Yet more Christmas cards...

Well, all good things must come to an end...it's back to school tomorrow, but before I get back into work mode, here are a few more cards I made yesterday.
The first is using a Forever Friends image I got sent in a swap, with a sentiment stamp from a set by Studio G:


The image on this one is called 'Winter Pup' by Hero Arts - I've decoupaged his head, but you can't see that very well in the photo, and the green paper has been embossed with the 'Swiss Dots' folder:

The last one has a Penny Black image from the set 'Christmas Critters':

All patterned papers are from the 'Christmas Wishes' stack by DCWV, and the circles and ovals were cut using Nesties.

Cuttlebug Challenge #5

This is the first time I've made a card for this challenge, but as I've got a bit more time to craft this week, I thought I'd give it a go. The challenge this week is to create a project embossing on a metallic finish - perfect for yet another Christmas card! I've used two embossing folders on this card: 'Swiss Dots' on the pearlised blue backing paper, and 'Snowflakes' on the metallic silver paper. The text paper is by DCWV (from the 'Christmas' stack), the sentiment stamp is by Three Bugs in a Rug, and the main image is from the Penny Black 'Christmas Critters' set.
The card was tricky to photograph because of all the shiny paper...but at least it clearly shows the embossing!
If you're a Cuttlebug fan, and haven't seen this challenge before, have a look here for some fabulous projects and great ideas of new ways of using your bug.

Cupcake Craft Challenge 11

I had to laugh when I first saw the theme for this week's challenge - 'There's a hole in my bucket', but it's gave me an opportunity to try out using my Nesties to make an aperture card...something I've been meaning to do since I got them. I had to keep the front of the card quite simple, as I had to attach the paper before I made the aperture - there was no way I'd have lined up all the holes if I'd tried to add it afterwards! The main image is one of last years 'Christmas Critters' by Penny Black, the paper is by DCWV ('Christmas' stack), the letters were cut using the Cuttlebug 'Olivia' alphabet, and the sequins are from a pack that came with a Hero Arts clear stamp set. It was quite difficult to get a good photo of the card, but I think you can just about see through the aperture into the card in this one.

Mojo Monday #58

This is the first time I've made a card for Mojo Monday, but as it's half-term (yippee!), I have a bit more time to craft. I've stretched the sketch to make a square card, but have left it quite simple, as I'm trying to keep some of my Christmas cards flat for posting!
I've used another Penny Black stamp ('Reindeer Pup') for my main image, and papers by DCWV from 'Christmas Wishes' and last year's 'Christmas' stacks. The sentiment stamp is by Three Bugs in a Rug.

Papertake Weekly Challenge with A Spoon Full of Sugar

I've combined DawnyP's first sketch for Papertake Weekly (great job Dawny!) with the theme of 'Sparkle & Bling' over on the Spoon Full of Sugar challenge. It's a lovely sketch, and worked perfectly with one of the papers from DCWV's 'Rose Tinted Christmas' stack, as the sentiment is already printed on the paper. I've used my Penny Black 'Snowy' again, mounted on silver mirri card, some sparkly Papermania tinsel trim (free with the latest Docrafts mag), and three small gems, for a bit more bling!

Friday Sketchers #24 meets Pauline's Blog Candy Party

I love the sketch for this week's challenge - it's really simple and uncluttered...just my style! I've used it to make celebration card for my friend Pauline's Blog Candy Party, that she's having to celebrate 5000 hits - congratulations Pauline! If you haven't seen the yummy candy that she's got on offer (including some gorgeous Penny Black stamps!) there's still time for you to join the party and make a card, as it's open 'til November 9th.
The image I've used is one by Penny Black ('Kickin'') that was gifted to me by my lovely friend Karen. The papers are by Papermania ('Sweet Nothings'), the green panel of card was embossed with the Cuttlebug 'D'Vine Swirls' folder the sentiment stamp (stamped in two sections) is from a clear set ('Anytime Messages') by Hero Arts, and flowers are all by Prima - the large pink one with text on was sent to me by Pauline in a gorgeous friendship card a few months ago.

Secret Craft Saturday Challenge #4

There's a fab sketch by Donna for this week's challenge - I can see myself using this one again! I've used a Forever Friends image that I was sent in a swap, and some more of the yummy DCWV 'Christmas Wishes' papers in traditional Christmas colours. The sentiment stamp is from a set by Three Bugs in a Rug, and the gold trim across the bottom of the card was a freebie with the new edition of Docrafts Creativity.

One Stop Craft Challenge #1

A new challenge blog started this weekend, called the One Stop Craft Challenge - if you haven't seen it yet, do pop over for a look. The first challenge is a fab sketch by one of my blogging buddies Sharon. As I'm in Christmas mode, I've used a Penny Black stamp ('Bedecked Antlers') for my main image, and combined it with some more of my new DCWV 'Christmas Wishes' papers. I decided not to include an additional sentiment on my card as one of the papers I'd used already has text on. This was a lovely sketch to work with...I really like the way the diagonal breaks up the card - well done Sharon!

Sketch Saturday Challenge #22

I thought I'd use this sketch for another Christmas card...well it is less than two months away now! lol

I've used a Penny Black stamped image ('Candle-Lit Night') that I was sent in a swap with my lovely friend Samantha. I've combined him with some papers from the DCWV 'Christmas Wishes' that I bought yesterday, and a sentiment stamp by Studio G. I've stuck quite closely to the sketch, but I did add some brads to the corners.

Penny Black Saturday Challenge 20

The theme for this week's Penny Black Challenge 'Bump in the Night' was a really tough one for me, as I don't have any Penny Black Halloween stamps, or even any that might be considered 'spooky'! I'm also away from home this week, and only have limited stash with me, so I had to get really creative with this one! After a quick rummage through the stamps and images I'd brought with me, I carefully stamped this little fella (from the 'Critter Party' set) masking off his rose, then added a hand-drawn broom, and a witches hat.
As I didn't have any suitable papers, I've used a combination of plain coloured cardstock (the green embossed with the 'Tiny Bubbles' embossing folder) in Halloween type colours, finished off with a piece of bright orange ribbon, and some die-cut letters to spell out a greeting.
I know that he's not exactly 'scary', and that I've had to doctor the image a bit, but hopefully this counts!

Another Happy Autumn Award!

Wow - I can't believe it, but I've just been given another Happy Autumn award by one of my new blogging buddies Caroline. Like me, she's quite new to blogging, so do pop over to her lovely blog if you've not already visited.

As I've recently passed this award on to six of my favourite bloggers, I'm going to nominate ALL of you, who take the time to visit my blog - you all brighten my day with your lovely comments...so Happy Autumn everyone!

Birthday card for my Nan

This card is for my Nan's birthday, which is not 'til next month, but I like to be organised...anyway I'm going for a visit at the weekend, and I'd much rather hand-deliver cards than entrust their safe transit to the Royal Mail! I've used one of my current favourite stamps (from the 'Critter Party' transparent set by Penny Black) for the main image, and have gone a bit 'spotty' mad with some gorgeous Flora Doodles, spotty ribbon (I think it's from Hobbycraft), and my trusty 'Swiss Dots' embossing folder. I've embossed the sentiment (stamp by Hero Arts) in copper to match the browns I've used on this card.The colour combination is a new one for me, but I rather like it...honestly it's not as bright in real life, but the weather the last couple of days has been so dull, the light's been rubbish for taking photographs!

Cheesecake Parade!

My Mum has asked me to make a card for her to give my Nan for her Birthday next month.
She had mentioned a few Penny Black stamps that she particularly liked, as well as mauve/purple colours, and she wanted it to have the word 'Mum' on it.
I chose the 'Cheesecake Parade' stamp - I don't actually own this stamp, but had an image left from a swap a while ago with my friend Samantha. I cut the letters using the Cuttlebug 'Olivia' alphabet, the sentiment stamp (which reads 'have a fabulous birthday') is by Hero Arts, and the floral backing paper is from the 'Pocket full of posies' mat stack by DCWV. I've used the 'Swiss Dots' border embossing folder along the edge of the plain cardstock, and a few small Prima flowers to finish it off.



Now I need to go and make the card from me, and put the finishing touches to my present as I'm taking them with me when I go for a visit next week...

Happy Autumn Award

I've just been given this award by the lovely Tracie...and was just the thing to brighten up this dull Sunday! Thanks Tracie!

I'd love to pass this award on to all my blogging buddies, but the deal is that I can only pass it on to six friends...so here goes:

Pauline
Lorraine
Samantha
Mand
Jo
Sharon

Happy Autumn Girls!

Sketch Saturday Challenge #21

I've stepped out of my comfort zone a little with this card, and have used a gorgeous Sugar Nellie stamped image ('Reflective') sent to me by the lovely Cathy. The papers I've used are by K&Co, and I've torn them using a tearing ruler by Fiskars, to soften the edges. I stamped some flourishes using stamps by Hero Arts ('Fantastic Flourishes') in the corners as I felt it was looking a little plain. The silk flowers are by Papermania.

Papertake Weekly Challenge meets Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge

I just love the sketch for this week's Papertake Challenge by the wonderful Katharina. I've decided to make another Christmas card with it, and have combined it with the theme for this week's Secret Crafter Challenge of 'Blue, White and a little bit of Snowflake!'

The stamp I've used is another by Penny Black 'Ice Dance', the papers are from the 'Christmas' stack by DCWV, I embossed the strip of pearlised paper with the Cuttlebug 'Snowflakes' embossing folder, and the sentiment stamp (embossed in white) is by Three Bugs in a Rug.

Penny Black Saturday Challenge 19

This week's Penny Black Challenge is to make an ATC. Now it's been ages since I made one of these, and I was initially a bit stumped by the lack of space to work with. After a quick rummage through my 'small' stamps, I decided upon this little cutie (from the 'Twelve Days of Christmas' transparent set). I've combined him with papers from the DCWV 'Christmas' stack, and a couple of Prima flowers. I stamped the sentiment using tiny alphabet stamps by Studio G.


I had thought that I'd mount this on to a card, but in keeping with the spirit of ATCs, I've decided to swap him...so if anyone would like to offer him a good home, let me know!

Friday Sketchers #23

I've just found the card I made on Saturday for this week's Friday Sketchers challenge...I'd put it 'somewhere safe' while the glitter dried, and forgot about it!

It took me ages to decide what to do with this sketch...I'm not sure why, as I really like the combination of different shapes.

I've used stamps from the 'Cupcakes' clear set by Hero Arts (topped with a button for a cherry), combined with cupcake backing papers from the 'Sweet Nothings' pack by Papermania. I've embossed the plain cardstock with my 'Swiss Dots' folder, and all of the shapes were cut using Nestabilities...what DID I do before I got my Cuttlebug???

A Couple More Quick Christmas Cards

I've been having another play with some of my Christmas stash today, and made a couple more simple Christmas cards. On the first I've used one of the stamps from the 'Christmas Critters' set by Penny Black and paper from the DCWV Christmas stack. The sentiment stamp is also by Penny Black and I cut the ovals with my new Nesties.


I used more DCWV 'Christmas Stack' papers on the second card, with a stamp by Anita's.

I'm going to need to keep making a couple a week if I'm going to get all my Christmas cards done in time!