Christmas Gift Card Holder for Winter Wonderland DT

Good morning everyone and welcome to my new followers and good luck to all of you who have joined from the WW Challenges with the blog candy.

This weeks challenge at Winter Wonderland is by Danielle and she has chosen to get us all thinking.  The challenge to create a Christmas Gift Card holder.  Having never actually needed to make one of these, Danielle was very kind and located us some tutorials and ideas.  So being surrounded by so many ideas it was really difficult to choose just one.  So I made two.  One for a child and one for an adult.  

Our Sponsor this week is the Stamp Barn, so pop on over and check out the other DT inspiration.  Don't forget the DT candy on offer, some linked to this challenge also and mine here

The little boot was just a case of using a template and then decorating, where as the square one was a little bit more technical.

I did not think that these would fit into any other challenges but surprisingly enough the little boot fits into

Cupcake Craft Challenge 88 - Don't be square and this definitely is not square

Here is the little boot

The flowers and the bauble's are in the kit I got from the Hobby House, so cute.

Here is the inside

Here is the adult one

The ribbon from another present recycled, the little tag is an MSE sentiment, backed with some red paper and I used some really thin wire to tie it on and then twirled the wire around a ground peg.  The large scallop circle is cut four times and then folded and attached to the back, the front folds overlapping and held together with the ribbon.

The inside

and a close up of the little tag

This will post again whilst I am at work, well it did work last week so fingers crossed it did this week too.  I will again link this evening to the challenges.

Have fun crafting

Kate xx

A Little Rose Decoupage Ladies Birthday Card

Good evening everyone and welcome to all my new followers - I hope I can make visiting my blog interesting

Today was a lovely sunny day and it was lovely driving to work listening to my radio.  We had a team training session today and so lots of the team from around our region arrived in the office.  One member arrived with a bunch of flowers.  I instantly thought that these would be for one colleague in particular, how wrong could I be, they were for me :)) - Being slightly cynical, I asked what she was bribing me for now?  To be told absolutely nothing and just thank you.  Isn't it so nice when some one says thank you in such a nice way, when you are just doing your job.  So coming home I felt really good, the sun was still shining on us and my music was playing again.  (you know when you see that person driving and they are singing and looking stupid in the car) yep that was me today :))

Then I arrived home to be presented with a box of chocolates from my son Mike's new girlfriend Hannah.  Very nice, but again, I asked why?  To be told they were from her mum, for me for getting Hannah some vegetarian meals - so she can eat well whilst she is visiting and staying.  Oh bless, and I have never met Hannah's mum.  But thank you Hannah's mum (oh dear, sorry waistline the diet will just have to wait a few more days)

Anyway two Saturday's ago I went retail craft therapy shopping with my DH Matt and purchased a decoupage clear stamp rose kit by Papermania, well actually Matt spotted it and put it in my little wicker basket.  So in between my very large and detailed commission, I decided to stamp it and colour it and see how this went.  Very relaxing colouring and horrid cutting out, but the twirling of the leaves was relaxing too, so a sandwich of variety really.

I wasn't really aiming at a card when I started, but then decided to use it for a birthday card.  For a change I wanted to try something I have not seen (may be I have not been looking in the right areas).  So with no agenda at all, this is what I created.

It is an octagonal easel card, heavily distressed for that weather look, using a cuttle bug embossing folder, Tim Holtz tattered rose distress ink and little glitter for the flower centre and the leaf on the inner return and some pearls.

Here is a close up of those lovely decoupage layers in the flower

I used foam pads to layer and curled the petals with a tent peg (honest it is just perfect)

After photographing it tonight realized it actually meets the requirements of the following challenges

Papertake Weekly Challenge - Do something different - oh I hope this is different enough

Cupcake Craft Challenge - Don't be Square - nope this isn't

Quixotic Challenge - "How Distressing" - haven't entered many of these challenges but now and again one really grabs my attention and I love a bit of distressing - don't you.

Oh and I am not sure about this new photo upload, is it me or does it take longer?

Well that is me for now, really must go try do some blog hopping as I am a little behind (well will be after all this chocolate hehehehe)

Enjoy the rest of your week, and thank you all for your recent lovely comments.

Love Kate xx

Voting Time at Our Vintage Affair

 YEP it is time to vote on the 1st challenge of the year over at Vintage Affair. 

There have been some amazing entries some I would love to have in my shoe collection I can tell you.  

Winners are chosen by your votes, so pop over and choose your favorites.  Then email Polly your top 3 favourites by midnight tonight (UK time). 

You can vote even if you didn't get the time to enter this time around.

The next challenge will start on May 1st so keep an eye out on the site to see what is up next, I cannot wait to see and have a go, it promises to be quite exciting.

enjoy your voting

Kate xx

Sketch Saturday Magnolia meets Fussy and Fancy Birthday Cupcake

Good evening everyone and welcome to my new followers

With it being such a sunny day this pink creation could not be helped.  I enjoyed creating this whilst popping in and out of the sun.  My DH Matt was up early at a fishing match, he says he caught more after the match than when in the match time.  Hence did not win, but enjoyed himself and got his usual obligatory sun tan.

My blog candy can be found here 

So entering this card into the following challenges

Sketch Saturday - this was a lovely simple sketch to follow but perfect for the finished card.

Just Magnolia - I haven't done many Magnolia challenges recently - need to pop to see Polly "Artfulwings" as she has an amazing stash and is very generous and allows me to stamp them now and again. This challenge is "anything goes"

Fussy and Fancy - Birthday with a Sweet Treat - a cupcake seemed just perfect

So here it is 

An easel card with some deep pink base paper and Papermania stack cupcakes with matching inner paper from the same stack.  The return punch one of the lovely new ones in stock at the Hobby House (see where I shop). The ribbon from Hobby Craft along with the matching bow (from the Capsule range - fully coordinated making it so easy to create stunning creations.

A close up of the flowers not sure where I got these ones from but the centre one is from Tilly's. 

A close up of the return with that lovely new punch.

and a close up of the image, baking those lovely cupcakes :)

Well that is me for today, and as I did not get the ironing done - I really must make an effort to do this tomorrow.  Oh my son Mike is going to cut the grass for me tomorrow, so I might get some weeding done instead.  So hope you are enjoying your weekend and that tomorrow will be just a nice a day.

Thank you for all your recent lovely comments, they don't half give you a boost when you have so much to do and still want to get crafty.

Till tomorrow

Kate xx

Sir Stampalot Challenge Fantasy Card - I Believe Do You and Blog Candy

Good afternoon to you all and especially to my new followers.

Firstly a reminder about my blog candy, which is running along side the Winter Wonderland Relaunch  Challenge.

BLOG CANDY
I wanted to say thank you to all my wonderful visitors and I have not offered any blog candy before.  I also wanted to finally celebrate my new DT position on the WW team - how fantastic, I get to keep my New Years resolution of making a Xmas card each week, no excuses now! 

Here is the prize - a selection of interesting stash.  The papermania paper pad perfect for our Easter Bunny theme at WW, some lovely spring toppers, a couple of Xmas punches and stamps and some glitter to die for, all perfect for your Xmas creations at WW. 
So what do you have to do?
1) add this pic to your sidebar with a link back to my blog and the closing date of Tuesday 4th May
2) become a follower of my Blog
3) leave a comment below so I can come and visit you too (and of course pick a winner)
4) Join in at least one Winter Wonderland challenge between now and May 4th - and help me celebrate becoming a WW DT member :0)
Then that's it!
The winner will be picked at 8 pm on 4th May by Random Generator so make sure you check to see if it is you - I will then post out to the winner and look forward to seeing your creations on Winter Wonderland.


Now this card, was a necessity as Sir Stampalot is one of my favorite places to shop and they have their very first Challenge which is a theme of "Fantasy" I don't have many stamps to meet this criteria but this one I feel is that underwater fantasy of sea creatures, mermaids etc.  This is a challenge and a half as you have to enter another five challenges and can only enter Sir Stampalot if it is a combo of five, Sir Stampalot making six.


So here are my five challenges


Friday Sketchers - with this perfect sketch and they are sponsored this week by my Simon Says Stamp (who are also now sponsoring Winter Wonderland)

Totally Papercrafts - 4 embelishments, 3 Papers, 2 ribbons/lace and 1 image
I have used 3 mono papers from the Capsule range, a butterfly charm,  flowers, pearls and a feather instead of a leaf and lots and lots of glitter.  The lace is a thread through lace so I threaded through the green ribbon - thread through lace from Running with Scissors. And the image is from my winnings at Sweet Pea Stamps.

Copic Colour Challenge - a fabulous colour selection this week

Caardvarks - Celebrating Core'dinations - create a monochromatic card ( a regular thing for me at the moment)


Sweet Pea Stampers - Wonderland (my interpretation of a water wonderland)
 

 Finally to the card then :)

and finally the close up of the copic colour blended image

well must get going, as need to go shopping, cut the grass and get to the ironing - but the sun is out two of the jobs wont seem to bad as I get to be out in it.

chow for now my friends

Kate xx

Winter Wonderland Challenge Relaunch Excitement and Blog Candy

Yes the Winter Wonderland Challenge has now moved to a Friday, just to keep you all on your toes. 

So here is my DT Christmas Combo card for the new Winter Wonderland Friday Challenge, inspired by a few challenges this week (I am kind of all out of sorts as normally, I know the challenges I can combo with but with the date changing wow it kept me on my toes)

The relaunch challenge at WW this week is being sponsored by Janet from Pink Gem Designs and, our new Sponsor this year, Simon Says Stamp.

I am entering this card into the following challenges 

Sketch Saturday - wow love circles and this sketch was just perfect

Create4fun - also circles

Totally Gorgeous Challenge 26 - Charming - "dam!" thought I had a penguin charm but nope so had to settle with a bell, but it matches the music scores ding dong!!!!!

Paper Sundaes Challenge 14 - no people - penguins are so much more cute :) and one of my best friends (recently engaged) loves penguins.

Stamptacular Sunday Challenge 55 (World Penguin Day Celebration) - Black/White/Yellow or a Penguin (I wonder if my friend knows it is World Penguin Day - must remind her)

Cupcake Craft Challenge - A colour combo Red and White - I love this shade of red one of my favorites

Stamp Something - Charmed, I just love this challenge site, it varies so much.

wow that took some figuring out, but oh was so worth it. 

So onto the card

The base card it gold mirror card, with the Bo Bunny papers on top - think this one is called St. Nicks anyway got it from the Hobby House last Christmas, so pleased that I got plenty to last me through. Although I was there this Saturday and there are still some fabulous Christmas papers in.  The flowers are poinsettias again from the Hobby House (new in) The penguins are from Penny Black (I cut them all out) The ribbon was the wrong colour red and white so I used my copics to colour it deeper and I added the charm and some gold wire hand made scrolls.  I added stickles around the sentiment and a few small red pearls. (See above link where I shop)

This is a close up of the image and those new flowers

The image coloured with copics (found some new shades at Tilly's on Saturday, thanks Denise) Look at those flowers wow just perfect.  For all my stash bits see where I shop above.

Anyway a reminder my blog candy is still running alongside the Winter Wonderland Challenges until the 4th May at 8pm.  See here - please remember to meet all requirements thank you.  Visit the teamies at WW as they also have candy :)

Well it's Friday - I will be at work till 5pm so will have to link all of these to the challenges when I get home, don't think you can pre program that bit :(

Have a great day and don't forget to pop over to the Winter Wonderland Challenge site to see the changes and join in the fun.

Welcome to my new followers and thank you all for the recent wonderful comments, I savor everyone.

Hugs Kate xx

Sweet Pea Combo Card

Good Evening Everyone

I came home from work today really tired and told the husband I was going for a snooze, he was quitely sat at his computer so did not notice that after an hour I had nipped upstairs to my "Beach Hut" and started creating this little number.

Although I did start with a sketch in mind, I sort of changed my mind and did my own thing.  

I am entering this card into the following challenges

Stamp Something - Layered - I have layered so many papers on this and a small card layered on top of the main card.

Daring Cardmakers - "Getting in a Flap" - the small card on top creates the flap, to hide the meaningful words.

Allsorts Challenge - Petals and Pearls - I have created my own little flowers and put little white roses in the middle of them and run the pearls from behind. (What a pain that was, but I think it was well worth it).

Cute Card Thursday - Touchy Feely - Oh don't you wish you could feel this velvet black stick on lace effect on the inner part of the card, a new purchase and wow it is fabulous.

Charizma Card Challenge - Monochromatic

ABC - S is for sparkle - now this is a subtle sparkle but it is there.  I have used my Atyou Glitter pens.  Black around the frame, Green on the stems, and clear/silver effect on the purple flowers.  Oh how I wish you could see the effect - I must start taking better photos.

So finally the card

An easel card with a flap opening little card on top.  The ribbon holds the card closed.  Base card is black, using my current favorite Capsule Mono papers on top.  The Ribbon a recent purchase from Running with Scissors (Tracey sorry I missed you) and the image from my winnings at Sweet Pea Stamps, (thanks again ladies).

Here is the inside of the little flap.

Again the sentiment from my Sweet Pea winnings and more of the lovely capsule paper.

The drop of the easel image

Had to show you this in close up as the edges of this panel are velvet sticky ribbon, what an effect it gives you.  Located at Running with Scissors (I did not spend to much honest)

And finally the close up of the image

Coloured with copics and Atyou Glitter pens.

Well must post as three minutes to midnight and although I had a snooze still quite tired.  

Don't forget my blog candy here and Teri's Birthday candy here.

Oh and off more craft shopping tomorrow at The Hobby House with a dear friend, can't wait.

Night Night

Kate xx

Teri is Celebrating with A Huge Amount of Blog Candy

Our past Design Team Member at Winter Wonderland is celebrating, let us help her celebrate in style, go and visit and leave her a lovely comment

Teri's Craft Spot

Just look at what she has in the Candy!!!!

There is lots in here ......

Basic Grey - Chipboard Elements
Basic Grey - Chipboard Mini Monos
K&Co - Brenda Walton - Garden Words Clear Stamp Set
Maya Road - Flower Chain Book
MAMBI - Scrapbook Kit
3 x Papermania - Chipboard Die Cuts Packs
HOTP - Lattice Folds Template
3 x ATD - Embellishment Packs
3 x Jolee's Boutique - Flower Stickers
7 x Provo Craft Stand-Outs Stickers
3 x Clover 'Handmade' Stickers
2 x Adornit Foam Stickers
Sue Dreamer - Doo-Dads
Annie Lang's - School Time stickers
Paper Bliss - Leaf Stickers
2 x Lakeland Flower Stickers
Daisy D's Cardstock Stickers
Primavera - Hearts & Flowers Stickers

Fabulous Birthday Candy don't you think, quick pop on over and wish her Happy Birthday

Hugs Kate xx

Sweet Pea Birthday Card meets Mojo Monday Sketch Combo

Good evening ladies

My winning stamps from the very kind ladies at Sweet Pea Stamps arrived a couple of days ago.  This was a lovely win, as it was from followers and out of all those lovely people who follow them I along with a few more was lucky enough to be picked to win a grab pack of five stamps.  I got three to die for stamps a front sentiment and an inner sentiment.  Thank you ladies - awesome.

So of course I wanted to ink them up and play, this is my second attempt at the image for this card, the first one was not quite right, they are a slightly different colouring technique but beautiful.  I needed to create some ladies birthday cards, so fancied the look of the Mojo Monday Sketch and set to work.

I am entering this card into the following challenges

Mojo Monday Challenge  - I have turned the sketch to suit the image, hope they do not mind.

Creative Card Crew Challenge 48 - Happy Birthday

Stamptacular Sunday Challenge - Spots and Dots - I used two different types of dotty papers

So without further a do here is the card I made

Again I used my Capsule Mono papers, cream card stock from Hobby House, silver card from Running with Scissors.  Capsule papers from Hobby Craft.  Doily punch and ribbon from Hobby house, stickles from Running with Scissors and sentiment from MSE.  Image of course Sweet Pea Stamps. Flower made from Punches from Hobby House. (see where I shop)

Well a close up of the image using those copics

I also used the turquoise and clear Atyou glitter pens, looks great although you really can't see it from the photo, sorry :(

Well that is me for today and I will be back at the weekend, where I should be able to ink up my winnings from La La Land, she is great cannot wait to play with her.

Thank you for all your lovely comments which as always make me smile after work when I really need the boost and I apologise for not getting to everyone to visit you back, hopefully I will soon.

Take care of each other

Hugs Kate xx

Sketch Saturday meets The Play Date Cafe

Good evening to you all

This card was completed yesterday but needed drying time for the glitter around the image.  Made for a special couple and I hope they like it.  I used the sketch from Sketch Saturday and the colour scheme from The Play Date Cafe.

What a perfect combination doesn't that bouquet look divine.

So here is my card

Papers are from the Capsule Mono collection again (really love these at the moment) and pearls/glitter are from the Hobby House (see where I shop) The sentiment is MSE.

Here is the close up of the copic coloured image

Young Love, Sugar Nellie I believe, how sweet and perfect for the happy couple.

Well that is me for now, other than to say thank you to all those of you that leave such lovely comments on my blog land contributions, they always make me smile and I struggle with work, to get to visit you all back sometimes.

Good night

Hugs Kate xx

Embossed DT Christmas Card meets Pollycraft Combo and Blog Candy

Good morning to you all

Welcome to Today's challenge over at Winter Wonderland -  it is any type of embossing and there are several methods to choose from

• embossing powder and heat gun - I have used this one
• emboss on vellum or parchment, cardstock or a ready embossed card
• an embossing machine - eg. Cuttlebug, Wizard, etc. - I have used this one
• stencils and lightbox
• stencils and embossing paste
• an embossing board and tool

As well as the challenge - today see's the commencement of the preparation for the Winter Wonderland Relaunch.  The challenge will run from today until 5pm on the 22nd, this is because we are changing from a Sunday Challenge to a Friday Challenge - we are all so excited about the change that we are having a new look as well. There will be two prizes in this weeks challenge from

Cardmadfairy 

and

Delicious Doodles

Go visit the lovely team over at Winter Wonderland who love combo's, it may give you some added inspiration.

So onto my card that I am entering into the following challenges

Papertake - A lovely sketch which I enjoyed

Stampavie and More Challenge 89 - Green

Pollycraft Challenge - Anything Goes

Cupcake Craft Challenge - Make your own flowers

The Pixie Cottage - who have shaken it up a little and you could choose to do embossing or the sketch or both.  So I have done embossing so I am entering this in an attempt to win my first ever stamp of theirs. ( I hope I interpreted this correctly)

Lots to Do Challenge - Week 14 Embossing

Totally Gorjus - Texture

 So here is my card

It is another easel card, don't you just adore them.  The papers are DCWV (I think) a Christmas Stack anyway.  I used a very small embossing folder to create this lovely detailed on the corner of the image and also used the wet embossing to create the sentiment using a Whiff Of Joy stamp what I won and received from Simon Says Stamp.  The inner sentiment I cannot remember where it is from now.  The flowers are made by hand from two differing sized flower punches, I got the inspiration from these from Magnolia Ink. I have used liquid applique for the added depth on the hat and around the sleeves and gold stickles to accentuate the flowers.  The small flower centre brads are from the Hobby House, and I have used the red copic to colour them to match. (see where I shop)

 This is the close up of the image

Polly (Artfulwings) very kindly passed on this and many other stamps and guess what they are all Christmas ones :)I added a little gold stickles to the hat detail.

This is a close up of the embossed sentiment and the smaller flowers

This is a close up of my hand made flowers - this idea was in the Magnolia Ink past copy, lovely Xmas look don't you think? My new release magazine came yesterday, fab as always :)

 So just a reminder Winter Wonderland are gearing up for a change, pop over to see what is happening and to enter your combo Christmas card.  Remember it is different to enter a Christmas card  in a combo, they tend to stand out.

BLOG CANDY

I wanted to say thank you to all my wonderful visitors and I have not offered any blog candy before.  I also wanted to finally celebrate my new DT position on the WW team - how fantastic, I get to keep my New Years resolution of making a Xmas card each week, no excuses now! 

Here is the prize - a selection of interesting stash.  The papermania paper pad perfect for our Easter Bunny theme at WW, some lovely spring toppers, a couple of Xmas punches and stamps and some glitter to die for, all perfect for your Xmas creations at WW.  

So what do you have to do?
1) add this pic to your sidebar with a link back to my blog and the closing date of Tuesday 4th May
2) become a follower of my Blog
3) leave a comment below so I can come and visit you too (and of course pick a winner)
4) Join in at least one Winter Wonderland challenge between now and May 4th - and help me celebrate becoming a WW DT member :0)
Then that's it! 

The winner will be picked at 8 pm on 4th May by Random Generator so make sure you check to see if it is you - I will then post out to the winner and look forward to seeing your creations on Winter Wonderland. 

Good Luck and I'm really looking forward to visiting you xx

Hugs Kate :)

40th Female Birthday Card - Monochrome

Good afternoon

 I would like to welcome Lynsey (WW teamie), Linda and Crafting Andy to my little section of blog land. Hello ladies :)

DH Matt went to a fishing match today and took his dad with him as a guest.  Again he did not win (he will one day - I have faith), he caught 15 fish totaling 6 pound and the winner had 30 pound.  However this meant a day for me all to myself.  

The weather has been glorious here today, and it was hard to stay in the Beach Hut crafting.  I took my son to work early this morning, hit Tesco's early before the crowds hit it and headed home for an early morning coffee in the sun.  I then decided to clean the oven - thinking "what a pain" that was going to be, however pleasantly surprised at the new stuff I got, which after four hours I did not even need to use a brillo and my trays were spotless and shiny new.  In those four hours I did a few other jobs and created this card for a friend at work, who is always very specific on what she wants, so I hope this fits the bill.

This is the mono "Capsule" range by Papermania with plain black card stock.  Using a cuttlekids alphabet for the words through the cuttlebug and creating the flowers from one of my punches.  The butterflies I have added stickles to.  Not my normal style and not taking over as a favorite I am afraid.

This fits into the Cute Card Thursday Challenge 107 - Mono Mania with it's black and white tones.

Well off to tidy up the mess I made in the Beach Hut and to continue with another crafty idea I have.

Chow for now

Kate xx