Secret Crafter Ch 16 & Sketch Saturday 35

God! What a weekend I had! Not sure if you have seen it on the news but there have been awful storms in France and Spain, and we got up on Saturday morning (after a sleepless night) to find a huge pine tree from the house two doors down from us had blown down. The tree is sitting in our immediate neighbours garden and the top of it came into our garden, so we have spent all weekend cutting down the part that was in our garden and trying to fix our fence. Not fun! Consequently I haven't done any crafting for a while, but I did manage a card last night. It is for Secret Crafter Challenge 16 which is to use 1 image, 2 papers and 3 embellishments and I have used the sketch from Sketch Saturday Sketch 35. The penny black image has been coloured with distress inks and the papers are from K & Co.
Supplies:
Card/Papers: Cream and pink card, K & Co - sparkly sweet
Stamp: Penny Black
Colouring: Ranger distress inks - broken china (background), tattered rose, worn lipstick, vintage photo, walnut stain, dusty concord and spiced marmalade.
Embellishments: Jewels, punched flowers
Tools: Water brush, flower punch, wavy blade for paper trimmer
Thanks for looking x

PURR Fect

This is my second post of the day and I must apologise for the photo, I took it early this morning to try to avoid the shadows....MMmmm a bit of a shadowy background but it makes the card stand out I suppose!!! This card is for three challenges - I have used the sketch from Sketch and Stash challenge 2, the theme for Secret Crafter Challenge 15 is hearts and this week's Papertake challenge is to use three shapes on your card. The penny black image has been coloured with distress inks and the gorgeous paper was part of some candy winnings. I used the tutorial by Bev on Inspirational Tips, Techniques and Tutorials to make the rustic flower, except mine is extra rustic as I don't have any circle punches so I just cut the circles free hand! Edit: Forgot to say.... the new thing that I have used is the border embossing folder.
Supplies:
Card/Paper: Black, red and white card, paper from blog candy winnings
Stamp: Penny Black

Colouring: Ranger Distress Inks - weathered wood, worn lipstick, fired brick and black soot

Embossing: From the frills range of border embossing folders
Embellishments: Jewels, brad, charms,

Tools: Scissors (to distress the edges of my rustic flower), water brush, cuttlebug

Thanks for looking. x

Crazy Daisy

Lauren has done another great sketch this week for Cupcake Challenge 23 and I have used one of the fabulous digi-stamps that Chris has produced (you can buy them here). I have used distress ink to make a pale blue background and I have coloured the image with whispers pens. I bought a blender pen when I was in the UK at christmas and this is the first time I have used it, but I think I will need a bit more practice before I venture onto colouring any of the other digi-stamps I bought!
Supplies:
Card/Paper: Blue and white card, gold mirri card, free download from printable heaven
Stamp: Sketching Stamper Digi-Stamps
Colouring: Whispers pens, blender pen, distress ink - broken china (background)
Embellishments: Jewels, america crafts ribbon
Tools: Water brush
Thanks for looking. x

Whimsy Guest Designer Call

Afternoon ladies, its been a few days since I have made a card as my mojo up and left me! I just couldn't seem to do anything that I was happy with, but I'm pleased to say I've finally managed to put something together! Whimsy stamps are looking for a guest designer for February and although I probably don't stand a chance, I thought I'd give it a go. This is what the call says:

We are looking for a talented crafter who loves to stamp, create and share! Each monthly guest designer will be asked to create at least one Whimsy Stamps project per week. This project must then be posted on your blog. Whimsy Stamps will post your artwork on the gallery page of our site. We also ask that you participate in any other Whimsy related challenges.If you'd like to try out for this guest spot, here are some details....
*Submit your entry between now and January 26th.
*This call is open to all, from anywhere on the globe!
*All participants must have their own blogs to display artwork and promote Whimsy products, specials, and activities.
*Your entry must follow the guidelines below to be considered and must be turned in by January 26th, late entries will not be accepted.
*Enter as many times as you wish, but please follow the guidelines for each of your entries, only new work will be accepted as an entry.
*Monthly guest designers will receive free Whimsy Stamps to work with during your design period as well as links to your blog from our site.
To enter the Whimsy Stamps Design Call for February 2009, please do the following:
-Make a card using this sketch, please also use an animal image or preferably a Whimsy image on your card.
-Post your creation on your blog and announce our guest designer call.
-Leave a comment on this post with a link to your entry.
If you would like to guest design for Whimsy Stamps, please follow these guidelines and enter by Monday, January 26th! This call will close at 11:59 pm EST on Monday January 26th. I don't have any whimsy stamps so I used a penny black hedgie stamp instead and I have coloured the image with distress inks. The curly swirls of paper under the larger flower were inspired by someones blog that I had seen them on, but I'm so sorry I have forgotten who's it was, but thank you!
A close up pic shows the charms and colouring. I created the sentiment on my computer using the font segoe script and the charms were from blog candy winnings. I've decided on a bit of experimentation with my picture taking, the sun is causing me problems with glare and shadows, so I'm going for the two pieces of white card trick at the moment! Edit: I wasn't happy with the photos, so I am experimenting with different areas outside!
Supplies:
Card/Paper: White, pink and lilac card, dovecraft retro floral papers
Stamp: Penny Black
Colouring: Ranger distress inks - vintage photo, walnut stain, tattered rose, fired brick, dusty concord, worn lipstick, spiced marmalade, and weathered wood. Green whispers pen.
Embossing: Stylized flowers folder
Embellishments: Primas, charms, spacers, pearl brads, american crafts ribbon and metallic thread.
Tools: Cuttlebug, water brush
Thanks for looking. x

The Winner is....

Thank you to everyone that entered the draw for some stamped images. After writing everyones names on a piece of paper and folding them up, I asked my boyfriend to pick a winner but he thought it would be more of an event if one of our dogs did it!!!! So the deal was that the folded up papers were put on the floor and the first one that was picked up was the winner. I couldn't actually take any photos of the "draw" in action as I quicky had to retrieve the winning name before it was eaten!!!! And Charlie and Monkey picked........

Rach

Rach, please can you let me know your address and I will send the folder and stamped images off to you. Thanks again to everyone that entered and for all your kind comments since I have started my blog. xx

Inspirational Card Sketches DT Call

There is a new challenge blog starting up called Inspirational Card Sketches and they are looking for a DT at the moment so I thought I'd give it a go. The blog says:
I'm starting up Inspirational Card Sketches in order to share my inspiration with you.
First and farmost there will be no compensation at this time.I'm looking for 6 designers who love creating cards.
Your term will be 4 months. Term is from Feb-May 2009
If you would love or like to be on a Card Sketch Design Team this call is for you.
Every Tuesday I will send you a card sketch one week in advance for you to work on. You however as a DT member will have to get your creations to me no later then Monday at 12:00pm (noon) Central Standard Time.
You will also get to embellish your cards however you want. My sketches are for your inspiration only. And to help others get ideas on how to use these sketches. There is a sketch to follow for the DT call and I rotated it and replaced the circle with a circle of flowers. I used a Sarah Kay stamped image and coloured it with distress inks.

A close up of the detail shows I have used prima flowers to embellish with pearl brads and a spacer for the centre. I also added a ribbon and a heart shaped jewel.

Supplies:
Card/Paper: Cream, blue and silver metallic card, DCWV pocket full of posies paper

Stamp: Sarah kay stamped image

Colouring: Ranger distress inks - faded jeans, tattered rose, weathered wood, spiced marmalade, fired brick and walnut stain. Green and yellow whispers pens.

Embossing: Paisley embossing folder

Embellishments: Prima flowers, spacer, pearl brads, american crafts ribbon and heart shaped jewel
Tools: Water brush, cuttlebug

Thanks for looking x

Anyone for Strawberries...or Cupcakes?

For some reason, God knows why, I have been itching to make a small card. I've finally managed it and this card measures 9.5 x 9.5 cms (or for those that work in inches - 3.75 x 3.75 inches). I have used Dawny's fab sketch number 6 from Papertake this week (and I have just realised that I have missed off the sentiment... hope this doesn't count against me!). The stamp is from forever friends and I have coloured it with distress inks.

As the card was small, I had to make an envelope to go with it and I have used my paisley embossing folder to add some detail to the flap.
Supplies:
Card/Paper: Red and pearly white card, paper received in some candy from Sally

Stamp: Forever friends
Colouring: Ranger distress inks - fired brick, tattered rose and weathered wood

Embossing: Paisley folder

Embellishments: Jewels, charm and ribbon
Tools: Cuttlebug, water brush, scalloped squares die

Thanks for looking. x

Whiff of Joy Challenge 14 & Sketch 1

The Whiff of Joy Challenge 14 is a colour challenge and you have to use the colours purple and green. Fabby colour combo as I love using the colour purple!!! I have used a stamped image of Willow with Umbrella and I have coloured her using distress inks. I managed to get my paper trimmer sorted out and I have used the victorian blade to cut the card and paper for the middle section and the inside (although it doesn't show up too well!).

I have used my stylized flowers embossing folder to emboss some metalic silver card and I just love the effect. I have also used the same card with a die to cut the stars, the two smaller ones are on the front and the two larger ones inside.

Finally, I decided to have a bit of a play around in photoshop and I made this sketch to base my card on. Please feel free to use it if you wish.

Supplies:
Card/Paper: Cream, green and metallic silver card, DCWV pocket full of posies paper
Stamp: WOJ - Willow with Umbrella stamped image
Colouring: Distress inks - dusty concord, tattered rose, weathered wood, broken china and vintage photo. Green whispers pen.
Embossing: Stylized flowers embossing folder
Embellishments: Jewels
Tools: Cuttlebug, victorian blade, sponge, water brush, star cutting die

Thanks for looking x

Floral Bag Topper

Morning all. Katherina set a challenge to make a bag topper and as I had never made one before, I thought it would be a fun thing to try. The only problem I had was what to put in the bag!!! I didn't have any sweets or choccies in the house, I don't have any nice home made biscuits...then I though what could be nicer than a bag of primas!!

I followed the fabulous sketch from Cupcake Challenge 22 and I kept it nice and simple. Apologies for the photos, I have taken loads and these were the best I came up with.... the sun was in a bad spot and I kept getting awful shadows. The Melinda with book stamp doesn't really go with the flowers, but she is the only WOJ stamp I have!

A close up of the front shows a little more detail. I have coloured the image with distress inks and have used stickles on the wings to give them a little sparkle!

Supplies:
Card/paper: cream and metallic silver card, dowecraft glamour prints paper

Stamp: WOJ - Melinda with book, not sure about the sentiment.
Colouring: Ranger distress inks - faded jeans, vintage photo, walnut stain, fired brick, worn lipstick, tattered rose and weathered wood.

Embellishments: Prima flowers, jewels, spacer, pearl brad, american crafts ribbon, silver stickles
Tools: Water brush
Thanks for looking and don't forget you can win some stamped images by commenting on the post below. x

Win Some Stamped Images

I have been wanting to do some blog candy for a little while and I bought some supplies when I was back in England, unfortunately I had to leave a bit behind as we had so much stuff to bring back. My parents are bringing the rest out at the end of March so I will do a proper candy give away then, but in the mean time I would like to give away some stamped images to say thank you to my visitors and followers.

The Magnolia Vs Stampavie Challenge this week is "give a little" and I have made this folder for the challenge. I am going to fill it with a selection of stamped images and on Sunday 18th January I will draw a winner. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post to be entered for the draw, those that follow my blog will be entered for the draw twice.

Supplies:
Card/Paper: White, red and blue card, DCWV Pocket Full of Posies
Stamp: Sarah Kay Stamped Image
Colouring: Ranger Distress inks - Faded Jeans, fired brick, tattered rose, dusty concord, vintage photo, walnut stain, weathered wood
Embellishments: prima flowers, american crafts ribbon, jewels
Thanks for looking, and good luck in the draw. x

Woodware Finger Guard Paper Trimmer

Does anyone have a Woodware Finger Guard Paper Trimmer? I received one as a christmas gift, and very chuffed I was with my present. Since arriving back home and making a few cards I have noticed that it cuts wonky! At first I thought it was just me not putting the paper in straight, but after a bit of playing around I have come to the conclusion that it is the trimmer as it always veers off a straight line in the same place....much to my dismay. Has anyone else had this problem and have you been able to fix it?? Many thanks for your help! x

Better Late then Never!

Instead of taking on the task of doing a calendar all in one go, I decided back in November each month I would make a planner for the following month..... and having done this in a timely fashion for one month, I am now behind already!!!! I know we are almost half way through January, but hey.... its better late than never!!!

I followed the fab sketch from Sketch and Stash Challenge 1, and Secret Crafter Challenge 14 is anything but a card, so its perfect for that. The new stash that I have used are the image, distress inks and primas.

Supplies:
Card/Paper: Cream and lilac card, paper was a free download from Artymiss.

Stamp: Penny black, studio g
Colouring: Ranger distress inks - dusty concord, weathered wood, vintage photo, tattered rose, black soot and walnut stain.

Embellishments: Green ribbon, heart charm, prima flower, brads, jewels

Tools: Water brush

Thanks for looking x

Whiff of Joy Challenge 13

There is a fabulous sketch for the Whiff of Joy Challenge 13 and I used one of my favourite WOJ images, Willow with Cookies. Half way through doing the card I thought adding a recipe to the inside would be something different, and what could be more apt but a chocolate chip cookie recipe!!

I have my boyfriend's Mum to thank for the recipe and although I haven't actually baked them, I have tasted hers and they are yum.

Supplies:
Card/Paper: Cream & lilac card, laura ashley contemporary range
Stamp: WOJ - Willow with Cookies
Colouring - Ranger distress inks - vintage photo, dusty concord, worn lipstick, fired brick, tattered rose, weathered wood and faded jeans

Embossing: From the frills range of border embossing folders

Embellishments: Jewels

Tools: Cuttlebug, sponge, water brush, scalloped scissors

Thanks for looking. x

Simple but Cute

Morning Ladies! I have just done a simple card for two challenges today. Penny Black Challenge 30 is embossing and Cute Card Thursday Challenge 42 is to use crafty items that were a christmas prezzie!

The new items that I used were the penny black stamp, distress inks, cuttlebug and the prima flowers.

Supplies

Card/Paper: White, brown and red card

Stamp: Penny black - Minding Sheltie

Colouring: Ranger distress inks - fired brick, black soot, walnut stain, vintage photo and weathered wood.
Embossing: Paisley embossing folder

Tools: Cuttlebug, Water brush

Embellishments: Prima flowers, gold brads

Magnolia Vs Stampavie Week 8

It has taken 8 weeks but I have finally managed to enter the Magnolia Vs Stampavie challenge. This week there is a fabulous sketch to follow and you have to make a thank you card. This card took me ages and after several "mishaps" that I managed to somehow put right this is the end product.

It turned out .....MMmmm....shall we say.....a little pinker than I first anticipated, but sometimes you just have to go with the flow!! I must say a big thank you to tina (she makes wonderful cards, so check out her blog) as when I arrived back from the UK a little package was waiting for me with some ribbon, charms, spacers, stamped images and a gorgeous Christmas card.
Supplies:

Card/Paper: pink and cream card, dovecraft amethyst range

Stamps: Sarah Kay - Rose's Garden, Studio G

Colouring: Ranger distress inks - faded jeans, black soot, weathered wood, vintage photo, tattered rose and worn lipstick. Green whispers pen.

Embellishments: pink ribbon, pearl brads, metal spacer and jewels
Tools: flower punch, water brush, sponge