After Dinner mints meet a Passion for Papertrey

Ok, so it is a VERY long time since my last post, really sorry to have been away from my blog for so long, I have however still been crafting, just not able to blog, but will try to keep back on track again now. I decided to join in with the current challenge over at A Passion for Papertrey where they want you to ' Spring into Spring '. It is one of my friends birthdays this week and a few of ' the girls' are getting together for a takeaway on friday evening, so I have made these for us to have after dinner, I thought the colours and designs were nice and spring like, especially the little bird stamps.

It may be a bit hard to see, but they are Elizabeth Shaw Mints. I have punched and die-cut some flowers ( all PTI ) and stuck them to each sideof the mints, then I stamped some punched cirlces using the PTI Bitty Birthday astamp set for the little birdie mints. To finish off I popped them into a cello bag and die cut a tag to pop on the top. I am sure anyone would be pleased to receive these as a pressie or as an after dinner treat. Catch you again soon with some more nifty makes, Claire xx

Early Easter Cards

I thought I would be the early bird when it comes to Easter this year, I always leave my cards until the last minute and end up scrapping around to get them made in time, so this year I have got myself really organised and settled down yesterday to get them all done. The products I have used are all Papertrey ink except for the cute little bunnies, they were from my local craft store but I think they are made by Craft Creations.

The little bunnies are made from wood and have embossed felt over the top, they really are soooooooooo sweet.

The theme over at Die cut Dreams Challenge this week is Easter and so this card fits perfectly and is my entry to win their lovely prize of some Easter stickers.

Hope you are all a bit warmer than me, it is freezing here, can't believe we are not getting any warmer weather yet, roll on spring !

hugs,

Claire xx

Creative Card Crew - Get well Soon

Tuesday and time for another Creative Card Crew Challenge and this time it was my choice of theme, and I chose ' Get Well Soon' as so many of my friends and family seem to have colds at the moment. With this in mind I decided to make a little cold cure kit which I first saw done on Rachs blog a few weeks ago. I chose the adorable Nurse Nora stamp and have coloured her with my Copics.

Inside I have put some tissues, throat sweets and a lip balm, all in a little box clipped to the inside of the card. To make the card all I did was added a 2.5cm binding to my card ,rather than just using one crease in the centre I did 2 and made them 2.5cm apart - simple .

The rest of the DT have come up with some amazing cards this time, be sure to check out the blog to see them all, and to see the yummy prize on offer to our winner.

Take care,

hugs,

Claire

Creative Card Crew - Valentine

Happy Tuesday to you all ! Time today for another Creative Card Crew Challenge and this fortnight our theme is ' Valentines ' so for my DT project this time I made 2 cards for my children, my husband and I always send a valentine to each of them, so to save any arguments I made them both the same card just in different colourways, and it is surprising just how different they look.

This is the card for Sophie, she loves bright, vibrant colours and so these strong pinks and greens are perfect for her.

All of the products I have used for these cards are from Papertrey ink. I am completly hooked on their range since going to a make and take in november which used only their products.

And this is the card for Alfie, more muted tones but still effective.

As always we have a great prize on offer for the winner, so why not hop on over and join in with us again, we love seeing all your wonderful creations each challenge.

Well I hope you all have a lovely week, I will be back on friday with something a little different to share with you for the Crafty Calendar Challenge DT so be sure to check back and take a peek,

hugs,

Claire xx

Creative Card Crew - Punch it !

Good morning to you my bloggy buddies, it seems such a long time since I last did a post that I hope I remember how to post it properly lol ! So nice that all that horrible snow has gone from here now and we can see some colour again.
The card I have got to share with you today is my DT card for this weeks Creative Card Crew where our theme is ' Punch It ' so we would like you to use a border punch or some punched shapes somewhere on your card. I have used this adorable new Miss Rosalie stamp from CC Designs, she is such a beauty, I have coloured her with copics, for got to write down the shades - sorry !


I have used my favourite MS Heart border punch, and have used my sewing machine to stitch round all the pieces of card before matting them together, I have used bazzill cardstock for all the colours on this card. the flowers are prima and the fibres and pearls are from my stash.

I hope you will have time to come and join us this fortnight, as always we have a fabby sponsor and prize for you, up for grabs this time are 3 digi images of your choice from Sunshine Stamps ! we will be round to look at all your lovely entries, looking forward to that.

Have a great week, will catch up again soon,

hugs,

Claire xx

Snow time !

Morning all, as I have an unexpected day off work today I thought I would share my snowy pictures with you all, seeing as that is the reason I am at home. I dashed outside to take these a few minuted ago, it doesn't look too bad at the front of the house, but below is the back garden, it looks so pretty so I took this before the children go out and spoil it all !

Then I went back round to the front of the house and took this one of the road, a real Christmas card photo with the old fashioned phone box covered in snow, it was snowing much harder than it was when I took the one of the house, looks like things are going to get worse as this heavy snow is foreacst for us all day today, still, the heat is on, I am warm and the children are happy, that will do for me !

Hope you are all tucked up safe and warm,

hugs,

Claire xx

Crafty Calendar Challenge - Keeping Warm

Hello at long last to everyone ! and a Happy New Year to you all. It seems such a long time since I did a post, I hope you are all well and had a fabulous Christmas ? I know we did, it has been wonderful all being together for such a nice amount of time, we have seen so much of family and friends, it has been great.
So, onto todays project, this month over at Crafty Calendar Challenge we would like you to create something using the theme ' keeping warm '. I made this cute little box bag and put some hot chocolate sachets and mini marshmallows in it, a real treat on a cold winters day. You can find a tutorial on how to make the bag Here

I used an adorable CC Designs stamp and coloured her with copic markers. the papers are Crate Paper and I used a MS border punch for the band around the bottom. the flowers are from ebay and the branches are from a Leone Em punch.

Sorry there is only the one photo, I accidentally deleted the others from my PC and have given the bag away now so I can't get any more pics, most annoying !

Be sure to check out the rest of the DT projects for lots of inspiration,

Hugs,

Claire xx

Creative Card Crew DT - Silver or Gold

Today over at Creative Card Crew our challenge is to use silver or gold on your project. I have made another of these lovely little easel calendars, I need several for presents for the school teachers and staff so you may see a few more over the next week or so lol !
I have used a stamp from Lili of the Valley and coloured it with my copics. To make the easel I have used a piece of card measuring 12" x 6" and scored it at 3" and 6" along the 12" side.


I have added some stickles to my image for a bit more sparkle and then sewn round the edge with my sewing machine, I have repeated this for the bottom and top matts. The papers are Crate Paper and Imaginesce. The flowers are from my stash and for my ' silver ' to comply with the challenge i have used a sweet little heart charm and hung it from the flowers. The calendar tab I bought from Ebay.

Several of you have contacted me about the last easel card I put on here, so hopefully now that I have put the dimensions on this one it will make it easier for you.

Take care until next time,

Hugs,

Claire xx

Crafty Calendar Challenge - Winter Sparkle

Yayy ! It is the first friday of the month and that means time for another Crafty Calendar Challenge this month we would like to see ' Winter Sparkle ' this could be anything from a winter birthday to a Christmas card. I decided to make an alternative advent calendar for my little girl, I thought it was nicer than one full of chocolates, and much better for her teeth lol !
I have used the adorable Swiss Pixies from CC Designs. I have coloured her with my Copics and added some stickles to her wings for some sparkle.

I have used papers from Craft Creations and snowflakes cut with my MS punch. I made the calendar tab with some silver peel off numbers, and then just added a couple of bead spacers with some ribbon to hang it up with.

I hope you find time to add some sparkle to your winter projects this month and join in with our challenge.

catch you all again soon,

Hugs,

Claire xx

So excited I think I'm gonna burst !!!!!!!!!!

I have been keeping this to myself for what feels like the longest time ever, but at last I can tell you.............. I have had the honour of being chosen as this months guest Designer at All That Scraps how exciting is that ? this is just a dream come true for me as you all know how much I looooooove the CC Designs stamps. This is my first project for them using the new December Release Stamps I made a lovely little desk calendar, I gave this to the amazing Steph as a little thankyou for her make and take day that I went to.
So, onto the project............ I have stamped onto Bristol Board with Memento ink and coloured my image with Copic markers, then added some stickles for a bit of shimmer, I also added some polka dots to her dress with a gel pen, lastly I cropped the image with my Nesties.

The papers I have used are all MME Laundry Line. I decided to add some stitching round the edges with my sewing machine, trying to get a classier look. The ' dream ' sentiment is some white glitter stickers that I had in my stash, I think they are Papermania. The flowers were from Tabbycrafts as were the pins and the branches are from a Leone Em punch. the little calendar tab was from my local craft store. I have to thank my wonderful friend Susie Sugar for the calendar idea, she has made loads on her lovely blog, so big hugs to you Susie xx.

I hope you have enjoyed my first project, be sure to check out the All that Scraps Blog every monday during December to see what else I have come up with using their newest release stamps.

Take care,

Hugs,

Claire xx

Creative Card Crew meets Papertrey Make and Take

It's Tuesday again and time for another Creative Card Crew Challenge This week our theme is Christmas !!!!!!!!! I decided to share a project with you that I made this weekend at an amazing make and take day. The credit for the design of this lovely card and box must go to the amazing Steph it was her make and take day and the design is all her work, I just made the card following her example, so thankyou Steph, not only for a wonderful day, but also for your huge amount of effort and amazing cards. So, back to the challenge, my card is made using all Papertrey Ink products, a first for me, and I have to say, the quality is second to none.

The gift box is one that was made following a Lauren Meader template, again, from Papertrey Ink, and inside is a little choccie bar all wrapped up to match.

Last but not least lol, is a photo of me at the make and take day with the card I had just finished, thankyou to Kate for taking this one. as I said before, the day was just amazing and I met loads of wonderful people, all of which were very inspiring, so thankyou to you all for your company and I hope to catch up with you all again soon.

Hope you have a fabby day,

Hugs,

Claire xx

Whiff of Joy - A Christmas card

Oh how naughty am I ? I completly forgot to post this weeks Whiff of Joy Challenge card on my blog, I am so very sorry, but here it is, better late than never ! This week our challenge is for you to make a Christmas card, a nice simple challenge as we all have so many cards to make at this time of year, and this will help you tick another one off the list.
I have used the adorable pair of birds again this week, I think they are perfect for sending to couples. I have coloured my image with my Copics as always.

My papers are papermania silk screened and I have matted them onto some irridescent vellum. I have spritzed my flowers with glimmer mist and then edges the bottom flower with stickles.

The greeting is from Card Art. I am sure you will have checked out the other DT's samples by now but if you haven't make sure you take a peek at their blogs to see the amazing cards they have done again this week.

well that is all from me today, I am off to Stephs Make and take tomorrow, soooooooo excited about that, will show you all my creations next week, have a great weekend whatever you are up to,

hugs,

Claire xx

Whiff of Joy - A sketch by Gio

Happy wednesday to you all. Today over at Whiff of Joy Challenge we have a beautiful sketch for you to follow, so I thought I would take the opportunity to make a Christmas card for my Husband, it is always one I end up leaving to the last minute so thought i would get myself prepared for a change. I have used the adorable little birds stamp and coloured it with my Copics.

I have distressed the edges with distress inks and added some stickles to the snow and some of the pine needles. The papers are imaginesce and BG. I have used my MS heart border punch and also MS snowflake, I punched them in the same papers but glammed them up with stickles.

The sentiment is from Catslife Press, it is quite large but as this is a bigger card than I normally do it fitted on just fine.

The rest of the DT have some awesome inspiration for you again this week, what a talented bunch they all are.

hugs,

Claire xx

Creative Card Crew - Strings Attached

Time for another challenge from Creative Card Crew today, and this week it is ' Strings Attached ' so we would like to see some kind of twine, string or fibres attached to your project. I have made this cute little notebook and added fibres behind the flowers and in with the ribbons down the binding. I also made a card to match and will use them together as a set for one of the children to give as a birthday gift.

The image is CC Designs and is coloured with copic markers and then glittered. I have used DCWV Laundry Line papers.

The flowers are some I have had for ages in my craft box, the larger ones are made from foam and the smallers ones are prima. I have used pearl brads and spacers that were from my stash.

We have another fabby sponsor for our challenge this week, and also some great inspiration form the rest of the DT so be sure to check out their blogs.

Have a great evening,

Hugs,

Claire xx

Whiff of Joy - A Colour Combo

Yay it's wednesday and time for another Whiff of Joy Challenge this week we have a fab colour combo for you - Brown, Cream and Orange. I decided to give old Herb and inking up as I love him in this soft sepia colour, I have coloured him very lightly with copics, just around the edges of the image and then hilighted some of the details in orange and gone over them with stickles.

I have never distressed paper before but love the look so much I thought I would have a go. I don't have any special tool so just used the edge of a pair of scissors, the result was ok and I will definatly try it again. my papers are Papermania Silk Screened and Bazzill, the punch is MS and the flowers I picked up in my local craft store, there was no make on the bag - sorry.

I am off to take my little Sophie to the doctors this morning, I think she has tonsilitus poor little lamb, just hope she gets better soon as it is her 9th birthday on friday and she is having a disco dance tuition party, i was hoping to learn a few moves myself lol - never mind dancing like your Dad it's dancing like your Mum you need to be afraid of in this house !

Take care peeps and have a great day,

Hugs,

Claire xx

Creative Card Crew meets Sassy Susie- Do a Doodle

Another Tuesday morning already ! my, how the time is flying at the moment. Tuesdays means it is time for another Creative Card Crew Challenge C and this week our theme is ' Do a Doodle ' so we would like you to doodle something on your project. my doodle is the pattern on the dress, hat and socks of my cutie little CC Designs Santa Birgitta image.This is a digi image as my stamps have not arrived yet and I couldn't wait to start using them lol. Originally the dress had dots on it but I have made them into bows and then added them to the hat and socks too, although where I have glittered the socks it has covered the pattern slightly.This is also my entry this week for a brand new fortnightly challenge - Susies Sassy Challenge where the theme is Christmas, and also Papertake Weekly Challengewhere the theme is ' Digi Sparkle' so as this is a digi image and there are some sparkly snowflakes on it I guess that counts.

I have coloured my image with my copic markers as always, I have no idea who the paper is by but I bought it on special after last Christmas lol. The snowflakes are all MS punches and I have covered them in stickles and then added a crystal to the centre.

I had got my sewing machine out as I had to mend Alfies trousers, so thought I would add some stitching to my card at the same time, I did change the thread though, Alfie doesn't have pink trousers lol !

Hope you have time to join in again this week, I love visiting you to see what you come up with,

Hugs,

Claire xx

Crafty Calender Challenge #2 - Weather

Ok, so it is the first friday in the month and that means it is time for another Crafty Calender Challenge where this month we would like you to use the theme ' Weather ' Well, it seems like it has rained here an awful lot recently and so I opted to go for rain, hoping that it might go away, at least at 8.45am and 3.15pm - you know what I mean ? how us Mums always manage to catch the rain at school drop off and pick up times ?
back to my the challenge - this month we are being sponsored by Bunny Zoe Crafts so be sure to enter as there is an awesome prize to be won - a gift voucher to spend in the craft shop whoop, whoop.

I used the lovely Miss Anya from the rain,snow,shine set for my card and have coloured her with ............ you guessed it - Copic markers lol ! do I ever use anything else ? and added some ' Art' glitter. I have cropped her with my nesties and the distressed all the edges with peeled paint distress inks.

The papers I have used are DCWV Spring glitter stack, and at the side are my faithful QK swirls, I have added some pearls on a string ( pearls are the optional extra on the challenge this month ) and then topped it all off with some flowers from my stash. the sentiment is an epoxy one that I have had for an age.

So, with all this gloomy weather about why not spend some time crafting and show us what you can do ? look forward to seeing your creations again this month, last months were fab, you are all so talented out there.

Have a great friday,

Hugs,

Claire xx