Tip Top Toppers Things

Dandelion Clocks

2012-02-18T07:00:00.000Z

And yes, another Lili of the Valley pre coloured image! Again, I bought this from the ebay shop which sells all the end of line and discontinued stock (along with fantastic customer service from Lucy too!)

I've actually used papers that are from a Christmas collection although, to be honest, most of them could be used for any time of the year - Carina Gardner Santa's Sleigh paper collection. The hot pink is an offcut of card. I've added some ribbon from my stash and another princess charm. The ribbon bow is actually tied three times as I used my trusty wooden bow maker - you just can't see the fanciness in the photo!

I've added a bit of sparkle with stickles to the image and that's about it! Great images for quick cards that look fab!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Card Positioning Sketches: 5th Anniversary, day 12
Sir Stampalot: In The Garden
Sparkles Forum: Things With Wings
Diva's By Design: Things With Wings

Papers: Carina Gardner - Santas Sleigh
Image: Lili of the Valley pre coloured die cut image
Everything else: My stash

Ballerina In Training

2012-02-17T17:00:00.000Z

Another Lili of the Valley pre coloured image! I bought this image (along with a stack more from the ebay outlet shop for discontinued and end of line stock) And I found the perfect papers in my stash to use - I Heart You download collection from Funky Hand as the lilac matched perfectly!

I've added a little sparkle with stickles to the image and used three different ribbons from my stash - none of which were long enough so I had to pretend they were as they don't meet in the middle under the image!

I've added the princess charm by threading it through the ric rac ribbon plus three lilac gems to the top corner of the image and a doodled silver line around the edge of the card and it is complete!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Card Positioning Sketches: 5th Anniversary, Day 11
Art With No Boundaries: Let The Dancer In You Escape
My Craft Spot: Girly Girl

Papers: I Heart You download from Funky Hand
Image: Lili of the Valley pre coloured die cut
Everything else: My stash

Simply Create Too Challenge 7 - Add Sunshine

2012-02-17T10:00:00.000Z

It's time for another Simply Create Too Challenge and this fortnight the theme is

Add Sunshine

I've made another baby card but this time it came in a kit form - well, actually a sheet of A4 which I printed and then cut out and layered. I bought it from here. I've added the ribbon and button and that's it - quite quick to make!

It's a wobble card so it will rock from side to side when pushed. Good luck with the challenge and for more inspiration please pop over to the Challenge blog!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Cupcake Craft Room: New Beginnings
Whimsy Stamps: Anything But Square
Craft Room Challenge: Cute and Cuddly

Card Kit: CraftsUPrint
Embellishments: My stash

Polkadoodle Challenge 7 - Recipe

2012-02-17T09:00:00.000Z

It's time for another Polkadoodle challenge and you will want to pop over to the challenge blog, not only to see the fantastic samples by the girls but to also read some exciting news - and there is lots of it!!

The challenge this week is a recipe:

One Image, Two Papers and Three Embellishments

Now it does look like I've used four embellishments but the charm IS attached to the ribbon and thus counts as one!! Sneaky, I know, but hey!!

If you are wondering why I've made a blue and a pinky lilac one, its because I'm going to be an Auntie any day now and I'm keeping my options open as to what it will be and I've already got a few card orders from family members for when it does arrive!

I've used the Candy Doodles cd (watch its revamped launch on Create and Craft this weekend!) and coloured the birdie with Promarkers, adding a Marianne Creatables diecut and used a Nesties for the shape. All the other bits and bobs are from my stash.

I've added a dotted line of liquid pearls around the outer edge of the card and also on the coloured layer for a bit more bling.

Good luck with the challenge - closing date is Sunday 26 February at 12noon GMT.
I'd like to enter the following challenges:

City Crafter Challenge: Perfect Pair
Alota Rubber Stamps: Shaped Card
Cupcake Craft Room: New Beginnings
Pretty Little Ribbon Shop: Anything Goes With Ribbon
My Mums Craft Shop: Swirls and Pearls

All papers and image: Candy Doodles cd
Dies: Marianne Creatables and Spellbinder Nestabilities
Everything else: My stash

Scraps and Christmas Bling

2012-02-16T20:30:00.000Z

I've had a rummage through some of my stash whilst I've been off with the boys (mainly to keep me from going mad as I can't think straight!) and I found a box of very glittery and sparkly Christmas tree decorations that I bought in the January sales last year at Tesco. I had a rummage through my papers too as trying really hard to use up what I've already got printed (cos I have LOADS!) and found these papers from Funky Hand - Funky Christmas Time download.

The main backing paper is actually printed on vellum and I used my mega thin double sided tape to stick it down (bought from Dunelm for 99p a roll!) and then added a faux running stitch around the edge just in case it showed through.

I'm pretty pleased with how this turned out - quick to make and extra points to me for recycling and using up stash!! I love using Christmas tree decorations on my cards and I actively seek out what the shops have and then make notes as to what is where so I can target my favourites in the sales!!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Card Positioning Systems: 5th Anniversary - Day 13
Christmas Inspirations: Anything Goes
Desert Island Crafters - Challenge 25: 2 or more patterned papers; green; sparkle / bling; stitching
Little Darlings: Favourite Embellishment (cheap Christmas decorations!!)
Digital Tuesday: Use Your Stash
52 Christmas Card Throwdown: Colour Challenge - Gold, Green and Red

Papers: Funky Christmas Time download from Funky Hand
Embellishment: Tesco Christmas decoration

Pretty In Pink

2012-02-16T14:00:00.000Z

I do like Lili of the Valley images and don't actually own any but I did notice that they had an ebay shop that sold discontinued and end of the line stock! So I bought some packs of the die cut pre coloured images (and some more since!) However, I didn't realise just how big the large images were! I've had to cut this one down to fit it on the 14.5cm square card!

I've added a bit of stickles to the image and some inking too. The pink papers are from Tinker and Co - not sure if they are still available and the sparkly stuff is an old tissue box that I've used for layering. The string is from my stash and the sentiment is a magazine freebie from Ladybug Craft Ink.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Card Positioning Systems: 5th Anniversary, Day 15
Divas By Design: Wings
Flutterby Wednesday's: Anything With Wings
Craft Room Challenge: Cute and Cuddly
Top Tip Tuesday: Magical, Mystical and Fantasy

Image: Lili of the Valley pre coloured image
Papers: Tinker and Co
Sentiment: Ladybug Crafts Ink freebie stamp
Everything else: My stash

Crimbo Crackers Challenge 9 - Make Me Laugh

2012-02-16T09:00:00.000Z

It's time for challenge 9 at Crimbo Crackers and its sponsored this fortnight by Dude Time Doodles who are offering the challenge winner a $10 gift certificate to spend in the store!

The challenge theme this fortnight is:

Make Me Laugh

So as long as it is Christmas related then it can be entered! I've used Kris Jingle from Dude Time Doodles and coloured him with Promarkers plus a little glitter glue on his hat. I've used off cuts of paper from a previous project (some careful pattern matching!) which is Echo Park - All I Want For Christmas paper pack.

I've added a string of tiny fairy lights which I've had in my stash for ages and the sentiment is a Studio G acrylic stamp. A bit of faux stitching and my card is complete!

Good luck with the challenge and don't forget the rules!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Card Positioning Systems: 5th Anniversary - Day 3
Gingersnap Creations: Faux Technique (stitching)
The House That Stamps Built: Use Leftover Scraps
Creative Card Crew: Masculine

Image: Dude Time Doodles
Papers: Echo Park, All I Want For Christmas
Sentiment: Studio G
Everything else: My stash

Simple Wedding

2012-02-16T08:30:00.001Z

The Wedding season is fast approaching (and we've got a family Wedding very soon!) so I thought I'd get a Wedding card made! I've used a Lee Jacobs image, purchased from CraftsUPrint and coloured with Promarkers.

I've added liquid pearls around the edge of the card in following the sketch from Card Positioning Systems plus also around the image. I've used one of my Nesties as a template to draw around as I didn't have anything rectangle.

The ribbon is from my stash along with the pearl buckle and the gems.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Card Positioning Systems: 5th Anniversary, Day 9
Crafty Sentiments: Love
Die Cutting Diva's: Pick two colours: Pink, Red, White or Black (Pink and White used)
Sassy Cheryl's: No Designer Paper
Bunny Zoe's Crafts: Celebrations
Crafty Calendar: Love and Marriage

Image: Lee Jacobs, coloured with Promarkers
Dies: Spellbinder Nestabilities as a template
Everything else: My stash

More Wooden Love

2012-02-15T21:45:00.000Z

To be honest, I've not got a clue what day it is! I'm off work this week as its half term for the boys and they are off school. I've also got Monday off so I have a day to recover as I've had enough all ready! Plus I don't get enough time on the pc to do what I need to do so I'm behind with blogging my cards!

This one is for Sketch 10 for Card Positioning 5th Anniversary Celebrations. I've actually done all the sketches, just not blogged them yet!

I've used a kraft card blank and scraps (and I do mean scraps!) of Cosmo Cricket Circa 1934 papers plus another wooden heart from my stash (Matalan), some lace from the scrap store (it's actually underwear lace!) and a random red rose type flower I found in my stash.

Pretty quick to make once I'd decided what I was doing! Jacob had another karting session late afternoon and knocked another half a second off his fastest time! We usually film the boys when they are on track and I've been thinking about getting a You Tube account so I can share. Still at the thinking stage!!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Card Positioning Sketches: 5th Anniversary, Day 10
Crafting For All Seasons: Love Is In The Air
Friendship Garden: Love and Three Embellishments (lace, flower, wooden heart)
Sisterhood of Crafters: Valentine
Celebrate the Occasion: Valentine and Use A Heart
Clear It Out: Valentine and Use Pink or Red Scraps

Wooden Heart: Matalan
Papers: Cosmo Cricket - Circa 1934 paper pack
Lace: Scrap Store
Flower: My stash

Dude Time Doodles - Challenge 31 - Photo Inspiration

2012-02-15T06:00:00.000Z

It's time for a Dude Time Doodles challenge and this week it's photo inspiration plus die cuts and punches. I've mainly used the photo as inspiration and just about managed to use a punch - a corner rounder! For more ideas and inspiration, head over to the challenge blog!

I've used Harold Hammock for my card and coloured him with Promarkers. The printed papers are from the Retro Stack 6x6 pad from DCWV and I found some brown corrugated card in my stash (I don't even remember buying this so must have had it for years!). I've had the paper pad for years and I keep forgetting to use it! Sentiment is computer generated and I've used some more of the fabric ribbon from the Scrap store.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Card Positioning Systems: 5th Anniversary, Day 14
Creative Card Crew: Masculine
Digital Tuesday: Use Your Stash
Use It Tuesday's: Birthday's
Stamps + Fun = Creativity: Birthday

Image: Dude Time Doodles, coloured with Promarkers
Papers: DCWV Retro 6x6 stack
Ribbon: Scrap Store
Sentiment: Computer Generated
Everything else: My stash

Craft Juice Tuesday - Week 104

2012-02-14T09:00:00.000Z

Welcome to another Craft Juice Tuesday! And today is Valentines Day - so its the theme for my post today!

If you want to know more about each item, just click on the photo.

Red and white hearts on this Kindle cover from Kates Curios

You could knit your own bunny - from Made By Ewe

Plenty of hearts here! Buy from Flowers and Dolls

See you next Tuesday for more Craft Juice Tuesday!

Cheap Earring!

2012-02-14T08:30:00.000Z

Here is a rather quick valentine card I made. Paper is from I Heart You download collection from Funky Hand and I've used my Cuttlebug D'Vine Swirls embossing folder for a bit of texture. The lettering is Cuttlebug Baby Face alphabet dies and I've added a very blingy and cheap earring that I bought with Jacob (that shopping trip a few years ago - he does like looking for bargains with me!)

The ribbon is I think upholstery trimmings and I got it from the Scrap store ages ago.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Card Positioning Systems: 5th Anniversary, Day 8
Crafty Cardmakers: Monochrome Magic
Lexi's Creations: Love
Unstampabelles: Recycling (heart earring and fabric trim)

Paper: I Heart You download from Funky Hand
Dies: Cuttlebug D'Vine Swirls embossing folder, Cuttlebug Baby Face alphabet dies
Everything else: My stash

Fetch A Sketch Challenge 17 - Midway Extra

2012-02-13T09:00:00.000Z

It's time for the midway extra on Fetch A Sketch, so here is a reminder of our sketch:
And our sponsor The Digi Garden:

And here is my take on the sketch! I've used Funky Hand papers - Dreams Come True cd and used the cute Oscar digi stamp, colouring him with Promarkers. I've used my Nesties for layering plus some faux stitching and some ribbon from my stash.

I've also added glossy accents to his nose, eyes and feet - you just can't see it! Good luck with the sketch - deadline is Sunday 19 February.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

CD Sunday: L is for (Lion!)
Here Come The Boys: Favourite Song (The Lion Sleeps Tonight - Tight Fit)
CES Challenges: Lots of Layers - more than 3
Send A Smile 4 Kids: Anything Goes
Alphabet Challenge: A is for Animal Antics

Image: The Digi Garden, coloured with Promarkers
Papers: Funky Hand - Dreams Come True cd
Ribbon: My stash

Bunnies!

2012-02-13T08:15:00.000Z

Here is the second of two new releases from Jellypark this fortnight! And this is one cute Bunny image! I've coloured them with Promarkers and cut round them so I could add them to the tag attached to these little pouches.

I did have some of the chocolates remaining and had to give them to Jacob - he is a real chocolate fiend!

The pouches are made from a template from WendyBird Designs and both fit onto a sheet of A4 card and are really easy to make. I was careful to cut out the aperture as this made the tag. Edges have been glittered for a bit of bling!

I've made these for Samuel and Jacob and they are safely hidden away until Easter! Unless I forget I have them - Jacob found a chocolate lolly from Thorntons yesterday that was dated best before November 2010 - he ate it!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

One Stitch At A Time: Anything Goes
The Crafty Pad: Letter B (Bunny)
Poodles Parlour: Anything Goes
Moving Along With The Times: Cute Critters

Image: Jellypark, coloured with Promarkers
Gift Bag template: WendyBird Designs
Everything else: My stash

Four Owls

2012-02-11T07:30:00.001Z

Here is the first of the Jellypark releases for this fortnight! The digi is actually four owls but I've separated them and made four different cards! Each have been coloured with Aquamarkers and all the specific details to each card appears with it.

Glad to say the indigestion has now completely vanished! I was in agony again Thursday early evening, coupled with having to keep going to school to drop the boys off at a disco (infants and juniors had different times) plus it was cold and wet so I felt right sorry for myself! Had a rather hot bubble bath at around 9pm and volia! All the pains went! Although I think it was helped by half a bag of midget gems! So I had a great night sleep and feel fine now!

Right, onto the cards!Card 1 (above): Papers are from Boys and Girls collection (sorry, no longer available) from Funky Hand plus a bit of faux stitching and a silver heart charm taken from a rather naff bracelet from the poundshop. Ribbon is from my stash.

Challenges:
Card Positioning Systems: 5th Anniversary - Day 1
CRAFT: Valentine / Love
Cute Card Thursday: Pink Valentine

Card 2 (above): Paper is Cosmo Cricket Circa 1934 kit (just can't stop using it!) along with a Nesties die and a brand new Marianne Creatables die that I've bought recently! I've added a heart recycled from a Christmas card and a Studio G acrylic stamped sentiment.

Challenges:
Card Positioning Systems: 5th Anniversary Day 7
CRAFT: Valentine / Love href="http://ilovepromarkers.blogspot.com/2012/02/challenge-103-love-is-in-air.html">I Love Promarkers: Love Is In The Air
Forever Friends (Monthly): Valentine

Card 3 (above): I've used a sheet of rather posh Tom Smith Christmas paper for this card as I love the colours! Faux stitching around the edge and I've used some red ric rac ribbon underneath a strip of what can only be described as industrial ribbon! It came from the Scrap Store in a big roll and it does look like ribbon but more fabric like!

The very blingy heart is actually an earring! Jacob and I spent a good 10 minutes one morning on the way to nursery 3 years ago going through all the reduced jewellery in Asda - these should have been £2 for 2 pairs and were reduced to 50p so I got 4 of these hearts for just over 10p each! Jacob does love a bargain!

Challenges:
Card Positioning Systems: 5th Anniversary Day 6
Charisma Cardz: Things with Wings
I Love Promarkers: Love Is In The Air
Sisterhood of Crafters: Valentine
Shopping Our Stash: Hearts and Valentines

Card 4 (above): Again, Cosmo Cricket Circa 1934 paper with a ruffle added across the centre and another strip of the industrial ribbon from the Scrap Store. I had to be inventive and used my Nesties as a template to draw around as the proper square shape was too big. So if it looks a little wonky, that's why!

Challenges:
Card Positioning Systems: 5th Anniversary Day 5
Charisma Cardz: Things with Wings

So there 'you have it'! And in case you've not noticed, I am determined to do all 15 Card Positioning System sketches for their 5th Anniversary celebrations. I've got 7 more to do with a further 2 yet to be revealed, so I better crack on with those 9!

Jellypark Challenge 16 - Love

2012-02-10T08:00:00.003Z

It's time for another Jellypark challenge and the theme this week is:

All About Love

There is also a colour theme too (which I didn't see!) so my sample is sort of half right! For more details pop over to the challenge blog and you'll see some fab samples too from the Design Team!

I've used the cute Wedding Couple digi stamp and coloured them with Promarkers plus a little bit of liquid pearls. I've used my Nesties as templates to draw around as I didn't have anything big enough and then I've added some inking around the edges and then stickles for a touch of sparkle.

I've dotted liquid pearls around the edge of the card and added some organza ribbon from my stash. The filigree heart charm was part of a bracelet I bought from the Poundshop as it had 6 lovely charms for, yes, you've guessed it, a pound!

Jellypark have released two new digi stamps today. Well, one of the stamps has 4 images on so you get more for your money! I'll be blogging those over the weekend so watch out for them!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Card Positioning Systems: 5th Anniversary - Day 4 Sketch (flipped)
Fab n Funky: Love Is In The Air
I Love Promarkers: Love Is In The Air
My Mums Craft Shop: It Must Be Love
Penny's Paper Crafty Challenges: Love Is In The Air
Crop Stop: Wedding / Anniversary

Image: Jellypark, coloured with Promarkers
Papers: My stash
Dies: Spellbinder Nestabilities used as a template
Charm: From a bracelet from the Poundshop
Everything else: My stash

Simply Create Too Challenge 6 - Red Hot Midway Extra

2012-02-10T07:00:00.001Z

It's the midway extra for the current Simply Create Too challenge - extra inspiration for you as we are at the halfway point in the challenge. To have a look at the other samples, pop over to the challenge blog!

The theme this fortnight is:

Red Hot

I made this card a while ago and gave it to Lisa Jane (to congratulate her on her engagement) when I met up with her last month. I've used papers from Funky Hand - the backing paper is from Funky Kraft Stash and the reds are from Love Love Love download.

I've used my Nesties for layering then up and inking the edges and I've added faux stitching around the edge of the card. Two pearl headed pins from my stash along with seed beads have been added and some button twine.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

4 Crafty Chicks: Love Is In The Air
CRAFT: Valentines
Do You Stack Up? Love
Rainbow Lady: Have A Heart
Creative Belli: Hearts / Valentine

Papers: Backing - Funky Kraft Stash, Image - Love Love Love downloads from Funky Hand
Dies: Spellbinder Nestabilities
Everything else: My stash

Ra-Ra Birthday!

2012-02-09T16:00:00.001Z

This is a rather in-your-face Birthday card! Made for a Glee fan (I had to google it as I didn't have a glue!) hence the logo on the t-shirt, colours and theme! The image is Rah Rah Rhonda from Squigglefly and I've coloured her with Promarkers and added two different types of glitter (fine and chunky!) to her pom poms.

I've sort of made a step card so I could fit the sentiment on - cut from black glitter card using my Sizzix Round-a-Bout alphabet dies. I've attached Rhonda with springs so she wobbles!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Squigglefly: Birthday
Ruby's Rainbow: Sparkle
365 Cards: Day 344 - Marvellous Markers
Celebrate the Occasion: Birthday
Craft Your Passion: No Patterned Paper

Cardstock: Bazzil Swiss Dots 12x12 card

Image: Squigglefly coloured with Promarkers
Dies: Sizzix Round-A-Bout Alphabet dies
Everything else: My stash

Retro Vintage

2012-02-09T10:30:00.002Z

Apologies for the rather rubbish photo of this card - it really does not show it off to its best! I took the photo last night before I went to bed and I had heartburn. Really horrid heartburn. That kept me up most of the night (along with husbands snoring as he has a cold!)

I went to Morrisons on the way into work and bought the biggest packet of Rennie's I could find. So now no more heartburn! Last time I was this bad was 7 years ago when I was pregnant with Jacob! I'm still feeling the after effects from last night but I think its because I was clenching my muscles so much.

Anyway. I've used Cosmo Cricket Circa 1934 papers (can't stop using them!) along with a page from a vintage 1950 car magazine which I've cut with one of my Nesties to make a flower. The 'petals' have been screwed up before gluing to the centre so it creates a ruffled effect. I've added a rather large blingy gem to the centre but you can't see it too well. Ribbon is from my stash.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Card Positioning Systems: 5th Anniversary - Day 2 Sketch
365 Cards: Day 343 - 2 Mismatched Papers (Cosmo Cricket and Car Magazine)
Crafty Cardmakers: Monochrome
Unstampabelles: Recycle (Car Magazine)

Papers: Cosmo Cricket - Circa 1934 paper pack
Newsprint: Vintage 1950 car magazine
Dies: Spellbinder Nestabilities
Everything else: My stash

More - I Heart You!

2012-02-08T17:15:00.001Z

It's coming up to that time of year folks! And what perfect papers to use than the new Funky Hand download - I Heart You! I've used a variety of the papers in my card along with some doodling and a Sizzix heart die.

I made the bunting too - papers printed off to fit 9 on an A4 page (I think it is wallet sized) so that the pattern was tiny. And I've added two button twine bows at each corner.

Pretty quick and simple to make! Do you like my little easel? It was part of the blog candy I won a while ago from Lisa Jane (thank you!) and it did have a little canvas with it, however Samuel has claimed it and made a picture with it - will be blogged at some point (when I remember to take a photo of it!) and now I'm on the lookout for another one as Jacob wants one to colour! With a bit of luck my cards won't look wonky anymore now I'm using the little easel!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

My Time Made Easy: Sketch Followed
Digital Tuesday: Pink or Red (used both)
Everybody Art Challenge: Love
Crafters Cafe Challenges: Pink, Red and Purple

Papers: I Heart You download from Funky Hand
Dies: Sizzix hearts
Everything else: My stash

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

2012-02-08T16:25:00.001Z

You know when you think you've not done something and you can't remember what it is? Well, I've had this card sitting in draft in blogger for a few weeks and I should have blogged it before! But at least, better late than never eh?!

All the papers are from the Steam Funk download from Funky Hand and I've added faux stitching and a little distressing plus I've used some inks (but not liberally as they scare me a little!)
The die cut came in the blog candy I won a while ago from Lisa Jane (thank you!) and the chipboard bird I've had in my stash for ages. I've altered the wing by scrunching up a page from a vintage 1950's car magazine and then inking it.

So, that's it! A bit different from my normal makes!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Flourishes Challenges: Fly Away With Me (use a bird)
Anything Goes Challenge: Bingo (Animals, Free Choice, Stitching)
Simon Says: Recipe - Torn Edges, Distress Inks, Wings and Button
Opus Gluei: Birds
Scrap, Stamp and Doodle: Die Cuts or Punches

All papers: Steam Funk download from Funky Hand
Lantern die cut: Lisa Jane
Newspaper: 1950's car magazine
Everything else: My stash

Craft Juice Tuesday - Week 103

2012-02-07T09:00:00.000Z

Valentines Day is just around the corner so perfect for this weeks Craft Juice Tuesday offering! For more detail on each item, just click on the picture!

First up is this Valentine sock bunny from Odd Sox

A pretty heart brooch from Buttercup BoutiqueAnd a funky hanging mosaic from Funky Mosaics

See you next Tuesday for more Craft Juice Tuesday!

Fetch A Sketch Challenge 17

2012-02-06T09:00:00.000Z

It's time for another Fetch A Sketch challenge! And here is the sketch for this fortnight:
We are sponsored by The Digi Garden who are offering 5 digi's to the winner of our challenge!

And here is my sample! I've used an image from the store, coloured with Promarkers and stickles and layered onto brand new papers from Funky Hand - I Heart You download! The ribbon is from my stashThat's it - quick and simple this week! Good luck with the challenge - its open until Sunday 19 February!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Hybrid Chick Caravan: Use Ribbon
Send A Smile for Kids: Anything Goes
Frosted Designs: Ribbon

Image: The Digi Garden, coloured with Promarkers
Papers: I Heart You download from Funky Hand
Everything else: My stash

I Heart You!

2012-02-05T21:00:00.000Z

There is a brand new Funky Hand download released earlier today - I Heart You and here is a card I've made using the papers! All the papers you see (with exception to the print) are from the download and I've used a page from a vintage March 1950 car magazine to create the dress.

I've used a Nesties die behind the dress and a heart punch to create the scalloped border, a bit of corner rounding, doodling and inking and the card is complete!

Pop over to the Funky Hand website to grab the download for yourself and to see the rest of the design team samples!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Cardabilities: Sketch followed
Allsorts: Free and Easy February
Drunken Stampers: Something New (papers)
Stamp, Scrap and Doodle: Die Cuts or Punches

All papers: I Heart You download from Funky Hand
Newsprint paper: Vintage 1950 car magazine
Everything else: My stash

Seven and Eight Months

2012-02-05T20:15:00.000Z

Here are two more pages for the First Year book - not got many left to complete and I this would have been the last two if I'd have counted the pages properly before so I've now got a few more double pages to insert and layouts to complete!

I've followed Kathy's Waffle Sketch file (with a little artistic licence!) and then completed a mirror image for the page opposite so it all flows.

Papers and teddy images are from The Clip Art Fairy, Beautiful Baby Boy collection and I've used some half pearls, embroidery thread and buttons from my stash along with a Nesties die cut.

You'll have to excuse the terrible photo but it really did look a lot brighter in real life when I took it earlier!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Kathy's Waffle Sketch File: Sketch followed
The Crafty Pad: Fresh Spring Colours
Little Claire's Designs: Anything But A Card

Papers and images: Beautiful Baby Boy collection from The Clip Art Fairy
Dies: Spellbinder Nestabilities
Sentiments: Computer generated
Everything else: My stash

Simply Create Too Challenge 6 - Red Hot

2012-02-03T11:00:00.001Z

Welcome to another Simply Create Too challenge! Following on from last fortnights theme, we have another similar one for you:

Red Hot

But keep it clean!

I've used some wonderful Cosmo Cricket Circa 1934 papers (I just can't get enough of these!!) and an equally wonderful laser cut wooden heart with cupid! I bought a pack of these (tree decorations - what else?!) from Matalan a few years ago in a sale and I think I got 9 for £2 - bargain!! Plus they are light enough to be attached to cards. Ribbon is from Meiflower.

Good luck with the challenge - pop over to the blog for details of how to enter!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Creative Belli: Hearts / Valentines
Little Red Wagon: Valentines Day / Love
Papercraft Star: Photo Inspiration and Rustic
Penny's Papercrafty Challenges: Love Is In The Air
Craft Room Challenge: Valentines
Use It Tuesday: Love (wooden heart is the hoarded supply)
Paper Pretties: Ribbon or Twine

Papers: Cosmo Cricket - Circa 1934 digi papers
Embellishment: Matalan
Ribbon: Meiflower

Polkadoodle Challenge 5 - Show Some Love (With Hearts)

2012-02-03T09:00:00.002Z

It's time for another Polkadoodle challenge and the theme for this week is:

Show Some Love - With Hearts

I've not quite managed lots of hearts - just the one silver charm (which I took off a bracelet from the Poundshop) but it's quite pink!

The backing paper is from Paper Boutique Vol 1 (Miss Twoo paper collection) and I've used a template for the handbag but I've had it for ages I don't know its origin. The sentiment stamp is from the very first Pen and Paper Circle Kit 1 and I've used a Nestie Die to layer it onto.

The flower is layered with felt flowers (Cuttlebug die) plus other flowers from my stash.

Good luck with the challenge!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Cooking It Up With Katie: Heart, Emboss and Punch
Sisterhood of Crafters: Striped Paper
Whimsy Stamps: Make Your Own Flowers
Crafty Sentiments: Punches or Dies
Karens Doodles: For Someone Special
Incy Wincy Designs: Flowers

Backing paper: Paper Boutique Vol 1 (Miss Twoo papers)

Template: Can't remember source
Sentiment stamp: Pen and Paper Circle Kit 1

Dies: Spellbinder Nestabilities and Cuttlebug Flower die
Everything else: My stash

Crimbo Crackers Challenge 8 - No People / Animals

2012-02-02T09:00:00.000Z

It's that time again - Crimbo Crackers challenge time!! And I've got a special sponsor this fortnight:

Nikki the designer and owner is offering 3 single digi stamps to the winner of the challenge (click the badge above to go to her store). And the theme this fortnight is:

No People or Animals

As long as it is festive or Christmas themed then it can be entered!

I've used the fab Santa This Way cupcake digi stamp, coloured it with Promarkers plus a little glitter glue (snow does glisten!) The printed papers are from my box of bits so a bit of clever cutting was in order!

All the other bits are from my stash and I've added a random bit of reddish paper as a backing plus inked and rounded all corners and added some doodling.

Good luck with the challenge!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Sketch Saturday: Sketch followed
Fab n Funky: Use A Digi
I Love Promarkers: Photo Inspiration
Party Time Tuesdays: Anything Goes
Cards For Men: Seeing Red

Image: Limited Runs Digital Stamps, coloured with Promarkers
Papers: Funky Hand - Happy Happy Birthday cd
Everything else: My stash

Pink Carriage

2012-02-01T20:30:00.001Z

I'm not normally a pink or girly person, but when I saw this A Day For Daisies digi, I knew I could go all pink and girly to the extreme! This is the Fit for a Princess digi which I've printed directly onto my cardstock and then coloured with Promarkers and a fair amount of glitter glue!

I was sort of aware of A Day For Daisies but had never really looked properly at the stamps until I won a gift certificate on The Crafters Cafe over Christmas and then I had a rather difficult time choosing my images!! Tammy (the artist) is a pleasure to deal with and was so helpful! Thank you!!

The ribbon is from my stash and I've used a bow maker so I could get the three loops identical lengths. Best £2 I ever spent on ebay!

The card does actually stand up but I was in a rush to take the photo! And yes, that is a bit of sun you can see - nice and sunny today but dammed cold - I stayed in all day and politely declined the offer to do the school run this afternoon!!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

A Day For Daisies: All That Glitters
Creative Card Crew: Fantasy
Sweet Stamps: Shaped Card
Kaboodle Doodles: Make It Girly
Pan Pastels UK: Glitter and Glitz
I Did It Challenges: Make It Sparkle

Image: A Day For Daisies, coloured with Promarkers and glitter glue
Everything else: My stash

Dude Time Doodles Challenge 30 - A Touch of Red

2012-02-01T06:00:00.001Z

It's time for another Dude Time Doodles challenge! And we have a time appropriate theme for you too:

A Touch of Red

To find out more about the challenge and how to enter, please see the challenge blog - good luck with the challenge!

I've used Hero Henry and coloured him with Promarkers plus a little sparkle on his very white smile! All the papers are oddments from my box - all the blues are Polkadoodles and the red spotty is Funky Hand. The large red felt star was sent to me by Jenny (thank you!) and I've punched the smaller stars and added some glitter glue to them too. A bit of doodling and some corner rounding and my card is complete.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Deconstructed Sketch: Sketch followed
Anything Goes Challenges: To The One I Love
Ladybug Crafts: He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not
Stamp and Doodle: Love and Romance
Stamping Boutique: Valentines

Image: Dude Time Doodles, coloured with Promarkers
Papers: Funky Hand and Polkadoodles
Everything else: My stash

Craft Juice Tuesday - Week 102

2012-01-31T20:30:00.000Z

Welcome to week 102 of Craft Juice Tuesday! All the item I feature are handmade and have been submitted to Craft Juice which is an online crafter community! For more details on each item, just click on the picture.

First up are a set of 10 recycled printed pages with hand drawn hearts from Swirly Arts

This picture of two kissing penguins just tickles me - buy from Zoe WoodsKeep your breakfast egg warm with this fab cosy from Linen and Roses

See you next Tuesday for more Craft Juice Tuesday! And I'll try and be a bit more on time too!

Fetch A Sketch Challenge 16 - Midway Extra

2012-01-30T09:00:00.000Z

It's time for the Midway Extra post on Fetch A Sketch! A reminder of the current sketch:

And our sponsor is Delicious Doodles:
And here is my take on the sketch! I've made it well in advance for a Birthday for later in the year and he will be 9. I've used Nessie and coloured her with Promarkers and used papers from Cosmo Cricket - Early Bird digital paper pack. The large blue star was sent to me by Jenny (thank you!) and I've punched some smaller stars and made my own larger one with a handwritten sentiment.

Hope you can join in with the challenge - closing date is Sunday 5 February at 12noon GMT. Good luck!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Dream Valley Challenges: Animals
Here Come The Boys: Dinosaurs (does Nessie count?!)
One Stop Craft: Stitching - Real or Faux
Stamp, Scrap and Doodle: Anything Goes
Sweet Stampin': Animals
Phindy's Place: Birthday Card for a Child

Image: Delicious Doodles, coloured with Promarkers

Papers: Cosmo Cricket - Early Bird digi paper pack

Embellishments: My stash
Sentiment: Handwritten

Have You Ever Seen A Cuter Penguin In A Hat?!

2012-01-29T20:00:00.000Z

Isn't this a wonderful image?! Its one of the new release digi stamps from Jellypark - Cute Penguin In A Woolly Hat, and I've coloured it with Promarkers.

The printed papers are from Cosmo Cricket - Circa 1934 digi paper pack and I've layered it onto some black card I had lying around. The 'brads' are fake - sharpie marker and glossy accents over the top. And the ribbon is from my stash.

I'm quite shattered and how I'll drag myself to work in the morning I don't know! Both boys have been karting this weekend - Jacob had a double practice session on Saturday ahead of Round 2 Formula Bambino next weekend. Samuel competed in his first InKart Competition this morning and despite being the youngest at just 8 and the least experienced, he came 6th out of a field of 8 and really enjoyed himself.

He did well in the two qualifying rounds pacing himself to gain the best advantage for time as this determined his place in the final and on the grid. Roll on end of February for round 2!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Christmas Card Challenges: Favourite Technique (fake brads!)
Dream Valley Challenges: Animals
Sweet Stampin': Animals
Alphabet Challenge: Z is for Zoo Animals
Delicious Doodles: Winter Wonderland

Image: Jellypark, coloured with Promarkers
Printed paper: Cosmo Cricket - Circa 1934 digi papers
Everything else: My stash

Thank You Bunting

2012-01-27T17:00:00.001Z

Here is the first of two new release digi's from Jellypark. Actually, that is a bit of a lie as I've only used one of the 4 different types of bunting on this particular digi! I've printed it directly onto cardstock - lovely white linen effect card (a bit of faffing with trimming slight excess from each side with my wonky ruler but you'd never know!) and then coloured with Promarkers and a titchy bit of stickles for the spotty bits - you'll need to look close to see it!

Around the edges of the cards I've dotted a line with a gel pen. And the sentiment is two stamps - the Just To Say bit is from a Honey and Hugs acrylic stamp set and the Thank You is from a freebie magazine acrylic stamp set by Ladybird Ink.

And yes, I was a little cack handed when stamping the first sentiment on the pink card but these are just samples.

Are you wondering why the pink and blue?! Well, I'm going to be an Auntie in late February or early March and I've offered to make all the birth announcements and thank you cards and I've made a start on them as you can see! I don't know what it's going to be yet, just that its a baby but I'm good to go for either colour.

Plus these were pretty quick to make once I'd sorted out the wonky ruler so easy enough to make a batch.

Ooh! Nearly forgot! In addition to the two new digi releases this week from Jellypark (my second one will be blogged at some point over the weekend) there is a new charity stamp to buy - Little Havens is the charity for 2012 that Jellypark is supporting and Claire will donate all proceeds from the stamps to the charity. And at £1.25 each they are very affordable. So look out for them! I've bought mine!!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Charisma Cardz: Pretty In Pink
Shelly's Images: Text Me
Crafting For All Seasons: Blue and White
Crafts and Me: Pink and Sparkly

Bunting digi: Jellypark (part of 4 in the same image) coloured with Promarkers
Stamps: Just to say - Honey and Hugs acrylic stamp; Thank you - Ladybird Ink freebie acrylic stamp from a magazine

Jellypark Challenge 15 - Winter Wonderland

2012-01-27T09:00:00.001Z

It's Jellypark challenge time! And its a great theme for this fortnight too:

Winter Wonderland

It's turned cold here, up North, and we had a rather heavy hail shower last night! I've used this cute snowman image which is a freebie on the Jellypark website - just click here to go and snag it!

I've coloured it with Promarkers and used papers from Dreams Come True cd from Funky Hand. I am desperately trying to use up all my oddments but I think it will be a case of the bit of card is too small to be used and I just need a clear out which, I think (and hope!) will solve the problem of the overflowing shoe box!

The starry tinsel down the side was a bargain purchase from Poundstretchers - 49p for around 3 metres and I bought it pre-sale too! The snowflake is a tree decoration from Tesco - 3 for 50p - looks great but the glitter sure gets everywhere!

I've added some fake brads to the top right corner - Promarker with glossy accents over the top.

Good luck with the challenge - for more details and how to enter, and also the rules, please pop over to the challenge blog.

I've got two new release digi stamps from Jellypark to show you over the next day or so but bear with me - I've got a rather hectic weekend with the boys karting and I don't know what day I'm on already!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Sassy Studios: Christmas / Holiday - Use Up Your Scraps
Crafting for All Seasons: Blue and White
Little Red Wagon: Winter Wonderland
Sisterhood of Crafters: Striped Paper
Whimsy Inspirations: Pearls or Bling (bling - snowflake)

Image: Jellypark freebie, coloured with Promarkers
Papers: Funky Hand - Dreams Come True cd
Embellishments: Poundstretchers and Tesco
Everything else: My stash

Floating Angel

2012-01-26T15:50:00.000Z

This card was originally intended for the Whimsie Doodles monthly challenge but I didn't get myself organised enough and the deadline has passed (I wouldn't mind but I did it in good time just forgot to blog it!) Anyway, it uses one of the new January release stamps called Shy Cupid (but I think it works just as well for any other occasion!)

All the papers are Cosmo Cricket - Early Bird digi paper pack and I've handwritten the sentiment. The ribbon I've had in my stash for ages - it was one of those 'finds' when I tided up my large ribbon box over Christmas.

And the Stickles. Well, I bought it in the sales last year at Hobbycraft and it looked like it was going to be a soft lemon colour but its sort of turned out a bit different! I don't know if I should have shaken the tube or if the ink has 'bled' from the image, but its not how I expected it to be! Ah well!

And I forgot to add some ground underneath her so she is floating!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Pink Gem: Sketch followed
Do You Stack Up: Ribbons
Digital Tuesday: A New Beginning
Ladybug Crafts Ink: Bows
Oldie But A Goodie Challenge: Have A Heart (old stash - the ribbon and stickles)

Image: Whimsie Doodles, coloured with Promarkers and odd coloured Stickles
Papers: Cosmo Cricket - Early Bird digital papers
Sentiment: Handwritten
Everything else: My stash

Dude Time Doodles - February New Release & Blog Hop!

2012-01-25T05:00:00.000Z

It's the last Wednesday of the month so its time to reveal the new Dude Time Doodles images and to kick it all off we have a blog hop for you!

One of the Dudettes will be the hostess with the mostest and one lucky commenter will win a digi image! So make sure you leave me a comment - As you've got to be in it to win it!

If you've arrived at me from Dawn then you are on the right track although there is no start and end point, just make sure you've visited us all! From me you need to hop to Cleota and leave a comment there too!!

I've used Axel Lumberjack and coloured him with Promarkers. As soon as I saw him I thought of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs hence the sentiment! The little letters are from Patti Picklicious cd from Kirsty Wiseman which I've had printed for ages and I'm trying to use up!

I've added a faux stitched line around the edge of the Kraft card and also added some 'ground' for Axel to stand on with a fineliner black pen and a chinagraph white pen.

Good luck with the hop and don't forget to leave a comment!

I'd like to enter my card into the following challenges:

Celebrate the Occasion: Masculine Birthday
Cards for Men: Boys and Their Toys
Crafty Boots: Inspired By A Song Title (Hi Ho Hi Ho from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)
Simon Says Stamp: Song Title (as above)

Image: Dude Time Doodles, coloured with Promarkers
Mini Letters: Patti Picklicious cd from Kirsty Wiseman

Get Funky Challenge - January Blues

2012-01-24T09:00:00.004Z

Welcome to another Get Funky Challenge!! It is my turn to hopefully provide some inspiration on the theme Lou has set:

January Blues

As always, at least one Funky Hand product needs to be used in your creation (its in bold because this is the one rule that constantly gets overlooked!!) and Anice has one ready and waiting to fit the theme - just click here!

I do like making wordbooks and I've made this one with with papers from Happy Happy Birthday - I've used wordart to create the letters, printed onto the backing paper, cut out and then layered onto the pages.

I've added a thin line of glitter glue around the edges of the letters plus flowers and gems from my stash along with some white organza ribbon and blue grosgrain.

Good luck with the challenge and don't forget the Funky Hand product! The challenge is open until the 14th so plenty of time to get creative!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Lexi's Creations: Fancy Folds
Truly Madly Crafty: Anything Goes
Unstampabelles: Anything Goes
Sir Stampalot: Monochromatic

All papers: Happy Happy Birthday cd
Everything else: My stash

Craft Juice Tuesday - Week 101

2012-01-24T07:00:00.000Z

Welcome to week 101 of Craft Juice Tuesday! Craft Juice is an online community where you can upload your creations for the world to see and then they can be voted for - 5 votes and you reach the front page!

For more details on each item, just click on the picture!

A wonderful Kindle case from BaggieAggie An embroidered brooch from Lynwood Crafts

How cute is this cat?! Buy from DavenEvanXaviour

See you next Tuesday for more Craft Juice Tuesday!

Fetch A Sketch Challenge 16

2012-01-23T09:00:00.000Z

The weeks are certainly flying by - so much so that Fetch A Sketch is up to challenge 16!! Jenny is the hostess this fortnight and here is her fab sketch:

We are sponsored again by Delicious Doodles and Teri is offering the winner of this challenge the choice of 4 digi's from her store - thank you Teri!

Jenny and I got to play with some of the images and here is my take on the sketch. I've used Oriental Geisha as my image, colouring her with Promarkers and all my papers are from Cosmo Cricket - Circa 1934 paper kit.

I've made the embellishments by cutting out some of the pattern and adding a black half pearl to the centres after inking.

Good luck with the sketch and challenge - hope you can join us! For more details and to see more inspiration for the sketch, pop over to Fetch A Sketch!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

4 Crafty Chicks: Summer in January
Crafty Purple Frog: Anything Goes
Shelly's Images: Anything Goes
Little Darlings: Favourite Colour
My Mums Craft Shop: Favourite Colour

Image: Delicious Doodles, coloured with Promarkers
Papers: Cosmo Cricket - Circa 1934 paper kit

Recycled Birthday

2012-01-22T08:30:00.000Z

Another quick Birthday card! I've used a Squiggles and Giggles image (bought with my recent win!) called U Rock and coloured it with Promarkers. I've handwritten the sentiment as I didn't have the energy to look for a stamp as I had a really bad headache and needed to get the card finished as it was for an order!

All the papers are from Funky Hand - Funky Daze cd which this must be my most favourite colour collection (Son Day) and the papers are actually all off-cuts from previous makes - there's some clever hiding of gaps underneath the image! I am determined to make my box of bits more manageable but I think I'll have to sort through it as I found some rather small bits of card which I don't know why they were there as not good for much!

The twine was donated by Samuel as he'd been using some for transporting cars and trucks underneath his army aircraft. And fake brads made with a black Sharpie marker and glossy accents.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Squiggle Stamps: Recycle
Sketch and Stash: Sketch followed
Crazy 4 Challenges: Child's Birthday
Mark's Finest Papers: Birthday Card
Digi Doodles Shops Best: Blues and Browns

Image: Sqiggles digi, coloured with Promarkers
Papers: Funky Daze (Son Day collection) from Funky Hand
Sentiment: Handwritten
Everything else: My Stash

Birthday Wishes

2012-01-21T20:45:00.000Z

A nice and quick card! I've used a Raindrop Echo sentiment digi as the focal point and I've used the shape of a Nesties as a template because the proper shape wasn't what I wanted and I've not got any other Nesties that would do the job! I've layered it up and added stickles around the edges for a bit of male bling!

The buttons are all from my stash along with the bakers twine. And the card stock was originally from The Paper Mill Shop but they no longer sell it.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

My Time Made Easy: Sketch followed
Crafty Catz: Buttons and Bows
Dilly Beans: Have The Blues
Charisma Cardz: Clean and Simple

Sentiment: Raindrop Echo
Dies: Spellbinders - used as a template
Everything else: My stash

Simply Create Too Challenge 5 - Love Is In The Air

2012-01-20T15:00:00.000Z

**Edited to add - I am such a muppet! I set the wrong month for this post to be published and I've only just realised! Doh!!

It's time for another Simply Create Too Challenge and its a nice and easy theme this fortnight, just right for an event on the horizon:

Love Is In The Air

I've made a valentine card that is not too girly! The paper is Echo Park - Be Mine and I've used a really old stamp which was a magazine freebie from ages ago - the embossing powder is even older! The ribbon and charm are from my stash.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Aud Sentiments: Love
Crafty Ribbons: Love Is - Red and Black
Card Makin' Mama's: Something Old (Stamp and embossing power - had for AGES!)
Wags n Whiskers: Valentines / Love

Papers: Echo Park - Be Mine
Stamp: Freebie from a magazine ages ago
Everything else: My stash

Polkadoodle Challenge 3 - Sketch

2012-01-20T09:00:00.001Z

It's Friday so can only mean another Polkadoodle challenge! Nikky has set the challenge this week and given a sketch to use:

I saw a round card straight away and came up with this! I'll be honest and say that I cannot remember for the life of me which cd the paper is from but the butterflies are from Sundae of Seasons and I've added wire for antennae. Some bold doodling around the edges and I added the ribbon ruffles. I've used foam tape underneath and its really good sticky stuff too - I think it is actually DIY tape as I bought it for 10p a roll from Tesco in the summer sale!

For more details on how to enter please pop over to the challenge blog - good luck!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Fab n Funky: BINGO - Handmade Embellishment (ribbon ruffle) / Flourishes (on the Butterflies) / Butterfly
Flutterby Wednesday: Open Challenge
Inky Impressions: Shape It Up
Incy Wincy Designs: Bold and Bright
4 Crafty Chicks: Summer in January

All paperbased elements: Polkadoodles

Ribbon: My stash

Crimbo Crackers Challenge 7 - For A Child

2012-01-19T09:00:00.000Z

It's time for another Crimbo Crackers challenge - up to number 7 already! I like nice and easy challenges so the theme for this fortnight is:

For A Child

Any type of project can be entered as long as your creation is Christmas or Festive related.

I'm sponsored by the very wonderful Jellypark and Claire is offering the challenge winner two digi's of their choice - thank you so much Claire!

I've used a rather Cute Christmas Fairy image that is not available in the store but you can snag it for free if you are a member of the Jellypark group on The Crafters Cafe! She's been coloured with Promarkers and glitter glue.

Papers are Echo Park - All I Want For Christmas and it uses up scraps from previous projects. The ribbon is recycled - it was around some card blanks that I've had for ages.

Good luck with the challenge - for more details please see Crimbo Crackers!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

ABC Christmas Challenge: A is for Anything Goes
Flutterby Wednesday: Open Challenge
Celebrate the Occasion: Polka Dots
Clear It Out: Cold Outside and Use Up Your Scraps
Sassy Cheryl: Bright and Breezy To Chase The Winter Grey Away!

Image: Jellypark, coloured with Promarkers and glitter glue
Papers: Echo Park, All I Want for Christmas
Everything else: My stash

Dude Time Doodles Challenge 29 - Bingo!

2012-01-18T07:00:00.002Z

It's the third Wednesday in the month so its time for a Dude Time Doodles challenge! To spice things up a little its a bingo theme! For more details on how to enter, pop over to the challenge blog.

The bingo card is:
And I've made a heart shaped card by drawing around a box I have! I've used Bazzil basics embossed swiss dots red card for my base and added brads, eyelets (they are under the ribbon!), buttons, twine and ribbon to cover the top line, bottom line and far right line too!

I've used Count Vladimir (which was a freebie last week - did you snag it?!) and coloured him with Promarkers plus glossy accents on his heart shaped chocolate box.

The mini alphas are from Patti Picklicious cd from Kirsty Wiseman - they took longer to cut out, ink and glue than the card took to put together! And they say 'let me count the ways I love you'. Reference to the Count on Sesame Street!

Good luck with the challenge!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Sentimental Sundays: Ribbon (and sentiment)

Designed 2 Delight: Heart

Crafty Ann's: Think Hot

The Stamp Man: Use Red

Desert Island Crafters: Embossing, No Designer Paper, Sentiment, Monochromatic

Image: Dude Time Doodles, coloured with Promarkers
Alphas: Patti Picklicious cd from Kirsty Wiseman
Everything else: My stash

Craft Juice Tuesday - Week 100

2012-01-17T09:00:00.001Z

Welcome to week 100 of Craft Juice Tuesday! 100 weeks - that is nearly 2 years of doing this feature each Tuesday!!

In the run up to Valentine's Day, here are a few heart themed creations that have caught my eye on Craft Juice. For more details on each item, just click on the picture.

A basket of crotched hearts from AnneMariesbreiBlog

Recycled shirts into hearts in a frame, from Cherrytree

A set of three unique ceramic heart buttons from HodgePodgeArts

See you next Tuesday for more Craft Juice Tuesday!

Fetch A Sketch Challenge 15 - Midway Extra

2012-01-16T09:00:00.000Z

Here we go - time for the Midway Extra inspiration for Fetch A Sketch! The sketch is currently:
and our sponsor is:
I've used the cute Bird House and coloured it with Promarkers. I've handwritten the sentiment as the stamp I was going to use was too big! All the papers are from Craft The Year Away from Funky Hand and the ribbon I found in my tidy up!

Hope you can join in the challenge - closing date is 12noon on Sunday 22 January - good luck!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Dream Valley Challenges: Anything Goes
Robyn's Fetish Challenge: Animals
That Craft Place: Home Sweet Home
Craft Your Days Away: New Beginnings

Image: Crafty Sentiments, coloured with Promarkers
Papers: Craft The Year Away from Funky Hand
Everything else: My stash

A Funky Blog Hop - Win Funky Kraft Stash & Steam Funk Downloads!

2012-01-14T09:00:00.000Z

Two new releases for Funky Hand!! Both are kraft based and their names are Funky Kraft Stash and Steam Funk!! And both are available to buy right now - just click on their names!

But, if you can wait a while, you could win both downloads by taking part in our little blog hop!

Hop runs from NOW and Anice will accept the unscrambled phrase until midnight GMT tomorrow evening (Sunday). If you've not hopped from the start, pop over to Anice who will explain how its all going to work and she will provide your instructions and the list of who to hop to!

So, if you've arrived at me from Anice then you are on the right track! My letter is:

Now leave me a comment and hop over to Jules who will reveal her make with one of the new releases and will give you a letter too!

Just remember to write down each of our letters and leave us all a comment - you've got to be in it to win it!!

I've got two cards to show that I've made from the two downloads (I do have more but will blog those later in the week!)

This first card uses all papers from Steam Funk plus a very vintage March 1950 car magazine donated by my husband! I've used my own template for the dress and its only stuck down to the card with the bodice so its quite a sticky out card and tactile!

Sequins and pearls are from my stash.

And for this card, I've used Funky Kraft Stash for the base and teamed it with the Shabby Saturday download - cutting out the sentiment, flowers and using a Nesties die as a template to draw around. Plus some Card Candy and embroidery thread for detail.

Hope you agree that they are fab downloads and hope you can join in with our blog hop - you never know - you could be a winner!

Good luck!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Card 1
Sweet Sketch Wednesday: Sketch Followed
Little Miss Mufett Challenge: Something New (new papers)
Fab n Funky: Recycle (1950 car magazine)
Everybody Art Challenge: Shabby

Card 2
Tuesday Trio: Sketch Followed and No Cutting Machines Used!
My Mums Craft Shop: Here Come The Girls
Whimsy Inspirations: Happy Birthday

Papers: Steam Funk, Funky Kraft Stash, Shabby Saturday downloads from Funky Hand
Print paper: 1950 car magazine
Everything else: My stash

Pink Coat

2012-01-14T07:20:00.000Z

And here is my final card using the second new release digi stamp from Jellypark - Girl In Winter Coat. I've coloured her with Promarkers and then cut her out, layering onto some vellum which has been inked.

I've used a circular card blank, which was great until I had to add the ribbon to the side! So it all ended up being held together with a rather large brad as it would not tie properly!

I've used paper from Funky Hand which is from one of the earlier cd's but I can't think which one at the moment as I've had the papers printed for ages and they were in my box of bits - which I am trying to use up! Even though the image is winter themed I do like the sweet pea flowers on the paper and the colours!

The ribbon, brad and buttons are all from my stash.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Art Impressions Stamps: Pink, Pink and More Pink (is it pink enough?!)
Cooking It Up With Katie: Pink, Pearls (two buttons are pearly) and Posies (paper is sweet peas)
I Love Promarkers: Cute and Cuddly
My Mums Craft Shop: Here Come The Girls

Image: Jellypark, coloured with Promarkers
Papers: Funky Hand
Everything else: My stash

A Little Hello

2012-01-13T21:25:00.000Z

Here is the first of two new releases from Jellypark - Girl with Speech Bubble! I've made her into a set of simple cards, colouring with Promarkers and adding some red and silver card from my stash as a layer plus a simple tied ribbon around the top.

These are quite small cards - 9cm square (I bought some very cheap Asda Christmas cards just for the envelopes!) and I've handwritten the 'hello' sentiment.

The second new release will be coming soon!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Crop Stop: Quote (using the speech bubble as the quote!)
Inspired By: Photo Inspiration (I've used the colours)
Gingersnap Creations: Ribbon
My Mums Craft Shop: Here Come The Girls
Craft Room Challenge: Clean and Simple

Image: Jellypark, coloured with Promarkers
Sentiment: Handwritten
Everything else: My stash

Jellypark Challenge 14 - Something In My Pocket

2012-01-13T08:00:00.000Z

It's time for another Jellypark challenge! And I must say that this one had me stumped for a while but then when the light came on, I was well away! The theme is:

Something In My Pocket

I've made another gift card holder using papers from Carinia Gardner - Fresh Picked Paper collection (with a scrap bit of card inside to write the message) and I've used the Cupcake Ticket, coloured it with Promarkers, layered it onto some more scrap card and added ribbon through the top.

The ribbon is from Meiflower and I've just tied it in a simple bow across the front.

A little bit of corner rounding and some inking and its complete! Good luck with the challenge - hope you can join us!

I'll be back later with one of two new release stamps!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Do You Stack Up?: Pink - Picture Inspiration
Moving Along With The Times: Spots or Stripes
Gingersnap Creations: Ribbon
Paper Pretties: Sentiment as Focal Point
Simon Says Stamp: Spots or Stripes

Image: Jellypark, coloured with Promarkers
Papers: Carina Gardiner - Fresh Picked Paper Collection
Ribbon: Meiflower
Everything else: My stash

Fungi

2012-01-11T19:20:00.000Z

Here is an image I do like to use! Its from Tiddly Inks and I've coloured it with Promarkers plus a bit of inking and some dotting around the edge. I've kept it all quite simple and no printed paper in sight!

The red is from my stash and the chocolate brown pearlescent card was originally a Wedding invitation that I've recycled. The two brads are from my stash and I've handwritten the sentiment. Kraft card blank from my stash.

I did think about just adding Happy Birthday but then thought the recipient might not get the fungi link.....

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Tiddly Inks: Celebration

Cards For Men: Recycling (used old Wedding invitation card)

Smudgy Antics: Recycle Something (used old Wedding invitation card)
Frosted Designs: No Designer Paper
Here Come The Boys: Sketch followed (the photo does not show up the three brads in a row!)

Image: Tiddly Inks, coloured with Promarkers
Sentiment: Handwritten
Everything else: My stash

Craft Juice Tuesday - Week 99

2012-01-10T10:30:00.000Z

Welcome to another Craft Juice Tuesday! For more details on each item, please click on the picture and you will be taken directly to the Craft Juice listing!

Craft Juice is an online community where you can share your handmade creations and the members can vote on them!

These are some that have caught my eye:

A funky t-shirt from Wafflegrip:

A ruffled lace scarf from Original Designs by AR:

A vintage labels coin purse from Handmade by Edwina:

See you next Tuesday for more Craft Juice Tuesday!

Fetch A Sketch Challenge 15

2012-01-09T09:00:00.000Z

It's time for another Fetch A Sketch challenge and I am playing hostess this fortnight and here is the sketch I whipped up:

We also have a fab sponsor - Crafty Sentiments Designs who are generously offering 4 digis to the winner! To have a look at their digi stamps, click on the banner below:
And here is my take on the sketch. Since tidying up my rather huge box of ribbons into co-ordinated colours I found ribbons I forgot I had and this one is from Fantastic Ribbons. The image is from Crafty Sentiments, our sponsor and she has been coloured with Promarkers.

The papers are all from Funky Hand - Craft The Year Away and I've made the scalloped edge by using a heart punch and layering them up so that only the top bits are showing. The sentiment is from Our Betty stamp set. I am trying desperately to use up the scraps in my big shoe box as it is seriously overflowing - so I've delved into the box for the papers on this card!

Good luck with the challenge and for more details click here.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Birthday Sundaes: Birthday Card
Crafters Circle: Make It Colourful
Crafty Ann's: Let's Think Hot (hot colours)
Aud Sentiments: Sentiment and Use Up Scraps

Image: Crafty Sentiments, coloured with Promarkers
Papers: Funky Hand - Craft The Year Away
Sentiment: Funky Hand - Our Betty stamp set
Ribbon: Fantastic Ribbons

Get Funky Challenge - Thank You!

2012-01-06T09:30:00.005Z

It's my turn to provide an installment on Get Funky for the current challenge and the theme is:

Thank You!

You MUST use a Funky Hand product in your creation and as always, Anice has designed a paper to use especially for the challenge - click here to go and snag it!

I've gone for a small and simple theme and managed to make 6 cards all with Betty on! The cards measure approx 90cm square so 3 can be made from a sheet of A4 card. I've stamped Betty and then coloured her with Promarkers and a touch of glitter glue to her dress.

The image has been layered onto the card blank after the corners have been rounded and inked and I've added a tiny Sizzix scallop tag die with 'thank you' written on in my bestest writing! The tag has been tied to the ribbon with embroidery thread. I actually found the green ribbon when tidying up the mess that was my ribbon box - I didn't even know I had it!

All nice and simple and pretty easy to make!

Good luck with the challenge - for more details click here but be quick - the challenge ends on the 14th with a new theme set on the 15th!I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Paper Pretties: Clean and Simple
I Brake For Challenges: Clean and Simple
Clear It Out: Thank You Card and bonus to use old ribbon / twine
Passion for Promarkers: Thank You

Stamp: Our Betty, coloured with Promarkers
Dies: Sizzix Scallop tag combo die
Everything else: My stash

Polkadoodles Challenge 1 - Sketch & Shades of Grey

2012-01-06T09:00:00.001Z

It's the first Polkadoodle challenge of the year!! And Nikky is our hostess and she has set the following sketch along with a theme of:

Shades of Grey

For more details on how to enter and the prize on offer, please pop over to the Challenge blog!

I've delved into the Polkadoodle cd archive to make my card - Not For Girls cd - the backing paper and image are all from the cd and I've added some embossed acetate (can you just about see it?!) plus buttons and embroidery thread from my stash to make up the sketch elements.

Good luck with the challenge!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

The Pixie Cottage: Monochromatic
Inspirational Card Sketches: Any Sketch Goes (Polkadoodle week 1 - above)
Moving Along With The Times: Retro / Music Related

All paperbased items: Not For Girls cd
Everything else: My stash

Simply Create Challenge 4 - Lots of Layers

2012-01-06T07:00:00.001Z

It's time for another Simply Create Too challenge and this fortnight the theme is:

Lots of Layers

I've used a fab digi stamp from Designed 2 Delight called Cluck and coloured it with Promarkers. All the papers are Cosmo Cricket plus a little inking here and there.

The sentiment is from Your Special Day Our Betty stamp set from Funky Hand and everything else is from my stash. Good luck with the challenge - for more details just click here!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Sketch Saturday: Sketch followed (mirror image)
Lawnscaping: Birthday
Make My Monday: Nature - Birds

Image: Designed 2 Delight, coloured with Promarkers
Papers: Cosmo Cricket Circa 1934 digi kit
Sentiment: Our Betty stamp from Funky Hand
Everything else: My stash

Crimbo Crackers Challenge 6 - Black and White

2012-01-05T09:00:00.001Z

It's time for another Crimbo Crackers challenge and I'm upto number 6 already! It's a nice and easy (well, I think so!) theme this time:

Black and White

For more details on the challenge and how to enter, pop over to the challenge blog.

I've used one digi image from the elements pack from Santa's Sleigh by Carina Gardner and its been printed directly onto some cardstock and then layered up with more - carefully inking and glittering around the edges.

I've used a Spellbinder Nestabilities die as a template to draw around as the die itself was not the right shape for the image and I wanted something fancy. I've added two pearls to the tops of the gifts and some wide black satin ribbon from my stash for the main bow and thinner ribbon underneath.

Good luck with the challenge! For more details and how to enter, please go to Crimbo Crackers!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Bearly Mine: Anything Goes
Crazy Amigo: Winter
Digital Tuesday: Winter Wonderland
Lexi's Creations: Untraditional Christmas
Crafts and Me: Christmas Anything Goes
Diva's By Design: Merry Christmas
I Brake For Challenges: Clean and Simple

Image: Carina Gardner - Santa's Sleigh Elements Pack
Dies: Spellbinder Nestabilities used as template
Everything else: My stash

Dude Time Doodles Challenge 28 - Anything Goes!

2012-01-04T07:00:00.001Z

It's the first Dude Time Doodles challenge of the year and its a fab theme:

Anything Goes

For more details on the challenge and how to enter, click here to go to the challenge blog!

I've used the wonderful Cheap Valentine digi which has been coloured with Promarkers plus a little inking around the edges. The sentiment is computer generated and all the papers are Cosmo Cricket Circa 1934 digi paper pack. And the beaded ribbon is from my stash (since I've tided it all up I've found all sorts of stuff that I'd forgotten I had!)

I think I'd be pleased to get a bunch of (wilted) flowers and a box of chocs for either my Anniversary or for Valentines day as it seems to pass some people by!!

Good luck with the challenge!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Crafters Companion: Love Is In The Air
Just Tracys Crafts: Love Is In The Air
Crafty Boots: Celebrations
Critter Challenge: Celebration

Image: Dude Time Doodles, coloured with Promarkers
Papers: Cosmo Cricket Circa 1934 digi pack
Sentiment: Computer Generated
Ribbon: My stash

Cake Shop

2012-01-03T11:00:00.001Z

Here is the last of the three new releases from Jellypark (I'd have blogged it sooner but forgot!) This is such a great image and I wish there was a cake shop like this near me! I've coloured it with Promarkers plus some inking around the edges and all the papers are from Dovecraft - Tea House 6x6 paper stack. The brad is also from the same collection.

I've keept it quite simple as I think the image is fab!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Robyns Fetish Designs: Anything Goes
One Stitch At A Time: Use A Digi
Sparkles Forum: Anything But A Christmas Card
The Hybrid Chick: Metal (the cupcake brad)
Incy Wincy: Anything Goes

Image: Jellypark, coloured with Promarkers
Papers: Dovecraft Tea House 6x6 stack
Brad: Dovecraft Tea House
Everything else: My stash

Craft Juice Tuesday - Week 98

2012-01-03T10:30:00.001Z

Welcome to another Craft Juice Tuesday! To find out more about each item, just click on the picture and you will be taken to the listing on Craft Juice.

Wonderful crotched slippers from rindcounty:
The Owl and the Pussycat by Owl and Cat:

Beautiful teal necklace from cindylouwho2:

See you next Tuesday for more Craft Juice Tuesday!

Fetch A Sketch Challenge 14 - Midway Extra

2012-01-02T09:00:00.001Z

It's time for the Midway Extra over at Fetch A Sketch! Here is a reminder of the current sketch:

For my sample, I've covered a rather boring notebook and I've used Funky Hand papers from Colour Me Happy. The flowers have been cut with a Cuttlebug die, petals slightly curled and then layered up with a card candy centre.

I've doodled the flower stems myself and added embroidery thread as a little extra across the bottom.

And don't forget - you could win the wonderful Craft The Year Away cd as Funky Hand are our sponsors for this challenge - one lucky winner will receive this!

Good luck with the challenge! For more details, pop over to the challenge blog!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Opus Gluei: Out With The Old, In With The New (recycled notebook)
Hiding In My Craft Room: Freestyle
So Artful Challenges: Year of the Dragon / New Year (used the inspiration colours)
Totally Gorjuss: Happy

All papers: Colour Me Happy cd from Funky Hand
Dies: Cuttlebug flowers
Everything else: My stash

Pink Wedding Cake

2012-01-01T17:00:00.000Z

Here is the second of three new releases from Jellypark! And its another Wedding themed digi stamp! This is a really quick Wedding Cake to colour which I've done with Promarkers, a little glitter glue and liquid pearls.

I've added liquid pearls around the edge of the card - the shapes were made by using a Spellbinder Nestabilitie die for a template and I've used some silver paper from my stash to layer the image on.

Backing papers are from Dovecraft 6x6 Tea House pad and for once I picked the papers before I coloured the image so it matched! Ribbon is from Meiflower and the silver heart buckle is from my stash.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Alphabet Challenge: Xtra Special Occasion
Bloggers Challenge: Celebrate Good Times
Card Crafters Circle: Anything Goes
Creative Inspiration Paints: Something New (New Life)
The Hybrid Chick: Metal
The Squirrel and the Fox: Something New (New Life)

Image: Jellypark, coloured with Promarkers, glitter glue and liquid pearls
Papers: Dovecraft Tea House 6x6 pad
Dies: Spellbinder Nestabilities for shaped card bottom and template for image
Ribbon: Meiflower
Everything else: My stash

The Bride and Groom

2012-01-01T11:00:00.000Z

Here is one of three new release digi stamps from Jellypark! Isn't this a cute image! It's the Wedding Couple digi stamp and I've coloured it with Promarkers and a tiny bit of liquid pearls on her tiara and dress.

I've also dotted a line of liquid pearls around the edge of the image and card and I've embossed a strip of off cut of card with my Swiss Dots folder. The silver layered card is from my stash and the dotty one I've had for years and found it when looking for something else - it needs using and it fitted perfectly with the colours on the card!

The ribbon is also from my stash and now that I've organised the huge box into colour co-ordinated grip seal bags, I can see what I have with minimal rummaging!

Two more new release Jellypark digi's coming up!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Alphabet Challenge: Xtra Special Occasion
Bloggers Challenge: Celebrate Good Times
Card Crafters Circle: Anything Goes
If The Shoe Fits: Use Horded Stash

Image: Jellypark, coloured with Promarkers
Dies: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder
Everything else: My stash

Christmas Recycling

2011-12-31T16:20:00.001Z

I do like a bargain and espeically when its a non crafting bargain that I can use in my crafting - if that makes sense! I've used some quite posh wrapping paper (Tom Smith) for my card base, inked the edges and added a faux stitch. The middle panel is a bit turned over and I've added some velvet type ribbon from the scrap store that was originally a rosette bottom bit (the proper word escapes me, but you know what I mean!)

The red and white twine is a bargain from Ikea - 30 metres of the stuff for a few quid! Although I should have thought a bit longer about how to attach it to the card as it doesn't tie too neatly!

The buttons are from my stash and I've used half a bit of garden twine to tie through the red button.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

365 Cards: Day 300 - Sketch followed
Do You Stack Up: Rainbow Colours Inspiration
The Play Date Cafe: Photo / Colour Inspiration
Friendship Garden: Anything Goes - Must Be Christmas and No Stamped Images
Jingle Belles: No Time Like The Present

Backing paper: Christmas wrapping paper
Multi coloured twine: Ikea
Everything else: My stash

Jellypark Challenge 13 - Old Year / New Year

2011-12-30T22:00:00.000Z

It's time for another Jellypark challenge and its a good one for the time of year too:

New Year / Old Year

So what ever your interpretation is then that will be good! For more details on the challenge please pop over to the Jellypark Friday challenge blog!

I've used the Bath Girl digital stamp and coloured her with Promarkers plus a little glitter glue for the bubbles. My Spellbinder Nestabilities have cut the shapes on the image and I've used my Sizzix Scallop tag combo die for the sentiments.

The card blank is from Papermania and I've run it though my Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder. The satin ribbon is from my stash and I've tied the tags with some waxed cotton cord from Meiflower. I've handwritten the sentiment with a pink gel pen.

Good luck with the challenge!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

4 Crafty Chicks: Something New
CRAFT Challenge: New Year
Cute Card Thursday: Happy New Year
Sassy Studios: Shaped Card

Card blank: Papermania
Image: Jellypark, coloured with Promarkers and glitter glue
Dies: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, Spellbinder Nestabilities, Sizzix Scallop Tag combo die
Sentiment: Handwritten
Waxed Cord: Meiflower
Everything else: My stash

Free Snow!

2011-12-29T20:30:00.000Z

A quick card I threw together! Papers from Cosmo Cricket - Circa 1934 digi paper pack which have been inked and a faux stitched line drawn around the edge and I think these are my favourite papers at the moment - just love the reds and they do look Christmassy although they aren't! I've not had these papers long - around a month but they are lovely!

The buttons are from my stash which I've had for ages (that long one of the buttons was a bit broken!) along with the embroidery thread and the image is a Dustin Pike digi that I've coloured with Promarkers. And I've handwritten the sentiment.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Aud Sentiments: Anything Goes
Sunday Sketch and Stamp: Sketch followed
Craft Us Crazy: Christmas and Funny
Sarah Hurley Challenges: Colouring
Crafts and Me Challenges: Christmas
Digi Stamps 4 Joy: Something Old (buttons) Something New (papers)

Papers: Cosmo Cricket - Circa 1934 digi paper pack
Image: Dustin Pike (handwritten sentiment), coloured with Promarkers
Everything else: My stash

A Bit More Year Book!

2011-12-29T20:15:00.000Z

So here are another two pages for the First Year Book! I've used the Sketches in Thyme double page layout and although I have added my own twist to it, I hope you can see that I have followed it!

All the papers and cute teddies are the same as this post and I've used a Spellbinder Nestabilities die creatively! I've used a heart punch to create the scalloped edge on the far left and I've added glitter glue around the edges of the main background although it doesn't show too well (got back late from Karting and a trip to Ikea and it was rather dark and hail stoning when I took the photo!)

I've used a Sizzix Super Size Scallop tag for the baby details and all the writing is computer generated.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Art Impressions Stamps: Die Cuts or Punches
Sketches in Thyme: Sketch followed #64

Papers and images: Beautiful Baby Boy collection from The Clip Art Fairy
Dies: Spellbinder Nestabilities and Sizzix Super Sized Scallop Tag
Sentiments: Computer generated
Everything else: My stash

Best Wishes

2011-12-28T19:00:00.000Z

It's not often I make a pink card. Probably because I'm surrounded by blues all the time and just do not indulge in my feminine side! I've used papers from Tinker and Co which I've had for ages and the name of the collection is Shabby Quilt - they were a freebie download but I'm not sure if the link is still active.

I've used a Squiggles Stamp - Miss Evie - Frills and Flowers (the store has 20% off at the moment!) and coloured it with Promarkers. I've used an acyclic Studio G stamp for the sentiment and the flowers are from my stash (I've had the tea roses for aaggggeeesss so decided to use them!)

And the ribbon is also from my stash now that I've had a tidy up and its all neatly colour co-ordinated in large grip seal bags - still doesn't all fit in the plastic tub but at least I can get to what I want without swearing!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Squiggle Stamps: Let's Celebrate
Cute Card Thursday: Sketch followed
Cooking It Up With Katie: Anything Goes
Tanda Stamps: Rose Tinted

Papers: Tinker and Co - Shabby Quilt

Image: Squiggles Stamp - Miss Evie - frills and flowers coloured with Promarkers
Sentiment: Studio G acrylic stamp
Everything else: My stash

More Year Book

2011-12-28T18:45:00.000Z

Here is another installment of the Baby Year Book that I've been asked to make for a friend. This is month 4 - month 3 is the mirror image opposite (not shown!), and yes, I am making the pages out of sync! All the papers are from The Clip Art Fairy - Beautiful Baby Boy collection and I've dotted a line of blue gel pen around the edges.

I've used the largest tag from the Sizzix Scallop Tag combo die and threaded some blue organza ribbon through the tops as well as adding it underneath the tags.

I've strung a row of seed, bugle beads and sequins on some silver wire underneath the ribbon as to follow the Sketches in Thyme #62 sketch. The sentiment is computer generated.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Sketches in Thyme: Layout used (#62)
Little Red Wagon: Something New
Anything Goes Challenges: Blue plus One Other (Silver on the beads)

Papers: The Clip Art Fairy - Beautiful Baby Boy
Dies: Sizzix Scallop Tag combo (largest used)
Sentiment: PC generated
Everything else: My stash

Fetch A Sketch Challenge 14

2011-12-28T09:00:00.001Z

It's time for another Fetch A Sketch challenge! We are a few days late this week in setting this challenge - Christmas sort of caught up with us!

Jenny is the hostess this fortnight and here is the sketch she has created:

For more details on how to enter the challenge, please pop over to Fetch A Sketch!

We are sponsored by the very generous Anice of Funky Hand who is offering a copy of Craft The Year Away to our lucky winner! But if you can't wait that long, there is a fab 50% off Funky Hand products sale on right now until 29 December - click on the banner to be taken there!

For my sample I've used acetate which has been embossed with a Cuttlebug D'vine Swirls folder and I've added some ribbon and embroidery thread from my stash. The embroidery thread has been woven through the acetate (which actually does open out like a card - you just can't see the back layer too well!) I've used the Sizzix Super Scallop Tag die for the actual shape of the card as I can never cut out acetate very well with scissors for some reason!

I've cut some flowers with a Cuttlebug die and I've used Hearts and Flowers download (£1.75 for the duration of the sale!) printed onto vellum with velvet brad centres.

Hopefully, that has given you some inspiration, if not, go and have a look at Jenny's sample - it is stunning!

Good luck with the challenge!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Crafty Cardmakers: Use It Three Times (3 flowers and 3 threaded embroidery threads)
Lawnscaping: Texture
Scrappy Frogs: Stitching

Papers: Hearts and Flowers download from Funky Hand
Dies: Sizzix Super Sized Scallop Tag, Cuttlebug flowers, Cuttlebug D'vine Swirls embossing folder
Everything else: My stash

Treat Bags and BIG Funky Hand Sale!

2011-12-27T15:15:00.000Z

Do you like these little cute treat bags?! I've made them both from one sheet of A4 card and from a fab template downloaded though the Hybrid challenge that is taking part on The Crafters Cafe over the Christmas holidays! I'm hoping to be able to participate in all the challenges that are going on plus the games too!

There are a set of little treat bags and various templates that can be downloaded to use for the Hybrid challenge and the bags are courtesy of Wendybird Designs.

I found a sheet of A4 card in my stash that I'd printed ages ago - its from Funky Hand but the collection it is from (Boys and Girls) is no longer available as it was a one off special for a charity crafting cd.

However, there IS a fab 50% off sale at Funky Hand for the next few days! You get 50% off all Funky Hand branded products - loads of cds and downloads to go at!! And free shipping (minimum spend of £10) worldwide - its a sale not to be missed!!

I've rounded the corners on the treat bags, doodled a line around the edges and cut out the aperture and added some acetate. I've not been able to source any little delights to put inside as my two darlings have virtually eaten everything they got chocolate based!

The ribbon is from my stash and now that I've spent time organising all my ribbons into big grip seal bags by colour - I can see what I have and can get what I want without rooting through the big tub every time!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Make It Monday - Anything Goes
Ooh La La Creations: Anything But A Card
Just Add Ink: Fancy Packaging

Papers: Boys and Girls collection from Funky Hand (retired)
Template: Wendybird Designs
Everything else: My stash

Craft Juice Tuesday - Week 97

2011-12-27T09:00:00.000Z

Welcome to week 97 of Craft Juice Tuesday! Craft Juice is an online crafting community where crafters submit handcrafted items which are then voted by the community - 5 votes and you reach the front page!

For more information on each item, just click on the picture

Continuing the theme of Christmas, how about this very cute little tree decoration from lpolyakova80

Or a hand knitted robin pattern from fluffandfuzz

Or a jolly snowman made from recycled items from Swirlyarts (I recognise those buttons!)

See you next Tuesday for more Craft Juice Tuesday!

The Crafters Cafe Open House

2011-12-26T16:00:00.001Z

Fancy taking part in a bit of fun over at The Crafter's Cafe? They are hosting an Open House between Boxing Day and 2 January and Jellypark are sponsoring a prize! If you want to know more information and to join The Crafters Cafe (its free!) click on the banner below!

As I said, Jellypark is sponsoring one of the challenges which just happens to be:

Give Thanks

And here is the cute image from Jellypark that I've used!! You can also see the rest of the Designs Team samples by going to The Crafters Cafe Group.

I've used Cosmo Cricket papers from the Early Bird digi paper collection, some doodling and inking plus the Jellypark image which has been coloured with Promarkers. I've used a heart punch to create the scalloped edge of the centre panel, plus string from the kitchen drawer.

The flowers have been made using a Cuttlebug flower die and made from felt - little tag is a Sizzix die and I've written it myself (rather pleased with the handwriting for a change!)

Hope you can join in with the fun!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Cardabilities: Sketch followed
Fabulous Friday: Fabric (felt)
Crafty Creations: Give Thanks

Image: Jellypark, coloured with Promarkers
Papers: Cosmo Cricket - Early Bird digi pack
Dies: Cuttlebug flowers, Sizzix tag
Punches: Heart punch
Everything else: My stash

Happy Christmas!

2011-12-25T07:00:00.000Z

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and I hope Santa is generous!

Ruth
x

Cherry Good Luck

2011-12-24T09:30:00.000Z

Apologies if I was missing, or rather deleted last night. For some reason my account was suspended and I was deleted. Anyhow, I'm back now and fingers crossed that it doesn't happen again!

Isn't this is cute image?! It's a freebie from Whimsie Doodles - I was having a browse in the store a few weeks ago and came across the image. It fits their current challenge which is a sketch. I've coloured her with Promarkers plus added some glitter glue to her wings.

The papers are a digi pack from Cosmo Cricket - Early Bird - those cherries are just fantastic! The ric rac is from my stash and I have a feeling its some that I've had for a rather long time and was bought from Blackburn market.

The sentiment stamp is a cheap Studio G wooden stamp. Fake brads have been added with a Sharpie marker and glossy accents.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Whimsie Doodles: Sketch followed
Fairy Tale Challenge: Something Easy
Flutterby Wednesday: Anything Goes
My Mums Craft Shop: Anything Goes
Stampavie and More: Red

Image: Whimsie Doodles, coloured with Promarkers and glitter glue
Papers: Cosmo Cricket, Early Bird digi pack
Stamp: Studio G wooden
Everything else: My stash

Simply Create Too Challenge 3 - Shape It Up

2011-12-23T12:00:00.001Z

It's time for another Simply Create Too challenge and this fortnight the theme is

Shape It Up

So how ever you interpret that its good for us!

I've made two pages for a Baby Yearbook that I've been asked to make hence the two captions on the pages. I've gone with the die cut theme and have used one of my Nestabilities dies, Sizzix balloon die and also a Cuttlebug star die too.

The large star in the background has been glittered and the template is from Twelve Crafters Crafting cd from Funky Hand.

I've dotted a blue gel pen line around the edge of the page (the bit on the side is where the holes will be punched for holding all the pages together) As well as glittering the star, I've glittered the balloons too.

All the papers are from The Clip Art Fairy - Beautiful Baby Boy paper pack and the cute teddy is also from The Clip Art Fairy - Just Ben Bear in blue. The embroidery thread is from my stash. The space inside the frame is where the photo will go - just in case you were wondering!

Good luck with the challenge and I hope you can find the time to enter! For more details and to see the rest of the Design Teams samples, pop over to the challenge blog!

I'll be back with more layouts too - I'm actually finding them really interesting to do as I have more space and I have to think about how the pages open will look so I'm trying to mirror the pages for uniformity!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

My Mums Craft Shop: Anything Goes
365 Cards: Day 295 - I've Been Framed
Aud Sentiments: Anything Goes
Colour Create: Blue, Silver and White
Sketches in Thyme: Sketch #63 followed

Papers and Teddy digi: The Clip Art Fairy
Star template: Twelve Crafters Crafting cd from Funky Hand
Dies: Nestabilities, Cuttlebug star, Sizzix balloons
Sentiment: PC generated
Everything else: My stash

Flowers, Felt and Bling

2011-12-23T08:00:00.000Z

It's been a while since I made a shaped handbag card and I really don't know why I don't use it more often! I've used a template that I've had for ages and I don't know where I got it from and the papers are an old Clare Curd Signature Range 12x12 stack which I've glittered the edges of and some of the flower patterns too.

I've made the handle from wire - curled it around a pencil and then added seed beads to it. The flowers I found in my stash and I cut the felt ones with a Cuttlebug die. The charm is made from a really cheap 'silver' necklace I bought in the poundshop and took off all the dangly bits and added seed beads to the wire.

Makes a nice change from Christmas cards too!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Lady Bug Inks: Bingo - Felt, Flowers, Pearls and Spots, Flowers, Charm
Bunny Zoe's Crafts: Fancy Folds / Shaped Cards
Crafty Cardmakers: Use It Three Times (pearl headed brads, glitter glue - edges, on large flower and on pattern)
Pile It On: Bling It Up
Sparkles Forum Challenges: Anything But A Christmas Card

Template: Can't remember
Papers: Clare Curd Signature Range - The Big One 12x12 Stack
Dies: Cuttlebug flower
Fastener: Queen and Co
Everything Else: My stash

Simples (With Green)

2011-12-22T20:15:00.000Z

I had a good day yesterday of creativity despite being interrupted every few seconds by the boys. Even the littlest room in the house was not sacred!

So here is one I made yesterday. Another Wedding Acceptance card (look away now Claire - my Mum's not got it yet let alone posted it to you!!) for my cousin who gets married at the end of March. Continuing with the green theme too although I don't think the Wedding is green themed just I like this ribbon and beads!

Anyway. Kept it rather simple and did not add a sentiment. Don't have an Acceptance stamp and couldn't be bothered firing up the pc to print one. Honest. But true!

I've used D'vine Swirls embossing folder, a Sizzix layered flower die that has partly been embossed with Swiss Dots and the scalloped edge are heart punches. I've used some green organza ribbon that I bought recently (can't remember where) and some oddments of green themed beads that were another donation from Lynsey (thank you - and yes, I sifted through all the bag for these!)

Oh and a bit of inking around the edges with a badly matching green inkpad. Oh well!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Random Acts of Creativity: Sketch followed
Cooking It Up With Katie: Anything Goes
Charisma Cardz: Anything Goes
City Crafter: Winter White

Dies: Sizzix layered flower; Cuttlebug embossing folders - D'vine Swirls and Swiss Dots
Ribbon: My stash
Beads: Lynsey donation
Punch: Heart

Crimbo Crackers Challenge 5 - Snowflakes

2011-12-22T09:00:00.000Z

It's time for another Crimbo Crackers challenge! And its a nice and easy one this time:

Snowflakes

I've got a sponsor who is generously offering 4 digis of the winners choice as a prize - Sassy Studios Designs! To view the store, click on the banner below:
For my creation I've used Santas Helper and coloured her with Promarkers. You'll have to excuse the poor photo but its not been particularly bright nor sunny recently! I've used papers from my stash and the rather large snowflake is actually a Christmas tree decoration that I bought last year in the sales from Tesco - I've snipped the loop bit off! I buy these things, put them in a drawer and forget about them! This year I am determined (with the aid of Crimbo Crackers!) to use up what I have! The red ribbon is from Meiflower.

Good luck with the challenge! For more details and how to enter, please go to Crimbo Crackers!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Everybody Art: Anything Goes
Party Time Tuesday's: Use Ribbon
Passion For Promarkers: Celebration
Shopping Our Stash: Soft as a Snowflake
Top Tip Tuesday: Anything Christmas (my tip is to buy Christmas decorations that are fairly flat and light to use on cards and remember to buy them in the sales - soooo much cheaper!)
Use It Tuesday's: Holiday Theme

Image: Sassy Studios Design, coloured with Promarkers
Snowflake: Tesco's
Ribbon: Meiflower
Everything else: My stash

Dude Time Doodles Challenge 27 - Favourite Christmas Film

2011-12-21T07:00:00.000Z

Are you ready for a Dude Time Doodle Challenge? This week, the challenge is:

Your Favourite Christmas Film

I've gone with The Snowman and used Duck the Snowball Warrior which has been coloured with Promarkers and a bit of glitter glue although you can't actually see all the sparkle in the photo!

I've used Funky Hand papers from Happy Happy Birthday plus the red is from my stash and the sentiment is also Funky Hand but from Twelve Crafters Crafting.

I've added a Sizzix snowflake die, a gem, some faux stitching and I've dotted around the edge of the image and sentiment with a blue gel pen.

For more details on how to join in and to see the rest of the Design Teams creations - pop over to the Challenge blog and good luck!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Crafty Boots: Christmas

Critter Challenge: Let It Snow
Craft Your Days Away: Snowmen
Digital Tuesday: Winter Wonderland

Image: Dude Time Doodles, coloured with Promarkers
Printed Papers: Happy Happy Birthday from Funky Hand
Sentiment: Twelve Crafters Crafting from Funky Hand
Dies: Sizzix Snowflake
Everything else: My stash

Craft Juice Tuesday - Week 96

2011-12-20T09:00:00.000Z

Welcome to another week of Craft Juice Tuesday! Christmas is a-coming - it's so close you can almost touch it! So in honour of the big fella leaving something in your stockings, this Craft Juice Tuesday post is dedicated to Santa!

For more information on each item, just click on the picture and you will be taken to its Craft Juice listing.

A robot Santa from HerArtSheLoves
You'll be able to send tiny tiny letters to Santa in these cute envelopes from Swirlyarts

Or a soldered tree decoration from Silent Theatre

See you next Tuesday for more!

Confused Santa

2011-12-19T19:45:00.001Z

I think Santa is looking a little confused! Fab pre coloured digi image by Lee Jacobs and bought from here - all I've done is resized it and cut it out (plus added some glitter!)

The papers are offcuts and are from Echo Park - All I Want For Christmas digi pack. The red ribbon is from my stash and the tiny brads are fake - black Sharpie marker with glossy accents over the top! I had to join two pieces of the backing paper together as I only had strips left that were not wide enough - I think I've done it well enough so you can't see the join!

A bit of inking around the edges plus some faux stitching and the card is complete!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Seems A Little Sketchy: Sketch followed
Paper Makeup Stamps: Colour Combo
Karens Doodles: Spots and Stripes
My Time Made Easy: Colour Palette
Crazy 4 Challenges: It's Santa!

Image: Lee Jacobs, bought from here
Papers: Echo Park digi pack - All I Want For Christmas
Everything else: My stash

Fetch A SKetch Challenge 13 - Midway Extra

2011-12-19T09:00:00.000Z

It's the midway extra post for Fetch A Sketch and a reminder of the sketch for this fortnight:
And our sponsor is the rather fab Dude Time Doodles and Boni is offering the winner a $10 gift certificate! To have a look at the images we've used and to create your own wish list, click on the banner below:
I've used Sashimi from the Fish Set and coloured him with Promarkers. All the papers are from various Funky Hand cd's but the spotty paper is from The Funky One (bargain price at under £6!) and its an offcut I've had in my box of bits for a long long time!

The tiny brads are fake - black Promarker pen with glossy accents over the top - great and quick!

Good luck with the challenge - for more details pop over to the challenge blog!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Kenny K's Krafty Girlz: Anything Goes
One Stitch At A Time: Anything Goes

Image: Dude Time Doodles, coloured with Promarkers
Papers: All various Funky Hand

Christmas Family

2011-12-18T20:00:00.000Z

Whilst blog hopping (as you do!) I happened to notice that a DT mate was part of the new Dilly Beans DT and that there was a freebie on offer! Not one to pass this kind of opportunity, I snagged the freebie and its taken me this long to get the card finished!

Don't ask me why so long as it only took about an hour to make in total! I've coloured the image with Promarkers and glitter glue and layered it onto papers from Happy Happy Birthday from Funky Hand. A bit of faux stitching plus a snowflake with a Sizzix die and some red ribbon from Meiflower and the card is complete!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Dilly Beans: Snowfriends Family Giveaway
Squirrel and the Fox: Christmas
Craft Your Days Away: Snowmen
Crafty Hazelnut: Anything Goes Christmas
Little Claire's Designs: Family Christmas
4 Crafty Chicks: Christmas
Paper Play: Christmas

Image: Dilly Beans limited freebie, coloured with Promarkers
Papers: Funky Hand - Happy Happy Birthday cd
Dies: Sizzix Snowflake
Ribbon: Meiflower

Knight and Dragon

2011-12-18T08:00:00.000Z

Here is the second of two new release digital stamps from Jellypark this fortnight. This one is Knight and Dragon and you can buy it here!

I wanted to keep the image as big as I could on the card as I was really pleased with how I'd coloured the image. Most of it has been coloured with Aquamarkers with the armour done with Promarkers. The background is watercolour paints as I didn't trust myself enough with the Aquamarkers!

The image has been layered onto plain card from my stash and I've added a simple dotted line around the edge of the image with a fine black pen. A thin swag of embroidery thread and the card is complete!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Samuel Taylor Crafts: Anything Goes
Clearly Inspired: Birthday
Stempelsonnen Challenges: Anything Goes with Stamp as Main Focus

Image: Jellypark, coloured with Aquamarkers and Promarkers
Everything else: My stash

Dude Time Doodles Freebie - Ebeneezer Humbug!

2011-12-17T13:00:00.000Z

I hope you are ready for this 'cos you need to be really quick! I've (hopefully!) purposely set this post to publish just before the Dude Time Doodles Challenge blog to give you a head start on a fab freebie that is only going to be available for 12 hours! Yep, 12 hours, so get your mouse at the ready to pop over to Dude Time Doodles to snag it!

And the freebie in question is this rather wonderful Ebeneezer:

He does look quite Dickensian doesn't he?! I've coloured him with Aquamarkers and the background with watercolours, layered onto some rather wonderful chocolate brown pearlescent card and then some very old downloaded papers from Mad About Cards and some bloke ribbon. The 'brads' are totally fake - black Sharpie marker with glossy accents over the top.

So what are you waiting for - go snag it!! Snooze and you loose! If you miss grabbing it as a freebie then it will be available to buy in the store later on.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Frosted Designs: Ribbon
Glitter Geeks: Anything Goes
Cupcake Craft Room: Christmas Traditions (Ebenezer Scrooge!)

Image: Dude Time Doodles, limited time freebie, coloured with Aquamarkers
Papers: Mad About Cards download
Everything else: My stash

Pretty Boutique

2011-12-16T18:20:00.000Z

Here is the first of two new releases from Jellypark for this fortnight! Isn't this a pretty digi stamp?! I've enlarged it so that it more or less fills the whole of the card (apologies for the terrible photo but its the best I could get - darn winter!)

It's been coloured with Aquamarkers plus a smidge of glitter glue and liquid pearls. I've layered it onto something that resembles Angel Hair which was a donation from Lynsey a while ago (thank you!) The tiny button brads are also a donation from Lynsey (thank you again!) and the embroidery thread is from my stash with the ribbon from Meiflower.

If you go to the Jellypark challenge blog you'll see the rest of the samples the Design Team have made with this stamp and virtually all of us have coloured the awning in the same colours! Weird!

The other new release I'll share over the weekend but if you can't wait - pop over to the Jellypark challenge blog!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Desert Island Crafters: Brads, Stripes, Rounded Corners
Really Reasonable Ribbon: Anything Goes with Ribbon
Sarah Hurley Challenges: Colouring
Scrapbook Sisters: Two Colours

Image: Jellypark, coloured with Aquamarkers
Angel Hair and Brads: Donation from Lynsey
Embroidery Thread: My stash
Ribbon: Meiflower

Jellypark Challenge 12 - ABC

2011-12-16T09:00:00.001Z

We have a great challenge for you over at Jellypark Friends Friday Challenge and this fortnight the theme is:

ABC - Anything But A Card

I do like making these gift card holders and they are so easy and quick to make too! I've adapted my usual template as these papers all printed as 8x8 so I had less to use!

All the images are from Jellypark and all have been coloured with Promarkers. The papers are all from digi kits, and from left to right:

Echo Park - Sidewalk Chalk; Cosmo Cricket - Early Bird; Creativity by Crystal - Me and My Brother; Carina Gardner - Fresh Picked Collection; Creativity by Crystal - Me and My Brother.

And then I've used a contrasting paper from the same collection on the inside and added an offcut of card so a message can be written on. A bit of inking around the edges plus a brad to hold the two flaps together and some suitable ribbon etc and they are complete!

Good luck with the challenge! For more details, please visit the challenge blog!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Cute Card Thursday: Stripes
Delightful Challenges: Anything Goes
Just For Fun: Summer Theme (hope these are not too cute!)
Tip Top Tuesday: A Gift

All Images: Jellypark, coloured with Promarkers
Papers: Various - see above
Everything Else: My Stash

Christmas Word Book

2011-12-14T14:30:00.000Z

Here is a Christmas card that I made for a recent order. I do like making word books - they are relatively easy to make and fairly quick unless I decide to layer up the letters as I've done here and then cut them out!

All the papers are from Funky Hand - Twelve Crafters Crafting cd and I've used Wordart to create the actually word Happy. Each letter has been printed onto a pale colour from the colour palette and then layered onto a contrasting colour then added to each 'page' of the book.

I've glittered around the inside of each of the letters plus also the smaller Christmas word (cut with my Sizzix Round-a-Bout alphabet dies). The ribbons are from my stash and hold all pages together - well, actually, the glue does that, but you know what I mean!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Bearly Mine: Non Traditional Christmas Colours
365 Cards: Day 287 - Blue / Green - Teal etc
Bunny Zoe's Crafts: Fancy Folds / Shaped Cards
Cheerful Stamp Pad: Christmas Greeting as Focal Point
My Craft Spot: Christmas Shaped Cards
Crazy Challenge: More Than One Fold

All papers: Twelve Crafter Crafting cd from Funky Hand

Dies: Sizzix Round-a-Bout alphabet

Everything else: My stash

Craft Juice Tuesday - Week 95

2011-12-13T09:00:00.000Z

Welcome to week 95 of Craft Juice Tuesday! Craft Juice is an online community where your handcreated items can be showcased!

And here are a few Christmas themed items that grabbed my attention:

A cute robot from HerHeartSheLoves
A fab sparkly ornament for the tree - from Candy Land Ornaments

Wonderful crocheted baubles from FallingDew

See you next Tuesday for more Craft Juice Tuesday!

Fetch A Sketch Challenge 13

2011-12-12T09:00:00.000Z

It's time for another Fetch A Sketch challenge! We are already upto challenge 13 - time really does fly! I am the hostess this week and here is my sketch:
For more details on how to enter, pop over to the Fetch A Sketch blog.

We are sponsored this fortnight by the very generous Dude Time Doodles who are offering the sketch winner a $10 gift certificate to their store:

I've used Rocco Soccer plus his football and coloured them both with Promarkers. All the papers are from various Funky Hand cd's and are all from my bits box (I am trying really hard to use them up!)

I've used a Cuttlebug die for the star and the bit that came out of the middle has been added to the top corner. Mind you, the spotty shape looks a bit like a wonky eye!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Corrosive Challenges: Anything But Christmas
One Stitch At A Time: Use a Digi
Stampin' Sisters In Christ: Birthday
Prairie Fairy Friday's: Beat The Winter Blues (Blue and White)

Images: Dude Time Doodles, coloured with Promarkers
Papers: Various from Funky Hand
Dies: Cuttlebug

Gingerbread

2011-12-10T15:20:00.000Z

Although I've finished all my Christmas cards (not that they are written yet!) I couldn't resist this freebie image from Bows n Berries. I've coloured it with Promarkers and used the sketch from Seems A Little Sketchy with papers from an Echo Park digi pack - All I Want For Christmas. Added some faux stitching around the edges and some embroidery thread that actually matches the green in the papers.

The snowflake is a Sizzix die and because I was not concentrating, I accidentally snipped the fluffy bit off the gingerbread mans hat so he has a tiny pom pom instead!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Bows n Berries: Use Freebie and Blog Hop
Seems A Little Sketchy: Sketch followed
Hotshot Craft: Use Promarkers
Card Makin' Mama's: Christmas

Image: Bows n Berries Freebie, coloured with Promarkers and glitter glue
Papers: Echo Park: All I Want For Christmas
Dies: Sizzix snowflake
Everything else: My stash

Simply Create Too Challenge 2 - Embossing

2011-12-09T13:00:00.001Z

It's time for a new challenge at Simply Create Too and the theme this fortnight is:

Embossing

I usually go for the dry embossing as I can never be bothered faffing around with the heat gun and powders (as I usually end up wearing the stuff for days!) but this time I decided to give it a whirl!

One of my cousins (hello Claire!) is getting married at the end of March and their Wedding invitations were sent out last week (beautiful they are!) and here is the RSVP that I will be sending and hopefully she will have received it before she sees it blogged!

I've gone with the theme of the invitation - very pale green and white but have embossed a freebie stamp that I've had for a fair while from a craft magazine and used the heat gun that Claire gave me! I think I possibly used the powders that she gave me too!

The organza green ribbon was far too wide for the little pearl buckle slider I got from Meiflower but I was determined to use it anyway so I twisted it up a bit and threaded it through the slider a few times to look how I initially wanted it. I've dotted around the edge of the card with a silver gel pen.

So watch out for more embossing from me in the future - it was actually really easy to do once I made sure I'd melted all the powder!

Now got to make another one, different of course, for my parents to send!

Good luck with the Simply Create Too challenge - for more details please visit the blog!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Shopping Our Stash: Whites option
Crafty Cardmakers: Heat Embossing
Stamps R Us: Emboss It
Victorine Stamps: Ribbon
Pink Gem Challenges: Monochromatic, Not Christmas and Sentiment
Krafting Kimmie: Heat or Dry Embossing
Less Is More: Green

Stamp: A freebie from a magazine ages ago
Papers: From my stash
Ribbon: Anita's
Pearl Buckle: Meiflower Crafts

Polkadoodle Challenge 49 - Quick Christmas

2011-12-09T09:00:00.001Z

It's time for another Polkadoodle challenge and Colette has set the fab theme of:

Quick Christmas Cards

I think to make these six cards it took me around ten minutes! I've used some offcuts of card from the Scrap Store that were a perfect size for some diddy cards. The card actually has a light pearlescent sheen so its a good surface to work on!

I've printed one of the Santa digis from Paper Boutique Vol 2 directly onto the cardstock and then added glitter glue around the edge of the card.

Told you it was quick and simple!

Good luck with the challenge - hope you can join in and the deadline is Sunday 18 December at 12noon.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Moving Along With The Times: Last Minute Christmas
ABC Christmas: Y for Yippee - Anything Christmas
The Pixie Cottage: Last Minute Cards

Image: Paper Boutique Vol 2
Card blanks: Scrap Store

Crimbo Crackers Challenge 4 - Embossing

2011-12-08T09:00:00.000Z

It's time again for another Crimbo Crackers challenge and its upto to 4 already! Where does the time go?! I hope your pile of cards is growing nicely and that you continue to play along with me all year so no stress in November!

I've a wonderful sponsor for this fortnight:
Diane's Digital Designs - and Diane is offering two digi's to the winner of the challenge! I've used one of them in my sample and Diane has used the other - to see the two finished samples, pop over to Crimbo Crackers.

The theme for this fortnight is:

Embossing

So any kind of embossing will do as long as its a Christmas or Festive related creation. For more details on the challenge, please go to Crimbo Crackers (not many rules - honest!)

I've coloured the image with Promarkers and used my Cuttlebug snowflake embossing folder for the background. Added a fair amount of glitter glue around the edge of the card and some red ribbon and the card is complete!

I've dotted around the edge of the Spellbinders die cut with a Promarker to give some definition but its a fab image - don't you think?!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Sassy Cheryl's: It's Santa!
Try It On Tuesday's: It's All About The Big Guy!
Di's Digi's: All White Except The Image

Image: Diane's Digital Designs, coloured with Promarkers
Dies: Cuttlebug Snowflakes embossing folder, Spellbinder Nestabilities
Everything else: My stash