Wishing I Was There....

Merry Christmas everyone....It's Christmas Eve!!!   Tomorrow is the big day, and most people like snow for Christmas....no?  But wouldn't another side of you like to be walking barefoot on the beach as depicted in this image by The Character Cafe? 

This week's challenge is for Dazzle and Sparkle, and the DT creations are rather special this week as we've all worked up an image that is a personal favourite.  For those who aren't aware, The Character Cafe challenges are finishing at the end of this month, but the good news is that the store will remain open!

The image I've chosen is Walk the Beach, and that sand looks so inviting.  I've coloured with Prismas and sponged with distress inks, for a nice soft warm look.....adding glamour dust to the water's edge.  It's then cut out with my Nestie die and backed with a square of bronze glitter paper.  The shells are some that I picked up on my Florida vacation back in October.  Some stickles, gems and a bit of ribbon and I was done.  The most difficult part of this card was finding the right DP in my stash!

Be sure to check out the rest of the team's projects, as I'm sure you'll find lots of inspiration this week.  Pick out your favourite image and head on over to the store, where all images are being offered for only $1.

Other challenges to which I am submitting my card:
Crafty Sentiments - Anything Goes
CES Challenges - #17 Anything Goes
Allsorts Challenge - #83 Anything Goes
Crafts and Me Challenges - #20 Anything Goes
Digi Stamp 4 Joy - #9 Anything Goes
Digi Doodle Shop - #39 Anything Goes

Here's Peeking at You

The countdown has begun....only 8 days until Christmas.....and only 15 days until the New Year!
This little guy is a new release from The Character Cafe and can be found here.  (I think he's ready to party!)

The challenge this week is to use foil or other shiny stuff to make a dazzling project.  I've added gold foil behind my image, a gold heat-embossed flourish, some gems and a bit of gold sparkly ribbon.  Of course, the DP is from my stash, and I have again played with using a Nestie die, while leaving part of the image to extend.

So, head on over and check out  the other members' creations, and hopefully we'll see your entry this week!  Good luck and thanks for visiting.

Here are a couple of challenges that my card can enter:
One Stitch at a Time - #43 Anything Goes
Delightful Challenges - Happy New Year
Charisma Cardz - #50 New Year's Celebrations
Digi Doodle Shop - #38 New Beginnings
Creative Card Crew - Anything Goes
CES Challenges - #16 Anything but a Christmas card

Glitter, Glitter and More Glitter

This week at The Character Cafe, the challenge is to make a card with lots of glitter!  'Tis the season and the weather for lots of glitter....we're not too bad but some places have lots of that glittery white stuff!

What do you think of this cute little Snow Friendly image?  I've covered him in glamour dust, now that's my kind of snowman....I can stay inside where it is warm!  Note the warm fuzzy flocking that accents both of their hats.  You will find stickles on the snowflakes and a piece of gold glitter DP to complete the glitter theme.

The striped paper is from my stash, but I've added some Christmas floral stamping to give it a festive look.  I've had a bit of fun with my Nestie die, tracing and then cutting around part of the image, leaving some parts outside the shape, then attaching to an actual die cut-out.  There are so many different ways of using these dies.

Now, it's time to announce the winner of the image I used for last week's Blog Hop at The Character Cafe:

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers
19
Timestamp: 2010-12-09 04:36:55 UTC
and the winner is....... sallysbitz, please contact me and I will send you your digi stamp.  Congratulations!

Once again, thank you for visiting, and be sure to check out the cards made by the rest of the team.

I have a few challenges to enter and they may be of interest to you too:
One Stitch at a Time - #42 Old Stash New Stash
Fab & Funky Challenges - #52 Christmas is for the Children
A Spoon Full of Sugar - #133 A Christmas card
City Crafter - #34 Let it Snow
Lollipop Crafts - #19 Welcome Winter
Digital Tuesday Challenge - #87 Baby Its Cold Outside
Stamps R Us Challenges - #10 Holiday Cards
Aud Sentiments - #17 Happy Holidays (printed on the ribbon)

Dazzling December Blog Hop at TCC

Good morning everyone, it's Friday again....only 22 days until Christmas!  If you've just popped in for a visit, please note that there's a Blog Hop underway at The Character Cafe!    It starts here at the store, and if you are hopping along, you should have just arrived from DJ's blog.   I do hope you'll enjoy all the lovely creations made with this month's new designs.

Our theme for today, and actually all of this month is Dazzling!

For my card this month, I've used the new Sledding image, perfect for someone celebrating a birthday in a cold and snowy January.  I prefer to stay inside where it is warm and cozy, but of course others enjoy winter activities.

I've first masked the image, then brayered the background with shades of blue DI.  The image itself is then coloured using Tombow markers,  after which I added glossy accents to the sled and helmet.  The snow has lots of added sparkle, and I've used metallic peel-offs, instead of glitter to trim the red mat.

Not much else for embellishments, as the recipient will be male...

Now you need to hop along to Chelsea's blog, where you are sure to find something fantastic.  Remember to leave some comments along the way and you'll be in the running to win a gift certificate for the store plus 2 new release images....and at each blog you will be entered to win that DT member's image.

Thanks for visiting, and have a great day!

I will be entering into the following challenges, where you might also find some further inspiration:
There's Magic in the Air with Paper Cupcakes - Anything Goes
Corrosive Challenges - #92 Things that Move
The Crazy Challenge - #43 On the Go
A Crafty Little Place - #66 Anything Goes
Stampartic - A birthday card with winter theme + snowflakes
Digi Doodle Shop - #36 Let It Snow
One Stitch at a Time - #41 Celebrate in Style - Bling It Up
Fab & Funky Challenges -#51 Happy Birthday + Blog Hop
Scrap-Creations - Anything Goes

Hitching a Ride to Feature Friday

It's Friday again, and time for the new challenge over at The Character Cafe.  My card features one of their new November releases, Fredrik & Remy, such a sweetie, and it goes perfectly with this weeks challenge.  Head on over and check out the rest of the team's gorgeous creations, you are sure to be inspired.

I've coloured the image with Prismas, then sponged different shades of distress ink to create a night time effect.  This was done while it was still in the Nestie die.  The DP is from Basic Grey's Jovial line, and I've inked the edges with brown.  The fancy brown mat was made with my MS punch, and is in keeping with the Naturals colour theme, as is the flower which I crocheted with an ecru cotton.  Then, just a couple of leaves, a couple of snowflakes, a bit of ribbon, some gems and some glitter....all done!

Thanks so much for your visit, and I do hope I'll be visiting your blogs to see your challenge entries! 

These are some challenges that I will be entering:

Sassy Lil' Sketches - Nov 14th Card Sketch

Pile it on Challenge - #45 Holidays with Family and Friends

Paper Sundaes - #44 Pick Your Sundae Topping

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge - #93 Just Do It!” Get those Christmas cards done!

Creative Inspirations Challenge Blog - #47 Anything Christmassy /Winter

Simon Says Stamps Challenge - Sparkle
The Fuzzy Wuzzy Challenges -Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall
Stampin for the Weekend - #51 Winter

The Character Cafe November Blog Hop

Welcome everyone, it's Friday....and time for our Blog hop at The Character Cafe!   We are showcasing six exciting new images, and the DT has some delightful creations to share with you.  If you've arrived here from Jessica's blog, then you are on the right path.  Otherwise, to be sure you don't miss anything, go back here to the beginning.

Today I have used the nostalgic Tree Shopping image, and it brings back memories of when my girls were small....getting that perfect (or sometimes not so perfect) tree.

I have coloured with my Prismas, inking the edges and adding Glamour Dust for lots of sparkle....though it doesn't show too much in the photo.  The red die cut has been edged with gold Stickles.
 
The Christmas paper was found while on vacation, and please note the little hand made poinsettia.....made by my daughter (I'm hoping she will make me some more!  Yes, it is quilling.)

Next, be sure to leave a comment.....There will be a random draw for the image I have used, and everyone who comments at all of the hops stands a chance at the grand prize of 2 New Release images and a $5 gift certificate to the store.  

Your next hop is to Deanette's blog, where you are sure to find something special!  Have a great day, and thanks for visiting.

Challenges I am entering:
One Stitch at a Time - #37 Christmas
Pollycraft - #68 It's Chill Time
Craft Your Passion - #30 Anything Goes
ABC Christmas Challenge -W is for Winter Wonderland
Lexi's Creations - #26 Anything Goes
Incy Wincy Designs - #66 Anything Goes
City Crafter - #29 Get Your Digi On
Digital Tuesday Challenge - #83 I've Been Framed
One Stop Craft Challenge - #104 Anything Goes
Charisma Cardz - #44 With Love @ Christmas
Pattie's Creations -  #3 Christmas Card or Creation

Little Sweetie

Well, the vacation is now over and I am back home to recuperate....literally!  I really hope you like my card for this week at The Character Cafe.   Using the image Mary, from their October release, I've made a non-traditional little Christmas card for this week's new challenge, and hopefully you will also have some fun making your own creations with the following recipe:

Orange
die cut
ribbon
3 circles

AND......be sure to check out the wonderful creations from the rest of the DT team for some more great inspiration!

The image has been cut out with my Nestie, while the circle behind it uses a die that I tried out at my daughter's house.  The paper doily has been sponged with orange distress ink, which is also used around the image and also around the card.  Blue distress ink has been used on the two die cut circles.  Note all the stickles....on the star, around the image and around the die cut circle....just what is needed for a little girl's Christmas card. 

Also entered into the following challenges, so be sure to follow the links for more inspiration and ideas.

One Stitch at a Time - #36 All Celebrations

Sentimental Sundays - #26 Distressing

Craft Your Passion - #29 Add Glitter and Sparkles

Papertake Weekly - Sparkly and Bright

A Spoon Full of Sugar - #127 Let's Get Punchy

Simon Says Stamps Challenge - Punch 'em

Moving Along with the Times - #70 A Card for A Child

Alys Sunday Challenge - AS28 Distressed
Inktegrity DT Challenge - #20 Anything

There's Magic in the Air with Paper Cupcakes - Die Cuts

Mouse Tales

Well, it's Friday again and this post is pre-scheduled, and hopefully....I'm enjoying a warm sunny day in Forida!  It's vacation time, and because you can't be here with me, I felt a little humour was in order, just to make you smile!

Today my card uses another new release from The Character Cafe, the cute little Sleepy Max.  I wonder why it is that mice look sooooo sweet in a picture on a card, but not when you find a real one...in your house, or office, or anywhere else for that matter! 

I have used my Prisma's again, matting it with stripes and red cardstock, using a fancy corner punch for a little extra detail....attaching with gold brads. 

This layout was nice and easy to work up and follows the current sketch for the challenge at Tickled Pink. 

The DP is just a matter of stripes and polka dots, using the traditional Christmas colours of red and green, but I have added a stamp, red pearls, and a green paper ribbon for accents.  To finish it off, just three little punched snowflakes and a red flower, all sparkling with glitter!

Other challenges entered...and more inspiration...
DCD Christmas Club - #39 Christmas Humour
Allsorts Challenge Blog - #74 Bingo (punch, flowers and pearls)
Pear Tree Designs - #22 'Free for all'
Tuesday Throwdown - #22 Anything Goes
Crafty Creations Challenge - #90 Colour (red, green and brown)
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge - #89 focus on the sentiment
Delightful Challenges - It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Meljen's Designs - #30 Anything Goes
Stamp Something - October Digi Day

Thank You... in Orange

My goodness, it's Friday already!  Here in Canada, we are enjoying some Indian summer, watching the leaves turn and putting the gardens to bed.  I am trying soooo hard not to think ahead.....to winter!

Now, to my winner in last week's Blog Hop at The Character Cafe.  Using random org........it is #15........... jimlyn.  Congratulations!   Please email me to claim your prize.

Today, I've used the little image Pokey, from The Character Cafe, where their challenge this week asks for the colour orange, 3 squares and 3 flowers.  I've made a Thank You card this time around, and instead of adding 3 squares, I've cut them out to show the DP underneath.

While mostly orange, the striped DP and brown accents help provide an impression of autumn.  If you look closely, you will notice some doodling around the flowers.... that little bit extra.

Challenge Entries:
Stamps R Us Challenges - #6 An All Nature Theme
Kaboodle Doodles - #41 Celebrate All the Colours of Fall
One Stitch at a Time - #34 Use Digi Stamps
Craftalicious - #10 Anything Goes
Papertake Weekly - 3 of a Kind
Tuesday Throwdown - #21 Use 3 elements

Character Cafe Blog Hop

Well, good day to you all!  You have almost reached the end of The Character Cafe's Blog Hop, where we are celebrating the release of some wonderful new images.  If you have arrived here from Georgia's blog, then you are on the right path.  Otherwise, be sure to start back here at the beginning, as you really don't want to miss a thing.

My card uses the beautiful Mallard Duck image, and I am very pleased with the end result.  I used Prismas and mineral spirits for blending when I coloured the image.  I find this works best for me with digital imagery, as I don't lose any of the detail.  Copics would also work well, but I haven't made that investment yet..... 

Plaid paper by Daisy Bucket, and coordinating blue cardstock makes up the card, and I've edged the label with gold metalic.  The leaves behind the image were made on my Silhouette and add to the naturalist theme.  You may notice a few brown pearls and a bit of subtle stamping, but otherwise the only added element is the sentiment.  

Next, you will move on to the final hop, at Fink's blog, but first be sure to leave a comment.  There is a random draw on each blog where some lucky person will win the image used, and everyone who comments at all of the hops stands a chance at the grand prize.  In addition, you can find an exclusive Hop Discount at the Store , where you will find all of these images and many more!

Well, I do hope you enjoyed all the creations provided by our design team and that you are now in the mood to create!  Just remember to Have Fun, and maybe we will see your creations in our next challenge.

Challenges I am entering:
Fairy Fun Friday - #37 Tickets or Tags
Stamps R Us - #6 An All Nature Theme
Catch the Bug - Happy WCMD - Anything Goes
Daisy Doodles - #18 Critter Mad!

Coming to a Door Near You!

Happy Friday everyone!  Its time for a fun challenge at The Character Cafe, and this is my first submission as one of their new DT members.  This week, the challenge is an easy one: - use the colour orange, two embellishments and some ribbon.

Now, let me introduce you to Simonstein, one of the many cute digital images available in their store.  I chose to use Prisma pencils to colour him, and after cutting part of it away, sponged the remaining background with black DI.  I added stickles to the outer edge and glitter pen to the light to make them sparkle.

For my layout, I have followed the current sketch from The Pixie Cottage, with just a few changes.

The papers have been in my stash forever, as well as some Halloween stickers, which I mounted on black cardstock, trimmed around and attached with foam tabs.  With just a few black gems and a little doodling on the bottom of the card,  I was finished.

This is the first Halloween card that I have ever made, and I'm sure I can think of a couple of little goblins that will enjoy it.