Flutterby Butterfly

Today's offering featuring beautiful 3D butterflies will hopefully encourage Springtime to make an appearance.  We could all do with a little less wind, fewer grey skies and a big helping of sunshine to brighten up our days.  Sadly, if the forecasters are correct, I fear we may have to rely on a good helping of imagination, at least for the next week or so.  To compensate I thought I'd introduce a little warmth with these 2 pretty cards.

The patterned paper squares were snippets hiding at the bottom of my scraps box ... leftover from a previous project but I can't recall where I got them or who the designer is.  

They compliment the butterfly stickers beautifully and, once matted onto slightly larger squares of black and gold, are the perfect size for the cream 5" square hammered card blanks.

The sentiment stamp from Inkadinkadoo is mounted onto layers of card diecut with Spellbinder Nestabilities. Fancy-schmancy flourishes were created from Marianne Design Dies.

If I've read the rules properly, I can submit both cards to Flutter By Wednesday's Challenge # 236 this week as there's no prize on offer.  In addition to the compulsory butterfly or fairy, they're looking for a sentiment ... got that covered.
The Wonderful Wings Challenge at Crafts 4 Eternity is still open until Friday, so will sneak in a 2nd entry with one of these cards and as I've used leftover papers I thought I'd pop across to Pixie's Crafty Workshop to play for the 1st time in the Snippet's Challenge.
Finally for today, is another new one for me ... the Card Mania Challenge where they want entries with Diecuts or Punches.

Dino-Magic

I was 'clickitty-clicking' around the net the other evening ... as you do ... and stumbled across some really cute images available to download for free.  
Yes ... FREE ... every crafter's favourite word!
They belong to Elizabeth O. Dulemna who is an author/illustrator of children's books and she offers her images for free provided the conditions of her Angel Policy are followed.  CLICK HERE to read the details and then follow the links to check out her lovely cute characters.
This afternoon I sat out in the glorious sunshine, armed with a mug of coffee,  a box of Promarkers and a sheet of images downloaded from Elizabeth O. Dulemba's free colouring pages.  The time just sped past and I was lost in my own little world of colouring bliss.
After dinner I came upstairs and made 2 cards using this ultra-cute book-reading dinosaur image.  

Isn't he absolutely adorable?  He's coloured with Promarkers and matted onto patterned papers from the Forest Friends Kit which I was lucky enough to win in a recent Creative Cottage Challenge.  
It just so happens that their challenge this week is Father's Day and they have a June Freebie which is perfect for this occasion ... I have used one of the circle sentiments ... so hop over and snag it while it's available.
The other version is a birthday card and it fits in with the Simon Says Challenge and For Fun Challenges as they're both asking for 'Male-themed' projects.

I have added some 'faux stitching' which follows the theme set at The Res-Q-Challenge and Books are the hot topic at Passion For Promarkers.
Finally, Stamp Something are having their first Digi-Day Challenge and have lots of prizes on offer so if you are a 'digi-fan' then you MUST check them out for sure.
Our sweet Naomi is due home shortly after enjoying a school trip at Alton Towers Theme Park - lucky spud.  Wonder if she braved the new ride TH13teen?   GULP!
She'll be absolutely shattered when she gets in after all that lovely sunshine and excitement ... not to mention an 8 hour journey in a stuffy coach - Bleurgh.!  Can't wait to hear all about it.
Hope you all enjoy a wonderful weekend, with plenty of sunshine, wherever you are and whatever you are doing.  

"Bunny Friends"

That's the title of the Penny Black stamp I used to create these cards and I have to say that it ranks among my top 10 favourite PB cuties ... after the hedgies of course!
It is quite a large wooden stamp featuring 5 cute bunnies in flowerpots so, after stamping on linen effect card and colouring with Promarkers, I decided to chop it up to see if it was feasible to make 2 cards from 1 image.
The Papermania Spring Time pad was still sitting on the desk from earlier, so I matched cardstock to the colours of the paper I'd chosen and punched 2 scalloped circles. 

Then I doodled with green fineliner on one and pierced holes around the other for some detail before cutting out 2 of the bunnies and paper-piecing the flowerpots from a scrap of textured card.  This fits in quite nicely with One Stop Craft Challenge 74 which is Paper Piecing.
The Happy Easter sentiment was the freebie from Quick Cards Made Easy, (also still lying on the desk), and it was inked up with Brilliance Dew Drop Pearl Olive before matting it onto offcuts of card and adding some tiny flower gems.
For the 2nd card, I cut a square of lilac gingham card slightly smaller than the  purple cardstock and then cropped the corners before matting them together and adding some faux stitching with a white gel pen.

From the remaining purple card and some pretty pastel green spotty paper, I used the rotary trimmer to cut 2 strips of varying widths from each, with a deckled edge blade.
After overlapping them horizontally and vertically on the gingham card I added another 2 bunnies cut from the original stamped image and finished decorating with a few buttons and a lilac satin bow.

I must say I'm quite taken with the colouring on the textured card with the Promarkers - normally I stick to smooth cardstock - but the linen effect gives an interesting result and is something I will definitely try again.

For the first time in a long time I am able to join in with this week's Penny Black Saturday Challenge.  Their theme "Check It Out" requires the use of checked paper or ribbons along with a PB image, so both cards are suitable as entries.
Our Creative Corner are looking for us to Break Out The Buttons, so my 2nd card qualifies for this challenge and Stampin' For The Weekend are asking for Ribbons and Bows so my tiny lilac bow sneaks me in there.
Finally, The Pink Elephant Challenge 60 is Pastels so I reckon either of these cards would work.
For the benefit of those who haven't seen the Penny Black Bunny Friends stamp in it's entirety - here you go!  

Definitely worth keeping a look out for if you don't already have it - if only for the cuteness factor.

E is for Easter

Many challenge blogs have Easter or Spring as their theme at the moment, which is understandable given the time of year.  This coincidence is Oh Soooooo handy for 'slowpokes' like me because we can join in with several challenges at the same time using only one card - YAY!
This cute Penny Black Butterfly Hedgie stamp is one of my favourites because it is easy peasy to colour but more importantly, because it's suitable for a multitude of different occasions.

I coloured it with Promarkers and then added a soft blue sky with Dovecraft chalk.  There were some silver peel off butterflies lying on the desk so I joined 3 together to make a 3D butterfly for the corner and used a silver Sakura gel pen for the dotty trail. 
Psssstttt ... Don't tell anyone but I needed something to cover an ink smudge - whoops!

Some pretty yellow floral paper from my stash,
... a dash of plain green cardstock,
... a strip of white embossed dotty card,
... some adhesive gems to add some glimmer.
and a peel off greeting mounted onto a fabric flower finish the design.
So here's the list of challenges this card should qualify for 
Papertake Weekly Challenge #37 - sketch
Simon Says Stamp - Easter/Spring with Glimmer
Stampin' For The Weekend #35 - Easter
Stamp With Fun #51 - Easter
Our Creative Corner - Easter
Rosie- D's #67 - Yellow, Green and White
Passion For Promarker #44 -Springtime (with an animal) 

Bah! Humbug Challenge 9 - Cool Combo

Last week's challenge at Bah! Humbug! produced another amazing selection of cards and we were treated to some superb variations of stitching and 'faux stitching' as we browsed the entries.  The winner of those cute Hero Arts Clear Stamps has been announced today along with the theme for our new challenge this week so don't forget to check and see if it's you.
We decided to 'up the ante' this week and Challenge 9 asks you to create a Christmas card or project which combines 3 or more of our previous challenges. 
Ooooooooooooooh - aren't we just too wicked?
I managed to incorporate all of our previous challenges ... whoo hoo! ... so am feeling pretty clever and have awarded myself a virtual gold star. 

Here's my wee checklist ...

• recycling - Christmas Shop image
               - Glitter greeting
               - Snowman
• new stash - Mistletoe c/bug folder on gold mirri
                 - Daisy and Dandelion background paper
• glitter - everywhere!
• baubles - on the Christmas Trees
• holly - door wreath
• snowman - cut from a different recycled card
• trees - one inside the shop and one outside
• stitching - white gel pen stitches
  
  Can't wait to see what you all come up with this week!  I just KNOW you're going to rise to our challenge admirably.

Bah! Humbug! Challenge #8

It's Friday and that means it's Bah! Humbug! Challenge time ... Whoo Hoo!
As it's the first challenge of a new month, there is also a wee prize up for grabs to one lucky random entry, so it's worth joining in 'cos it may be you.

The theme this week is ...

STITCHING/FAUX STITCHING

... so it's time to show off your needlework skills OR if you prefer, you can pretend - like I did by using a combination of stamps and a black fineliner.

The papers are from my stash and I can't remember where they came from, but have a feeling they are from a pack by English Paper Company.

I thought these sweet gingerbread people were just too cute to keep hidden and the printed text with stitching paper I used, meant most of the work was already done. 
The zigzag effect across the bottom panel was a clear stamp from a QVC kit and, as you see, I went a little wonky but it would've been much worse with a real sewing machine.  Believe me!
My fellow 'Humbuggers' Irene and Ann have put much more effort into their examples so please take a look and if you'd like to join in with our challenge, you might be our lucky random winner.  Good Luck xx

Edited To Add
**Off to Glasgow with Naomi for a bowling tournament - see you when we get home**

For Dad

Another card for hubby's birthday tomorrow and this time I used Basic Grey papers from their Colour Me Silly range as I thought my son would want something a bit more "manly" for his dad's card.
The greetings are once again recycled from shop bought cards but I added a dab or 2 of ink to 'muss' them up a bit so they blended in better with the papers and were less pristine. I also swept the inkpad across the embossed card panel, added a few brads and doodled some faux stitching.
The layout follows this week's sketch challenge at Charisma Cardz so it will be my entry.
A simple card ... no nonsense ... no fuss ... no mushy stuff.

Wedding Card Box and 2 Challenges

I still have to personalise the wedding card box ... silly me ran out of A4 silver mirri card ... but it's as good as finished so thought I'd show you before it gets sent off.
It was made using a sheet of silver mirri card for the base and a sheet of double sided card forms the lid because I thought a mirri card lid might be a bit overpowering.
The edge of the lid was scalloped using a corner punch with the guide removed and then I added some sparkly decorative lace around the sides and knotted some pink satin ribbon for decoration.
Sorry the sparkle isn't showing in the photo but trust me, it looks lovely.

The 2 heart shapes were cut freehand from the remnants of that gorgeous floral embossed paper and they have been mounted onto silver mirri card and cut out leaving a narrow border. Silicon glue has been used to attach them.

The Pink Elephant Challenge #25 is a sketch this week and I can see me using this layout a lot 'cos it's so easy to follow.
The image and sentiment are free digi downloads from Whimsie Doodles ... don't you just love that cute wee face?
I've used Sakura Pens for colouring and they have a lovely subtle sparkle effect when dry.
A black fineliner was perfect for the doodling and 'faux stitching' with teeny weeny Making Memories brads and Prima flowers adding the decoration.

Kaboodle Doodles Challenge #10 is to use a digi image so this fits in perfectly and I must admit that I've amazed myself for managing to combine challenges this week, 'cos I usually find this very difficult.

Tropical Bird & Christmas

Don't worry folks ...
... not on the same card!
This cute little image was a free download from PolkaDoodles but unfortunately I'm too late to enter their challenge despite the extended deadline ... the week just ran away with me I'm afraid.
I used my trusty Whispers Brush Markers to colour the image and added a touch of narrow lilac ribbon and some 'faux stitching'. Click the photo to see the detail.
The pretty papers and the epoxy sticker were from a scrapbook pack bought at our local Poundland ... a great bargain as there was loads of goodies crammed in the pack and decent quality too.

The Christmas cards are following Fab's Christmas Challenges from the beginning of the year in an effort to catch up, (with the intention of having a tidy wee pile ready and waiting before December).
I may not do them all in order but these are the first 2 from January.

Fab's Challenge #1 ~ Ice Blue & Sparkle
The papers were included in a RAK from my mega-talented friend Tiggertastic, (if you visit her blog you will see what I mean!), and the snow scene image was recycled from one of last year's cards and matted onto silver mirri card.

The extra sparkle was added using a Quickie Glue Pen and glitter.

Fab's Challenge #2 ~ 3D Embellishments
The HoHoHo paper was included in a free download from Funky Fairy's Inspirations and the blue glitter paper was included in the Pick'n'Mix selection from The Works.
The embossing was created using the Cuttlebug Snowflakes folder and the Santa embellishments were from a very old QVC kit, simply mounted with foam pads onto mirri card circles.
Like the majority of crafters everywhere, I'm having to tighten the belt quite a lot, so will probably be using up loads of old shopping channel kits between now and Christmas ... (much of which, to my shame, is still in boxes untouched) ... and I will be being much less impulsive about new purchases ... for a while anyway.

Funky Flowers

Another First Time Challenge for me today!
Over at Funky Fairys Challenge Blog the theme is "Girly" this week.
I have intended to join in with these challenges for a while but kept forgetting to replace the colour cartridge in the printer ... not particularly clever when you want to print off downloads ... DUH!
However ... all is now sorted.
The challenge rules state that you use at least one Funky Fairy's item in your project but as they offer loads of really cool 'freebies' on their website, that makes it very easy.
In fact the only thing I've added to this card is the card blank, some coloured card for matting, a tiny black birthday peel off and a bit of 'faux stitching' ... all the papers are Funky Fairys downloads and all of them were free!!
Just thought I'd mention that they are looking for projects for their webshop gallery so if you're interested in being featured, pop over and check out what you have to do ... and you may as well join in the challenge while you're there.

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.

Another Challenge ... or Two ... or not!

I was approving some messages earlier and when my friend Ann commented about the number of challenges I've done this week, it suddenly occurred to me that I had almost missed posting my Pink, Green and Brown entry for The Pink Elephant Challenge EEEK! ... SHOCK!! ... HORROR!!!

However ... thanks to that timely reminder, (cheers Ann), I'll just about make it before the deadline and therefore keep my 'attendance' figure for TPE at 100% ... pretty darn good for me.

Not only that ... but the card was also supposed to be perfect for the Sketch Challenge at Truly Scrumptious ... except I didn't read the directions properly and therefore didn't do handmade buttons ... so it's a non~starter there. But no matter - I like it anyway!

This card was actually made on Tuesday - I just didn't blog it for some reason.
Must've been having a severe case of 'numptiness' that day ... but hey ho ... not to worry.

The papers are from K.& Co. ... 'cos I luv'em, luv'em, luv'em ... and the stamped image is Penny Black's 'Guess' again because it's just so cute.

Whispers Brush Markers were used for the colouring in and the 'faux stitching' was done with a piercing tool and a white gel pen.

Sorry I can't show the inside decoration as that would spoil the surprise for the intended victim ... errmmm ... I mean recipient, but if I remember then I'll show it at a later date.

Time for beddy byes now methinks 'cos it's silly o'clock again and tomorrow's a busy day.

Pink Elephant Challenge 2

The Challenge at Pink Elephant this week was to use 'GLITTER' ... which, I have to tell you, is not something I find easy.
'Flitter' more describes what I have done with this card ... but hey ho ... it sparkles enough for me.

If you look carefully you'll see a 'hint of a tint' of pink glitter on the stamped flower, (isn't that Penny Black stamp just scrummy??), but I accidently dropped a humungous blob of fushia pink glitter on the green flower brad ... so I decided to be extravagant and leave it to set.
Must be getting brave in my old age.

Strangly enough I quite like the finished result ... sometimes things are just meant to be aren't they?

I added some adhesive gems for extra 'bling' and some 'faux stitching' ... and that was about all I could cope with.

Hope it fits the criteria for the PE Challenge but regardless, my niece loved her birthday card ... and, for me at least, that's what really counts.

The background paper was one of the lovely designs sent by Tiggertastic for my birthday and was just perfect for what I wanted.

The Penny Black stamp was coloured using Whisper Brush Markers.

More practice needed obviously but getting there I think.

Busy Weekend

Despite being busy this weekend, I managed to finally open the Let's Make Cards Issue 18 kit and make something with the contents.

I used the packaging to provide the white card blank, and created 3 apertures with a scalloped circle punch on the front face.
I then used a small circle punch to create a scallop edge to a section of pink spotty paper and this was then glued to the left hand edge.
A few of these punched circles were then used to decorate the front and I drew 'faux stitching' with a green fineline pen. Another section of this paper was used to line the inside, showing through the apertures.
Using green floral paper, (also from the kit), I punched 2 flowers with a daisy squeeze punch, mounted them onto silver mirri card circles and placed them in the middle of the top and bottom apertures, adding a small green gem to the centre of each.
A small section of white braid ribbon was threaded through the Happy Birthday sentiment tag and this was mounted to the front, over the central aperture.
Additional green gems were glued to the spotty circles, as a finishing touch, using Diamond Glaze because it dries clear.

There's loads of kit left wih some fabbylicious papers and vintage images, so hope to get a chance this week to make some more cards for my Grab'n'Go box.

I must also show you the beautiful Anniversary card and gorgeous RAK received last Friday from my very special CB friend Tiggertastic (aka Sarah).
Look at all these luvverlies ... can't wait for a chance to play with them all.

The fabulous wall hanging is for my horse mad daughter who was, yet again, blown away at the time and effort put into making something especially for her.
You are so very kind and generous Sarah ... huge thank you hugs from us both xxx

At Last ! Some Activity ...

Despite all my good intentions, ill health has meant I was unable to fulfill my promise to be a better blogging buddy.
The last 3 weeks have been a trial to say the least following a really nasty flare up of HS .... BUT ... I'm back online now and hopefully the new medication will enable me to return to make regular visits to all my favourite Blogland places again.

I have a few things to show that I managed to make despite being 'no weel'

I've really missed my crafting and hope that if I keep taking the 'Tartan Tablets' I can be more productive.







Firstly, some cards for hubby's birthday way back in August.
Nothing very adventurous or exciting but there's love in every stick'n'paste'n'peel off LOL!
I know he really appreciated my efforts 'cos I got a gentle hug in return.

My nephew celebrated his 7th birthday in August too ... so another simple offering was all I could manage at the time.

The latest copy of Papercraft Essentials provided the free papers to make a couple of fairy birthday cards ... one of which was sent to a CB forum friend last week.
Hope it arrived ok.
The other is in my 'Grab'n'Go box ready for the next birthday.

Finally ... I made a Good Luck card using Basic Grey paper from my stash and a wee bit of faux stitching.
This will do nicely for this month's MSN group challenge. Do you like the genuine, authentic, squinty bit on the top left front panel?

I thought I might send it to my son who's due to leave for University next weekend.

The scallop on the front reads ...
"Always Believe. If you can dream it, you can achieve it" ... and the inside quote says ... "it may not BE EASY but it will ALWAYS be worth it"

Says it all really.