Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Seasons

The theme for this week's Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge as chosen by Donna is:

'Seasons'

You can either interpret this as one season, or as all four seasons. After weeks and weeks of making lots of frosty looking cards...I decided to choose the fresher colours of 'Spring' for my card. Inspired by this week's weather...I've used 'Willow with Umbrella' (by Whiff of Joy) to represent 'April showers'. I watercoloured her in shades of blue & green to match the watery looking paper (from the 'Phoebe' collection by BasicGrey). I embossed the central panel using my 'Tiny Bubbles' folder, and added a couple of Prima flowers, adhesive pearls and a sentiment (stamp also by Whiff of Joy).

As usual the rest of the design team have worked their magic, and created some fabulous samples to inspire you...so make sure you pop over to the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge blog.

Ice Skating Henry

Well, after a busy weekend, trying to get my DT stuff for the next couple of weeks sorted out, and putting the finishing touches to my Nan's 90th Birthday presents and wrapping...as it's her birthday this Sunday, and I'm heading home for the weekend for the party...so no crafting for me...I have managed to squeeze in another card that fits the themes of a few challenges.
I used my new 'Ice Skating Henry Mouse' image (kindly sent to me by my lovely friend Samantha)...which is perfect for the 'New or Neglected' challenge of the Creative Inspirations Challenge. I followed the sketch from Inspirational Card Sketches and used the colour combination of 'Blue, Silver & White' of Colour Create. The Everybody Art Challenge wanted to see 'Distressing', so I used my distressing tool and inks to distress the edges of the papers, and the Cupcake Craft Challenge has the theme of 'Snow Much Fun' this week...so I used my Cuttlebug 'Snowflakes' folder, and 'Ice Crystal' and 'Snowflakes' dies to cut out a few snowflakes.

ABC Challenge - H is for...

The theme for this fortnight's challenge on the ABC Challenge blog is:

H is for 'Hidden'

We'd like to see a hidden message or element on your cards and projects...the design team have come up with some ingenious designs this week...so do make sure you go and take a look.

I decided to make a 'Joy fold' card...concealing my message in a flap secured with ribbon on the front of the card. The cute kitty is from the 'Christmas Critters' set by Penny Black...and to go with the holly on his head, I just had to use this gorgeous holly patterned paper from the 'Eskimo Kisses' pad by BasicGrey.

Here's a view of my hidden sentiment (a Paper Make-Up stamp) on more of the BG paper:

Altered Photo Frame

I won a gift certificate for My Creative Classroom, on the Cupcake Craft Challenge a few weeks ago...and I chose to use it for the '10 Quick & Easy Teacher Gifts' course...as I thought it might give me some ideas for Christmas presents. The course stared last week, and the first project was a decorated photo frame. I used one of the new Bare Basics frames by Papermania, and covered it with some My Mind's Eye '29th Street Market' paper, painting the edges with some co-ordinating acrylic paint. I added a butterfly that I'd stamped and embossed using a stamp from the CCSR by Papermania, on some foam pads, and a trail of adhesive pearls.
I'm going to enter this into the Pollycraft Challenge, where the theme is 'No Cards Allowed' this fortnight.


I've got quite a few other gift-type projects on the go at the moment...so I won't be blogging as much in the run up to Christmas...I don't want to spoil the surprise for any of the recipients...but I'll try and find the time to join in a few challenges..there's no way I can go 'cold turkey'! lol

Poppy Fields

I had a little play yesterday with one the Sugar Nellie's I won...and used my new stamp ('Poppy Fields') to make a card following the Sketch & Stash Challenge sketch. I'm also entering this card for some of the 'Thank You' themed challenges around this week: Cuttlebug Challenges; Cuttlebug Spot; Simon Says Stamp Challenge; and (I'm not sure if I've got this in in time...but they haven't put up the new challenge yet...) Pile It On. The poppy paper was a RAK from my lovely ABC DT buddy Fiona, so I'm not sure who it's by, but it was a perfect match for the image. I embossed the plain card with my 'Perfect Paisley' and 'Victoria' embossing folders. The sentiment stamp is by Hero Arts (from the 'Anytime Messages' set), the teeny brads are from Poppicrafts, and I distressed all of the edges, and added some faux-stitching using a white gel pen.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

When I saw that the theme for this week's Penny Black Saturday Challenge was 'Song Titles/Lyrics'...my initial reaction was 'Eeeek!'...but after a rootle through my box of images, I found this fabby little mouse...called 'Let it Snow'....problem solved! lol
I followed the Mojo Monday sketch, making an A5 sized card to give me room for the sentiment (also a Penny Black stamp). For the bakcground, I embossed the reverse sides of two pieces of My Mind's Eye '29th Street Market' papers using my 'Swiss Dots' and 'Snowflakes' folders...sanding to reveal the detail. I used my new Cuttlebug snowflake die...it's spritzed with 'Shimmerz' (in Baby's Breath).
I'm also going to enter this card for the Crafty Calendar Challenge...where the theme for this month is 'Weather'.

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Easel Card

It's Gina's turn to set the challenge for this week's Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge...and she has chosen the theme of:

'Easel Cards'

I've seen loads of these all over blogland lately...and had been meaning to have a go at one, so this was just the push I needed. I followed the instructions I found on this blog...adjusting the measurements to make a 5 3/4 inch card. I've made my card for my parents' golden retriever, Cassie (she's on the left in my profile picture), who will be celebrating reaching the grand old age of 13 (that's 91 in dog years!) in two weeks' time. So, obviously I had to go with a 'doggy' theme...although I'm sure she'll be more interested in carrying around the empty envelope, than in the card! lol

The image is 'Circus Act' by Penny Black, and the papers are from the 'Cupcakes' pad by BasicGrey...the light blue one has been embossed with the 'Swiss Dots' Cuttlebug folder, and I stamped 'muddy' paw prints across the orange piece. The 'Happy Birthday' is from the 'Anytime Messages' set, and the 'Here Comes Trouble' and 'Paw Prints' stamps are from the 'I Love My Dog' set, both by Hero Arts. I cut out Cassie's name using the Cuttlebug 'Olivia' alphabet, added a few buttons, and tied a bow using some 'bone' print organza ribbon to hold the card front in place.

The card was really easy to make...I'll definitely be having another go...especially after seeing the gorgeous cards that the rest of the design team have created!

Sugar Rush!!!

Look what I got in the post today:


Six lovely Sugar Nellie stamps!!! I won a 'Birthday Goodie Bag' on the Sugar Nellie blog last week...and never imagined that there would be this many stamps in it...and I don't already have any of them (although some have been on my 'wish list'! lol)...thank you SO much Karen! I can't wait to have a play this weekend! ;0)

A Christmas Wish

Now, you're probably beginning to think that all of my cards are a bit similar lately...and it's true, I've been using a lot of white recently...but I just had to join in with the 'White on White' theme of this week's Penny Black Saturday Challenge. I followed the sketch from the Create4Fun Challenge, using an image from the 'Holly Jolly' clear stamp set, which I coloured using watercolour pencils, adding some 'Polar White' Flowersoft 'snow'. I embossed the background with my 'Swiss Dots' and 'Snowflakes' folders, distressing the edges to add some definition between the layers. The snowflakes were cut using a Cuttlebug dies, the sentiment stamp is by Pollycraft, and the ribbon is from Poppicrafts.

Cute & Fuzzy Christmas

This is the last of the cards I made during my very productive half-term break last week. I won't have much to show you this week...I spent nearly all weekend trying to catch up with all of the work I should have been doing while I was crafting up a storm! lol
This card uses the sketch from the Just Christmas & Birthdays Challenge...and I'm also entering it for the 'Cute & Fuzzy' challenge over at Stamp Something. I've gone for another 'all white' embossed background...using my 'Swiss Dots' and Snowflakes' Cuttlebug folders. The image is from the 'Christmas Critters' set by Penny Black...I highlighted the candlelight and gold lantern using a Sakura Stardust pen...and added some 'Polar White' Flowersoft on the ground beneath the mice to look like snow...it's the first time Ive used it, and I really like the effect...so no doubt you'll be seeing it lots! lol The sentiment stamp is also Penny Black, and the ribbon is by Anita's.

Henry Christ-Mouse!

This gorgeous image 'Henry Mouse with Christmas Bauble' by Whiff of Joy was sent to me by my lovely friend Kaz - thank you...I love him! *U*
I followed the Midnight Madness sketch...stretching it to make a square card. I decided to go with an all white background, using my Cuttlebug 'Swiss Dots', 'Snowflakes' and 'Snow Dots' folders for some texture...perfect for the Charisma Cardz 'No Patterned Papers' challenge. I added some sparkly ribbon, and used a Sakura stardust pen on the little snowflakes (cut using a Cuttlebug die) and on Henry's bauble...and some Stickles on the fur on his hat...so I'm also entering this card for the Simon Says Stamp 'All that sparkles' challenge.

Christmas Angel

There's a fab sketch for this week's Cupcake Craft Challenge...I've combined it with the Whiff of Joy Challenge colour combination of 'Red, Cream and One Other Colour'...in my case Gold. I've used 'Confrimand Melinda' as a Christmas angel with papers by BasicGrey (from the 'Figgy Pudding' collection). The snowflakes were cut using a Cuttlebug die. As this card has an 'old fashioned' sort of feel, I'm also entering it for the 'Vintage' challenge over at Our Creative Corner.

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Hallow'een

As the witching hour is nearly upon us...the theme for this week's Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge, chosen by Jane is:

'Hallow'een'

I've used 'Cow Emma' (by C.C.Designs), coloured with watercolour pencils...as it's the only Hallow'een stamp I own! lol
For the background, I embossed some plain card using the 'Skeleton Scrolls', 'Tiny Bubbles' and 'D'Vine Swirls' Cuttlebug folders, then distressed the edges using ink. I made the little pumpkin using an oval Nestie, layering three orange ovals to make the pumpkin shape, and a cutting into a green one to make the top...and I couldn't resist adding some googly eyes! lol The idea for the pumpkin was 'borrowed' from my friend Samantha...I've sent this card to her...so I hope that she doesn't mind too much! :0)


Make sure you pay the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge a visit for some 'spooktacular' inspiration! ;0)

Furry Christmas

I'm still in Christmas card mode...have got loads done this half term...nearly enough...then I just need to get cracking with the presents! lol
This card uses the Lili of the Valley Challenge sketch...which I rotated...and I'm also entering it for the Allsorts Challenge, where the theme this week is 'Furry Friends'. The image is 'Christmas Teddy - Little Star', and the papers and diecut snowflake are all from the BasicGrey 'Figgy Pudding' collection.

My Favourite Things...

There's a fab sketch for this week's Inspirational Card Sketches Challenge...which I combined with the themes of a few other challenges: Daring Cardmakers and Cuttlebug Challenges 'My Favourite Things (I'll put a list at the end of this post); Our Creative Corner's 'Favourite Holiday Book/Movie' (in my case it's 'The Snowman'); and Papertake Weekly's 'Spots 'n' Stripes' challenge. I used 'Snowy' by Penny Black, watercolouring him to match the My Mind's Eye '29th Street Market' papers...and I couldn't resist adding some glitter to the fur on his hat. I used my 'Swiss Dots' folder on the reverse of the paper for the strip along the top. The ribbon is from Poppicrafts, the sentiment stamp is by Three Bugs in a Rug, and the snowflakes were cut using a Cuttlebug die.


My Favourite Things:

1. Christmas Cards
2. Sketch Challenges
   
3. Penny Black stamps (especially 'Snowy')
4. My Mind's Eye '29th Street Market' papers
5. Ribbon
6. Cuttlebug 'Swiss Dots' folder
7. Nesties - what would we do without them???
   
8. Cuttlebug 'Snowflakes' die
9. Stickles Glitter Glue
10. Three Bugs in a Rug Christmas sentiment stamp - I've used these loads this year!
    

Ice Dance Dog

My lovely friend Cathy created the sketch for this fortnight's Dutch Dare Challenge...so I just had to have a go - thanks Cathy...it's fab! :0)
I've flipped it to create a Christmas card, which I'm also entering in the Winter Wonderland's 'Open Theme' challenge. The image is 'Ice Dance Dog' by Penny Black, the papers are '29th Street Market' by My Mind's Eye...not meant for Christmas, but I think the frosty colours work. I embossed two pieces on the reverse side using my Cuttlebug 'Snowflakes' and 'Snow Dots' folders, then sanded them to reveal the white core. I then distressed all of the edges, and added some adhesive pearls and organza ribbon from my stash. The snowflakes were cut using a Cuttlebug die.

ABC Challenge - G is for...

We've got a colour challenge for you this fortnight at the ABC Challenge:

'G is for Green'

There's a fab prize on offer for the lucky winner, from our sponsor Ribbon Oasis, of a collection of gorgeous green ribbons:

For my card, I've used a mixture of soft pastel greens, with papers from the '29th Street Market' collection by My Mind's Eye. I used both sides of the papers, embossing the plain side of one with my Cuttlebug 'Victoria' folder, then sanding it to reveal the white core. The image is 'Teddy Bear' by Sugar Nellie, the flowers are from Poppicrafts, and the brads are by Dovecraft. I distressed the all of the edges, then added some faux-stitching around the edges of the papers.


The rest of the design team have created some really inspirational projects this week...so make sure you take a look at the ABC Challenge blog.

White Christmas

I love this week's Friday Sketchers Challenge sketch...I'm sure it will be one I'll use again and again. I combined it with the Colour Create Challenge to make an 'All White' card...although we are allowed to use colour on the image. I've used a Lili of the Valley stamp ('Christmas Bunnies - Robin')...coloured with watercolour pencils...with a touch of glitter on the fur and snow. For the background, I've used my 'Swiss Dots', 'Snowflakes' and 'Snow Dots' Cuttlebug folders on plain white card, distressing the edges to add definition to the layers. Because of all of the embossed snowflakes, I'm also going to enter his card for the Creative Card Crew's 'Snowflakes' challenge. The ribbon is from Poppicrafts.

Magical Christmas

I've used this fortnight's Sugar Bowl Challenge sketch to make a Christmas card...using 'Little Star'. I watercoloured her to match the BasicGrey 'Figgy Pudding' papers. The sentiment stamp is by Three Bugs in a Rug, the snowflakes were cut using a Cuttlebug die, and the lace is from Hobbycraft.

Get Well Soon!

There's yet another fab sketch for this week's Papertake Weekly Challenge...with the perfect shape to fit 'Boo Boo Bear' (by Whipper Snapper)...so I just had to make a 'Get Well Soon' card for the Simon Says Stamp Challenge. The papers are My Mind's Eye ('Adore'), the sentiment stamp is from the CCSR set by Papermania, the flowers are from Poppicrafts, and the crocheted ribbon is from my stash.

It's Behind You!

I've managed a personal best of 10 challenges on this card...mainly because there are so many 'Hallow'een' themed ones this week: Creative Inspirations; Cupcake Craft; Everybody Art; My Time to Craft; Penny Black Saturday; Stamp Something; Stamp with Fun; Stampavie & More; and Stampin' for the Weekend. I also followed the sketch from A Spoon Full of Sugar...although I did cheat and use a circle instead of a square for my image.
As I don't have any Penny Black 'Hallow'een' stamps...I used 'Totally Excited'...as I thought that the chicken has a sort of 'scared' and 'surprised' look about him! lol The orange paper is from the 'Bloom & Grow' pad by My Mind's Eye, and I used my Nesties to cut out some circles for the googly eyes to peer out from. I used the Cuttlebug 'Olivia alphabet to cut out the sentiment.

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Orange +

It's Cathy's turn to set the theme for this week's Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge...and she has chosen:

'Orange...plus one other colour'

Eeek! Orange is not a colour I feel entirely comfortable with...although I have used it a couple of times recently...and it is beginning to grow on me. I've teamed it with turquoise to make a boy's birthday card. The image is 'Birthday Monkeys' (by Rachelle Anne Miller for Stampavie), and the DCWV cardstock has been embossed using the 'Swiss Dots', 'Stars' and 'Happy Birthday' Cuttlebug folders, then sanded to reveal the white core.

Really looking forward to seeing what colour combinations you come up with...and don't forget to check out the fabulous cards by the other DT members on the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge blog.

Snuggle

I've used the other of the new stamps I won in Elaine's WCMD candy for this fortnight's Sketch & Stash Challenge...'Hope & Grace - Snuggle' (by The Greeting Farm). I've combined it with the 'Autumn Colours' theme of this week's Anyone for Anya Challenge, and the 'Baby's & Children's Cards' theme of the Creative Card Crew Challenge...I'm going to send this card to one of the Post Pals children. The papers are by My Mind's Eye ('Bloom & Grow', and the flowers & brads are from Poppicrafts.

Stocking Full of Bunnies

When I saw the 'Christmas Stocking' theme for this week's Winter Wonderland challenge...I knew straight away that I just had to use this cute Lili of the Valley stamp. I followed the Friday Sketchers sketch, and used the BasicGrey Challenge colour combination of 'Green, Red & Blue'. The papers, and the diecut star are all from the BasicGrey 'Figgy Pudding' collection pack.

Christmas Pringle

There's another fab sketch over at the Sugar Bowl Challenge...coupled with a 'Christmas' theme...how could I resist??? I decided to use 'Pringle'...and some gorgeous BasicGrey 'Figgy Pudding' papers. The sentiment stamp is by Three Bugs in a Rug, and the snowflakes were cut using a Cuttlebug die.