You're my cup of tea!

This adorable wee little mouse stamp was a birthday present from my lovely friend Squirrel...he's called 'Teacup Mouse' by High Hopes...I coloured him in weeks ago, but I've only just made him into a card. The papers are from the 'Penny Lane' glitter stack by My Mind's Eye, and a mixture of Prima flowers and paper roses from Wild Orchid Crafts. I used my EK Success 'Diamond Scallop' border punch along the bottom of the image, and made the sentiment on my computer.

Challenges for this card:

• Sketch & Stash - Sketch
• C.E.S. - Floral Frenzy
• Stamp Something - Something Cute
• Totally Stampalicious - Paper Flowers

I have candy on offer at the moment...if you haven't already entered, you can find all of the info on this post.

ABC Christmas Challenge - R is for...

It's the lovely Cathy's turn to host the ABC Christmas Challenge this fortnight, where we've reached the letter R...and the theme is:

'R is for Rudolph'

(Optional Extra to include Brads)

We are sponsored for this challenge by Wild Rose Studio...who are offering the lucky winner their choice of two of the stamps from their Christmas collection.

They provided the DT with some lovely images to work with, and I've used a cute little reindeer digi image on my card, with some glittery papers from the 'Wonderful Winter' stack by My Mind's Eye. I glittered the large brads (from Poppicrafts) using holographic embossing powder, and added a dollop of Glossy Accents to 'Rudolph's' nose...well I just had to! lol

I'm also entering this card into a few other challenges:

• Sketchy Thursday - Sketch
• Stamp Something - Digi Something
• Critter Challenge - Red & Stripes
• Sew Many Challenges - Christmas in August

For more inspiration from my fabulous DT buddies, please stop by the ABC Christmas Challenge.

Birthday Dog

This week's Penny Black Saturday Challenge theme is the colour combo of 'Red, White & Blue'...perfect for some of the other 'Patriotic' challenges around this week. I followed the sketch from Card Patterns, and used one of my all time favourite Penny Black stamps...'Birthday Dog'. The patterned paper is form the 'Off Beat' pad by BasicGrey, and I used my Cuttlebug 'Stars' folder to emboss some blue Co'redinations card, sanding the raised area to reveal the lighter coloured centre. I used my star Nesties to cut the stars, and them embossed them with my 'Swiss Dots' folder.

Other challenges entered:

• Critter Challenge - Stars (I layered up my 4 die cut stars...so I hope that counts...but there are also more stars on the embossed background)
• Raise the Bar - Colours of your flag
• Stamp Something - Colours of your flag

Introducing Penelope

I've used another of my lovely new Stampavie stamps that I won on this card...this one is called 'Penelope' by Penny Johnson. I followed the sketch from Sketch & Stash, and used papers from the '29th Street Market' collection by My Mind's Eye. The flowers are by Prima...they were originally white...but I tinted the edges with ink to match the papers.

I'm also going to enter this card into the following challenges: Corrosive's 'Flowers'; Magical Crafts 'Flower Power'; and Stamp Something's 'Something Vintage with Flowers'.

 

Lazy Days

This is another of Sunday's cards. It uses: the sketch from the Allsorts Challenge; the Penny Black Saturday Challenge 'Travel/Holidays' theme; Sketchy Colours 'Pink, Blue & Green' colour combo; and Stamp Something's 'Something Summer' theme. The image is called 'Lazy Days'...and I'm sure that most of us would love to spend our summer hols like that hedgie! The papers are from the 'Sweet Nothings' pack by Papermania, and I added some faux stitching around the edges of the little squares, as I though it sort of looked like a patchwork quilt. The little sentiment is from the 'Sending Sunshine' stamp set by Simon Says Stamp.

Up, up and away!

I followed the sketch from Paper Sundaes for this card...stretching it to make a square card...although looking at my card now...I think it would have been better left as a rectangle...don't really like all the empty space! lol The image is from the 'Bubbly' set by Penny Black, which I've coloured with watercolour pencils, and then accented the balloons with some glossy accents. The papers are from the '365 Degrees' pad by PinkPaislee, and I used my EK Success 'Scalloped Diamond' punch along the bottom.The ribbon is from Hobbycraft, and the sentiment is computer generated. I'm also going to enter this card into For Fun's 'Happy Birthday' challenge, and Stamp Something's 'Happy Somethings' challenge.

Nap Time!

I'm not really sure where the inspiration to make a new baby card came from...I don't know anybody who's expecting at the moment...but I just couldn't resist colouring this adorable wee hedgie ('Nap Time' by Penny Black). I followed the sketch from the Simon Says Stamp Challenge...and am also entering this card into a few other challenges: Penny Black Saturday - 'Flowers'; Crazy Challenge - 'Something New' (New Baby); and Stamp Something - 'Celebrate Something'. I decided to echo the polkadot pattern on the hedgie's hammock in my Cuttlebug 'Swiss Dots' embossed background, and ribbon (from Hobbycraft). The flowers are from Poppicrafts.

Fiesta

I faffed about for ages trying to get this card to work with several challenge sketches...but in the end had to admit defeat...and use my own layout. I did manage to combine a few challenge themes though: Penny Black Saturday Challenge 'Buttons'; C.R.A.F.T. 'Buttons'; and Stamp Something 'Stitching'.
The image is from the 'Wonderful' set (by Penny Black), the paper is from the 'Cupcakes' pad by BasicGrey, and the flowers & buttons are all from Poppicrafts. I distressed all of the edges, and added the faux stitching using my Cutter Bee Bug, and a white gel pen.

Crossing Bridges

It seems that blogland is trying to encourage the wintry weather to go away...with some 'Spring' themed challenges. I've used the Penny Black Saturday Challenge colour combo of 'Pink, Green and Yellow', which is also perfect for the Stamp Something 'A touch of Spring Somethings' challenge. I followed the sketch form the Sunday Sketch & Stamp Challenge to make my card. The image is 'Crossing Bridges'...and I couldn't resist adding a little dragonfly brad (by Dovecraft)...that wee mouse always looks to me like he should be looking at something! The papers are from the 'Two Scoops' pad by BasicGrey...which I've nearly finished...not to worry though...I do have a mountain of other papers! lol The ribbon and flowers are form Poppicrafts, and the sentiment stamp is from the CCSR by Papermania.

Winter Henry

I'm sorry...I know that this is my third Christmas card this week..but I don't seem to be able to stop myself! lol
This one combines: the Sketch Saturday Challenge sketch; the 'Blue & White' colour combo from Stamp Something; Susie & Vikki's Christmas Club's 'Snow' theme; Saturday Spotlight with Hidden Potential's 'Snowflakes' theme; and the Fussy & Fancy Friday Challenge's 'Winter' theme. I used 'Ice Skating Henry' by Whiff of Joy, watercolouring him to match the DCWV papers (from the 'Christmas' stack. The sentiment stamp is by Penny Black, and the snowflakes were cut using Cuttlebug dies...the larger one is an 'Ice Crystal' die cut with the tips cut off.

I don't have a card for tomorrow...but I promise I'll be back with something non-Christmassy on Saturday! lol

Bear & Robin

I've had this adorable teddy ('Bear & Robin' by Gillian Roberts) coloured since last weekend...and have finally found the time to put him on a card. I followed the fab Papertake Weekly Challenge sketch, and since I used my trusty watercolour pencils to colour the image...I'm also entering this card for the Pink Elephant's 'Favourite Colouring Medium' challenge. It also fits the 'Christmas' theme of the Creative Card Crew Challenge, and the 'Glitzy' challenge of Stamp Something. The papers are BasicGrey 'Eskimo Kisses', the snowflakes were cut using the Cuttlebug 'Ice Crystal' die...and have been coated with Glamour Dust, and I added some 'Polar White' Flowersoft to the fur trim on the teddy's hat, and on the ground beneath him to look like snow.


I've had the day off today...I've finished teaching for the term at the school I work at on Fridays...and had planned to get my Christmas shopping done...but, I've had a cough all week, which has been getting steadily worse, and now I have another stinking cold! :0(
I'm making most of my presents again this year, so there wasn't much to get...and instead of venturing out, I've been Christmas shopping from my bed...just have to wait for them to be delivered now! :0)

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.

Merry & Bright!

Yet another Christmas card from me today...I really am building up a nice stash now! :0) This one fits a few challenges: Stamp Something's 'Favourite Sketch/Layout'...this isn't from a sketch challenge...but after a quick look through my cards, found that this is the sort of layout I find myself using when I'm out of other ideas...lol; the One Stop Craft Challenge's 'Die-cuts' theme; and the 'Christmas' theme of this week's Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge. The image is from the 'Holly-Jolly' set by Penny Black and the papers are from the 'Christmas Wishes' stack by DCWV. I cut the snowflakes using a Cuttlebug die, and embossed the white panel with my 'Snow Dots' folder. The polkadot ribbon is from Hobbycraft.

Shabby Dandelion

I haven't joined in with the Just Christmas & Birthday Cards Challenge for a while...but I fell for their sketch this week, so I just had to have a play. I've made a lot of Christmas cards lately...and there are a lot of birthdays coming up next month, so I've used it to make a birthday card this time. The image is from the 'Daisy & Dandelion Birthday' set...I think it's Dandelion, but it doesn't say on the packaging. I used my favourite papers...'29th Street Market' by My Mind's Eye...apologies to my regular visitors...I know I use them a lot...but this time I have an excuse...the Stamp Something Challenge is asking us to use our favourite colours or papers this week...so I just had to! I've also gone a bit 'Shabby'...roughing up the edges with some ink and my distressing tool...so I'm also entering this card for this week's Everybody Art Challenge. I made the 'lollipop' flowers using my Nesties, added some faux-stitching around the edges of the papers, and the sentiment is a Hero Arts stamp.

Moo'd Swing

I love the name of this Whipper Snapper stamp...'Moo'd Swing'...it's just perfect for the expression on the cow's face! I hadn't inked it up in a while, but thought it would be perfect for a few challenges: I used the sketch from Sketch Saturday; the colour combination of 'Black, White & One Other Colour' of Pile It On; and Stamp Something's 'Favourite Embellishment' challenge...in my case flowers (these ones are from Poppicrafts). I used my 'Swiss Dots' folder to emboss a piece of plain white card for the background, the polkadot ribbon is from Hobbycraft, and the sentiment stamp is from the 'Fabulous Birthday' set by Hero Arts.


Edit - When I went to enter this for the Stamp Something Challenge...I discovered I'd been chosen as one of their Top 5 for last week's challenge...woo-hoo! Thanks girls!

I'll let Random.Org do it's thing, and post the winner of my candy when I get home from work this afternoon...so don't forget to come back to find out if you're the lucky winner :0)

My Favourite Snowman

I don't know what's wrong with me...this is my fifth Christmas card this week! The Stamp Something Challenge is asking us to use our 'Favourite Stamp' on our projects...now I don't have children...but I imagine that this is like being asked to choose your favourite child! lol
I decided to go with a Penny Black stamp...as they are definitely my favourite brand of stamps...and when I saw this morning's Winter Wonderland Challenge which is to use our 'Favourite Snowman'...I decided to choose 'Snowy'. I followed the Stamp with Fun sketch, using more BasicGrey 'Figgy Pudding' papers, adding a little faux-stitching detail around the edges. The sparkly snowflake brad is by Woodware, and the sentiment stamp is also by Penny Black...and as I LOVE Penny Black stamps...especially 'Snowy'...and Christmas...I'm also entering this card for this week's Penny Black Saturday Challenge...where the theme is 'Heart's Desire'.


Just a quick reminder...I have candy here if you haven't already entered :0)

Rainin' Daisies

The Everbody Art Challenge is celebrating it's first anniversary this week with a fabulous sketch. I've used it to make a 'Friendship' card to send to my swap partner over on the Docrafts forum...which also fits the themes for a couple of other challenges: the 'Friendship' challenge of Creative Inspirations; the 'Animal Somethings' of the Stamp Something Challenge; and the 'Cute & Cuddly' theme of the One Stop Craft Challenge. The image is 'Rainin' Daisies' (by Penny Black), which I've watercoloured to match these yummy '29th Street Market' papers by My Mind's Eye. The sentiment stamp is by Whiff of Joy, the flowers are from Poppicrafts, the pearl brads are by Papermania, and the ribbon, card candy, and adhesive glass squares are from my stash.

Aftermath!

I love this image ('Aftermath' by Penny Black)...I borrowed my friend Uma's stamp at the retreat last weekend to stamp a few images. I followed this week's sketch from the Inspirational Card Sketches Challenge to make a birthday card for the Stamp Something 'Birthday Somethings' challenge. The papers are from the 'Sweet Nothings' pad by Papermania, and the sentiment was a freebie with a Docrafts mag.