Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Hot Wheels!

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

'Hot Wheels'

The 'hot wheels' in my case are on a car (I was sent this image in a swap...and I think it's by Elzybels)...and I've made a car for a new driver. The papers are from the 'Offbeat' pad by BasicGrey (available here at the Secret Crafter), the flowers are from Poppicrafts, and the sentiment stamp is from the 'Sending Sunshine' set by Simon Says Stamp. 

Here's a close-up of the Glossy Accents (available here at the Secret Crafter) I added to make the car's bodywork gleam:

For more inspiration, check out the fabulous creations by my lovely Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge teamies.

Pringle

I ran out of time last week...and didn't manage to play along with the Sugar Bowl Challenge...but as luck would have it, for their new challenge, we can choose from any of their previous sketches...so I get to play along after all! So I've used Sketch 39, and there is some blue on my card (athough it looks kind of grey in the photo), so I've sort of used the theme form that challenge too. The image is 'Pringle' (by Sugar Nellie), and I used my 'Diamond Plate' and 'Spots & Dots' Cuttlebug folders for the embossing, sanding the raised areas to bring out the texture. I'm also going to enter this card into Stamp with Fun's 'Card for a Boy/Man' challenge.

Not 'Til Christmas

While I was away last weekend, I took a few images to colour...well...I go couldn't go completely cold turkey now...could I?
Anyway, I've used one of them on this card...it's called 'Not 'Til Christmas' by Penny Black. I watercoloured it to match these papers by Bo Bunny ('Tis the Season') which I bought last weekend at Penrith Crafts from the lovely Sandra...well it would have been rude not to buy anything! lol
There's not much else to it...I just inked all the edges, and added a large snowflake cut using my Cuttlebug 'Ice Crystal' die.

Of course there are some challenges:

• Papertake Weekly - 'Sketch'
• Penny Black Saturday - 'Christmas in July'
• Charisma Cardz - 'Something with a tail'
• Little Red Wagon - 'Christmas in July'
• Stamptacular Sunday - 'Christmas in July' (second entry)

ABC Christmas Challenge - P is for...

I'm back! Had a fabulous weekend...the wedding was lovely...and it was great to meet up with crafty friends again :0)

This week's ABC Christmas Challenge has been set by the lovely Jayne, and the theme is:

'P is for Presents'

with the 'optional extra' of lace

In keeping with the presents theme...we have not one, but two sponsors this week!

Beary Scrap prize - $20 voucher

AND

Stitchy Bear Stamps prize - 3 items from the Stitchy Bears Stamps Collection

How fabulous is that?!

I've used one of Stitchy's images on my card...it's called 'Joy'...and although there are no presents in the image...you just know that by morning those stockings will be stuffed full of goodies! :0)

The papers are from the 'Rose Tinted Christmas' stack by DCWV, the snowflakes were cut using a Cuttlebug die and the lace is from Wild Orchid Crafts.

I'm also going to enter this card into a few other challenges:

• Friday Sketchers - Sketch
• Stamptacular Sunday - Christmas in July
• Prairie Fairy - Lace It Up
• Wild Orchid - Lovely Lace

For more inspiration, please stop by the ABC Christmas Challenge and check out my DT buddies gorgeous cards.

Wedding Wishes

Well, this is the card I made for my lovely friend Samantha and her huband Efisio. As their wedding was yesterday, it's safe to show it on here now.

It's made entirely from plain white card (plus a few paper roses and adhesive pearls)...and I've gone Cuttlebug Crazy using the following folders: 'Swiss Dots'; 'Just My Type'; 'D'Vine Swirls'; 'Textile'; and 'Victoria'. I inked around the edges of everything with a chalk inkpad to add a bit of definition, and take the edge off the white. On the bottom part of the card, I kept the layout the same, and added my message, printed on computer, to a shape cut using Nesties. As the card is a little bulky, I made a matching box to put it in:

The design on the lid is the same as on the card...but I kept everything flat this time. I followed the sketch from Sweet Sketch Wednesday for the layout of everything...thank you it was just what I'd been looking for! I'm going to enter this into Your Next Stamp's 'Easel Card' challenge, and, because of all the texture, I'm also going to enter this card into the Creative Cottage's 'Touchy Feeling' challenge.

Well, all things being well...I should be back home tonight...so I'll catch up with you all tomorrow.

Just Cute Bears - Bear Necessities

Our theme for you this week at Just Cute Bears, is:

'Bear Necessites'

In other words, we'd like to see your 'Clean & Simple' creations.

I really love the clean & simple style, but I love my pretty papers too...and as a big fan of sketch challenges, I rarely make anything in that style myself. While I was paring everything down, I decided to be brave, and stamp my image ('Dream a Dream' by Penny Black) and sentiment (from the 'Sending Sunshine' set by Simon Says Stamp) directly on to my card blank...I've never made a single layer card before! lol After watercolouring my image, I embossed along the top and bottom of the card using one of the Cuttlebug border folders from the 'Just my Type' set, then I added a touch of colour to the raised areas using chalks.

For more 'Clean & Simple' inspiration, check out the gorgeous creations by the rest of the Just Cute Bears girls.

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Fairy Tales

Before I get on to the theme of this week's Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge, we have some sad news...Victoria is leaving our little team...we'll miss you!

It was Jane's turn to choose the theme this week, and she has chosen:

'Fairy Tales'

Now, I will admit that I've been dreading this challenge...I was sure I didn't have anything suitable amongst my stash...but after a rummage through my stamps, I discovered...'The Frog Prince'...well, actually he's supposed to be one of the 'Ten Lords a-leaping' from the '12 Days of Christmas' set by Penny Black. As the image is rather small, I decided to do something a little bit different, and have made a bookmark...perfect for keeping your place in your favourite book of Fairy Tales! lol 

I found some GIANT paperclips in the sale at WHSmith...perfect for a spot of altering...here's a photo of one next to a 'normal' paperclip to give you an idea of the size:

I cut my image out using one of my circle Nesties, and then matted that on to a shape cut using a scalloped circle Nestie (click here for the full range of Nesties available at the Secret Crafter), then sandwiched the paperclip in between another scalloped shape using some really strong glue, to make the back neat and tidy:

For more Fairy Tale inspiration, check out the gorgeous creations by the rest of the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge girls.

I'm Off!

Just a quick note to say that I'm off for a long weekend in the Lake District today. My lovely friend Samantha is getting married on Sunday...and as I'm playing my flute during the ceremony, it's knid of a working holiday! lol I'm also going to be meeting up with some of my lovely crafty buddies I met on last summer's retreat (can't believe it was nearly a year ago!) including Cathy and Uma, and some I will be meeting for the first time...although we've 'known' each other for several years...Squirrel and Carol...and I'm really looking forward to it!

I've scheduled my DT posts for the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge and the Just Cute Bears Challenge for this weekend...so I'm really hoping the Mr Blogger co-operates...if not please visit the challenge blogs for info on the challenges...and I'll have a word with him when I return! lol

Have a lovely weekend whatever you're doing...and please pray for dry weather for Sunday for us!

Welcome Party!

It's another Christmas card from me today...this one follows the sketch from the Create4Fun challenge...although I flipped it by accident...stuck the pieces of paper the wrong way round! lol
The image is 'Welcome Party' by Penny Black, and the papers are from the 'Colourful Christmas' collection by My Mind's Eye. As they're so bright and busy, I kept it really simple, just inking the edges to define the layers.

I'm also going to enter this card into a few other challenges:

• Bah! Humbug! - 'Christmas Stockings'
• Cupcake Craft - 'Cats & Dogs' (There's a mouse too...but I hope that's ok!)
• Critter Challenge - 'Christmas in July'
• Papertake Weekly -  'Cutie Patootie'

Life is a Bowl of Cherries...

It's not a card from me today, but a cute little Post It note cover.

Really very simple and quick to make...and they're great little gifts too. I've used an image from the 'Micey Nice Day' set by Penny Black and paper from the 'Lemonade' pad by BasicGrey to decorate it.

Here's a view from the side...you can just about see the Post It notes inside:

Challenges entered:

• Crafty Catz - Anything but a card
• Creative Cottage - No cards allowed
• Penny Black Saturday - Anything but a card
• Penny Black at Allsorts - A burst of summer colour
• Simon Says Stamp - Let's get fruity

Pile It On! Challenge - Banners/Pennants

The theme for this week's Pile It On! Challenge is:

'Banners/Pennants'

We are sponsored for this challenge by Bella Studio Designs, who have also provided the DT some some adorable images to use. The digi image I've used on my card is called 'Pickletoes Sunflower'. When I first saw the theme, the first thing that sprang to mind was bunting...so I've used pennants across the bottom of my card to look like a string of bunting. The papers are all from the 'Lemonade' pad by BasicGrey, and I distressed all of the edges, and added some faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug and a white gel pen. I used my Cuttlebug 'D'Vine Swirls' folder to emboss the pink strip, sanding the raised area to reveal the white core, and the sentiment stamp is from Cuddly Buddly.

Here are the other challenges that I've 'Piled On!':

• Cuttlebug Spot - Sketch (Oops missed the deadline!)

• Allsorts - Summer Days

• Craftalicious - Birthdays

• Dare U 2 Digi Stamp - Stitching

• For Fun - Favourite Colouring Medium (watercolour pencils)

• Stamp Something - Something Digital

• Stamp with Fun - Fairies (Oops missed the deadline!)

• Sweet Stampin' - Photo Inspiration

Do check out the fabulous creations by my lovely Pile It On! teamies.

Just Cute Bears - Christmas in July

The theme of this week's Just Cute Bears Challenge is:

'Christmas in July'

Well...it's never too early to get started on your Christmas cards! lol

I've used an adorable Gillian Roberts stamp called 'Teddy & Robin' on my card...watercoloured to match the 'Figgy Pudding' papers by BasicGrey. I distressed the edges, and added faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug, and a white gel pen. I couldn't resist a bit of bling, and added some adhesive gems, and some Stickles to the snow, and fur on the Teddy's hat.

I'm also going to enter this card into a few other challenges:

• Sunday Sketch & Stamp - Sketch
• Christmas Stampin' All Year Long- Bling
• Cute Card Thursday - Christmas
• Fussy & Fancy - Stitches, Scallops & Sparkle

For more Christmassy inspiration check out the fabulous cards by the rest of the Just Cute Bears design team.

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Summer Holidays

This week it's my turn to set the theme for the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge...and to celebrate the fact that I have no more school until September...I've chosen:

'Summer Holidays'

I've made a step card, creating a beach scene. The image is 'Deckchair Dreaming' (by Lili of the Valley)...which is how I would love to spend my summer holiday...if only the weather would oblige! lol All of the cardstock I've used is from the 'Whitewash' Core'Dinations pack...although I've only shown the reverse so you can't see the 'whitewash' bit...but the colours were just perfect for what I wanted! To create some texture, I've used my Cuttblebug 'Tiny Bubbles' folder on the 'sand', and 'D'Vine Swirls' folder (available here at the Secret Crafter) for the sea...then I rubbed a Versamark inkpad (available here at the Secret Crafter) over the raised bits, and embossed with white powder for the 'foam'. I used one of my scalloped Nesties (available here at the Secret Crafter) for the 'sun', and the cloud was hand drawn.

My lovely Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge teamies have created some gorgeous cards to inspire you this week...so please pay them a visit.

In the Garden...

I've used another of the gorgeous Stampavie stamps ('Olivia & her kittens Kiki & Sugar' by Sarah Kay) I won a while back on this card...I thought it was just perfect for the 'In the Garden' challenges that are around this week: Cuttlebug; Papertake Weekly; and Truly Scrumptious, where it's the optional extra, to go with the lovely sketch. The papers are from the 'Lemonade' pad by BasicGrey, and I embossed the yellow one with my Cuttlebug 'Stylized Flowers' folder. The sentiment stamp is from the CCSR set by Papermania, and the flowers are a mixture of Petaloo, Prima and Wild Orchid Crafts. I'm also going to enter this card into the following challenges: BasicGrey 'Gingham'; Wild Orchid Crafts 'Say it with Flowers'; and Your Next Stamp 'Flower Power'.

I Baked a Cake!

Well...actually I didn't....but that's what this adorable Lili of the Valley image is called! lol
The paper is Bo Bunny 'Back to Basics', the sentiment stamp is from the 'Fabulous Birthday' set by Hero Arts, and the spotty ribbon is from Hobbycraft. I followed the sketch from the Lili of the Valley Challenge, and am also entering this card into a few other challenges: C.R.A.F.T. - 'Cakes/Ice cream'; Raise the Bar - 'Baked Goodies'; and Pollycraft - 'Bold & Bright'.

ABC Christmas Challenge - O is for...

Wow - we had a record number of entries for our 'N is for Noel' challenge...and it was great to see some new 'faces' join us too! :0)

The theme for this fortnight's ABC Christmas Challenge has been set by the lovely Annie...and she has chosen:

'O is for Ornaments'

Optional extra of shine/gloss

Our sponsor for this challenge is Simon Says Stamp...and the fabby prize is a $15 gift certificate for their store!

Whilst looking through my stash for inspiration...I discovered I had several suitable stamps and images...but I just couldn't resist Henry (by Whiff of Joy). I coloured him with watercolour pencils, then added Glossy Accents to the ornament. The paper is by Sandylion - my Mum found it along with some others, and a few rubber stamps in a charity shop last week...thanks Mum! I distressed the edges, and added some faux stitching, and a few adhesive gems. The large snowflake was cut using my Cuttlebug 'Ice Crystal' die, then coated with glamour dust.

Here's a close-up of the glossy ornament:

I'm also going to enter this card into a couple of other challenges:

• Christmas Stampin' All Year Long - Free Challenge
• Corrosive - Sketch
• Magical Crafts - Christmas In July

The rest of the design team, and our lovely guest designers, have created some gorgeous cards...so please stop by the ABC Christmas Challenge to see.

Pretty in Pink!

I'm not quite sure how this card ended up being so pink...it's not a colour I like very much...and I had intended to make a card with lots of summery colours...but just couldn't get the papers to match...and before I knew it...it was all pink! lol
I followed the sketch from the Penny Black Saturday Challenge, using 'Xmouse Ornament' (replacing the snowflake with a paper flower). The papers are all from the 'Ooh La La (for Her)' collection by My Minds Eye, and I distressed the edges, and added some faux stitching to the top layers. The raffia lace is from Hobbycraft, the grosgrain ribbon (threaded through the raffia lace) and flowers are from Poppicrafts. I couldn't find a sentiment stamp the right size, so I replaced it with a few pieces of Craftwork Cards card candy.

I'm also going to enter this card into the following challenges:

• Incy Wincy Designs - 'Distress It'
• One Stop Craft - 'Monochromatic'
• Paper Sundaes - 'Lots of Layers'

'Twas the Night Before Christmas...

I don't know what's wrong with me...this is the third post in a row that's been a Christmas card! This one is a cute little easel card made with my Nesties. The image is from the 'Christmas Critters' set by Penny Black,  the paper is from the 'Wonderful Winter' glitter pad by My Mind's Eye, and I used my Nesties to cut the stars.

Challenges for this card:

• Sketch & Stash - Sketch & Circle Shaped Card
• Creative Card Crew - Die Cuts
• Little Rad Wagon - Nestabilities
• Winter Wonderland - 'Twas the Night Before Christmas...