My 1000th Post!

When I first started my blog about two and a half years ago, I didn't realise just how addicted I'd become to it...I post a card most days now, and this is my 1000th post!!!

So, to celebrate, I'm going to put a few bits and pieces together for a mini candy...but I've not been organised enought to have done that yet, so the lucky winner will receive a 'mystery' parcel...but who doesn't like surprises??? So, if you'd like to be included in the draw, please pop the photo above in your sidebar, along with a link back to me, and add your name to the linky widget at the bottom of this post. I'll use choose the random winner on Friday April 8th.

Ok, so on to my card...I've used one of my favourite Penny Black stamps...'Dream a Dream'. which I coloured using watercolour pencils. The papers are all from the 'Marjolaine' pad by BasicGrey, and I disressed all of the edges using my distressing tool. The embossing was done using my Cuttlebug 'Kassie's Brocade' folder, and the blue & white string is recycled from my flatmate's weekly veg box!

Challenges for this card:

• BasicGrey - Recycling (the string is recycled from an Abel & Cole veg box)
• Dutch Dare - Distressing
• Fuzzy Wuzzy - Sketch
• Penny Black Saturday - Recycling (the string is recycled from an Abel & Cole veg box)

ABC Christmas Challenge - G is for...

It's Jayne's turn to host the ABC Christmas Challenge this time, and the theme is:

'G is for Girly'

She's come up with a fabulous colour combination to use too:

Our sponsor for this challenge is Crafty Emma's Store:

The Prize is a £10.00 Voucher off any order at Emma's store.

 For my card, I;ve used one of the Wild Rose Studio Fairies, that Emma stocks, called 'Ella with Flowers', which I coloured using watercolour pencils, and then used a Sakura Stardust pen to add some shimmer to her wings. The papers are from the 'Penny Lane' glitter pad by My Mind's Eye, and I matted them on to some silver mirror card. The flowers are from Kort & Godt, and the sparkly silver brads in their centres are by American Crafts.

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

• Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas - Square Cards
• For Fun - Christmas
• One Stop Craft - Angels & Fairies

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

Cuttlebug Spot - Oh So Soft

This is the last of our embellishment challenges over at the Cuttlebug Spot, and the theme is:

'Oh So Soft'

We'd like to see you using felt on your projects.

I've used another of my new Lili of the Valley stamps on my card...'Good Luck Cats'...so cute! I coloured it with watercolour pencils, to match the BasicGrey 'Marjolaine' papers. I embossed one of the papers with my 'Perfect Paisley' Cuttlebug folder, as I haven't used it in a while, and added a Wild Rose Studio sentiment - the only one that I could find in my stash that says 'Good Luck'! The seam binding ribbon is from Wild Orchid Crafts, and the felt flowers (which match the colours of the papers much better in real life!) are from an embellishment pack by Making Memories. I distressed all of the edges using my distressing tool.

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

• Sweet Stop - Sketch
• Creative Fridays - Embossing

This is my last challenge with the Cuttlebug Spot...in fact it's the last Cuttlebug Spot challenge, for a few months at least...the blog will stay open, so you'll still be able to be inspired by our past challenges, and I hope you'll join in with the challenges again (I know I will) when it returns refreshed.

Tissue Flower

I've definitley been bitten by the Less is More bug...and this week they have a fab sketch for us to follow. As soon as I saw it I knew I wanted to use a flower as the focal point, but couldn't find any big enough amongst my stash so I made one. I used my 'Blossom' Nesties on white tissue paper, cutting several of each size so that I could layer them up. I scrunched them all up a bit, then gathered them together with a brad. I used my Cuttlebug 'Swiss Dots' folder for the embossing, and my EK Success 'Scalloped Diamonds' punch (covering up the diamonds) for the black border. The sentiment is from the 'Heartfelt Messages' set by Hero Arts, which I got for the bargainous price of £2.99 in the Hobbycraft New Year sale. 

Here's a close-up of the flower:

Challenges for this card:

• Less is More - Sketch
• Creative Inspirations (Wednesdays) - Not Square
• For Fun - Flowers & Sentiments

Pile It On! Challenge - Cutie Patootie

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

'Cutie Patootie'

It couldn't be simpler...just include something cute on your project.

We are sponsored for this challenge by AiFactory, and the prize is 3 digi images.

I've used a cute bunny, just right for Easter, called 'Hunny Bunny' (by Whipper Snapper), which I coloured using watercolour pencils, and then cut out using my Nesties. The papers are from the 'Hippity Hoppity' Scrapbook pad by We R Memory Keepers, the flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts, the brads are BasicGrey, and the ribbon is from my stash.

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

• Pile It On! - Cutie Patootie
• CES - Die Cut Crazy (I cut out the image & mat using my Nesties)
• Creative Stamp Friends - Spring
• Digi Doodles - Ribbon & Bows
• Dutch Dare - Celebrations (Easter)
• Prairie Fairy - Spring
• Scrapbook Sisters - Anything Goes
• Sew Many - Spring
• Stamp Something - Spring
• Stamp with Fun - Spring
• Totally Gorjuss - Spring
• Totally Papercrafts - Cute & Cuddly

For more inspiration, please check out the fabulously cute samples by my lovely Pile It On! DT buddies.

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Christmas in Spring

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

'Christmas in Spring'

Perfect for those of you (like me!) trying to get ahead by making Christmas cards all year round.

As it's the last challenge of the month, it's your last chance to be included for the draw for the prize from our fabulous sponsor The Stamping Boutique.

I've used  a stamp from the 'Jolly Friends' set by Penny Black, which I coloured using watercolour pencils, and then used 'Crystal' Stickles (available here at the Secret Crafter) to add some sparkle. The papers are by My Mind's Eye from the 'Colourful Christmas' and '29th Street Market' collections, and I used my distressing tool to rough up the edges before adding some faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug and a white gel pen. The sentiment stamp is also by Penny Black, and the snowflakes were cut using Marianne Creatables dies (available here at the Secret Crafter).

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

• Cute Card Thursday - Sketch
• Crafty Creations - Stitching
• PaperPlay - Distresssing

For more inspiration from my lovely DT buddies, please visit the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge.

Gift Wrapped

Another bright card today...I've used one of my other new Lili of the Valley stamps 'Gift Wrapped' on this one, which I coloured using watercolour pencils to match the 'Hippity Hoppity' papers by We R Memory Keepers. I used my EK Success 'Scalloped Diamonds' punch for the border along the checked paper (although I covered up the diamond bit), added some Wild Orchid Crafts flowers, and a sentiment form the Hero Arts 'Cupcakes' set...oh and a few pieces of Card Candy.

Challenges for this card:

• Card Making Mamas - Animals
• Everybody Art - Happy Birthday
• Flutterby - Open Theme 
• Lili of the Valley - Punch It 
• Little Red Wagon - Butterflies
• Sketch & Stash - Sketch (My new stash is the adorable LotV stamp)
• Wild Orchid Carfts - Dies & Punches

ABC Christmas Challenge - F is for...

I've got another card to share with you today for the ABC Christmas Challenge...it's not a new challenge today, but I loved Carissa's sketch for our 'F is for Freebie' challenge so much, that I couldn't resist using it again. Here's a reminder of the sketch:

And here's what I did with it this time:

I've used a different Stamp Fairy image this time...so cute! The bright papers are from the 'Colourful Christmas' collection by My Mind's Eye, and I embossed some co-ordinating card with my Cuttlebug 'Snowflakes' and 'Snow Dots' folders. The snowflake was cut using a Marianne Creatables die. 

Our sponsor for this challenge is the Stamp Fairy

 And, in order to be eligible for the prizes on offer, you need to use a Stamp Fairy image (as well as follow the sketch)...but don't worry if you don't have any...Gerda has created a 'Freebie' especially for us, and of course you, to use for this challenge:

 You can downlaod him from the Stamp Fairy blog.

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

• Digi Doodles - Anything Goes
• Incy Wincy - Embossing
• PaperPlay - Embossing
• Paper Sundaes - Embossing
• Winter Wonderland - Embossing

Cuttlebug Spot - Buttons

We have another embellishment challenge for you this week at the Cuttlebug Spot...and this time we'd like to see you using:

'Buttons'

I've used 'Bruno Bear with Cupcake' by Whiff of Joy, coloured with watercolour pencils, and cut out using Nesties. The spotty papers are from the '72 & Sunny' and 'Hippity Hoppity' pads by We R Memory Keepers, and the brown paper is the reverse of a My Mind's Eye '29th Street Market' paper, which I embossed using my Cuttlebug 'Spots & Dots' folder, then sanded over the raised areas to reveal the detail. I distressed all of the edges, and added some faux stitching with using my CutterBee Bug and a white gel pen. I cut the stars using Nesties, and then embossed them using a border folder from the 'Just My Type' set...the one with the cute little buttons, adding a real button on the top. The sentiment stamp is from the 'Sending Sunshine' set by Simon Says Stamp.

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

• Crazy 4 Challenges - Pink, Kraft, Turquoise & Brown
• Stamp Something - Something Sweet
• Sweet Stop Sketches - Sketch with a Spin of 'How Sweet' 
• Teddy Stampers - Embossing
• Totally Gorjuss - Buttons
• Totally Papercrafts - Buttons
• Whiff of Joy - Anything Goes

For more inspiration from my fabulous DT buddies, please visit the Cuttlebug Spot.

Bunny Bath

I'm going to warn you now...if you plan on visiting my blog again this week, you might want to wear your sunglasses next time...I have some VERY brightly coloured cards to share this week...starting now!

This one uses 'Bunny Bath' by Penny Black...and some fresh 'spring' coloured spotty papers from the 'Hippity Hoppity' pad by We R Memory Keepers. I distressed all of the edges using my distressing tool, then added some faux stitching with my CutterBee Bug and a white gel pen. The sentiment is from the CCSR set by Papermania, and the flower is one of the last from my Poppicrafts stash.

Challenges for this card:

• Crafty Sentiments - Animals
• Papertake Weekly - 3 of Something (3 Spotty Papers)
• Penny Black Saturday - Spring has Sprung
• Sir Stampalot - Spring (Green, Yellow & Pink)
• Sketchy Thursday - Sketch
• Wags 'N Whiskers - Spring

Birthday Beagle

I've used one of my current favourite stamps on this card...he's called 'Birthday Beagle' by Whipper Snapper...I have a bit of a thing for doggy stamps...and they make great images for men's cards too. I've kept the layout ultra simple...stamping my sentiment (from a Studio G set) directly on to the Kraft card base, and adding a strip of BasicGrey 'Max & Whiskers' paper along the bottom. I thought the white I'd stamped my image on to looked too stark against the Kraft, so I cut him out, and added another piece of Kraft behind him, which I'd embossed using my 'Spots & Dots' Cuttlebug folder. I did ink the edges...but only lightly...so I think it's still fairly 'clean' and simple! ;0)

Challenges for this card:

• Incy Wincy - Boys
• Less is More - Masculine
• Simon Says Stamp - Happy Birthday
• Sweet Stampin' - Slugs, Snails and Puppy Dog's Tails
• Top Tip Tuesday - Birthdays

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Anything but a Card

The theme of this week's Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge is:

'Anything but a Card'

I've made a little tea-light cupcake, and a matching box to present it in.

The tea-light cake was so simple to do...I followed this tutorial over on Splitcoast Stampers. The papers are from the 'Bittersweet' pad by BasicGrey, and instead of using a punch for the scalloped circle on the top, I used one of my Nesties (available here at the Secret Crafter). I used ahesive pearls (available here at the Secret Crafter) to decorate the top. I used more of the same paper to decorate the box, adding a flower made using my Nesties again, following this tutorial on Joanne's blog. Here's a close-up of the flower:

I'm also entering this into the following challenges:

• Charisma Cardz - To 'Die' For
• Craft Us Crazy - Cupcakes and/or Celebrations

For more inspiration, please check out the fabulous projects by my lovely Secret Crafter DT buddies.

Jump for Joy!

It's looking very green on here today...this wee fellow is 'Jump for Joy!' by Penny Black...and he's been coloured with watercolour pencils. The papers are by We R Memory Keepers, from the 'Hippity Hoppity' and '72 and Sunny' pads, the flowers are by Prima, and the pearls are from Wild Orchid Crafts.

Challenges for this card:

• Creative Card Crew - Green
• Creative Cottage - Spring has Sprung
• Delightful - Green
• Fab 'n' Funky - Green
• Penny Black Saturday - Green
• Scrapbook Sisters - Spring Flowers
• Stampavie & More - Spring or Easter

ABC Christmas Challenge - F is for...

This week it's Carissa's turn to host the ABC Christmas Challenge, which is:

'F is for Freebie (and a Fabulous Sketch)'

We have teamed up with the Stamp Fairy for this challenge, and Gerda has made a fabulous digi image which is she is giving away on the Stamp Fairy blog especially for the ABC Christmas Challenge! 

Here's a preview:

Isn't he cute???

If you want to grab this freebie, you'll need to head over the Stamp Fairy World, to download it.

The prize for this challenge is 3 digis of the winner's choice from the Stamp Fairy Shop.

In order to be eligible for the prize, you must use a Stamp Fairy image, and follow the sketch.

And here's Carissa's Fabulous sketch:

Phew...finally I can tell you about my card!

I couldn't resist using the adorable freebie, and coloured him with watercolour pencils to match the My Mind's Eye 'Countdown to Christmas' papers. I seem to be on a bit of a mission to make flat Christmas cards at the moment (for cheap postage), so I didn't add any embellishments, or use any 3D foam. I have a couple of other Stamp Fairy images, and plan to have another play with the sketch next week, so I may try something fussier then.

For more inspiration from my fabulous DT buddies, and some of the Stamp Fairy girls, please visit the ABC Christmas Challenge.

Cuttlebug Spot - Twine

We have another embellishment challenge for you this week at the Cuttlebug Spot...this time we'd like to see you using:

'Twine or String'

I've used string that I've 'recycled' from my flatmate's weekly Able & Cole veg box...it's a lovely mix of pale blue and white, and they tie masses of it around each box, so I've managed to gather quite a stash of it! :0)

I ordered some of the new Lili of the Valley stamps last week, and they arrived on Saturday, so I coloudn't resist inking one up and using him on this card. He's called 'Spring Swing', and I coloured him with watercolour pencils, then cut him out using one of my deckled edge Nesties. The papers are from the 'Marjolaine' pad, and I embossed the plainer one using my Cuttlebug 'Birds & Swirls' folder. The flowers are by Prima, and the brads are also BasicGrey, but from the Wisteria collection, although they match these papers quite well too. I tied my string across the centre, and then tucked a Tim Holtz 'Adage Ticket' behind it. I distressed all of teh edges, and then added some tiny adhesive pearls in the corners.

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

• Crazy Challenge - Eyelets or Brads
• Cupcake Craft - Up in the Air
• Sunday Sketch & Stamp - Sketch

For more inspiration, please visit the Cuttlebug Spot to see the fabulous creations by my lovely DT buddies.

Snow Flurry

I have another 'one-layer' (ie 'cheap to post'!) Christmas card today. I followed the 'Off the Edge' theme of this week's Less is More Challenge, stamping a flurry of snowflakes with a Hero Arts cling stamp...funnily enough called 'Snowflakes' that I bought in the post-Christmas sales...across a kraft card blank in Versamark, then heat embossed them with opaque white powder. I added a Penny Black sentiment stamped in black...and that's it...another really simple card...I did toy with the idea of adding some pearls or gems...but in the end decided to keep it totally flat.

Challenges for this card:

• Less is More - One Layer Card & Off the Edge
• One Stop Craft - Clean & Simple
• Paper Sundaes - Keep It Simple

Pile It On! Challenge - Recipe

This week's Pile It On! Challenge is a recipe:

'Use: 1 Image/Sentiment; Green & Orange; and Ribbon'

We are sponsored this week by St Rick Designs (I don't have the details of the prize yet, so will add them later).

They also very generously donated some digital images for the DT to work with...I chose a vase of shamrock/clover for 'Good Luck', which I coloured using watercolour pencils, then cut out using my Nesties...I cut around the pieces that wouldn't fit in the frame first by hand, so as not to chop them off! The papers I've used are all by We R Memory Keepers, from the '72 and Sunny' and 'Hippity Hoppity' pads. I used my EK Success 'Scalloped Diamonds' punch for the border along the bottom, and added a simple bow using ribbon from my stash.

Here are the challenges I've Piled On!:

• Pile It On! - Recipe
• Allsorts - Luck O' the Irish
• Anything Goes - Die Cuts
• Card Makin' Mamas - Green
• Craft Us Crazy - Nature
• If the Shoe Fits...Scrap It! - St Patrick's Day
• Little Red Wagon - Green
• PaperPlay - Green/Good Luck
• Sew Many - St Patrick's Day
• Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
• Sketchy Thursday - Sketch

For more inspiration, please check out the fabulous samples form my lovely Pile It On! DT buddies.

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Flowers for Mum

This week it's Kate's turn to choose the theme of the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge, which is:

'Flowers for Mum'

Perfect timing, with Mother's day coming up soon here in the UK...and I did originally plan to make a Mother's Day card...but I couln't find my 'Mother's Day' sentiment stamp...must tidy my stamps!

The image I've used is 'Teddy with Bouquet' by Lili of the Valley, which I coloured using watercolour pencils to match the 'springy' colours of the 'Hippity Hoppity' papers by We R Memory Keepers. The sentiment is from the Hero Arts 'Cupcakes' set, and the flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts. I used my Nesties (available here at the Secret Crafter) to cut out the image, sentiment and scalloped shapes.

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

• Crafty Ann's - Spring
• Crafty Calendar -Spring
• Creative Fridays - Spring Awakening
• For Fun - Spring
• Lili of the Valley - Flowers
• Pink Elephant - Spring
• Teddy Stampers - Sketch
• The Stamp Man - Mother's Day/Floral

For more inspiration, please visit the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge to see the fabulous creations by my lovely DT buddies.

Wee with Reindeer

I can't remember the last time I used this stamp...so I thought that it was about time I inked it up again. It's 'Wee with Reindeer' by Whiff of Joy, and I coloured it using watercolour pencils. The papers are all from the 'Eskimo Kisses' collection by BasicGrey (there's a mixture of 6x6 and 12x12 on this card). I used my Cuttlebug 'Snowflakes' folder to emboss the green paper, then sanded the surface to reveal the white core. I added a Penny Black sentiment stamped on to a shape cut using one of the Nestie label dies, and then distressed all of the edges.

Challenges for this card:

• Friday Sketchers - Sketch
• Bah! Humbug! - Embossing
• Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas - Embossing
• DCD Christmas Club - Christmas Song (Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer)

I tried to get this to publish this morning...but naughty Mr Blogger wouldn't co-operate, so I think I might have missed some of those challenge deadlines...ooops!