It's a white-out...

No...not the weather...we haven't had any snow here in London...yet...I'm talking about my card...which is for the Charisma Cardz 'White on White' challenge. I followed the sketch from the Create4Fun Challenge...rotating it to fit the hearts...which also means this card fits the Fussy & Fancy 'Hearts' challenge. I've made a Wedding card...keeping it really simple, with plain white card embossed using my Cuttlebug 'D'Vine Swirls', 'Swiss Dots' and 'Textile' folders to create some texture. The ovals were cut using my Nesties, and the hearts were made using the Cuttlebug 'Concentric Hearts' die. I lightly distressed the edges of all of the layers, to add definition...although it doesn't show up too well in the photo.

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Hearts

This week's Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge theme has been chosen by the Secret Crafter herself...the lovely Wendy...and she wants to see:

'Hearts'

I received this adorable 'Henry Hugging Heart' image (by Whiff of Joy) from my lovely friend Samantha...and I knew I had just had to use him for this card. The hearts paper is by My Mind's Eye ('Adore'), I cut the Hearts using the Cuttlebug 'Concentric Hearts' die, and used my Cuttlebug 'Victoria' folder and 'Textile' folders for the embossing. The sentiment stamp is by Cuddly Buddly, and the roses are from Hobbycraft.

The rest of the design team have created some really beautiful cards this week...so do pop over to the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge blog to take a look.

Swirly Girly

I haven't played along at he Truly Scrumptious Challenge for a while..but I do like a bit of stitching (which is the added extra this time)...so I thought I'd have a go. I've combined it with the Just Cute Bears first challenge theme of 'One for the Girls'...the Allsorts Challenge of 'Hearts & Flowers' and Crazy4Challenges 'Pretty in Pink' theme. My 'cute bear' is Penny Black 'Dream a Dream'...and the papers are by BasicGrey - the pink one from the 'Blush' collection, and the aqua coloured one is from the 'Two Scoops' pad. I used my Cuttlebug 'D'Vine Swirls' folder for the embossing, sanding the raised areas to reveal the detail. I distressed the edges of all the papers, added some faux stitching with my Cutterbee Bug and a white gel pen, and a couple of Prima flowers.

Snuggle

I dug out some of my older papers last weekend...the ones on this card are from the 'Two Scoops' pad by BasicGrey. I followed the sketch from Stampin' for the Weekend...and managed to include the themes from a couple of other challenges too: Anyone for Anya's 'Hearts'; and A Spoon Full of Sugar's 'Freestyle'. The image is 'Hope & Grace - Snuggle' by The Greeting Farm...and I used my Cuttlebug 'D'Vine Swirls' folder for the embossing...which I then lightly sanded to bring out the detail. The ribbon is from Poppicrafts, and the hearts were cut using the Cuttlebug 'Concentric Hearts' die.

ABC Christmas Challenge - C is for...

It's Cathy's turn to host the ABC Christmas Challenge...where the theme is:

'C is for Candy'

...and she has chosen 'Pink' as her extra element...you can use as much...or as little pink as you like...

My 'candy' is on the backing papers (from the 'Rose Tinted Christmas' stack by DCWV)...I've tried to hide most of the pink paper (not my favourite colour! lol). The image is 'Bedecked Antlers' by Penny Black...and the sentiment stamp is by Cuddly Buddly. I used the Cuttlebug 'Ice Crystal' die to make the snowflake.

Please stop by the ABC Christmas Challenge blog to check out the fab cards made by the rest of the design team...including Jan, Jane and Vicky, who are leaving us after this challenge...which means we are also having a DT call with this fortnight's challenge...so if you're interested in joining our team...you'll find all the info about that there too.

Dexter the Bear

This fortnight's Sugar Bowl Challenge is right up my street...a fab sketch with lots of layers for using lots of lovely papers...with the extra challenge of 'Distressing'...something I've been going a bit mad with lately! lol
I've used 'Dexter the Bear' to make a baby boy card...watercolouring him to match these 'Baby Bee' papers by Crate Paper. I embossed the reverse side of some of the papers using the 'Diamond Plate' and 'Spots & Dots' folders...sanding to reveal the detail...then I distressed all of the edges using my distressing tool.

When Life Gives You Lemons...

...Make Lemonade!


One of my friends has been feeling a bit down lately...so I've made her this card to let her know I'm there for her. I couldn't resist colouring this gorgeous image ('Make Lemonade' by Penny Black)...it's been in my box of stamped images for so long, that I can't who sent it to me...but it was just perfect for the 'Something Sweet' theme of this week's Penny Black Saturday Challenge.
I followed last week's Friday Sketchers sketch...didn't realise it was last week's 'til I started writing this post and went to get the photo to add! lol
I've managed to find some other challenges to enter it into...so it's not a lost cause!
Charisma Cardz wants us to use 'Fruity Colours'...my papers remind me of strawberries and lemons...the BasicGrey Challenge is to use 'Animals' on our cards...Saturday Spotlight with Hidden Potential (where I was last week's lucky winner - have received some fab digi stamps as my prize - thank you!) wants us to 'Let the Sunshine in!'...and Pile it On is asking for 'Warm Wishes'...I hope my 'summery' colours count!

The papers are by BasicGrey (from the 'Lemonade' and 'Two Scoops' pads)...and I used my Cuttlebug 'Swiss Dots' folder to emboss the yellow one, the flowers are by Prima, and I added some faux stitching with a white gel pen, after distressing all of the edges.

Birthday Ruffles

This card combines the sketch from Carol's Sketch Fun (so pleased it's back, as I love Carol's sketches!) and the 'Lots of Layers' challenge from A Spoon Full of Sugar. The image is 'Ruffles with Present' by Helz Cuppleditch (for Stampavie). I decided not to use patterned papers for once...and used my Cuttlebug to emboss plain green and blue card...with the 'Swiss Dots', 'Spots & Dots' and 'Moroccan Screen' folders. I distressed all of the edges, added a Cuddly Buddly sentiment, and a few pieces of card candy.

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Colour Theme

This week for the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge...Donna has chosen a colour theme...with a photo to inspire you.

Taking inspiration from the colours from the cushions...I coloured my Miss Anya image to match the My Mind's Eye '29th Street Market' paper. I used my Cuttlebug 'Victoria' folder to emboss the green paper, sanding the raised pattern to emulate the pattern on the curtains. I added a few pieces of card candy, and some grosgrain ribbon to finish the card.


The rest of the design team has come up with some gorgeous creations this week...so make sure you check them out at the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge.

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

ABC Challenge - M is for...

Wow!!! How much did you all enjoy our 'L is for Layers' challenge...we had a record 402 entries...it's a wonder Mr Linky didn't go into meltdown! lol
I do hope that some of you will join us for our new ABC Challenge...which is:

'M is for Masking'

We'd like to see you using the masking technique with your stamps. If you're not sure what that is...or want some hints and tips...our lovely DT member Vicky has a tutorial here on her blog. I'd never tried masking before...and I will admit that I was a little bit scared...but it's really rather easy once you try! :0)

I started my card by stamping 'Snowy' (by Penny Black) on to a piece of card, and then again on to post-it note. I then cut out the image on the post-it note...keeping as close to the outline as I dare. I covered the image on the card with the cut out post-it note image, and then stamped the Hero Arts 'Swirl Tree' so that it overlapped Snowy...and would appear as if he was standing in front of it when the post-it note was removed. I then used a thin black marker to extend the line of snow underneath the tree. I coloured the image with watercolour pencils, and added some Stickles to the baubles on the tree, and the fur on Snowy's hat. As the image is rather large, I've kept the rest of the card very simple...allowing it to be the main feature. The papers are from the 'Colourful Christmas' collection by My Mind's Eye.

The Design Team have created some stunning masked creations this week...so make sure you stop by the ABC Challenge for some more inspiration.

Whiff of Joy Guest Designer Call

Katharina is holding a Guest Designer Call for Whiff of Joy stamps...with a fab sketch for us to use...how could I resist???
For my card, I used 'Matthew with Present'...combined with My Mind's Eye papers from the 'Adore' range. I distressed all of the edges, and added a few Prima flowers, Papermania pearl brads, and some grosgrain ribbon.


You can find all of the information about the Guest Designer call here on Katharina's blog.

Wishlist Mouse...

I managed to find a little time yesterday to have a go at a couple of challenge cards once I'd got my DT stuff for the week done & dusted...
This one combines the sketch from Quixotic Challenges, with the Penny Black Saturday Challenge colour combo of 'Blue, Cream & Gold'. I don't very often use gold...it's not a colour I like very much...on cards or even jewellery...but when I do use it, it's usually on a Christmas card...so that's what I've made. I used this wee mouse form the Penny Black 'Christmas Critters' set with his letter to Father Christmouse...awwww how sweet! The spotty paper is K&Co ('Blue Awning'), and I used my Cuttlebug 'D'Vine Swirls' (on the gold card) and 'Victoria' (on the cream card) folders. The sentiment stamp is by Paper Make-Up, and I inked the edges of the papers with gold pigment ink, then embossed them with clear embossing powder.

Well, so far I'm managing to keep up with my plan to make at least one Christmas card a week...this is my third...and I have another to show you later in the week. I noticed a 'Christmas card tally' on someone's blog whilst blog-hopping the other day...a great idea to keep track...so I think I'll add one to mine too! :0)

Ryan's Chocolate Trouble!

This week's Allsorts Challenge theme is one of my favourite colour combinations...'Brown & Pink'...so I just had to make a card for it. I followed the sketch from Get Sketchy, and have also included the Wags 'N Whiskers Challenge theme of 'Hearts' on my card. I've used 'Ryan's Chocolate Trouble' (by Wags 'N Whiskers) which I was lucky to receive from Lacey, when she sponsored one of the ABC Challenges...and watercoloured him to match the BasicGrey 'Bittersweet' and 'Sultry' papers. I used my Cuttlebug 'D'Vine Swirls' folder to emboss the pink paper and inked all of the edges with a chalk inkpad. The flowers are from Poppicrafts, the sentiment stamp is Cuddly Buddly, and the card candy is by Craftwork Cards.

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Musical

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

'Musical'

Now, despite what I do for a living...I could only find one suitable stamp in my collection...'Carolers' by Penny Black...although I've got them signing 'Happy Birthday'. I used some more of my new My Mind's Eye 'Ooh La La (for Him)' papers, inking the edges to make the layers stand out, and added a computer generated sentiment.

As always, make sure you visit the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge blog to check the fabulous cards by the rest of the design team.

Ooh La La!

This is my second card for this week's Penny Black Saturday Challenge...I told you I'd have to have a go at the other sketch! lol
I've also managed to make this card fit some other challenge themes: Pink Elephant 'Birthdays'; Creative Inspirations (Sunday) 'Distressing'; Creative Inspirations (Wednesday) 'New Year, New Stash'; and Charisma Cardz 'Anything New'. My 'new' items are the gorgeous My Mind's Eye 'Ooh La La (for Him)' papers...another of my post-Christmas sales purchases...
I've used them with an image form the Penny Black 'Hugs' set, a Hero Arts sentiment stamp, some Prima flowers, and some ribbon from Poppicrafts. I distressed the edges of all the papers, and added some faux stitching with a white gel pen.

Girly Birthday

This is another of the cards I made during my craft-a-thon last weekend...this time it's for the following challenges: Totally Gorjuss (lovely sketch!); Cupcake Craft ('Girly'); and Crazy4Challenges ('Birthday'). The image is 'Teddy Bear' (by Sugar Nellie), and the papers are from the 'Colourful Christmas' collection by My Mind's Eye...see I told you they're not just for Christmas! ;0)
I distressed all of the edges, and added some faux stitching with a white gel pen. The flowers & ribbon are from Poppicrafts, and the sentiment is a Hero Arts stamp (from the 'Cupcakes' set).

ABC Christmas Challenge - B is for...

Wow - it was lovely to see so many of you joining in with our first ABC Christmas Challenge! Just think how organised you'll be next Christmas if you join in every challenge! :0)
This week it's my turn to set the challenge, and I've chosen:

'B is for Bells'

With an extra little challenge to include 'Glitter'...now we all love a bit of sparkle, so that should be easy-peasy! :0)

For my card I've used a cute Penny Black hedgie stamp from the 'Christmas Critters' set, and watercoloured it to match these DCWV papers ( from the 'Christmas' stack). The sentiment stamp is from a little set by Studio G, and the dinky little bells (hanging from the snowflake) are from Hobbycraft. I added glitter glue to the snowflake (cut using the Cuttlebug 'Ice Crystal' die), and also to the snow and fur trim on the hedgie's hats...although I couldn't get it to show up too well in the photos.

Do make sure you check out the fab creations by the rest of the DT over on the ABC Christmas Challenge blog...including the lovely Lols, who has agreed to join us permanently...yay! And if the thought of being nicely prepared for next Christmas isn't enough incentive for you to join in the ABC Christmas fun...we have a fabulous prize up for grabs...a $15 shopping spree at:

Woo-hoo! So what are you waiting for???

Hot Chocolate Henry

Yes...I'm making an early start on my Christmas cards again this year...making at least one card a week worked so well last year...I ended up with some cards left over! lol
I'd used up most of my Christmas papers...so I had a bit of a splurge on some in the post-Christmas sales...well, I had to make sure I'd have enough to last 'til Christmas! ;0)
This combines quite a few challenges: the fab sketch from the Allsorts Challenge; the colour combo of 'Aqua & Red' from the Whiff of Joy Challenge; the 'Hot Chocolate' theme of the Simon Says Stamp and Quixotic challenges; Stamp with Fun's 'Snowflakes' theme; and Cute Card Thursday's 'All New' challenge.
I used 'Henry Mouse with Hot Chocolate' (by Whiff of Joy)...and was very brave, and cut into some of my new My Mind's Eye 'Colourful Christmas' papers...love the zingy colours on these...and they don't just have to used for Christmas either...I used some on a birthday card yesterday too...but you'll have to wait until later in the week to see that. I distressed all of the edges, and added some faux stitching too. The snowflakes were cut using a Cuttlebug die, and I couldn't resist adding some card candy in the corners.


I'll be back with another Christmas card tomorrow...with my DT card for the second ABC Christmas Challenge...if you haven't joined in with our first challenge...'A for Angels'...and our 'Say No' candy...it's not too late...but you'll have to be quick!