Friday, 30 November 2012

Shaped Christmas Card

I have made a shaped card using Beccy's Place images:


The card is for these challenges:

Christmas Cards All Year Round
http://christmascardsallyearround.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/november-challenge.html
Beccy's Place
http://beccysplace.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/november-challenge.html

The base of the card is some purple cardstock I've had for some time.  The purple gingham paper again is from my stash.  The images used are all from Beccy's Place.  I have used mainly violet copic markers for colouring with a touch of yellow on the pears and soil on the front image.  The flower was a white ribbon flower which I coloured with copic marker.  I used the same colour on the clear rhinestones.

Ho Ho Ho

For this card, I am going to show you the outside of the card:



And also the inside:

 Sorry for the curved look on the inside, I was using the computer chair to take the photo as I couldn't find a decent flat space!

The card uses an image by Jen's Digi Stamps which I have repeated.  Then when I saw this sentiment from Mudmaven Designs I just had to use it as it fit with what I had already created!

The background paper is from a paper pack called Merry Berry Christmas.  I have added some purple glitter tape from American crafts and then some organza ribbon tied in a bow.

The card is for the contest at Jen's Digi Stamps:
http://jensdigis.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/free-digi-contest.html

Christmas Candle

The challenge at Avadares Challenge Blog this time is a Christmas theme:
http://avadareschallengeblog.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/challenge-5-christmas-or-hanakkah.html

I used the freebie image for November to create this card:


This time, I started with colouring the image and then found papers and embellishments to match.  Much harder to do so I was surprised when I found a near perfect match with the paper!

The image is from Avadares Challenge Blog and is the freebie available for the November challenge.  Such a beautiful image for this challenge.  I coloured the image using my copic markers and then die-cut the image with a Spellbinders Labels Die. 

The paper is from Rosies Studios and I have also added some pearl and rhinestone embellishment along with some yellow organza ribbon. 





Thursday, 29 November 2012

Blue & Silver & Felt Bauble

I have made a card using the colours blue and silver:

The card is for the challenges at:
Sassy Studio Designs Dare to Be Sassy Thursday - Fabric or felt
http://sassystudiodesigns.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/dare-to-be-sassy-thursday-152.html
Bearly Mine Challenges - Blues & Silver
http://bearlymine-challenges.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/challenge-63-blues-and-silver.html


The background paper is from Bearly Mine Designs.  Image from Sassy Studio Designs.

I am late to pick up my son from school so will add further details later.

All about Gingerbread

This card is for the challenge at Pixie Dust Studios:
http://pixieduststudiopixiechallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/all-about-gingerbread-challenge.html

I wanted to use a Pixie Dust image and the one that I won two challenges back still hasn't arrived so I have gone with one that I had on file.  It had food in it which ties in with the gingerbread paper - perhaps it is a gingerbread cupcake!




Anyway, the background paper is one from Bearly Mine Designs featuring some cute gingerbread people.  The image is from Pixie Dust Studio and is called Pixie Celebrates.  I have coloured the image with copic markers and die-cut using a Spellbinders Beaded Oval Die.  I have added some pearls to the card.

Wednesday, 28 November 2012

So Thankful

Yet another combined Christmas/Thank You card.  Well on the way for getting them completed ready for the end of next week when school finishes!


This one is for the challenge at Fresh Brewed Designs:
http://freshbreweddesigns.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/fbc-123-so-thankful.html

I have used some background paper from a Christmas paper pack by Rosies Studio.  This one kinda reminded me of a golf jersey I've seen so I thought it would be great for a more masculine card!  The image is from Fresh Brewed Designs and is called wHo wHo wHo.  I have coloured the image with copic markers and added Glossy Accents to the beard and hat trim.  The sentiment is from Desert Diva.  Matting is from a green themed scrap paper pack.  The olive grosgrain ribbon is from American Crafts.  The self adhesive stars are also from Rosies Studio.

For those who haven't read my previous posts and wonder about the Thanks and christmas theme combined - our school year coincides with the calendar year.  After the New Year, my children have new teachers so it is timely to thank the teachers for their work this year but also to wish them a Merry Christmas.


Thank You Elf

For some people looking at this card, they may find it a little strange!  I'll explain.  Our school year runs from February to November/December so it is quite normal to give the teachers a Christmas card with a Thank you note inside.  By creating my own cards, I can combine the Christmas Card with a Thank You sentiment on the outside.  I've created a few but they all look very feminine so felt I needed to do a more masculine look - without flowers and lace - for the male teachers!



This card is for the challenges at:
Sweet Sketch Wednesday - Sketch 181
http://sweetsketchwednesday.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/happy-thanksgiving.html

The sketch for this week is:


I have used some background papers from a Merry Berry paper pack.  The image comes from the challenge sponsor - Digi Stamp Boutique and is called Elf.  I have coloured him using my copic markers and then die-cut with Spellbinders Oval Dies.  The matting comes from a green themed scrap pack.  I wish now that I had got more of these packs at the time as I seem to be using them alot at the moment.

I have also added some dark red glitter tape - just bought another packet of that as it is so effective and so easy to use!  I have also added some sequin stars and a acrylic stamped sentiment.







Tuesday, 27 November 2012

Christmas Present and Angel

I have made a card combining a cute angel with some lovely christmas present background paper:


The card is for the challenge at Nutcrafters:
http://nutcrafters.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/challenge-31-christmas-present.html

I have used some background paper from Bearly Mine Designs.  The image comes from Nutcrafters, coloured with copic markers, edged with Distress Ink and die-cut with Spellbinders Labels.  I have also added some copic coloured ribbon roses to co-ordinate with the background paper.

W is for Wrapping

ABC Challenge has now reached the letter W - wrapping:
http://abcchristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/w-for-wrapping.html

I have created a gift bag:


I found this template at Papercraft Inspirations magazine's website.  It is called a wardrobe bag.  I covered the bag with some paper from Bearly Mine Designs.  I then added some gold coloured glitter tape from American Crafts.  I think I need to buy myself another pack of this tape as it is so much easier to work with than ribbon (except for tying bows) and is so pretty.  The image that I have used is from Scrap Happy Paper Crafter and can be found here http://www.scraphappypapercrafter.com/2012/11/free-digital-stamps-friday-november-28.html

You may not be able to tell from this photograph but the bag is reasonably deep and would hold quite a wide gift.





Monday, 26 November 2012

My first Christmas wreath

For a long time, I have wanted to have a go at making my own christmas wreath but always lacked the courage.  The most challenging thing about this wreath was actually getting the wreath shape in the first place - particularly as I had this absolutely absurd idea of using green tinsel!
I have used a plastic coated wire for the base circle.  Possibly should have used something heavier but it seems to be holding shape at the moment and I have hung it up for a few days to check!  I have tied little white bows around the tinsel in various places then added some holly and gold poinsettia.  The silver stars that you can see were already on the tinsel - which is why I wanted to use that particular tinsel!

I am entering this wreath into the following challenges:

Tuesday Alchemy - Anything but a card
http://tuesdayalchemy.blogspot.gr/2012/11/challenge-41-anything-but-card.html
Brown Sugar - Anything Goes
http://brownsugarchallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/challenge-17-anything-goes.html
Crimbo Crackers - Anything Goes
http://crimbo-crackers.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/challenge-29-anything-goes.html





Hello

This week I found a new challenge.  This is their first challenge and appropriately the theme is Say Hello:
http://littletangles.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/challenge-1-say-hello.html

I seem to have more people I know overseas and sometimes you just want to send a card that says Hello.  I thought it would be nice to send a card with a bit of a New Zealand theme to it:

The background paper is from a pack of New Zealand themed papers by Rosies Studio.   The matting paper is from Trimgym.  The image and sentiment are both from Neat and Tangled.

I have also added some glitter tape from American Crafts and some pearls and rhinestones.

Sweep


A general purpose card this time:



This card is for the following challenges:
Seems a Little Sketchy:
http://seemsalittlesketchy.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/sketch-26-sponsored-by-delicious.html
CRAFT - Colour Combo
http://trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/craft-challenge-182-colour-combo.html

It was also going to be for the Whoopsi Daisy challenge but life got in the way and I didn't quite finish it in time!

I have used some background papers from my stash.  I have punched the pink and brown one with my Martha Stewart Eyelet Lace Border punch.

The image is from Whoopsi Daisy.  I have coloured her with my copic markers and die-cut using a Spellbinders Lattice Rectangle Die.  The ribbon is aqua grosgrain ribbon from American Crafts.




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Thanks Teacher

This one is a combined Thank You and Merry Christmas card for one of my son's teachers.  He finishes school on the 7th December - next year he will have different teachers so it is a Thank You to the teacher plus also wishing a happy christmas!



The card is for the following challenges:
Love to Create - Give Thanks
http://lovetocreatechallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/challenge-42-give-thanks.html
Incy Wincy - Hip to Be Square
http://incywincydesigns.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/hip-to-be-square.html
The Sweet Stop - Sketch
http://sweetstopsketches.blogspot.co.nz/
Just some Lines - Give Thanks
http://justsomelinesblog.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/give-thanks.html
Broken Box Stock - Thank You
http://brokenboxstock.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/challenge-14-thank-you.html


The background paper for this card comes from Bearly Mine Designs.  The image is one from Just Some Lines.  When I looked at this image the thought of writing a Thank You card for a teacher at christmas time immediately sprung to mind.  The harder challenge was how to create the card.  The sketch at The Sweet Stop was just what I needed to kick start the card! 

The buttons that I have added as embellishments have been diecut from DCWV glitter cardstock using a Memory Box die.  These ones were actually left overs when I cut some smaller ones for another card!


Sunday, 25 November 2012

Get Well Wishes

Rather than using an image of something with tissues, etc I decided to create a get well card with a bear bringing flowers to cheer the person up!

The card is for the challenges:
Kaboodle Doodles
http://kaboodledoodles.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/challenge-146-buttons-bows.html
Sentimental Sundays - Get well + sentiment
http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/challenge-129-get-well-wishes.html

The background paper is from Trimgym.  I thought I knew where the digi came from but I was mistaken as it is not in that folder!  I will need to check when I get home from work later today and update the post - unless someone can help me out!

The sentiment is from Netty's Cards.  I have added three glitter faux buttons die-cut using a Memory Box die - this one is the smallest of the four in the set.  I have also added a little pink bow to the sentiment.

Saturday, 24 November 2012

Believe you can

When I looked at this sentiment I could really see a connection between it and the image.  Memories of trying to blow bubbles and failing!  I needed to believe I could.


The card is for the challenge at Doodle Pantry.
http://doodlepantryblog.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/doodle-pantry-digital-challenge-29.html

The image is from Doodle Pantry and is called Gummy Worms.  The background paper is from my stash.  I'm not sure where I got the word art from but will update the post when I do find out.

Catch the Bug BINGO

BINGO time at Catch the Bug:
http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/november-bingo-challenge-at-bugaboo.html

I have used:
Brown
Starting with B - Boy
Glitter - Glitter Tape

to create this card:

The background papers are from a Glitz paper pack.  The image is from Bugaboo and is called LD Cool.





Food Glorious Food

Another christmas card created:


The background papers are from a paper stack which I can't locate the cover of at the moment!   I know it was a mixed pack of Christmas designs but can't remember which brand.

The image is from Anne's Cards 4 U and is called Christmas Cake.  The sentiment is an acrylic stamp which I think may have come with a magazine.  The flower is one from my stash which I have added a pretty rhinestone to the centre.

The card is for these challenges:
The Sweet Stop - Sketch
http://sweetstopsketches.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/sss185-sketch-with-spin-and-prize.html
Winter Wonderland - Christmas Food
http://christmasblogchallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/food-glorious-food.html
Jellypark Friends - I'm hungry
http://jellyparkchallenges.blogspot.co.nz/
De Creatieve Zebra - Anything Goes with a Christmas Twist
http://decreatievezebra.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/challenge-38.html

I couldn't manage to get a direct link to the challenge post to come up for the Jellypark Challenge so have linked to the blog.  The post is under Friday November 16th.








Thursday, 22 November 2012

Brown and Orange

I initially had some trouble with this challenge - couldn't get past the memories of my high school uniform!  However, I then decided to think happy things such as Jaffas and this is the result:


The card is for the challenge at Meljens Designs Studio:
http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/challenge-136-brown-orange.html

I have used an image from Meljens Designs Studio called Penguin Cocoa (inspired by the aforementioned jaffa!).  The background is glitter cardstock from DCWV.  I have added some chocolate brown grosgrain ribbon from American Crafts and a flower which I coloured with Distress Ink.  I stippled the ink on the flower using a shaving brush then inked the edges of the flower directly from the ink pad.

Now, I just need to get myself a packet of Jaffas and I'll be right!





Oh Baubles

The challenge at Winter Wonderland is a baubles one:
http://christmasblogchallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/oh-baubles.html

I've hunted around and come up with a few baubles:
I found some bauble backing paper in my Merry Berry paper stack.  Then I found a sentiment from Mudmaven Designs with baubles as a part of it.  I have used this sentiment before but in a smaller font you can't see the baubles.  This was a chance to make them more of a feature. I also inked around the edg of the die-cut with some Distress Ink - Barn Door.

I have also added a bauble die-cut from a piece of glittery felt.  I bought this on special some time ago not really knowing what I was going to do with it but thinking it would be good for around Christmas time.  I have just discovered that it cuts really well in the Big Shot! 






CAS Ladybirds

This is one of those cards that when I made it I felt I had to embellish it.  However, whatever I put there looked wrong.  Then I decided to make what I was happy with.  I'm sure that some will look at this card and have some good ideas for what I could add in the lower half of the card ....but.. unless I really like the idea it is staying as it is!

The card is for the Be Inspired 15 challenge at The Alley Way Stamps which can be found here:
http://www.thealleywaystamps.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/re-be-inspired-challenge-15.html

The image used is a TAWS one which I have repeated in a line - much like the inspiration photo.  I have picked up one of the colours for the matting.


Thank You

Another Thank You card is made - getting there slowly!


This one is for the challenges:
Brown Sugar Challenge - sketch
http://brownsugarchallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/challenge-16-sketch.html
Tiddly Inks - Gratitude
http://tiddlyinkschallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/challenge-98-graditude.html

I have made the background from a combination of masking and applying Dried Marigold Distress Ink with a shaving brush.  The circles are from glitter cardstock from DCWV.  The image and sentiment are both from Tiddly Inks.

Music in the Trees

That is the name of this lovely stamp from A Day for Daisies:


The challenge at A Day for Daisies can be found here:
http://www.adayfordaisies.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/new-release-110912-thankful-heart.html

I've kept this card fairly simple - just the matted image and a piece of grosgrain ribbon. I haven't done a CAS card for a while and this image just seemed to deserve being the focal point of the card.


Wednesday, 21 November 2012

Snowman Card

A smiling snowman for you this time:



The card is for these challenges:
Birdie Brown - snowman (supplied)
http://birdiebrown.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/november-freebies-challenge.html
Crimbo Crackers - snowman or snow-woman
http://crimbo-crackers.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/challenge-28-snowmen.html
Bearly Mine Challenges - snowflakes
http://bearlymine-challenges.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/challenge-62-snowflakes.html

The card uses a background paper from Bearly Mine Designs.  I love the smell of pine needles at christmas time!

The image is one of two provided for the November challenge at Birdie Brown.  I have coloured this with my copic markers and then die-cut using a Nellies Multi Frame die.  I have then backed this with a paper from When the Scrap Hits the Fun.  The sentiment is from Mudmaven Designs, die-cut with a Spellbinders oval die and matted with the paper from When the Scrap Hits the Fun.

I have added some sparkly holographic snowflakes in the top left.  They don't stand out much in the photograph possibly because of the angle that I took it from!

Snow-woman Card

I have made a lot of snowmen cards but I can't recall making a snow-woman card:



The card is for these challenges:
Trimgym - christmas
http://trimgymsdigistampsandimages.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/november-challenge.html
Crimbo Crackers - snowman or snow-woman
http://crimbo-crackers.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/challenge-28-snowmen.html
 I have used two different backing papers from Trimgym.  They are freebie papers provided for this challenge and can be found here:
http://trimgymsdigistampsandimages.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/sunday-special-freebie-18h-of-november.html

The image is also one from Trimgym and I have coloured this with my copic markers with a bit of detail highlighting with Glossy Accents (candy cane) and crystallina Kindy Glitz (hat).


Tuesday, 20 November 2012

Pink Christmas

A pink christmas card today:


I am entering this card into the following challenges:
Bearly Mine Challenges - pink christmas
http://bearlymine-challenges.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/challenge-61-pink-christmas.html
Christmas Challenges {with sketches} - sketch plus twist
http://christmaschallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/challenge-50-with-twist-sponsored-by.html
Tuesday Alchemy - Anything Goes
http://tuesdayalchemy.blogspot.gr/2012/11/challenge-40-anything-goes.html
Ruby's Rainbow - Birds
http://rubysrainbow.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/rubys-rainbow-ch41-birds-dt-call.html

The card has been created using background papers from Bearly Mine Designs.  The image is from Meljens Designs Studio.  The lace was white lace that I have inked with Distress Ink spun sugar which gave it the shade of pink that I wanted.

One of the papers had a stitched look to it which probably would have been enough for the challenge but to make sure I have added some further stitching!

Monday, 19 November 2012

Plaid Christmas

A christmas card with a plaid background for the challenge at Kaboodle Doodles:
http://kaboodledoodles.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/challenge-145-use-plaid.html

It didn't need to be a christmas card but I wanted to use this image:


The image comes from Meljens Designs and was a freebie from the Meljens group at Paper Craft Planet. 

The background papers that I have used come from When the Scrap hits the Fun.  I have used matching copic markers for the image and some glitter tape from American Crafts for a finishing touch.





Sparkly Fancy Edges

This card just evolved as I had a few challenges lurking in the back of my mind!
So, after some influence from three challenges, this is what I created:



The challenges are:
Love to Create - Fancy Edges
http://lovetocreatechallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/challenge-41-fancy-edges.html
Sassy Studio Designs - No patterned paper
http://sassystudiodesigns.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/dare-to-be-sassy-thursday-151.html
Sassy Studio Designs - make it sparkle
http://www.papercraftplanet.com/group/sassystudiodesigns/forum/topics/fabulous-freebie-friday-11-9-12-and-challenge

The image that I have used is called Immortal Love and comes from Sassy Studio Designs.  This was my starting point and the influence for using the glitter tape.  I die-cut the image using a die-cut which I think is from Marianne Designs.  This die-cut seems to work really well with the image and the border punch.

I cut the fancy edges for the Love to Create challenge using my Martha Stewart Eyelet Lace Border punch.  I didn't think about covering the front with patterned paper first to make it more interesting.  Having already decided to use the Glitter Tape with the Immortal Love image, I came up with the idea of putting the two together to create an interesting and sparkly background.  As I needed to highlight the border from behind the stripes kind of evolved from there!

By now, I realised that I didn't have a patterned paper in sight so figured if I kept it that way, the card was also perfect for the Dare to Be Sassy Thursday challenge at Sassy Studio Designs.

I have also added some softly coloured rhinestones for a bit of bling.

Whoopsi Daisy

A patel challenge at Whoopsi Daisy:
http://cutedaisymay.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/pastel-colours.html

Here is the cad I created:


The card uses background paper from Webster's pages. I have added some pretty lemon coloured lace.  The image is from Whoopsi Daisy.  I have coloured her with copic markers and then die-cut using a Spellbinders Beaded Ovals die.  I have also stencil coloured the beads of the die-cut with a pastel copic.





Sunday, 18 November 2012

Funshiney Day

A bit of a fun girlie card this time:

This is for the challenges at:
Incy Wincy - Girl Power
http://incywincydesigns.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/girl-power.html
Sweet Sketch Wednesday - sketch 180
http://sweetsketchwednesday.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/sassy-and-sweet.html

And this is the sketch from Sweet Sketch Wednesday that I have used:

The background papers that I have used for this card all come from my stash - had them for quite a while!  The image is from Kenny K and is called Inner Tube girl.  The sentiment comes from Create with TLC and fits perfectly with this image.  I have also added some lace and a flower.  The flower was a white one with the rhinestone already on it but I added some Distress Ink to give it a bit of colour.  I was going to use a die-cut splash there which would have fit the card better but I couldn't find where I had put the die-cut and the flower gives the card a bit more Girl Power anyway!  I'm sure I'll be looking for something else tomorrow and find the die-cut!


Christmas Red & White

A red and white challenge at Platypus Creek Digitals:
http://www.platypuscreekdigitals.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/challenge-19-christmas-red-white.html

And this is the card that I created using red & white:
Since both my children are red-heads then it was natural for me to do a red-haired boy!  The image is from Platypus Creek and is called Candy Cane Oliver.  The sentiment is an acrylic stamp.  The matting and the strip across the centre of the card is red cardstock.  I have also used a backing paper from DIY and Digital Designs, three red rhinestones and some white grosgrain ribbon.
















Monochromatic Thank You

Today I have made a monochromatic thank you card:



This card is for the challenges at:
Kenny K's Krafty Krew - monochromatic
http://kennykskraftykrew.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/challenge-119-monochrome-and-little.html
Sentimental Sundays - Thanks or Thanksgiving
http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/challenge-128-thanksthanksgiving.html

The card uses a background paper from DCWV.  The image is from Kenny K and the sentiment from Desert Diva.  I have also used some glitter cardstock for matting, some glitter tape and some rhinestones.

Saturday, 17 November 2012

Washi Tape sketch

I made this card last week when we were having internet issues and hadn't actually posted it!



The card is for the challenge at Stella Says Sketch:
http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/stella-says-sketch-challenge-123.html

At least I realised I hadn't posted it....before the challenge closed!

I have kept the card blank as the background for this card.  I have also used some ribbon roses, washi tape and another flower with a different coloured ribbon rose as it's centre!

The image is SM Sept from Bugaboo.

Meowy Christmas

The challenge at Catch the Bug is to use a tail.  I immediately thought of using a cat image:


You can find the challenge here:
http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/november-theme-challengethings-with.html

I have used a background paper from Merry Berry Christmas paper pack and matted it with red cardstock.  The image is Meowy Christmas from Bugaboo.  I coloured the image with copic markers and highlighted with Glossy Accents.  I have also added a row of red rhinestones.

Reuse recycle

This week I found a new challenge.  It's current theme is to recycle:
http://justsomelinesblog.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/reduce-reuse-recycle.html

I seem to be a hoarder type person - keep things as they might come in handy!  Only trouble is I don't keep them in one place and then can't find them!  I had a hunt around and came up with these things:




Then set to work to see what I could use.  As you can see, I used two of the items from the photograph but then found something else when I was creating.


Just in case it isn't obvious - the two items that I used are the drinking chocolate container and the ice-cream stick.  The additional item is the glittery lime green rectangle.  This is the scrap piece from a buckle die-cut.  When I die-cut the buckles for another card I ended up with these rectangles from the centres.  I just couldn't throw them away as I figured I would find a use for them at some stage!

The image that I have used is the freebie from the challenge and is by Just Some Lines.  It is called Tea Party.

Now here is a look from the front of the container:


I'm still not sure whether I am going to use the container with or without the lid.  Without the lid, I could store taller items like paintbrushes but I do have a lot of crafty bits that could do with being stored in a lidded container and I've used Distress Inks in a purple and pink range that would allow me to use this lid with the container.




Friday, 16 November 2012

Blog Candy from Nicole's Stamp Addiction

Nicole has a set of pro-markers available to win at her blog:
http://stampingnicole.blogspot.nl/

Here is a pic of what you can win!



As well as the blog candy, there are some absolutely gorgeous cards on her site.  I have become a follower so I don't miss any of her cards.  Maybe they might inspire me to lift my game and produce better cards.  I am trying to but I just can't seem to get to the standard of so many others.

Anyway, check out her blog and see for yourself her amazing creations.






Thursday, 15 November 2012

One for the Boys

A male themed christmas card is harder to do than I thought it would be! 


This one is for the challenge at Winter Wonderland.
http://christmasblogchallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/its-winter-wonderland-one-for-boys.html

I found this a particularly hard challenge to do for some reason.  I could find a few images which had a male in them but colour scheme was a problem and embellishing with frillies and flowers and the like was hard too.  If I was making a card for my son, then I would base it around an owl or fox image, keep the card CAS and I'd be fine! 

For this card, I used a backing paper from Rosies Studio and picked up the dark green to use as the main colour.  The image is from Bugaboo and the sentiment from Mudmaven Designs.  I added a green grosgrain ribbon from American Crafts.  This one is from a mixed pack of 24 christmas ribbons.  The colouring has been done with copic markers and some highlighting with Glossy Accents and crystallina Kindy Glitz.

Foxy Thanks

I tend to make Thank You cards fairly feminine in design but when my teenage son picks out cards to give to his teachers, etc he tends to overlook those ones.  He loves foxes so I'm hoping that this one will be more to his liking!


I am entering this card into the following challenges:
Pixie Dust Studio - Autumn colours
http://pixieduststudiopixiechallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/fabulous-fall-colors.html
Meljens Designs Studio - photo inspiration
http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/challenge-135-inspiration-photo.html

I have gone with the autumn colours in the Meljens Designs Studio photo.  I think I'm naturally drawn to that colour palette!

The image that I have used is Sweet Little Foxy from Meljens Designs Studio.  It is a fairly newly released stamp.

The sentiment is from Desert Diva.  It is intended for colouring but I thought it matched the paper better left uncoloured.  The background paper is from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles.

I have also added some glitter tape and some copic coloured rhinestones. 

Inspired By Film

The challenge at Sassy Studio Designs is a glittery sparkly one:
http://www.papercraftplanet.com/group/sassystudiodesigns/forum/topics/fabulous-freebie-friday-11-9-12-and-challenge

And here is my card using "I know what you are" from Sassy Studio Designs

I have used some cardstock from DCWV for the background which had a gold swirl across it.  I don't know if you can pick it up from the photograph but I have added some glitter on top of these swirls to give it more sparkle! 


Remember

The challenge at Sparkle and Glitter is all about remembering:
http://sparkleandglitterwithrick.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/challenge3-remember.html

A link to a list of ribbon meanings is included.  After reading through the list and discovering that there is way more than just pink ribbon, I decided to base my card on the grey ribbon of Asthma.  I have several family members affected by asthma to varying degrees.  I also had a friend die at the age of 16 years from an asthma attack so this one touches me alot.

Here is my card:
The background paper is from Trimgym.  The image comes from Rick St Dennis and the sentiment from Create with TLC.

I have kept to a relatively CAS style card adding a glitter tape, some rhinestones and a grey ribbon.






BINGO and sketch

I have created a christmas card combining a sketch with a bingo challenge:


The challenges can be found by following these links:
Sassy Studio Designs - Dare to Be Sassy Thursday - sketch
http://sassystudiodesigns.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/dare-to-be-sassy-thursday-150.html
Brown Sugar Challenge - BINGO
http://brownsugarchallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/challenge-15-bingo.html

The BINGO line I have chosen is:
Ribbon - a pretty Merry Christmas one from American Crafts
Buttons - I was going to use real buttons but couldn't find where I put my box of buttons so I have die-cut some buttons from glitter cardstock.  They still count as buttons don't they!
Embossing - I have used a music notes embossing folder to create the background

The background is a combination of the embossed cardstock and some vellum snowflake paper from Free Digital Scrapbook.  The image comes from Sassy Studio Designs and is called Sassy Angel.  The sentiment comes from When the Scrap Hits the Fun.  It is a postage stamp sentiment but I have just used the centre of it.



Roll 'Em Challenge

Something different for a challenge:
http://shellysimagesblog.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/ttt-challenge-roll-em.html

I rolled:
4 - ribbon/trim/twine or lace
2 - 2 layers
3 - Bling
I was quite happy with that combination.......
then my 16 year old daughter says "why don't you do another roll?"
0 - kraft
I was tempted to ignore that one but considered I needed to play by the rules and I had rolled it!

This isn't quite how I planned this card - the ribbon was going to be on the kraft card and then I was going to bling up the berries.  However, after I stuck the ribbon down I realised that I had put it on the wrong side!  So, I then changed the rhinestones over to the kraft card but it has turned out okay.  The image that I have used is a christmas nativity scene from Shelly's Images.  I wasn't sure of the interpretation of "2 layers" - whether it was something layered up on 2 levels or 2 things layered!  I have gone with the first option.  The glitter cardstock is layered over the ribbon and then the image is layered up on a higher level.  It gives it quite a bit of dimension which unfortunately is hard to pick up in a photograph!




Tuesday, 13 November 2012

Hello Winter

There are two challenges currently running at Fresh Brewed Designs (details below) that I decided to combine to produce this card:


The card is for this challenge at Fresh Brewed Designs:
http://freshbreweddesigns.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/november-pre-blog-hop-party.html
and also this one:
http://freshbreweddesigns.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/fbc-121-november-prize-challenge.html

The card uses backing papers from DIY and Digital Designs.  The image is the one supplied by Fresh Brewed Designs for the blog hop (above) and is called Hello Winter.  I have also used some lace as one of the layers. 

Although, these aren't usually seen as Christmas colours, I felt that they work well together and every year there are more challenges to the traditional christmas colours.  Sometimes, a different colour scheme enables the card to stand out amongst all the traditional colours and that way it gets looked at a bit more.  I'm hoping that will be the case with this card as it is such a lovely image.

Christmas Lanterns

The challenge at Tiddly Inks is a photo inspiration one. 
http://tiddlyinkschallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/challenge-97-make-it-like-lou.html

The idea is to take anything from the photo of Lou's card and go with that.  I decided to work the sketch from the card and use that:


I have used background papers from a christmas themed paper pack.  The silver organza ribbon is some I have had for a while.  The green grosgrain ribbon is from a mixed pack of christmas ribbons from American Crafts.

The image that I have used comes from Tiddly Inks and is called Lanterns.  It's probably not meant to be a christmas image but it reminded me of some paper lanterns that my Mum used to hang on our tree at Christmas time.  So, for me this image spoke Christmas.  The sentiment is an acrylic stamp.


Monday, 12 November 2012

January 2013

Something a bit different this week.  I've always wanted to make my own calendar but never seem to get started on it!  So far, I've done January but I've got it all bound together so I can easily add the other pages.


And here is a close up of the image:


I'm entering my January calendar page into the following challenges:
Tuesday Alchemy - Anything but a card:
http://tuesdayalchemy.blogspot.gr/2012/11/challenge-39-anything-but-card.html
Kaboodle Doodles - Anything Goes
http://kaboodledoodles.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/challenge-144-anything-goes.html
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/anything-goes.html
Bearly Mine Challenges - Anything Goes
http://bearlymine-challenges.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/challenge-no-60-anything-goes.html

The calendar template comes from WinCalendar
www.wincalendar.com

The background paper comes from Bearly Mine Designs.  I have also added a strip of glitter tape across the centre.  The image comes from Dearie Dolls and has been coloured with copic markers.  Our January is the middle of summer - usually ice-cream type weather (although last year it wasn't!)  I have added some glossy accents to the centre of the daisies.

I have kept any embellishing fairly flat as a calendar is not going to sit properly with too much weight on it.