What a Hoot!

More playing today and my 2nd Christmas card of the year!

The lovely papers are from a Xmas stack by DCWV which has been in my stash for a long time and the cute ice skater is a digi image called "Ice Skating Hoot" from Pink Gem Designs.   He was coloured with Promarkers, before being cut out and mounted onto foam pads.  The addition of some fancy snowflakes and a dash of pink Stickles for his bobble hat give a touch of Christmas sparkle.

This week Winter Wonderland's Challenge is "Red and Green Must Not Be Seen" so Pink and Purple fit the bill.   Coincidentally, one of the challenge sponsors this week is Pink Gem Designs which I didn't know when I made the card ... isn't that a hoot LOL?
Crafts 4 Eternity are looking for "Wonderful Wings" and there's no doubt that Ice Skating Hoot has wings ... reckon they'll come in handy if the ice melts!

Bah! Humbug! 44

Apologies for being so late this week - this post was scheduled for this morning but ended up in 'draft somehow.  Anyway ... am here now.
This week's card features one of the most universally instantly recognisable Christmas characters of all time!  Little Rudi ... and his secret twin brother ... have been playing around with the tree lights and got themselves in a little bit of a guddle.  Tut tut ... but their really cute expressions melt the heart so it's difficult to be cross with them for too long.   

Let me tell you, they weren't the only one's to 'get in a guddle' this week either!  Everything was layered up and looking fine until the very last moment when disaster struck!  The red stickles bottle split open, just as I was adding the last wee bit of sparkle to the letters and spewed red, sticky, sparkly, gloopy mess, all over the almost completed card!  Don't you just hate it when that happens? GRRRRRRRRRrrrrrrrrr ... the air was a glorious shade of blue as I desperately tried to save something ... ANYTHING!  But alas t'was to no avail.  The card was a definite 'bin job' and I had to start all over again.   

Apologies that the letters look a little curled up,  but the glitter and the snow weren't quite dry when I took the photos.  They look fine now and if I get a chance I will re-take photos.

Fortunately I had a spare set of images and letters printed off and knew exactly what I wanted to do, having already done it once,  so it didn't take long to cut them out and put it all together. AGAIN.  The only thing missing on this version are the red berries on the tree, but that will be rectified when my new bottle of red stickles arrives LOL!  Well ... you've gotta' larf!
Hopefully my fellow Bah Humbuggers and our Guest Designer Pat had a less stressful time with their projects.   We have also announced a winner for our Embossing Folder Prize so check out Bah! Humbug! right now to see if it's you.

A Fairy Happy Birthday

It's been a while since I showcased any of my recent cards ... partly because I haven't felt up to it following a rather nasty flareup of HS and the inevitable 'dice'n'slice' (yowch!) ... and partly because Mr. Blogger has been a wee bit temperamental and I haven't had the energy or inclination to do battle.  However, I'm feeling better today and have even managed to drive myself to the surgery this morning so things are on the up'n'up.
This card was completed more than a week ago for submission to the Sugar Bowl Challenge 44 - a sketch by Lilian with the optional theme of 'A Birthday Card'.   As you see,  I have done a step card but hopefully you can still recognise the sketch layout.

The image is Sugar Nellie -Woodland Fairy which has been coloured with Promarkers and sparkled up with Diamond Stickles.   The patterned papers are all from DCWV Spring Glitter Stack although to be honest,  they are more like cardstock than paper,  and as a bonus, they're beautifully glittered too.  You may need to click the photos to get a better idea of how sparkly they really are.

I have used some coordinating textured card to mat it onto and a strip was also cut with zig-zag scissors before decorating with pretty non fray ribbon and a prima flower.  The image was cut with Labels Four Nestablilities and then mounted with silicon glue across the ribbon.   The final finishing touch was the addition of some pretty graduated 3D butterflies, one for each level. 
Flutter By Wednesday Challenge 124 are looking for some 'Sparkle and Shine' and as the papers, butterflies and fairy all sparkle with glittery gorgeousness,  I reckon I'm safe there.  Coincidently A Spoonful of Sugar have that as their theme this week too ... and Hazel let me know that  Moving Along With The Times are looking for Fairies or Fantasy ... so it's sparkles all round!
I'll be back later with some more cards which have been patiently waiting for their 5 seconds in the spotlight but I really must go and see what the postie delivered this morning.  Enjoy the rest of your day, wherever you are and whatever you are doing.

Snowflake ...

... is the name of this pretty little Sugar Nellie stamp I used for my card.  Isn't she sweet? 

She was stamped onto linen effect card with black Memento ink and then heat embossed with holographic embossing powder before colouring with Promarkers and adding Stickles for extra sparkle.
The background papers are from a DCWV pad which has been in my stash for a very long time and never lets me down if I'm in a hurry or struggling to decide on colour choices.  Sadly there are only a few sheets which remain untouched now, but I really can't complain as it has served me well being one of the very first items I ever bought from QVC - believe it or not, that was several years ago.

Silver mirri card was embossed with snowflakes in the cuttlebug and then cut in half to provide the panels which sit behind the main image and a snowflake border punch helps to decorate the white spaces. 

I only own 2 of the Sugar Nellie Christmas range at the moment, but there are 4 new Christmas Mangas due for release very soon and IF Mr. Random Selector thingy is feeling really kind and chooses my entry number, then I could be the lucky winner of all of them AND a set of Spellbinders.  Isn't that a fabby prize?
If you fancy having a go yourself then you'll need to be quick and head over to Sugar Bowl Challenge 41 and get your entry in before midnight.  YES - Thats midnight tonight!
Just follow Marlene's cool sketch with the optional theme of using 'Something Old or Something New'.  My papers definitely qualify as old so perfect for this challenge extra.

Get Well Soon

One of Naomi's young horse riding pals had a nasty fall yesterday morning as they were preparing to go riding.   Naomi phoned whilst I was food shopping and when I arrived at the farm 5 minutes later, having abandoned the trolley at Customer Services, it was immediately obvious that she needed to go to hospital.
Unfortunately the news for Cally is not too good as x-rays revealed her arm is badly broken in 2 places and will require surgery.  She is to be admitted to hospital today and her parents have said they will keep us updated with any news.  Obviously we hope the surgery is successful and wish her a speedy recovery but it will be several months before she will be back in the saddle.  Incidently, they were really impressed with how calmly Naomi had dealt with the whole situation today - managing to deal with 2 horses as well as reassure and calm her injured friend without a hint of panic.   What a star!
I made a card for Cally using this sweet image and sentiments from LOTV Stamp Set 3- Occasions  following Bev's sketch for  LOTV Challenge 58.

I coloured with Promarkers and then matted onto several layers of coloured card, leaving a narrow border each time.   The beautiful background card with glossy daisies is from DCWV Glitter Stack and my flower embellishments were created from scraps of paper using a daisy punch before being glittered up with Star Dust Stickles.    A hint of Star Dust Stickles was also added to the cute image as it looked a bit flat being surrounded by all that sparkle.

For the inside decoration, I punched another daisy from a panel of blue striped card and matted it onto deep pink cardstock.   Then I ran some pretty blue non-fray ribbon down the sides before adding another glittery flower with a button centre in the corner and stamping the LOTV sentiment.

We hope to visit Cally when she comes home after her surgery but in the meantime we will be sending special thoughts to her and her anxious parents ... especially for tomorrow.

Happy Wee Mousey

This cute little mouse always makes me smile.  She looks like she's received some wonderful news and is jumping for joy.  Maybe it's a lottery win LOL?

She was coloured with Promarkers before being cut out and layered onto blue pearlised cardstock cut with Nestabilities.  This was then popped, with silicon glue for added dimension, onto a card decorated with papers from DCWV Glitter Stack which was one of the half price purchases I bought online last week in a closing down sale at WhoopsaDaisy.  I'm unable to post a link as sadly it doesn't exist any more - I hope it wasn't another casualty of the recession.

I also bought some black Stickles which I have tested out on the pebbles but  I may need to be more generous next time for the proper effect.
I'll be submitting this card to the following challenges.
Crafter's Companion 2 - Sketch
Simon Says - Check It Out
Craftalicious 3 - Cute 
Totally Papercrafts 23 - One For The Girlies
A Pocketful of Posies - One For The Girls
A Spoonful of Sugar 110 - Animal Crackers
Going to go and plant up the window boxes while the rain holds off but before I do just want to let you see the flowers that have bloomed on the Yucca in the garden.  Aren't they amazing?! 

Wishing you all enjoy a wonderful weekend, wherever you are and whatever you are doing.

Bah! Humbug! 23 - A Child's Christmas

Hooray!  
We have internet again which means I can now share my DT samples for Bah! Humbug's! latest challenge ...  

A Child's Christmas

I decided to make a duo of cards using this ultra cute penguin trio from Serendipity Stamps - a pink version and a blue version.

The little girly one is an easel card using lovely papers from DCWV Christmas Stack.  Both images were coloured with Promarkers and then embossed with holographic powder for added sparkle before adding some adhesive gems and stars.

The boy's card was dry embossed top and bottom on the Cuttlebug using a snowflake folder and I scored 2 lines to create a central panel for the snowflake paper from Anita's Christmas Blue Collection then added the cute penguins.

All I have to do now is add some greetings, but as I intend to personalise them with glittery letters I will do that prior to posting in December.
There are more lovely examples to see over on the Bah! Humbug! Challenge blog, so do pop over for a looksee - it will definitely be worth your while and may even provoke you into joining in, which would be wonderful as we love it when you share your ideas too.

Bah! Humbug Challenge 12

Another Friday ... another Bah! Humbug! Challenge   They are coming around so quickly aren't they?
This week our theme is EMBOSSING and I can tell in advance this is going to be a popular one as there are so many different techniques to choose from.

I was desperate to play with one of the Nellie Snellen Angel Stencils I bought in York.  I wasn't sure how deep the impression would be using the cuttlebug, (especially with not having a proper embossing mat), because the metal stencils are very thin, but I improvised with a piece of funky foam and a pile of card shims.  Admittedly the result isn't quite as deep as I would've liked but it is perfectly acceptable and I didn't want to break the cuttlebug by forcing it through with too many shims. 
To get the embossed snowflakes only in the centre of the silver mirri card frame mat, which is an instantly recognisable Nellie Snellen Rectangle Multi Die,  I simply scored lines around the edge of the frame before placing it into the snowflake embossing folder as normal. Then I rubbed over the area I wanted embossed firmly with my finger on both sides - voila! 

Technical stuff huh?  I know I could've cut shims to the right size and cuttled it but I'm too impatient and this method worked ok.
The background paper is from DCWV Chrismas Stack and this was cut to size and then matted onto silver mirri card leaving a narrow border, before sticking to the front of a DL card with double-sided tape.  A few sparkly adhesive gems were added to the angels crown and then she was mounted onto the front with foam pads.
My teammates have created some wonderfully elegant embossed cards for this challenge, so pop over and take a peek - then join in yourself.
There is a super prize up for grabs as this is the first challenge of the month and we are currently looking for crafters interested in becoming future Guest Designers, so it's all happening at Bah! Humbug! 

Fab's Big Christmas Card Challenge #13 - Tone on Tone allows me to submit this card, as it is mostly comprised of shades of purple with just a touch of silver and white.

The school Easter holiday has started ... my son is home from University ... and my husband is due home on Monday, so if I'm a little scarce around the place over the next 2 weeks, forgive me but I will be spending time with the family.  Happy Easter xxx

Stripes and Dots For Xmas

I'm still plugging away at Fab's Christmas Challenges and this week we are asked to used a combination of Stripes and Dots with the additional challenge of NO fabric ribbon.

I dug out the DCWV Christmas Cardmaking Pad for the papers and the sentiment and after covering the front panel with spotty paper, I simply matted a strip of stripey paper across some gold mirri card as 'faux ribbon' before adding the greeting.

The tree is a basic triangle cut from a panel of gold mirri card, embossed with the Cuttlebug Snowflake folder and that is mounted onto green pearlescent paper from the DCWV pad, with foam pads.
I used a couple of small offcuts of paper to create some ribbon tails which hang below the holly embellishment which I coloured with permanent markers.
This card is also an entry for the Christmas Challenge at Magical Crafts forum, where Hazel selected the theme of Red, Gold and Green.

Something Old ... Something New ...

... Something Borrowed
... Something Blue.

Soooooooo ... What immediately springs to mind when you see those words?
Could it be WEDDING!
That was Challenge #31 theme this week at Funky Fairys and if I'm really quick then I may just make it before the deadline.

As a change, I decided to make a card for the happy couple to give to someone who helps to ensure their day is special ... the Bridesmaid.
**To see the greeting more clearly just click on the image to enlarge.**

Something Old ... Greeting from a QVC kit
Something New ... Blue Ribbon
Something Borrowed ... Organza Flower from an old hair slide
Something Blue ... Funky Fairys Distressing Vines Paper and DCWV Vellum Quote

The pattern on this paper is really subtle and you have to look closely to make out the pale swirly vines ... it's very elegant and pretty and perfectly compliments the lovely patterned ribbon which decorates the bottom and the left side of the card.
Using the decorated ribbon is my passport to enter as a latecomer to Bubbly Scrumptious Weekly Challenge #3 and that means I can go to bed a happy bunny.

Nighty Night ... Sleep Tight.

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

I'm being a total lazy lump this afternoon and chilling in my favourite place.
I'm not feeling particularly adventurous though so decided to keep things simple by using a DCWV card stack pack.
These pads are brilliant for making quick cards as all the matching papers and cardstock are there ready just to rip out and use.
The colours kind've fit in with the Our Creative Corner's Inspiration Challenge and the layout follows Carol's Sketch Fun Challenge #11 ... or at least I thought it did.
Until I checked the spacing of the panels and realised I should've paid a bit more attention.
However, not to worry ... it's a handy wee 'Thank You' card when all's said and done and will be added to the collection in the 'Grab'n'Go' box until needed.

SKOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER!!

Yes ... the kids have started their Summer Holidays and that means less time online for me for the next few weeks. However I hope to be dotting around now and again and intend to fit in some blog browsing whenever possible so won't be totally AWOL.

I have a couple of cards to show today ... the 1st one was made for my Uncle who celebrated his 80th Birthday last week.
I used DCWV Card Kit stack and added a Dufex Cricket Decoupage from my stash to the front.

The 2nd card is my entry for Simon Says Stamp Challenge which is a Colour Combination using the lovely summery colours of Lemon, Orange, Apple Green and Pink ~ how mouthwateringly fabbylicious!
I've used a sheet from the lovely Papermania Springtime Papers and matted it onto pink Papermania Textured Cardstock.
A slim strip of the same pink card was mounted across the front with a strip of narrow yellow ribbon tied to one side. The simple greeting was a magazine freebie and I've double matted it onto green card and then a square of pink funky foam to add some dimension.
Simple ... cute ... and summery! Another perfect addition to the Grab'n'Go Box.

Sunshine On A Rainy Day

It's positively chucking it down here today ... grey, wet an horrid ... and this nasty weather is to continue for the whole weekend, (unlike the majority of the UK south of Newcastle for whom the sun will be splitting the sky ... sob ... sob ...).
Soooooooo to cheer up the grey mood I sneaked into my crafty space and played about with some paper. A bit naughty really when the laundry basket is screaming for help and buckling under the weight of washing ... but I feel rebellious today!

The base card is created from an A4 sheet of lovely heavyweight red card from my stash and provides a really stable base to work on. The pretty butterfly paper is from the Papermania Flowery pad and is double matted onto lilac card and gold mirri card, just showing a narrow border of each.
Offcuts of the same card was used on the folded front panel before adding a strip of fabulous shimmery ribbon ... isn't it pretty?
A simple greeting courtesy of a small Anita's stamp is added to the bottom right corner and the circle stickers down the ribbon panel are from a DCWV pad.

I wanted to join in with the latest Kaboodle Doodle Colour Challenge but as I don't own a single scrap of Stamping Up paper or ink, I had to attempt a colour match with what I had in my stash so hope they're close enough to count.

This card will soon be winging it's way to the parents of the little boy I made yesterday's Post Pals card for, in the hope that it will brighten their day a little bit.
NOW ... I'd better get off my lazy rear and tackle the washing.
Golly gee ... what a fun life I lead!!

Grateful Girl

Just got time for a quick message today ... busy, busy, busy!
Here's another quick and easy card ... one of many I should be making to send to all the kind and generous cyber-pals who have been so thoughtful to me and mine over the last few months and to whom I am extremely grateful.

It fits in with The Pink Elephant Challenge #18 this week which is to use the colours Pink, Brown and White.
The papers were in my leftovers box where all the offcuts of paper from previous projects land and good old gold mirri card provides a shiny mount for the DCWV sticker greeting.
The flowers were included in a recent RAK and the felt butterflies were picked up from the bargain bin at my local craft shop last year as was the organza ribbon ... oh and pink adhesive gems add a lickle bitta' bling!

OK ... gotta go.
Thanks very much for visiting and if you have time to leave a message then double-thanks to you.

Floral Fancy

Just Another Manic Monday ...
... but I managed to find time to make a card this afternoon and I'm hoping it will be eligible for a couple of challenges.
The layout for the card was determined by The Pink Elephant Challenge 16 which is to follow a great sketch by Robin this week. As always the Design Team over there have provided some fabby inspiration.

The theme this week at One Stop Craft Challenge 30 is 'Vintage' ... so hopefully I can do a double whammy and enter this card for both challenges without breaking any rules.

The background paper is from a DCWV card kit stack and the flowers are Prima to which I have added liquid pearls in the centre.
The vintage image is from a free image site and has been mounted on scalloped gold mirri card. I decided to add some 'faux stitching' by piercing holes around the outer edge and then drawing lines with a gel pen.

Mother's Day

Made another Mother's Day card this evening.

Paper and cardstock was from DCWV Rose Garden pad, which was a bargain buy at only £1 ... and the observant amongst you will see I have once again been brave with a button (yes ... singular again) only this time I cheated 'cos it's a button brad. Cute huh?
The lovely green velvet ribbon, (it really is green HONEST!), is from Dovecraft ... I lurrrrrve velvet ribbon.
Not sure about the inside of the card which shows the matching paper, but I think I ruined it with the overlay of gold mirri card ... *sigh* ... it definitely lacks something, just not sure what. Maybe some of that velvet ribbon?
Going to sleep on it and maybe the answer will come to me in a dream.

Sooooooooo ... I have another couple of Mother's Day cards to make ... (requests from other people, not because I have lots of mums in case you were wondering!) ... and a few Easter cards too.
There are some family birthdays up'n'coming over the next week or 2 as well, so plenty to keep me busy aaaaaaaaaaa...nd

if I'm really organised I may even get them posted on time! That would surprise EVERYONE ... including me!

Tanda Stamps Teaser 89

Sadly I have to confess to always needing a few belated cards to hand.
Did a quick scan of the Challenge Blogs to see if this card would 'fit in' to any of the topics ... and surprisingly it does!

Tanda Stamps Teaser this week is "All Creatures Great and Small" ... so my cute lickle ducky ribbon counts I'm sure and the greeting of course ... tee hee.
Non fray ribbon is fabulous to work with by the way ... just stick'n'snip with no worries.

The paper and cardstock are DCWV from a stack kit and the flower embellishment was in my stash and finally, a white gel pen provides the doodle dots ... dotting is very therapeutic y'know.

Now I really must make a start on some Mother's Day and Easter cards ... can't be late with those!

Pink Elephant Challenge 3

Thought I'd join in again with The Pink Elephant Challenge this week ... can't believe I've played along for 3 challenges in a row, 'cos normally I struggle to remember until after the deadlines !!
Must be because I'm enjoying myself ... which is probably because, (unlike some other challenge blogs), they don't impose restrictions, preferring to concentrate more on the fun aspect of challenges and getting enjoyment from everyone's participation. Makes for a much more relaxed environment and it's amazing how much the creativity flow increases each week.

Challenge #3 was a sketch by DT member Carol and here's my take on it.

The textured card, letters and dotty card are DCWV and the image is a Forever Friends sticker which came as a free gift with Papercraft Inspirations magazine.

(Just thought I'd better mention that just in case you thought my colouring skills had improved dramatically ... ha ha).

A small circle punch and heart punch help to get maximum use out of the card offcuts to create a border below the image and discs for the letter stickers. The leftovers from that were then used to decorate inside.

The chipboard flourish is from the Dovecraft Fantasy collection, which was sanded and then coloured with ink to reduce the glaring whiteness.

Adhesive gems add just enough 'bling' without being OTT.

Pink Elephant Challenge 1

There's another new challenge blog been added to the sidebar and as one of my bestest bloggy friends Ann is on the new Design Team, I just had to tell you about it.

It's called 'The Pink Elephant Challenge' and already it's proving a popular place to hang out.

Here's my entry for their very first challenge ... a nice easy colour one ... where the brief is to use Pink, Black and White.

The papers are taken from DCWV paper stack and matted and layered onto black and white card stock. They fit the bill nicely as does that lovely vibrant pink ribbon and the brads ... one of each colour.
An offcut of the paper was used to decorate the inside rather than add an insert.

I hope you will all hop over there and join in the fun ... and you never know you may win a prize for your efforts!

Bootiful Bunny

Throughout November 2008, Sally at Bootiful Stampz was running a daily 'Stamp Giveaway' and on Day 11, I was lucky enough to be selected as the winner of a 'Cup of Bunny' stamp.

With all the mayhem and Christmas Chaos I tucked the cute bunny stamp away and have only now managed to find time to play with it.

A DCWV Valentine Card Kit provided the paper and card used for paper piecing technique and I used a small heart punch to make extra balloons for the message.

The large pink heart was made from 2 overlapping punched ovals from a card blank.

The inside view shows the rest of the message and a small corner decoration.

**Sally is currently offering another opportunity to win a Bootiful Stamp so hop on over there and check out what you have to do.**