to possibly make a donation to help the struggling NHS with this pandemic.

I decided to make an A4 poster to go in our sun room window at the front of the house. 

For my project I used the pre-coloured version of the images.  I took them into Craft Artist and inserted a red heart behind the three images, moved the images around until I was happy, added a sentiment (from the kit from Polkadoodles) and copied twice so I could decoupage up the image and cut out.  Unfortunately when I did the group option it copied them all fine so I printed off and cut out.  It wasn't until I had put all the foam pads on and starting to stick on something had gone wrong with the group copy as the lay doctor's shoes were at her knees!!  I wasn't impressed as they'd taken a while to cut out so back I went into Craft Artist and just printed off the top collage of images.  This time I only cut one out before I checked it was right.  Thankfully it was.

The backing papers are from Summertime Designs (sadly no longer available).

At work when we have boxes of DL envelopes we often get a cardboard divider in them.  Normally that would just go in the bin but if I see it I take it home.  I cut the "N", "H", "S" and hearts out twice out of this card and then also out of scraps of the paper and then stuck them together.

I then layered up the poster along with some black card and some glitter card.

 I have finished my project off quite simply with some cheesecloth in two corners, the word "NHS" and finally some hearts.

 Here is my project sitting in the window at the front of the house.

It's only a little gesture but little things add up.

There are so many people across the world doing their bit to help others during this pandemic like transport services like trains/buses etc making sure key workers can get to work (my husband and youngest son are involved in this), supermarkets/small shops, delivery drivers, refuse workers, teachers (still working for the children at risk or children of key works), emergency services and here in the UK the NHS.

Today is my time to "shout out" to all those working in the NHS eg consultants, nurses, health care assistants, porters, cleaners, managers, secretaries, admin staff and catering staff that all your work is appreciated and you are doing an amazing job despite the current circumstances.  

Thank you.

I am entering this project into the following challenges:

Digi Choosday - Anything goes

A Gem of a Challenge - Anything goes
Crafty Catz - Anything goes with the option of a colour theme

Crafting Happiness - Anything goes with the option of a butterfly

Crafty Hazelnut Patterned Paper April Challenge - Anything goes
Crafty Sentiments - Anything goes

Just for You Friend

 I have had a love of Ching-Chou Kuik's images for a long time now.  A friend at the time had bought some, sent me a card with one on, I bought some and the rest is history.  I have been on various Design Teams working with her digital stamps, rubber stamps and also a Design Team working with her images made into decoupage and pyromage.  Now I run both Ching-Chou Kuik's Digital Stamps Blog and Facebook monthly challenges.  I could never have imagined doing this when I first saw her images and posted I think my first Ching-Chou Kuik card on my blog back in March 2010.  The card I made is above (yikes did I really make that???).

The Design Teams I run get to use Ching-Chou Kuik's digital stamps but I still have some rubber stamps made by Sweet Pea Stamps (sadly no longer in business) and I decided to use them today.

For both of the cards below I have used some thick card jigsaws that have been in my stash for years.  I stamped on both of the images with Versafine black ink.  I have coloured the images in with my Promarkers and added Crafter's Companion clear sparkle pen on the wings.  I then prepared the backgrounds using different colours and different texture stamps to give the background more depth.  I have then doodled around the edges of both.

The backing papers for both cards are from The Works.

This first card I have finished it off with stamped sentiments, wide purple satin ribbon, spotty purple/white organza ribbon, Nuvo pink pearls drops and finally a flower.

This card I have finished off with stamped sentiments, Nuvo pearls drops, spotty grosgrain ribbon and flowers.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Crafting Happiness - Anything goes with the option of a butterfly
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything goes

Mix it Up - Anything goes with the option of a fancy fold

Crafty Friends - Anything goes

613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with the option of geometric papers

Let's Craft and Create - Anything goes with the option of looking through a window 

The Corrosive Challenge - Anything goes
Digi Choosday - Anything goes
Crafty Sentiments - Anything goes

Happy Birthday - Have Fun!

Here is a card I have made using a CraftsUPrint image called "Boogie Down" by Lisa Fisher (Baglietto) using an image by Kenny K.  It is a decoupage sheet so I have fussy cut all the pieces and layered up.

I have used some glitter card and some plain card which I stamped with various dots/circle stamps to make it fit in with the circles of the topper.

I have finished the card off with sentiments off the sheet, card candi, embroidery thread and a musical charm.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Daisy Chain Challenge - Birthday

613 Avenue Create - Anything goes with the optional twist of geometric papers

Word Art Wednesday - Anything goes

Alphabet Challenge - Anything goes

Crafter's Castle - Anything goes

Crafty Friends - Anything goes

Ally's Angels - Anything goes

CD Sunday Plus - Anything goes  with a CD/USB/digital download (I have used a digital download from CraftsUPrint)

Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps - New release

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

 This set is called "Fern and Butterfly Digital Coloured Decoupage Art".

This is a set of digitally coloured art by Ching-Chou Kuik herself and includes the main image and two additional butterflies that are all ready to be used on your cards/projects.

  This set is available at a special introductory price of $2.00 (original price of $3.00).

Hurry as this offer ends on 15 April 2020.