Merry & Bright

I have another Christmas card to share today...made using a large sentiment from a Colorado Craft Company set that I got recently from a charity shop. I stamped it onto watercolour paper using Versamark ink, then heat embossed it using 'Metallic Gold' embossing powder from WOW. I stamped some foliage and berries around the edge using stamps from the 'Sketchy Pure Branch' set by Woodware Stamps, and Distress Inks...'Rustic Wilderness' for the greenery, and 'Festive Berries' for the berries. I matted it onto some red card before adding it to a DL card blank.

Challenges for this card:

• Allsorts - Christmas
• C.R.A.F.T. - Christmas
• Creative Knockouts - Time to be Merry
• Krafty Chicks - Christmas
• Merry Little Christmas - Anything Christmas Goes

ABC Christmas Challenge - W & X for for?

We have a fun new ABC Christmas Challenge starting today...Fabiola is the host, and the themes are:

'W is for Wings'

&

'X is for X-Stitch'

(Any kind of stitching will do)

This is the prize for the lucky winner:

A $30 Gift Card for your favourite craft store!

For my 'Wings' card, I picked a Penny Black chicken stamp called 'Carolers'. I stamped it directly onto a white card blank, added a sentiment using a stamp from the 'Scribbly Christmas' set by Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous, then coloured it using watercolour pencils.

For my 'X-Stitch' card, I used a Stampavie stamp called 'Xmas Puppies'. I stamped it onto some watercolour paper, added a sentiment using stamps from the 'Christmas Hats' set by Anita Jeram for the Colorado Craft Company, then coloured it using watercolour pencils...this card is destined for a friend with two Cockapoos, so I've coloured the pups to match her two dogs. I used a piece of patterned paper from the 'Merry & Bright' pad by Craft Sensations for the background, and added two different types of stitching using my CutterBee Bugs and a black gel pen. I matted the layers onto some red card, then added it all to a white card blank.

I'm also entering these cards into the following challenges:

• Allsorts - Christmas (Second card only)
• Aud Sentiments - Glitter and/or Christmas and a Sentiment (First card only)
• Stamping Sensations - Christmas (First card only)
• Time Out - Favourite Holiday - Christmas! (Second card only)
• We Love Stamping - Christmas (Second card only)

For more inspiration from my lovely DT buddies, please pop over to the ABC Christmas Challenge.

Expressive Poppies

Today's card features a poppy stamp from Penny Black called 'Expressive'. I stamped it onto black card using Versamark ink, then heat embossed it using 'Metallic Gold' embossing powder form WOW. I added a sentiment, using a stamp from the 'Sketched Flowers' set by Simon Says Stamp, embossing it in gold to match, then painted the flowers using Cosmic Shimmers mica pigments mixed with a little water. I matted it onto some gold mirror card, then added it to a white card blank.

Challenges for this card:

• Allsorts - Anything Goes
• Fab 'N' Funky - Clean & Simple
• Just Us Girls - Anything Goes
• Simon Says Stamp (Wednesdays) - Thinking of You
• Sweet Stampin' - Red for Remembrance

Sweet Snowman

Today's card features a cute Penny Black stamp called 'Sweet Snowman'. I stamped him onto watercolour paper, extended the snowy ground to the edges, then coloured him using watercolour pencils. I added a sentiment using a stamp from the 'Scribbly Christmas' set by Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous, then carefully around the top of the image. I layered it over  piece of 'snowy' paper (from the 'Fresh Florals' pad by Craft Sensations), then matted it onto some purple card before adding it to a card blank.

Challenges for this card:

• C.R.A.F.T. - Christmas
• Creative Inspirations - Wrapped Up in Winter
• Moving Along with the Times - Winter Wonderland
• Peace on Earth Christmas - Anything Christmas Goes
• Polkadoodles - Anything Goes
• Stamping Sensations - Christmas
• The Holly & the Ivy - Anything Goes
• We Love Stamping - Christmas

Autumn Owls

I've an Autumnal birthday card to share today...made using a Rachelle Anne Miller owl stamp from a set called 'Wise Words'. I stamped it onto watercolour paper, along with a sentiment using a stamp from the 'Birthday Buddies' set by Paper Smooches, then coloured it using watercolour pencils. The papers are from an unbranded set that I got for my birthday a few months ago...I distressed all of the edges, matting the layers on some red card, then added faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug and black and white gel pens.

Challenges for this card:

• Allsorts - Autumn Colours
• Creative Fingers - Anything Goes
• Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes
• Love Those Pretty Papers - Forest Creatures
• Penny's Paper Crafty - Anything Goes
• Sparkles Forum - Autumn Leaves/Pumpkins
• The Sisterhood of Crafters - Anything Fall

November Desk Calendar

Today I'm sharing the page for November in my desk calendar. I picked a pup in cosy footwear called 'Fetching Slippers' by Penny Black, stamped him onto a snippet of watercolour paper, coloured him using watercolour pencils, then carefully cut him out. I used snippets of paper from the 'Fresh Florals' pad by Craft Sensations and 'Tea House' pad by Dovecraft for the background...it was supposed to look like wallpaper and carpet, but now I'm looking at it on a screen, it looks like he could be out in the garden!

Challenges for this calendar:

• As You Like It - Your Favourite Critter (Dogs, specifically Golden Retrievers - my family had several of them when I was growing up)
• Creative Fingers - Anything Goes
• Polkadoodles - Anything Goes
• Simon Says Stamp (Wednesdays) - Anything Goes

PBSC November - Anything Goes (Optional 'Music')

It's the first Saturday of the month, so that means it's time for a new Penny Black Saturday Challenge...where the theme is:

'Anything Goes'

or

'Music'

We are currently without a sponsor, so this challenge is just for fun.

I have a fair few musical critter stamps from Penny Black, and picked 'Marching Band' to use on my card. I stamped it onto a piece of watercolour paper, then added a sentiment using an unbranded stamp that I picked up in a charity shop last week. I coloured the image using watercolour pencils, then added some more musical notes using a black pen. I matted it onto some red card, distressing the edges a little, then added it to a kraft DL card blank.

I'm also entering this card into the following challenges:

• Allsorts - Anything Goes
• Creative Fingers - Anything Goes
• Krafty Chicks - Anything Goes
• Simon Says Stamp (Wednesdays) - Anything Goes

For more inspiration from my lovely DT buddies, please pop over to the Penny Black Saturday Challenge.

Vampire Cat Treat Bag

Today, I'm sharing one last Halloween treat bag...this time the critter is from the Penny Black 'Be Very Scared!' set. I stamped him onto a snippet of watercolour paper, coloured him using watercolour pencils, then used one of my Nesties to cut out the circle shape. I paired it with papers from the Glitz 'Raven' pad (the black one), and snippets from a pad from The Works (the purple one), and Mind's Eye 'Boo to You!' collection. I matted all of the layers onto snippets of black card...cutting the scalloped circle using another Nestie die, then added it to a kraft gift bag.

Challenges for this treat bag:

• Allsorts - Autumn Colours
• Crafty Catz - Halloween
• Creative Knockouts - Halloween or Fall
• Everybody Art - Orange/Black and/or Halloween
• Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes
• Pixie's Snippets Playground - Use Snippets
• Simon Says Stamp (Wednesdays) - Anything Goes
• Stamps + Fun = Creativity - Purple/Black and/or Halloween
• Sweet Stampin' - Halloween/Colours of Halloween

Navy & Silver Snowflakes

Today's card features a sentiment stamp from a Colorado Craft Company set that I picked up in a charity shop last week. I stamped it onto navy card using Versamark ink, then heat embossed it using metallic silver embossing powder from WOW. I stamped snowflakes around the edge using stamps from the 'Snowflake Edges' set by Simon Says Stamp, embossing them in silver to match. I matted it onto some silver mirror card, then added it to a white card blank.

I'm also entering this card into the following challenges:

• 52 Christmas Card Throwdown - Quick Cards
• Allsorts - Anything Goes
• Creative Fingers - Anything Goes
• Jingle Belles - Snow
• Penny's Paper Crafty - Anything Goes
• Rudolph Days - Anything Christmas Goes
• Simon Says Stamp (Wednesdays) - Clean & Simple

Together

Today's card features a lovely Penny Black floral stamp called 'Together'. I inked it up using Distress Inks ('Uncharted Marine', 'Dusty Concord' and 'Rustic Wilderness'), spritzed it with a little water, then stamped it onto watercolour paper. I added a sentiment using one of the stamps from the 'Sketched Flowers' set by Simon Says Stamp, then distressed the edges a little before adding it to a kraft card blank.

Challenges for this card:

• Beautiful Blossoms - Anything Goes
• Creatalicious - Anything Goes
• Elliebelle's Crafty Wednesday - Anything Goes
• Seize the Birthday - Anything Birthday Goes
• Simon Says Stamp (Wednesdays) - Clean & Simple

Brightest Xmas

I have a Christmas card to share today...featuring a cute Penny Black chicken stamp called 'Brightest Xmas'. I stamped it directly onto a kraft card blank, added a sentiment using one of the stamps from the 'Scribbly Christmas' set by Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous, then coloured it using watercolour pencils.

Challenges for this card:

• CAS on Friday - Feathers
• Creative Fingers - Anything Goes
• Fab 'N' Funky - Things with Wings
• Simon Says Stamp (Wednesdays) - Clean & Simple
• The Holly & the Ivy - Anything Christmas Goes

The Cat in the Hat Treat Bag

I have another Halloween treat bag to share today...featuring one of the critters from the 'Spooky!' set by Penny Black. I stamped it onto watercolour paper, coloured it using watercolour pencils, then used one of my Nesties to cut out the circle shape. The background papers are a mixture of Carta Bella 'Spooky' (the black & white striped on), Taylored Expressions 'Hocus Pocus' (the jars of goodies) and the purple one is from an unnamed pad from The Works. I distressed the edges, then added faux stitching using my CitterBee Bug and a black gel pen. I matted the image onto a scalloped circle cut from black card using another Nestie die, then matted the other layers onto more black card before adding it to the kraft bag.

Challenges for this treat bag:

• A Perfect Time to Craft - Anything Goes
• Allsorts - Anything Goes
• Crafts Galore Encore - Anything Goes
• Gem of a Challenge - Anything Goes
• Sweet Stampin' - Inspired by a Book/Song/Film ('The Cat in the Hat' by Dr Seuss)

Winter Friend

I have a Christmas card to share today, made using stamps from the 'Snow Bunnies' set by Anita Jeram for the Colorado Craft Company. I stamped the image onto watercolour paper, added one of the sentiments from the set, then extended the snowy ground to the edges using a black gel pen. I coloured the image using watercolour pencils, then carefully cut around the top of the image. For the background, I embossed a piece of watercolour effect paper, from the 'Mystery Marbles' pad by Craft Sensations, using an old Cuttlebug embossing folder, then lightly sanded over the raised areas before layering the image on top. I matted it onto some navy card, then added it to a white card blank.

Challenges for this card:

• Allsorts - Anything Goes
• Can You Handle the Pressure - Anything Goes
• Christmas Kickstart - Snow Alert
• Crafty Catz - Anything Goes (Optional 'Embossing')
• Creative Fingers - Anything Goes
• Peace on Earth Christmas - Anything Christmas Goes
• Polkadoodles - Anything Goes
• Simon Says Stamp (Wednesdays) - Getting Ready for Christmas

PBSC October - Anything Goes (Optional 'Too Cute to Spook!')...More Inspiration!

It's the third Saturday of the month, so that means it's time for some more inspiration for this month's Penny Black Saturday Challenge...where the theme is:

'Anything Goes'

or

'Too Cute to Spook!'

We're currently without a sponsor, so this challenge is just for fun.

I decorated another Halloween treat bag...and this time used one of the critters from the 'Be Very Scared!' set. I stamped him onto watercolour paper, coloured him using watercolour pencils, then used one of my Nesties to cut the circle shape. The papers are a mixture of Carta Bella 'Spooky' (the ghosts), unbranded (the cobwebs) and a pad from The Works (spotty). I distressed the edges, then added some faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug and a black gel pen. I matted all the layers onto black card, cutting a scalloped circle using another Nestie die, before adding it to a kraft gift bag.

I'm also entering this treat bag into the following challenges:

• C.R.A.F.T. - Halloween
• Crafty Gals Corner - Spooky...
• Gem of a Challenge - Anything Goes
• I Spy with My Little Eye - Something Spooky
• Stamping Sensations - Autumn
• We Love Stamping - Anything Autumn

For more inspiration from my lovely DT buddies, please pop over to the Penny Black Saturday Challenge.

A Wish & a Kiss

I have another Christmas card to share today...featuring a cute Penny Black image called 'A Wish and a Kiss'. I stamped him onto watercolour paper, coloured him using watercolour pencils, then used one of my Nesties to cut out the circle shape. I paired it with papers from the 'Santa's List' pad by Kaisercraft...distressing the edges, and adding some faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug and a black gel pen. I matted the image onto a scalloped circle cut from red card using another Nestie, then matted it all onto some more red card before adding it to a white card blank.

Challenges for this card:

• Allsorts - Traditional Christmas Colours
• Crafter's Cafe - Christmas
• Creative Moments - Things with Wings
• Gem of a Challenge - Anything Goes
• Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes
• Peace on Earth Christmas - Anything Christmas Goes
• Penny's Paper Crafty - Anything Goes
• Polkadoodles - Anything Goes
• Simon Says Stamp (Wednesdays) - Get Ready for Christmas

Birthday Fishes

Today's card features the fish from the Paper Smooches 'Birthday Buddies' set. I stamped him a few times onto a snippet of watercolour paper, coloured them using watercolour pencils, then carefully cut them out. I added a sentiment, using stamps from the same set, then popped the fish onto the card using 3D foam pads.

Challenges for this card:

• AAA Cards - Anything CAS
• Gem of a Challenge - Anything Goes
• Pixie's Snippets Playground - Use Snippets
• Polkadoodles - Anything Goes
• Seize the Birthday - Splish Splash

 

Pink Christmas

I have a very pink Christmas card to share today...that features one of the cute bears from the 'Beary Merry Christmas' set by Funky Fossil. I stamped him onto watercolour paper, coloured him using watercolour pencils, then carefully cut around the top of the image. I layered it onto a piece of pink snowy paper from the 'Snowscape' pad by Woodware, then added a sentiment using one of the stamps from the same set. I matted it onto a piece of pink card, then added it to a white card blank.

Challenges for this card:

• 2 Crafty Critter Crazies - Anything Goes
• Addicted to CAS - Sweater
• As You Like It - Favourite Card Shape, Square or Not? (Square for me...often with another square on top! There's plenty of space for larger images, and they also look good when used for a more empty CAS style)
• Crafty Chicks - Christmas
• Creative Knockouts - Outside Fun
• Inkspirational - Seasonal
• Jingle Belles - Pink Christmas
• Simon Says Stamp (Mondays) - Think Pink
• Simon Says Stamp (Wednesdays) - Bright & Colourful
• The Holly & the Ivy - Anything Christmas Goes

Count Catular Treat Bag

I have another Halloween treat bag to share today...featuring a critter from the Penny Black 'Spooky' set. I stamped him onto watercolour paper, coloured him using watercolour pencils, then cut out the circle shape using one of my Nesties. I used papers from a pad from The Works for the background...distressing the edges a little, and adding some faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug and a black gel pen. I matted it all onto some black card...with a scalloped circle mat for the image cut using another Nestie, then added it all to a kraft gift bag.

Challenges for this treat bag:

• Crafty Calendar - Halloween
• Just Us Girls - Halloween
• Little Red Wagon - Halloween
• Love Those Pretty Papers - Halloween Colours
• Polkadoodles - Anything Goes
• Stamping Sensations - Autumn
• We Love Stamping - Autumn

ABC Christmas Challenge - U & V are for?

We have a fun new ABC Christmas Challenge starting today...Carol is the host, and the themes are:

'U is for Uncluttered (CAS)'

&

'V is for Vertical'

This is the prize for the lucky winner:

For my 'Uncluttered' card, I picked a cute House Mouse image from an old Joanna Sheen set called 'Christmas Opening Presents'. I stamped it onto a piece of smooth white card, along with a sentiment using a stamp from the 'Scribbly Christmas' set by Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous, then coloured it using watercolour pencils. I matted it onto some red card, distressing the edges, then added it to a white card blank.

For my 'Vertical' card, I used a Christmas tree stamp from a Woodware set called 'Trimming the Tree'. I stamped it onto a DL card blank, using Versamark ink, then heat embossed it using 'Metallic Silver' embossing powder from WOW. I watercoloured it using Cosmic Shimmers pigments mixed with a little water.

It's really shiny in real life, which means it's a pain to get a decent photo of...but here's another angle:

I'm also entering these cards into the following challenges:

• Allsorts - Woodland Critters (First card only)
• Crafty Catz - Anything Goes (Second card only)
• House Mouse & Friends - Anything Goes (Optional 'Food') (First card only)
• Sparkles Forum Christmas - Non-traditional Christmas Colours (Second card only)
• Sweet Stampin' - Feature a Sentiment (First card only)

For more inspiration from my lovely DT buddies, please pop over to the ABC Christmas Challenge.

Burst into Bloom

Today's card features an old Woodware stamp called 'Burst into Bloom'. I stamped it directly onto a kraft card blank, along with a sentiment (using a stamp from the 'Signature Greetings' set by Memory Box), then coloured it using watercolour pencils.

Challenges for this card:

• C.R.A.F.T. - Anything Goes
• Crafter's Cafe - Floral
• Krafty Chicks - Birthday
• Seize the Birthday - Anything Birthday Goes
• The Flower Challenge - Add Purple

PBSC October - Anything Goes (Optional 'Too Cute to Spook!')

It's the first Saturday of the month, so that means it's time for a new Penny Black Saturday Challenge...where the theme is:

'Anything Goes'

or

'Too Cute to Spook!'

We are currently without a sponsor, so this challenge is just for fun.

I picked one of the cute critters from the 'Be Very Scared' set to decorate a Halloween treat bag. I stamped it onto watercolour paper, coloured it using watercolour pencils, then cut out the circle shape using one of my Nesties. The papers are from a pad from The Works...I distressed the edges, then added some faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug and a black gel pen. I matted the image onto a scalloped circle cut using another Nestie, then matted it all onto some black card before adding it to a kraft gift bag.

Challenges for this bag:

• Allsorts - Anything Goes
• Crafty Animals - Anything Goes
• Creative Fingers - Anything Goes
• Creative Inspirations - Autumn/Something Spooky
• Stamps + Fun = Creativity - Animals

For more inspiration from my lovely DT buddies, please pop over to the Penny Black Saturday Challenge.