CCT Challenge 41 & Best Wishes to All

Afternoon Ladies, this will be my last post of the year as we are heading back to England tomorrow for the Christmas holidays, so I hope everyone has a great christmas and new year. My final card is for a friend of mine that has just moved into a new house and Cute Card Thursday Challenge 41 is an open theme so that fits nicely! I have used yellow and pink card, the WOJ image is coloured with water colour pencils, the papers are from the K & Co sparkly sweet range and I finished off with two flowers and four small jewels.

Sketch Saturday Challenge 29

This is the final tag I have made for my sister. I have followed the sketch from Sketch Saturday Challenge 29 and I have used red and green card, the paper was a free download from printable heaven, the penny black image is water coloured with my whispers pens, the snowflake is punched from gold mirrored card, I made the calendar on excel and I finished off with three small jewels. I distressed the edges of each element with my scissors and inked them with gold. This is the first time I have tried this distressing technique and I somehow managed to take gouges out of the sponge on my ink pad when inking!!! Do you ink first then distress??? Any advice on this would be appreciated!

Secret Crafter Challenge 11

This is another tag for my sister, she saw the black and white one I did for the penny black challenge a few weeks ago and wanted a couple with the same colour scheme, so this is what I came up with! I followed the sketch from Secret Crafter Challenge 11 and I used pearly white, black and metallic silver card, black and white paper from my stash, the penny black image is water coloured using my whispers pens, the sentiment was done on my computer using the font tempus sans itc and I finished off with a punched snowflake and three small heart shaped jewels.

CCT Challenge 40 & Friday Sketchers Ch32

My sister asked me to make some tags for her and this is one of them that I came up with. I used the sketch from Friday Sketchers Challenge 32 and this is also for Cute Card Thursday Challenge 40 that has a theme this week of using punches. I used red and green card, the paper is a free download from do crafts, the penny black image is coloured with water colour pencils, the snowflake is punched from gold mirrored card and I did the sentiment on my computer using the font tempus sans itc. I also used my gold ink pad to ink the edges of all the elements, but it doesn't show up too well in the picture.

Whiff of Joy Challenge 12

The Whiff of Joy Challenge 12 is to make a contemporary christmas card. I have used pearly white, pearly blue and metallic silver card, papers from the dovecraft contemporary christmas range, the gorgeous WOJ image is Willow with Lantern and I coloured it using watercoloured pencils. I have added a small blue jewel to the centre of the snowflake and finished off with three small jewels down the side. Oh and I almost forgot.... the sentiment was done on my computer using the font tempus sans itc.

I also decorated the inside to add a nice final touch. This card is for a friend who asked me to make one for him to give to his wife, so I hope its ok! I always faff around loads when I'm asked to make a card for someone specific, but I'm quite pleased with how it turned out. I must say a big thank you to Natalie and Lynsey for their blog candy winnings, both of which I used for this card.

Cupcake Challenge 17

Cupcake Challenge 17 is a fabulous sketch by Lauren. I have used white, blue, metallic silver and metallic blue card, papers from the dovecraft winter wonderland range and I received the santa image in some candy from Natalie. I punched some snowflakes from the silver and blue metallic card and I finished off with three small jewels. I only have two more christmas cards to do thank God, but I need to make a few tags.... better get my skates on!

Birthday Card for Bex

Another break from christmas crafting today. It a friend's birthday in between christmas and new year so I've made this card in plenty of time. It is also for quite a few challenges as time is getting the better of me and we are off to England at the end of next week...Yippee! I have followed sketch 28 from Sketch Saturday and the theme for both Kaboodle Challenge 15 and Secret Crafter Challenge 10 is embossing so I have used a cuttlebug embossed strip for the border in the middle of the card. The heart on her bracelet and the one in the top left corner of the card fit the theme for Cute Card Thursday Challenge 39 and my scalloped edge on the middle border fits the theme of scallops for Dutch Dare Challenge 26....Pheww!

I have used white, blue and silver metallic card, the papers are from K & Co Sparkly Sweet, I coloured the Penny Black image with my whispers pens and I have finished off with two small flowers and two little jewels in the centre. I didn't add a sentiment as I thought it would crowd the card a little and the papers are just too pretty to cover up. The papers and the flowers are from a recent candy win that were sent to me by Lynsey, she has a fantastic blog so check it out if you have time.

SFOS Ch 28 & Sketch Saturday Ch 27

Afternoon ladies, challenge 28 on a Spoon Full of Sugar was to make a thank you card, which was perfect timing as I needed to make one! I also followed the fabulous sketch from this week's Sketch Saturday challenge. I used pink and cream card and the papers are from the Laura Ashley range that I received in some candy winnings a while ago from Sally. I coloured the Sarah Kay image with watercolour pencils and I did the sentiment on my computer using the font pristina (yes! I've tried a new one!!!). Finally I finished of with three flat back pearls. I decorated the inside with cream card and the papers I used for the front.

Tag You're It Week 35

The theme for Tag You're It Week 35 is snow. I am rapidly running out of stamped images that are small enough to fit on a tag, so I just went down the very simple designer paper route this week. I have used white and blue card, the paper is from the dovecraft contemporary christmas range, the punched snowflakes and the snow on the paper are decorated with icicle stickles, the sentiment was done on my computer using the font tempus sans itc and I have finished off with some pale blue ribbon.

Whiff of Joy Advent Calendar

The very generous Katharina is giving away a WOJ stamp each day on the run up to christmas. Each day a new window will open with a surprise gift for one lucky visitor, the new window will be posted at 00.01 GMT everyday and the winner of the previous days gift will be posted at the same time. Take a look at Katharina's blog to be in with a chance to win. x

December 2008 Planner/Calendar

As I work for myself, from home, some days there is more crafting going on that actual work!! so I have decided to start a little project where each month I will make a planner/calendar for the following month that I can write notes on and use as a little prompt!!! The WOJ Challenge 10 is to make anything but a card, Cute Card Thursday Challenge 38 is to use the colour lilac and finally I have based the planner on Dawny's Sketch 3 on Papertake Weekly Challenge. I have used purple and lilac card, silver mirrored card, the paper is from the dovecraft amethyst range, the WOJ image is coloured with water colour pencils, the two small purple squares and the lilac divider have been embossed using a cuttlebug (not sure which folders as they belong to my BFs Mum), the month label was done on my computer using the font tampus sans itc and I finished off with three jewel hearts and some die cut flowers. I did the planner section on excel - it has a bit of a strange layout, but it was the only way I could get it all to fit on an A4 sheet of card!!

Cupcake Challenge 15

Challenge 15 over on the Cupcake challenge blog was sweets and treats. All you had to do was incorporate sweets somewhere on your creation. We are going back to England this year for Christmas, but I want to put our tree up over here so its going up next week to make it worth while - a bit early for me, I usually don't get around to putting it up until the week before Christmas!! Anyway, what is a tree without some form of chocolate decorating it, so having found some chocolate euros (coins and notes!!!) in the supermarket, I decide to make a simple little bag to hang on the tree. I found a tutorial here for a double pocket bag that is really easy to make. I didn't use a 12 x 12 piece of paper as per the tutorial, I used an 8 x 8 piece and just adjusted the measurements accordingly. I used paper that was a free download from printable heaven, gold christmas ribbon, red and cream card and the sentiment was done on my computer using the font segoe script. I inked the sentiment with some gold ink to give it a more vintage feel and decorated the edge with some gold stickles.

Kaboodle Ch 13 & Sketch Saturday Ch 26

Nope not another tag!! The challenge this week on Kaboodle was not to use square or rectangular shaped cards so I've made a tri fold tag shaped one instead. I've been wanting to try one of these for a while and this was the perfect opportunity. I've also used the sketch from Sketch Saturday for the front section of the card.

I have used cream, red and green card, papers from the dovecraft contemporary christmas range, the snowflakes are punched from red, green and gold mirrored card and I used a small red jewel in the centre of the middle panel.

The penny black image is coloued with whispers, the sentiment on the front panel was done on my computer using the font segoe script, the tassels are held on by a black brad and I have put a gold one on either side to decorate. The centre panel has been edged and sponged with gold ink but it has been left black so i can write on it!

To finish the whole thing off I made a simple, matching envelope for it. x

Proximity Award

Evening ladies. I have received this award from the lovely Natalie, thanks chick...this is my very first one!

This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY- nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement . Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to 8 bloggers who may then pass it on. I'm going to pass it to the very talented:
Chris (Sketching Stamper)
Dawn (Crafty ramblings)
Sally (Crafty Sally)
Sue (Susie Sunshine)
Lauren (Lauren's Cards etc)
Becky (Becky's Happy Crafting Place)
Links to all their blogs are in the side bar on the right. x

Penny Black Ch 24 & Tag You're It Wk 34

I'm catching up with my Christmas tag making....bet you wouldn't have guessed!!! Tag You're It Week 34 has a superb sketch that I have followed and Penny Black Challenge 24 is "Funky Christmas" so this tag fits the bill for both. I have used black and hot pink card, the paper is a free download, the penny black image is coloured with whispers pens, the sentiment was done on my computer using the font segoe script and it is attached to the tag with two black brads. Two of the punched snowflakes are decorated with silver stickles and the other is punched from mirrored card, I have added three small jewels and I have attached the tassels with a matt silver brad.

Let it Snow.....

Snow is the theme this week for both the Papertake weekly challenge and Cute Card Thursday Challenge 37 and I based this card on Laura's Sketch 13 from 2 Sketches 4 You. I used white, blue and dark blue metallic card (I thought I had finished this lovely card but I found another sheet Yipee!), paper from the dovecraft winter wonderland range, the penny black image is coloured with whispers pens and I have finished off with three small jewels and three punched snowflakes.
For the Tag I inked the edges with my silver ink pad, the sentiment and snowflake are silver peel offs and I have attached the tassels with a silver brad.

Friday Sketcher Challenge 28

Mumur has done a fabulous sketch for challenge 28 on Friday Sketchers and it really got me thinking. I have used white, navy and pearly blue card, papers from the dovecraft winter wonderland range, the stamp was from some blog candy winnings so I'm not sure where it is from and the sentiment was done on my computer using the font tempus sans itc. The punched snowflakes are decorated with silver stickles and to complete I added three small jewels. The only buttons I have are brown and I racked my brains for something to substitue them with then I thought I'd try colouring them with a silver pen - they turned out really well!
To complete the card I decorated the inside, with leftovers from doing the front....getting quite into doing this now and I think it adds a nice final touch!!

What's Black and White and......

Hi girls! I have managed to get in a little crafting this afternoon and I have made a tag that covers three challenges. Penny Black Week 23 and Kaboodle Challenge 12 have the theme monochromatic and I have used sketch 25 from Sketch Saturday. Sorry for using the same stamped image - I have just realise it is the same one as my last post, but I don't have many images that are small enough to fit on a tag and that can be made "Christmasy", and I've still got loads to do and not enough time!!! But I bet we can all say that!!! Anyway..... I have used black and white card, the black and white papers are from my stash, the penny black image is coloured with my whispers pens, the sentiment was done on my computer using the font tempus sans itc, the snowflake is punched from silver mirrored card and I have used a silver brad to secure the bits on the top (not sure what to call them!!!). Now I am no longer afraid of my ink pads I have edged and sponged the edges of each element so that it didn't look drab and I have added a little silver stickles to the present.

Tag You're It Wk 33 & Cupcake Ch 14

The theme for Tag you're it week 33 is to use red and green and Cupcake Challenge 14 is to follow a sketch, use the colour brown and have at least one scalloped edge. I used red and green card, gold mirrored card, the paper is a free download from do crafts, I watercoloured the penny black image with my whispers pens, the sentiment was done on my computer using the font Tempus Sans ITC, and I finished off with three small jewels and a gold brad. I edged the red and green base card with a gold ink pad and used a sponge to add some extra gold ink to the red card, although this doesn't show up too well in the picture it looks fairly good in real life!!

Dutch Dare Challenge 23

Morning Ladies! Dutch Dare Challenge 23 was to use no image stamps......a good excuse to do a nice simple card don't ya think??!!! I used blue, navy and white card, paper from the dovecraft winter wonderland range, the sentiment was done on my computer using the font vivaldi and I finished off each corner with four small jewels.
Becasue the card was so simple I decide to decorate the inside too......also very simply!!!!

Papertake Dawny's Sketch 2 & CCT Ch 36

Another last minute one!! Dawny has done another fabulous sketch for the Papertake weekly challenge that I have followed and I have also used the colours red and green to fit Cute Card Thursday Challenge 36. I have used red and green card, the paper is from the dovecraft contemporary christmas range, the penny black image is coloured with whispers pens, the sentiment was done on my computer using the font segoe script and I finished off with some icicle stickles on the snow.

Sketch Saturday Ch 24 & Kaboodle Ch 11

Phew! I don't know where this week has gone! I haven't had anytime to craft since last Saturday and I have just managed to squeeze one card in this afternoon! This one is for Sketch Saturday Challenge 24 and Kaboodle Challenge 11 which is buttons and bling. I have used navy and hot pink card, the paper is a free download from do crafts, the stamp is penny black ice & snow and I have water coloured it. For my "bling" element I have used a silver ink pad on the panel of pink card on the right, a metal snowflake embellishment, icicle stickles on the ice she is skating on and three small jewels.

Kaboodle Ch 10 & Secret Crafter Ch 6

Just a quick one today for Kaboodle Challenge 10 and Secret Crafter Challenge 6. There is another fab sketch on Secret Crafter and the Kaboodle challenge was Christmas Brights. I have used red and white card, the papers are from the kaboodle all star range, the penny black image was water coloured using my whispers pens and the sentiment was done on my computer using the font segoe script.

Whiff of Joy Challenge 7

I recently received my blog candy winnings from Natalie and in my package were some WOJ stamped images...... OMG they are so pretty! So as I have these I can now enter the WOJ challenge for the first time....Yippeeeee! Challenge 7 is to follow a fabulous sketch and I have used cream and red card, gold mirrored card, dovecraft papers, the music paper is a free download from printable heaven, I have coloured the WOJ image with watercolour pencils, the sentiment was done on my computer using the font segoe script and I have finished off with three flat backed pearls....Mmmm I think some WOJ stamps are going to have to go on my ever increasing wish list! x

Spoon Full of Sugar Ch 24 & Dutch Dare Ch 22

I haven't made that many christmas tags so I followed the sketch for Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge 24 and my tag also fits the bill for Dutch Dare Challenge 22 which is anything but a card. I used white, pink, hot pink and silver mirrored card, the paper is a download, the penny black image is colored with whispers pens and I finished off with three little jewels. Instead of colouring the image directly with my pens, I scribbled onto a tile and used them as water colours....but OMG I can't colour mice!!!! I still need loads of practice with my colouring, but hopefully I'll get there in the end!!! I didn't add a sentiment as it would have been a bit too much to squash on, I hope this is ok!

Penny Black 21 & Papertake Simply Sparkling

Hello girls! After a bit of panicing, my new Penny Black stamp arrived in the post. I struggle to get craft things over here in Spain so I end up having to get everything posted over. My Mum posted my new stamp to me via air mail and it took almost two weeks to get here.... I was beginning to think it had been lost but think it has been via the moon and back! Anyway, I made a card last night for Penny Black Challenge 21 and this week's Papertake Challenge as they both had a sparkle theme. The above picture shows the card when it is closed and below shows the inside - neither of which look very sparkly, but I promise they do!!
I have used red and black card, paper from the dovecraft contemporary christmas range, the penny black stamp is called favourite time and it is coloured with whispers pens, and the sentiment was done on my computer using the font Tempus Sans ITC. I used two silver brads on the sentiment and raised it up on dimension pads and a small piece of red ribbon to tie the card closed. Now for the sparkle.... I have used holly green stickles on the christmas trees on the front of the card and on the holly leaves and christmas tree on the inside of the card, christmas red stickles on the holly berries, the band in her hair, and the ribbon on the present and finally silver stickles on the ground...... I can't believe they don't show!!!

Cupcake Challenge 12

Cupcake Challenge 12 was to use a picture for inspiration. I used the hot pink colour from the picture and the pink stalky flowers to inspire my card. I decided to do something different as I feel a bit stuck in a rut at the moment so I found a tutorial for a spinner card on inspirational tips, techniques and tutorials, and I adapted it a little as I do not have anything to cut circles. As you can see above, one side shows the image and on the other is an embossed panel, as below.
For the card I used black and hot pink card, papers from the dovecraft hint of pink range, the penny black image is coloured with whispers pens and the embossing was done using the cuttlebug folder with birds and leaves on (I'm not sure what it is called as it belongs to my BF's Mum). I didn't add a sentiment as I didn't want to clutter the card, I'm going to use it as a thank you card, but it could be used for other occasions. I hope you like. x

Friday Sketchers Sketch 26

Friday Sketchers Sketch 26 was another fabulous one. I have used blue and white card, the papers are free downloads (sorry! I can't remember where from), I have coloured the penny black image with whispers pens, the sentiment was done on my computer using the font Tempus Sans ITC and I finished off with three jewels and a little stickles.

Cupcake Challenge 11

I have just managed to do this in time..... but as they say..... better late than never!!! Cupcake Challenge 11 is "a hole in the card" and I thought this was a great theme as it got me thinking a little.... I seem to have lost it a bit lately and all my cards are beginning to look the same!!!! I used white and navy card, paper from the dovecraft winter wonderland range, the penny black stamp is called ice & snow and it is coloured with whispers pens, and to finish off I added a little stickles to the ice she is skating on.

Halloween with a Twist

A lot of the challenges are halloween themed at the moment, but I don't have anything halloweenish to my name, so I had to improvise a bit!! Kaboodle Challenge 9 was to use the download provided so that provided me with something and I went off in search for another download and found the fabby bat paper on printable heaven. As well as Kaboodle, this card also fits the bill for Penny Black week 20 and I used black and orange card, the penny black image is coloured in with whispers markers, the papers are free downloads from kaboodle and printable heaven and the sentiments were done on my computer using the font tempus sans ITC. I dragged the edge of each section through my black ink pad and I sponged black ink onto the edge of the purple paper to try and achieve a spooky feel!!! Finally I finished off with a hand doodled cobweb. I hope you like!

Friday Sketchers 25 & Dutch Dare Challenge 21

I managed a 2 in 1 for sketch 25 on Friday Sketchers and Challenge 21 on Dutch Dare was to used black, pink and purple. I used black and hot pink card, the paper was a free download, the penny black image is coloured with whispers markers, the sentiment was done on my computer using the font segoe script and the five snowflakes are all decorated with silver stickles.

New Challenge Blog

The Sarah Kay and Tilda & Co Challenge Blogs have merged and now a fab new challenge blog called Magnolia Vs Stampavie starts on Sunday. Each DT member has some candy to give away, so go and take a look.

Poppicrafts Competition

There is a competition over at Poppicrafts where you have to create something using the colours black, green, pink or white and you aren't allowed to use an image. I decided to make a poinsettia flower that was inspired by Joanne. I used dark green and cream card, paper from the dovecraft victorian christmas range, gold paper, the sentiment was done on my computer using the font vivaldi and I finished off with some black jewels and a little red stickles. As I was making a poinsettia I thought I'd do a traditional christmas card, which is a challenge in itself for me as I don't do traditional!!!

To make the flower I cut 18 leaf shapes from basic printer paper. I coloured 6 of them green with a dark green whispers marker and 12 of them red. When they were dry I used a small embossing tool to score veins on each one - this makes each leaf stand up slightly. I then punched 3 snowflakes and I glued each green leaf to one of them and the 12 red ones to the other two. When they were all dry, I embossed the centre to make them all stand up a little, then I glued one layer on top of the other to form the poinsettia. I wasn't really sure what the centre of a poinsettia looked like so I used a black jewel and a small amount of red stickles to give it a slight sparkle!

Secret Crafter Challenge 4

Secret Crafter Challenge 4 was to follow a sketch. My mum asked me to make a card for her friend's 3 year old grand daughter, Grace, and the sketch was ideal. I used pearly white and pink card, the lovely background paper was from some blog candy that I won from Sally, the spotty paper was a free download from printable heaven, the penny black image is coloured with whispers markers and I have used grey water colour and some silver stickles to make the floor, I did the sentiment on my computer using the font Curlz MT and I finished off with a small bow and three flat backed pearls.

Tag You're It Week 29

This week's challenge on Tag You're It is to use the colours brown, pink and green. I have used some metallic copper and pink card, paper from the kaboodle party picnic range, the penny black image is coloured with whispers markers, the sentiment was done on my computer using the font segoe script, the two punched snowflakes are decorated with stickles and stuck on using square pads and I have finished off with two tiny pale pink stars in the bottom corners. Because the card is metallic it was very difficult to get a decent photograph and the tag looks better in real life!!! The snowflake on the top left is actually punched from pink card, but the lighting makes it look brown!

Sketch Saturday Sketch 21

Sketch Saturday Challenge 21 was a fab sketch that I will use again. I have kept it simple and I have used red and white card, some silver paper, paper from the dovecraft contemporary christmas range, the penny black image is coloured with whispers markers and I have finished off with three small jewels. Unfortunately the silver paper doesn't photograph too well, but in real life it is nice and shimmery.

Secret Crafter Challenge 3

The Secret Crafter Challenge 3 is "blue, white and a little bit of snowflake!". I have used white and pearly blue card, paper from the dovecraft winter wonderland range, the penny black image is coloured with whispers markers, the trim across the middle is made from some lovely dark blue metallic card (that is sadly almost finished!), the snowflakes are punched from blue metallic, blue pearly and white card with the white one being decorated with stickles, and I have finished off with three tiny star shaped jewels.

Papertake Sketch 13

This is the first time I have done a card for the Papertake Weekly Challenge, but it wont be the last! They have some great sketches on there. I have used pink and hot pink card, the paper is a free download from do crafts, the penny black image is coloured with whispers markers, the three punched snowflakes are decorated with stickles and there are two little jewels on the middle banner.

Kaboodle Challenge 7

The Kaboodle Challenge 7 was to create a tag. I used white and green card, paper from the kaboodle party picnic range, the penny black image is coloured with whispers markers, two snowflakes are punched from green shiny card and the other two are punched from white card and decorated with stickles and finally the sentiment was done on my computer using the font segoe print.

Dutch Dare Challenge 18

Challenge 18 on Dutch Dare was to make a Christmas card. On her recent visit I gave my Mum a lot of the christmas cards I had already made so I'm back to square one!! This is just a simple card and I started off with a different idea in mind, but when I stuck down the backing paper I decided it was too pretty to cover up, therefore this card evolved!! I have used white, blue and navy card, paper from the dovecraft winter wonderland range, the penny black image is coloured with whispers markers, I water coloured the snowball (although it doesn't show up too well in the picture), and finally I finished off with four small jewels in the corners.