Christmas Card Club - "Sentiment as Focus"

Good morning all.

Less than two months until the big day...must get my skates on and get some more cards made! Sylvie has challenged us to use the "Sentiment as Focus" this week at the Christmas Card Club, here is my effort!

I've gone White on White - better picture taken during daylight hours.

Dies are from Spellbinders, WPlus9 and STAMPlorations; embossing folder from Cuttlebug.

If you'd like to see what the other girls have made you'll find their links in my sidebar.

Christmas Card Club "Anything Goes"

Good morning all.

My baby is 18 years old today...I can't believe they're all grown up now! Some of the family are coming around for lunch so I'd best get my skates on and get organised. If I don't see you all later I'll catch up tomorrow.

Our final challenge for the year at the Christmas Card Club...EEEK! Zoe has given us an "Anything Goes" to end the year.

I needed a card for a swap with the theme of "Wreathed in Smiles" and when I came across this decoupage sheet from Joanna Sheen I thought it fitted the bill perfectly. I decided to make a stepper card using my die from Cheery Lynn Designs. Fancy rectangular die from Spellbinders, embossing folders from Cuttlebug and gems from my stash.

You'll find the links for the other girls on my side bar if you'd like to see what they've made. Many thanks to all the girls for the great themes they've provided and their friendship throughout the year....here's to getting our 2016 Christmas cards made in a timely fashion too!

Challenges entered:

CHNC Extra - anything Christmas goes

CHNC -anything Christmas goes

Winter Wonderland - snow people

52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown - previous challenge July snowman

Holly Jolly Christmas - anything goes

Let it Snow

Good morning all.

Managed to make a Christmas cake yesterday, my first for many a year and first gluten free one. The proof as they say will be in the eating...is it Christmas yet?

Christmas card again today :)

Stamp was a magazine freebie, stamped and heat embossed. Background is stamped with a EF from Cuttlebug and heat embossed. Dies from Spellbinders. A great one for the guys methinks!

Challenges entered:

Artistic Stamper - Christmas

Cardz 4 Guyz - Christmas CAS

Creative Card Crew - cold outside

Simon Says Stamp - gentlemen

Stamps & Fun = Creativity - winter tones

Where the HeART is - winter blues

My Time to Craft - let it snow

Simon Says Stamp - let it snow

HLS Mixed Media Challenge November "Tag"

Good evening all.

Oops...apologies to Kylie and the team, this should have gone live at 8pm last night! I was obviously being senior when I scheduled it....typical it should happen the one weekend I was off line though!

Some happy news tonight...the first Mixed Media challenge goes went live last night at Happy Little Stampers and I'm lucky enough to be on the design team.

Here is mine:

Made for a neighbour's little girl who was 2 recently. The tag was embossed using a Cuttlebug folder then inked with various shades of pink DI's. I then used stamps from the Mix Mash set to add the sentiment and some background stamping before finishing off with some recycled raffia. 

We're being sponsored by Happy Little Stampers and the winner will receive one stamp set.

Do pop over to the challenge blog to see what my teamies have created, you won't be disappointed!

Challenges entered:

Bloggers - happy birthday

Brown Sugar - tag you're it

That's Crafty - tag you're it

Crafting with an Attitude - anything goes

Inspiration Destination - anything goes

Creative Card Crew - off the edge

Hello!

Good morning all.

So Saturday I was turning the heating up and yesterday I sitting outside in the sun...British weather at it's best!

Eldest is 25 today and seems to be enjoying himself in Iceland, he's off on a snow mobile trip on a glacier today...a birthday present to himself! We're going to follow in his footsteps next year and have just booked flights to New Zealand for 6 weeks in January/February....one of the reasons I've not done much crafting lately. I've been comparing prices, planning routes, checking out accommodation etc etc! We're hiring a car and just doing our own thing so lots to organize!

I'm currently trying to get ahead with all my DT commitments for the summer as we're off to Devon next month for a couple of weeks. Also need loads of cards for July...it's a very busy month!

This one is for a card swap with the theme of butterflies. Die from Wplus9...cut twice to give a little dimension whilst trying to  keep the embossed card from warping. Embossing folder from Cuttlebug, inked with abandoned coral DI. Butterfly from Visible Images stamped and heat embossed twice, inked with various shades of blue DI with added abandoned coral then fussy cut and layered. Sentiment from Wild Rose Studio, sequins from my stash.

Challenges entered:

Addicted to Stamps - summer colours

Fairytale Stampers - anything goes

Glitter and Sparkle - include a die cut

Penny Black and more - wings

Love to Create - anything goes

Craft Stamper TIMI - texture

Just us Girls - stacked dies

Sister Act Card Challenge - anything goes

Visible Image Face Book June Show and Tell 

Eclectic Ellapu "Pink Team - Vintage Christmas"

Good morning all.

This is my second post today, you can find my DT inspiration for Imagination Crafts here.

My first post this morning for the Pink Team at Eclectic Ellapu where May has chosen the theme of "Vintage Christmas".

I've chosen to make a tag which took me totally out of my comfort zone....and I loved every minute of it!!

Tag base is cut from burgundy Kraft Core card stock then embossed with a Cuttlebug snowflake folder. This was then sanded to reveal the kraft core and I used my distress tool round the edges then inked with vintage photo, faded jeans and pine needles distress inks and sprayed with gold Cosmic Shimmer. Image is from Anita Stamp's stamped onto kraft card with vintage photo, layered onto the burgundy Kraft Core. The dies have all been cut from waste card then either inked with distress ink and sprayed with gold cosmic shimmer or the gold ones have been inked with versamark and I've used gold metal magic to coat them...I love how they turned out and must make more use of this stuff. I also used the metal magic around the edges. Snowflakes and ovals are all from Spellbinders, sentiment is from Tattered Lace. Lace is from Crafty Ribbons. Recycled ribbon, holly and gem are from my stash.

I love how this turned out and think I may have to use it for hubby so I can keep it afterwards.

Challenges entered:

CHNC - Santa is on his way

CHNC Extra - anything Christmas goes

Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers - vintage

Really Reasonable Ribbons - gift packaging with ribbon or trim

QKR Stampede - anything but a card

Stempelsonnen Challenge - anything goes

4 Crafty Chicks - die cuts

Artist Trading Post - recycle for Christmas

Not Just Cards - anything goes

OSAAT - anything goes with lace

Crafting for all Seasons #70 "Show us Some Romance"

Good morning all.
Gosh it's chilly, although we have had a nice couple of dry days.

Gary appears to be enjoying his Wwoofing (unpaid work in exchange for bed and board). So far he's sorted out sheep's wool and levelled land!

Today it's time for our next challenge at CFAS and this time the theme is "Show us Some Romance". We're  looking forward to seeing all your makes. We're being sponsored by Meljens who gave the DT images to work with.
 Hubby's gonna get a new Valentine card this year lol!!

I've used Little Art Mouse and XOXO Stitches coloured with promarkers and highlighted with a gelly roll pen. Dies are from Spellbinders. Embossing folder from Cuttlebug and ribbons from my stash.

Do pop over to the challenge blog to see the rest of the girls inspiration, you won't be disappointed.

Challenges entered:

Cuttlebug Mania - red

Fan-Tastic Tuesday - anything goes

Cheerful Stamp Pad - love/valentine

Craft-Dee Bowz - anything goes

Crafting from the Heart - anything goes/use red

Craft your Passion - love is in the air

Lexi's Creations - valentine/love

OLLCB - use a heart

The Crazy Challenge - love is in the air

Dream Valley Challenges - no designer paper

That Craft Place - valentine

The Crafting Cafe - embossing

Meljen's - time's up 

(it probably took the full 30 minutes but this card came together without a battle and didn't require much matching up of colours....plus I was making dinner at the same time!)

Carol x

Crafting for all Seasons #67 "Anything Christmas but a Card" Midway Reminder

Good morning and a very Merry Christmas to you all. I hope Santa has been good and everyone enjoys their day whatever you're up to.

Today I've got a midway reminder of our challenge at CFAS, the theme being "Anything Christmas but a Card". We're  looking forward to seeing all your makes. As this is a special one month long challenge we have three sponsors - Whoopsi Daisy, Robyn's Fetish and Rick St Dennis who all gave the DT images to work with.

Another bag from me this time for my niece. Using Chester da snowman and Bella da snowlady from Robyn's Fetish which I've coloured with promarkers before fussy cutting and highlighting with pearlescent chalk and stickles. Paper is from Papermania, embossing folder from Cuttlebug, icicle, village and sign dies all from Marianne Design, rosette and snowflake dies from Memory box, border punch from Martha Stewart, gemstone, buttons (painted white) and cord from my stash.

 Close up of the rosette and sentiment which was computer generated.

Do pop over to the challenge blog to see the rest of the girls inspiration, you won't be disappointed. 

Challenges entered:

CHNC Extra - anything Christmas goes

2 Creative Chicks - Christmas/winter

A Little Bit Crafty - Christmas cheer

Die Cut Divas - let's celebrate

Ladybug Crafts - Christmas/winter

Seema Crafts - Christmas
Sparkles Monthly - anything but a card
Marianne's Design Divas - anything goes
Pile it On - p is for pearl, punch and paint

Carol x

Christmas Crafting (with sketches) #104 Blog Hop

Good morning all.
Well no sign of the cleaning fairy so far so I had to make a start myself yesterday. I'm off down home today to start delivering cards and pressies and hopefully make some space in my bedroom so I can get in and clean!

It's time for another challenge over at CCWS and if you've played along with us this year you'll have a good stock of Christmas cards and projects by now. This week both the Snow Angels and the Holiday Fairies are taking part and we're having a Blog Hop.

Sadly this will be my last challenge as a design team member as I've taken the decision to step down to concentrate on weddings and other projects for the time being. I will miss all my teamies though...they've been such a great bunch of girls to work with :)

You should have arrived at my blog from CCWS if not pop back now so you don't miss any of the instructions.

Here is my project made with the sketch Janneke designed.

My third sister bag! Image is from Wild Rose Studios, coloured with promarkers and highlighted with stickles around the edges. Papers are all Papermania; square and bauble dies are from Spellbinders; corner ivy and starburst dies are from Joanna Sheen; embossing folder from Cuttlebug; ribbons, lace, poinsettia and sentiment from my stash. Sister tag from East of India.

and a close up of the embellishment. 

We've no sponsors this challenge, instead each DT member will pick a winner from those entering the challenge who've also completed the blog hop and send a Christmas related prize to that person. The blog hop will close at 8pm (European Time) on Saturday December 28th and winners will be announced at CCWS on Monday the 30th December at 12 noon (European Time).

My prize will be the set of Layering Flowers from Alota Rubber Stamps which I used for my last DT project along with some bits and bobs :)

From here you need to go to Wilma's blog.....Happy Hopping!

You will have to pop over to the challenge blog to see the sketch for yourself and you'll find full details of the hop in case you get lost.

Challenges entered:
All that Stickles - happy holidays
Speedy Fox and Friends - use 3 DP's
Totally Gorjuss - special Christmas
Brown Sugar - Christmas
Craftitude - anything goes/Christmas sparkle
Crafts 4 Eternity - Christmas chaos
Cut it Up - Christmas
Fairy tale Challenge - box or wrapping
All Crafts Challenge - anything but a card
Victorine Originals - red and green + embossing

Carol x

Christmas Crafting (with sketches) #102

Good morning all.

It's time for another challenge over at CCWS and we hope you're playing along with us this year and stocking up on those Christmas cards and projects. It's the turn of the Snow Angels to inspire you this week and Jacqueline designed the sketch. We are being sponsored by Alota Rubber Stamps who supplied stamps for the DT to use.

I've chosen to turn the sketch this time and made my first gift bag of the season.  I still need several more as I have 3 sisters and a brother plus I'll probably make one for my niece and my Mum too. If I'm really good my sister in law may get one as well....don't hold your breath though!!

I was given Layering Flowers to use which I stamped onto vellum with DI embossing ink and heat embossed with gold detail EP before cutting out and colouring with promarkers. I added gold stickles to the centre after I'd layered them up. Papers are all from Papermania; the topper is a printed panel from Wild Rose Studio; embossing folder is from Cuttlebug; starburst and ivy corner dies are from Joanna Sheen; all other goodies are from my stash. I've had the large poinsettia for several years...it's way too big to use on a card but was perfect for this bag.

A close up of the sentiment embellishment...the sister heart is from East of India.

And a close up of the layered flowers...a bit too fiddly for my liking, I'd rather buy them ready made!!

You will have to pop over to the challenge blog to see the sketch for yourself, remember to check out

 the inspiration of the other DT members whilst you're there. 

Challenges entered:

CHNC Extra - anything Christmas goes
All Crafts Challenge - anything but a card
Craft-Dee BowZ - anything goes with a handmade bow
Crafty Bloggers - girly
Created with Love - Christmas
Lexi's Creations - Christmas
ABC Challenge - A for almost Christmas
Crafting Musketeers - layer it up
Dream Valley Challenges - anything but a card
Ribbon Girls - hohoho Christmas
Crimbo Crackers - anything but a card
LEJ Designs - Christmas
Our Daily Bread - double embossing
Ribbon Carousel - anything goes

Carol x

Silver Wedding

Good morning all. 

I hope I've finally found my land legs again today, Friday night and yesterday were a little dodgy after spending so much time on water whilst away! 

I managed to make a quick card for hubby last Sunday night, luckily it came together without fighting as it was 10pm when I finished it and as I was due to get up about 4am to get to the airport I was cutting things fine!!

Backing paper was a blog candy win; topper was bought at a local craft shop; heart dies from Spellbinders and the mirri card had been embossed with a hearts folder from Cuttlebug; mesh, ribbon and charm are from my stash. I really intended doing something classy and elegant but it would have been wasted on hubby so went for lots of layers instead.

Challenges entered:

A Creative Romance - dies or punches

Chocolate, Coffee and Cards - anything goes

Crafts Too Challenge - texture + twist

Crafty Catz - men or boys

Polkadoodles - for the boys

Sister Act Card Challenge - anything goes

Divas by Design - wedding/anniversary

Die Cut Divas - celebrate

Scribble & Scrap - anything goes

Carol x

Christmas Crafting (with sketches) #72

Good morning all. What a gorgeous day we had yesterday....I did spend too long in the sun though and was rather "pink" last night!! Note to self must use sun lotion every time I sit in the garden!

It's time for another challenge over at CCWS and we hope you're playing along with us this year and stocking up on those Christmas cards and projects. It's the turn of the Snow Angels to inspire you this week and Angelique has designed the sketch. We are being sponsored by Robyn's Fetish.

I've used a Robyn's Fetish image from my stash (putting up the tree) and coloured it digitally before fussy cutting it and mounting with silicon gel. Embossing folders are from cuttlebug and a magazine freebie. Card is finished with a tag and some bling from my stash.

Another nice flat card for posting!

You will have to pop over to the challenge blog to see the sketch for yourself, remember to check out

 the inspiration of the other DT members whilst you're there. 

Challenges entered:
CHNC Extra - anything goes
Creative Craft Challenge - animals
Papertake Weekly - anything goes
Love to Scrap - anything goes
Pause, Dream, Enjoy - outdoor critters
Eclectic Ellapu - anything goes
CHNC - use a sentiment
Sparkles Forum Christmas - favourite festive colours (red, white and green)
Crimbo Crackers - anything goes

Carol x

Christmas Challenges (with sketches) #66

Good morning all.

It's time for another challenge over at CCWS and we hope you're playing along with us this year and stocking up on those Christmas cards and projects. It's the turn of the Snow Angels to inspire you this week and Janneke has designed the sketch. We are being sponsored by Carmen.

This is a real use it up card, most of the items (including the card blank) came from my bit box. The backing paper and ribbon are from my stash . The stamp is a very old one from QVC and I've stamped in Versamark and heat embossed with silver detail EP. Embossing folders are from Cuttlebug and Crafts Too.

You will have to pop over to the challenge blog to see the sketch for yourself, remember to check out

 the inspiration of the other DT members whilst you're there. 

Challenges entered:
CHNC Extra - anything goes
Sweet Stampin Christmas - no red or green
Stamps & Fun = Creativity - monochrome
Sunday Stamper - shiny
52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown - ribbons and bows
Sweet Stampin - lots of layers
Crafty Catz - sparkle with a bow
Creative Corner - layer it up
Jingle Belles - neutral Noel
Polka Doodles - embossing

Carol x

Crafting for all Seasons #48 Anything but a Card

Good afternoon. Gosh it's so nice to see the sun shining for a change!

Today it's time for a new challenge at CFAS and this time the theme is "Anything but a Card". We're  looking forward to seeing all your makes. We're being sponsored by our Bugaboo and the DT were given images to use. I choose to make a gift tag.

I've used "Snowman Pocket" and I've coloured him with promarkers before fussy cutting. The tag has been dry embossed with a snowflake embossing folder then inked with DI in various shades of blue. The snowflake is a Spellbinders die cut. Ribbon, button and gems are from my stash. Small snowflakes are punch waste. Cord is recycled off a clothing tag.

Do pop over to the challenge blog to see the rest of the girls inspiration, you won't be disappointed.

Challenges entered:
CHNC Extra - anything goes
By the Cute and Girly - favourite things (Christmas and Snowmen)
Hotshot Crafts - anything but a card
Stampin for the Weekend - child's play
Craft Us Crazy - anything but a card

Carol x

Just Because....

Good evening all. A second post from me today. Managed to do some crafting this afternoon between the laundry and changing beds.

It's ages since I made a card just because I wanted to!! So when I saw the WOW challenge at OSAAT I decided to make a card. Here is the result:

Decided it needed to be a Christmas card as I'm a bit behind this year. Image is from Sylvie's Stamps at the Stitchy Bear Shop - I've changed the colour in Publisher and used Glamour Dust to glitter it up, then die cut with a labels one die and mounted onto a fancy die. Embossing folders from Cuttlebug. card is finished with ribbon and pearls from my stash.

Challenges entered:

OSAAT - WOW or no DP's

ABC Challenge - J for just as you like

Christmas Cards all Year Round - sparkle and bling

One Stop Craft - anything goes

Christmas Stampin all Year Round - sparkle and shine

Holly Jolly Christmas - white or vanilla + one

Craft your Passion - two colours only

No Matter Which - anything goes

CHNC Extra - anything goes

Carol x

Whoopsi Daisy - Tag It

Good morning all, hope you had a good weekend. Kids are on holiday here this week but we've nothing definite planned - I think we'll just see what the weather does each day.
Had a trip down home yesterday to deliver the wedding invites - everyone was thrilled to bits with them so that was a weight off my mind lol. We also sorted the Order of Service and place name designs so now I can quietly work on those.
It's time for another challenge at  Whoopsi Daisy  and this week it's team A's turn to share their inspiration with you. The theme this week is "Tag It" or you can do Anything Goes if you use a Whoopsi Daisy image on your project.

I've used the pre-coloured snowman from sheet #380. My tag has been dry embossed with a snowflake folder, sanded then lightly inked with some blue DI. The image has been die cut and the edges inked with red DI. Snow flake die is from Memory Box. Tag is finished with gems, stickles and some sparkly cord.

Do pop over to the challenge blog to see the inspiration from the rest of the team and remember if you use a Whoopsi Daisy image you could win 2 image sheets, 1 sheet will be awarded to a winner using any other image.

Challenges entered:
All That Stickles - Christmas red
Sarah Hurley - anything but a card
CHNC Extra - anything  Christmas goes

Carol x

Christmas Challenges (with sketches) #43

 It's time for our next challenge over at CCWS and we hope you're playing along with us this year and stocking up on those Christmas cards and projects. It's the Snow Angels turn this week and I have designed the sketch this time; I hope you like it. We are being sponsored by Whiff of Joy.

The gorgeous digi is from Stamp n Doodle (which I won some time ago and haven't yet used) and I've printed it blue instead of black. Icicle die from Marianne Design, all other dies from Spellbinders, embossing folder from Cuttlebug - sanded and distressed with DI, ribbons and gems from my stash.

You will have to pop over to the challenge blog to see the sketch for yourself, remember to check out the inspiration of the other DT members whilst you're there. 

Challenges entered:

Gingerloft - embossing

Opus Gluei - any sketch

Allsorts - inspired by a song (Blue Christmas)

Di's Digi Designs - use more than 1 diecut or punch

Secret Crafter - distressing

Lia Stampz - 3 of something

Fun with shapes and more - include an animal

Jingles Belles - snow

LEJ's Designs - monochromatic

Shopping our Stash - furs or feathers

My Crafty Piece of Heaven - Christmas card

Carol x

Christmas Challenges (with sketches) #39

 It's time for our next challenge over at CCWS and we hope you're playing along with us this year and stocking up on those Christmas cards and projects. It's the Snow Angels turn this week and Nicolet has designed the sketch this time. We are being sponsored by Crealies.

The image has been stamped with versamark and embossed with detail silver EP then coloured with promarkers and highlighted with stickles. Dies are from Spellbinders, embossing folder from Cuttlebug. Ribbon and sentiment from my stash.

I'm still struggling with my mojo but luckily Nicolets' sketch was very easy to work with.

You will have to pop over to the challenge blog to see the sketch for yourself, remember to check out the inspiration of the other DT members whilst you're there. 

Challenges entered:

Craft your Passion - emboss it

Tammy's Scrapin Corner - lots of layers

The Crazy Challenge - anything goes

Totally Stampalicious - anything goes

Secret Crafter - white on white

Crafty Catz - ribbons and bows

Creative Card Crew - Christmas

Bearly Mine - anything that glitters

Carol x