Happy ChristMouse

Another very simple one layer card today...and my seventh Christmas card this week! The image is from the 'Jolly Friends' set by Penny Black...and is coloured using watercolour pencils. The sentiment is also by Penny Black...that's it...there's not really anything else I can tell you!

Challenges for this card:

• Less is More - Sketch

Scaredy Cat

No...you're not seeing things...it really is a Hallowe'en card today...don't worry....normal service will be resumed...and I'll be back with another Christmas card tomorrow! lol
These stamps are from a Penny Black set called 'be very scared!' that I got in last year's post Christmas sales...I've been waiting very patiently to use them! lol I stamped it on to a 'small tall' card (A5 card folded along the long edge), then coloured it using watercolour pencils...adding glossy accents to the balloon. I drew the border freehand...it's a bit wobbly, but that's ok...I didn't want it to be perfect!

Challenges for this card:

• Allsorts - Keep It Simple 
• Crafty Creations - CAS
• Crazy4Challenges - Hallowe'en
• Critter - Anything Goes

ABC Christmas Challenge - T is for...

It's Delphine's turn to host the ABC Christmas Challenge...where the theme this fortnight is:

 'T is for Tiny'

We want to see you create a set of 4 tiny cards or tags...this should help you build up your stash!

We are sponsored for this challenge by our very own Lacey, and her Stamp and Create store:

The prize is a $25 gift certificate!

My cards are 4x4 inches square...the perfect size for using some of the smaller Penny Black images. The ones I've used are 'Deer in Skates', 'Fur Collared' and from the 'Cristmas Critters' & 'jollie follies' sets.

I kept the same layout for all of the cards...cutting the images and mats out using my circle & square Nesties (Lacey has a fabulous range of Nesties here at Stamp & Create). I used a couple of different Cuttlebug folders ('Snowflakes' and 'Ice Crystals') on red & green Core'Dinations card...sanding over the raised areas to reveal the core. The snowflakes were cut using Marianne Designs Creatables & Cuttlebug dies.

Here are some close-ups of the cards:

I'm also entering these cards into the foloowing challenges:

• Bah! Humbug! - Rudolph/Reindeer (Obviously just the card with the reindeer on it)
• Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas - For a Child (I give cards to my private pupils...and these simple cards will be perfect!)
• Lollipop Crafts - Anything Goes
• One Stitch at a Time - Favourites (Christmas cards, Penny Black stamps, Cuttlebug embossing on Core'Dinations card, Snowflakes)
• Penny Black Inc & Flickr Group - Winter Theme
  

For more inspiration from my lovely DT buddies, please pop over to the ABC Christmas Challenge.

Presents for Two

Today's card features a Lili of the Valley cutie...'Presents for Two'...don't you just love James the Bear?! I coloured him using watercolour pencils, then added some sparkle with 'Crystal' Stickles. For the background I embossed some Core'Dinations using my Cuttlebug 'Swiss Dots' and 'Snowflakes' folders...sanding over the rasied areas to reveal the coloured core. I distressed the edges...just a little...then added some white adhesive pearls.

Challenges for this card:

• Cupcake Crafts - Bears
• Lili of the Valley - Aqua, White & Glitter
• Paper Sundaes - Anything Goes
• Ribbon Girls - Christmas

Par Avion

I'm afraid it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas on my blog...I have seven...yes...seven Christmas cards coming your way this week! Well...there's less than three months to go...that's my excuse anyway! The first uses a Penny Black stamp called 'Par Avion'...I love these little chickens! The papers are from the 'Countdown to Christmas' pad by My Mind's Eye, and the pearls are from my stash.

Challenges for this card:

• Crafts & Me - Stripes
• Raise the Bar - Things with Wings
• Totally Gorjuss - Birds of a Feather

Pile It On! Challenge - Fancy Folds

This week at Pile It On! our challenge theme is:

'Fancy Folds'

(We want to see easel cards, step cards, stair cards, diamond fold cards...basically anything with more than one fold)

We are sponsored for this challenge by the Technique Junkies

I'll update this with the prize info later.

I decided to make an easel card, but tried something a little different (well, different for me)...and didn't add a square panel to the front of the card, leaving the image popping up above the fold instead. The adorable pup is 'Birthday Beagle' by Whipper Snapper, and I coloured him using watercolour pencils. I embossed some blue Core'Dinations card using my Cuttlebug 'Diamond Plate' and Craft Concepts 'Hexagon Illusion' folders...sanding over the rasied areas to reveal the coloured core. The sentiment stamp is from the 'Fabulous Birthday' set by Hero Arts, the ribbon is from Hobbycraft and the brads are by Papermania. I distressed all of the edges using 'Old Paper' and 'Pumice Stone' Distress Inks, and my distressing tool.

Here's a view from the side:

Here are the challenges I've Piled On!:

• Pile It On! - Fancy Folds
• Cards for Men - Anything but Square
• Crafty Sentiments - Happy Birthday
• Crazy - Men Only
• Incy Wincy - Distressing
• Oldie, but a Goodie - One for the Boys (I bought this stamp in last year's post Christmas sales)
• One Stop Craft - Easel Cards
• Stampin' for the Weekend - What a Cutie
• Sweet Stampin' - Anything Goes
• Top Tip Tuesday - Kids
• Totally Stampalicious - Kids Birthday

For more inspiration from my lovely DT buddies, please pop over to the Pile It On! Challenge.

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Recipe

This week, it's Jane's turn to choose the theme of the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge, and she has cooked up a delicious recipe of:

'1 image; 2 papers; 3 flowers; 4 brads; & 5 gems/pearls'

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 'Jump for Joy!' by Penny Black as my image...which I coloured using watercolour pencils...adding a dragonfly shaped brad from Woodware. The papers are from the 'Hippity Hoppity' pad by We R Memory Keepers and the sentiment is from the 'Anytime Messages' set by Hero Arts. The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts...held in place with brads by BasicGrey...and the pink pearls are from my stash...and I have no idea where they came from!

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

• Pink Elephant - Photo Inspiration

For more inspiration from my lovely DT buddies...please visit the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge. We are expanding our DT...and have two lovely new DT buddies joining us from next week...Janet and Linda...but our DT call is still open until the end of the month...you can find the linky for that over on the challenge blog too.

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Monochrome

Yippee...it's the weekend...and time for a new Penny Black Saturday Challenge! Our theme this week is:

'Monochrome'

Shades of one colour...plus skin or fur colours :0)

We are sponsored for this challenge by

 

And the prize is 4 rolls or ribbon of the winner's choice!

I chose my favourite colour...blue...and used a couple of shades of Core'Dinations card. I used my Cuttlebug 'Swiss Dots' and 'Snowflakes' folders for the embossing, sanding over the raised areas to reveal the coloured core. The image is 'XMouse Ornament!', which I coloured using watercolour pencils, adding some 'Crystal' Stickles to the snowflake. The sentiment stamp is from a set by Lili of the Valley, and the snowflakes were cut using Marianne Designs Creatables and Cuttlebug dies.

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

• Christmas Cards - Sketch
• Crazy Challenge Christmas - No Red or Green
• Jingle Belles - Suzy Snowflake
• Penny Black Inc & Flickr Group - Critters
• Sew Many - Ovals
• Simon Says Stamp - Dies to Die For

For more inspiration from my lovely DT buddies...and our guest designer for this month Jules...pop over to the Penny Black Saturday Challenge.

Autumn Meadows

Today's card is very similar to yesterday's...I made them at the same time...using the same technique. This time I used 'Wild Honey', 'Spiced Marmalade' and 'Forest Moss' Distress Inks to ink up my acrylic block, then stamped it on to my card base...with my 'Blooming Meadows' stamp by Hero Arts over the top.

Challenges for this card:

• Do More with Less - Block Stamping
• Less is More - Anything Clean & Simple (4th and final entry)
• Scrapbook Sisters - Autumn Colours
• Squiggles & Giggles - Autumn Colours

Purple Colour Block Flowers

I have another quick one layer card to share today...should really be working, but couldn't resist making another couple of cards to try and help Less Is More reach 1000 entries this week! I mixed a few Distress Inks on an acrylic block (Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord & Chipped Saphire), then spritzed it with a little water before stamping it on to my card blank (A6 sized for a change). I stamped the flower stamp ('Agapanthus Clusters' by Stampendous) over the top using black Versafine. I made another card using the same technique...but with different colours and image stamp...but I'm saving that one for tomorrow.

Challenges for this card:

• Cupcake Craft - The Dark Side (Black & Purple)
• Less is More - Anything Clean & Simple (Entry 3)
• Sweet Stampin' - Flowers
• Truly Scrumptious - Clean & Simple

ABC Christmas Challenge - S is for...

I have another card for our current ABC Christmas Challenge today, where the theme is:

'S is for Shaped Cards...with Swirls, Spots or Stripes'

(By 'shaped' we mean any shape but square or rectangle)

We have two fabulous sponsors for this challenge...which means two wonderful prizes for two lucky people!

Simon Says Stamp

The prize is a $15 gift certificate to spend in the Simon Says Stamp Store.

and

Karen's Doodles

The prize is 3 Karen's Doodles digi stamps of the winner's choice.

I went with a star shaped card this time, cutting the shapes using my Nesties...I had to draw around the outside of the largest die and then cut by hand for the green stars - there are two...glued at the top to form the card. I used my Cuttlebug 'D'Vine Swirls' folder to emboss the red card...sanding over the surface to reveal the coloured core. The tree is a Marianne Designs Creatables die...cut from more Core'dinations card, the brad is from Tescos, and the wee mouse is from the 'Holly Jolly' set by Penny Black.

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

• Bah! Humbug! - Swirls
• Papertake Weekly - Creature Comforts
• Stamp with Fun - Anything Goes
• Totally Gorjuss - Not Square

For more inspiration from my lovely DT buddies, please visit the ABC Christmas Challenge.

Present Pile!

Today's card is not so clean and simple...which meant I got to use some of my vast collection of papers, which is not a bad thing! The image is 'Present Pile' and the sentiment is from last year's Christmas set by Lili of the Valley and the papers are from the 'Wonderful Winter' pad by My Mind's Eye...I also managed to get the freebie version of these that's being given away with one of the craft mags this month..so I've more than replaced these used papers already! lol I used Marianne Designs Creatables and Cuttlebug dies to cut the snowflakes, added pearls to their centres, and the ribbon is from the Ribbon Girls.

Challenges for this card:

• Corrosive - Punches and/or Dies
• Crafty Catz - Sketch
• Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes
• Critter Sketch - Recipe: 1 image, 2 papers, 3 embellishments & a sentiment (couldn't work out from the DT cards if this was 3 of the same embellishment, or 3 types...I've used 3 types (ribbon, snowflakes & pearls) - sorry if I've got it wrong! :0)
• Lili of the Valley - Red, Green & White

Cluck, Cluck, Cluck...

I have another one layer card to share today. I stamped this one ('Cluck, Cluck, Cluck...' by Penny Black) when I was making my Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge DT card last weekend, but changed my mind, and went with a different image...so waste not...want not...I coloured it in yesterday. It was originally on a square card, and I had added a sentiment along the top, but it didn't look right, so I trimmed it off, and turned it into an A6 sized card instead!

Challenges for this card:

• Less is More - Anything Clean & Simple (this is my second entry, in an attempt to help them reach 1000 links this week)
• Papertake Weekly - Things with Wings
• Simon Says Stamp - Inspired by a song or film...mine's 'The Birdie Song' lol
• Sisterhood of Crafters - For the Birds

Candy Winners!

Before I announce the two lucky winners of my blogoversary candies...I'd like to say a big thank you to all of you who entered...and welcome to my new followers...I hope you'll come back and visit me from time to time :0)

I plumbed the numbers into the Random.Org number generator...and the first number he picked out was:

#50 is Eemeli - yippee...you've won the 'Girly' candy!

And the second number:

#34 - Samantha :0) - woo-hoo...you've won the 'Christmas' candy!

Congratulations girls...please email me to claim your candy, so that I can get your goodies in the post to you asap! :0)

If I haven't heard from you by next Saturday (24th September), I'll pick another winner.

It's Candy Time!

This post will remain at the top until my candy closes...please scroll down for my newer cards :0)

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 It was my blog's third birthday yesterday...I can't believe how quickly he's growing up! lol

I also went past 70,000 hits this week, so I'm celebrating with not one, but two candies!

One is girly...and the other is Christmas themed:

You can click the photo for a better view, but I've listed below what's in each candy.

The girly candy contains:

• Prima 'Paisley Road' paper pad
• Stampavie Sarah Kay 'Antoinette & Bessa go for a stroll' stamp
• 5 packs 'Auntie Sarah's Bloomers' (paper flowers) in assorted colours
• Pack of small buttons in assorted colours

The Christmas candy contains:

• Prima 'North Country' paper pad
• 3 Snag 'em Stamps (Snowman, Reindeer & Penguin)
• Tub of Flowersoft in 'Polar White'
• Ice Stickles glitter glue in 'Crystal Ice'
• American Crafts pack of mini glitter brads

Want to win one???

Here's what you need to do:

 Place the photo and a link back here in the sidebar on your blog to help me spread the word, then add your name (one link per person please to keep it fair) to the linky below...that's it.

The candy will close at 8pm (BST) Saturday 17th September.

I'll use Random.Org to choose the two lucky winners, and announce them on my blog the following day.

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - One Layer Cards

Please scroll down for my Penny Black Saturday Challenge DT Card

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It's my turn to choose the theme of the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge this week, and I have chosen:

'One Layer Cards'

A card where the image is stamped or printed directly on to the card base, with no additional layers, and minimal embellishment.

I've been making quite a lot of one layer cards recently...particularly Christmas ones...in an effort to not have to spend so much on postage! The image I've used on this card is from the 'Hello Friend set by Penny Black, which I coloured using watercolour pencils. I added Glossy Accents to the balloons, for added interest, and the sentiment is from the 'Anytime Messages' set by Hero Arts.

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

• Less is More - Anything Clean & Simple
• One Layer Wednesdays - Colour It
• Totally Papercrafts - Clean & Simples

For more inspiration from my lovely DT buddies, please visit the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge. We also have a DT call running until September 30th, so if you fancy joining our happy little team, you can find the linky for that over there too.

And before I go...a reminder that my candy closes at 8pm (BST) tonight...so you'd better be quick if you want to be in with a chance of winning one of the prizes....all the info is on this post.

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Friendship

Yippee...it's Saturday...and time for a new Penny Black Saturday Challenge! Our theme for you this week is:

'Friendship'

The prize for this challenge is from former PBSC DT member Carole:

I've used a clear stamp from the 'Hugs' set on my card, with a sentiment from the 'Hello Friend' set. The paper is from the 'Out & About' collection by My Mind's Eye, and I used my Cuttlebug 'Forest Branches' for the embossing. The flowers are a mixture of Poppicrafts and Prima, the brad is BasicGrey, and I used my EK Success 'Scalloped Diamonds' punch for the border.

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

• Card Makin' Mamas - Punchy
• Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes
• PaperPlay - Punches & Dies

For more inspiration from my lovely DT buddies, and our equally lovely guest designer for this month Jules, please stop by the Penny Black Saturday Challenge.

I'm off to work in a minute, but before I go...a quick reminder that my candy closes tonight at 8pm (BST)...so you'd better be quick if you want to be in with a chance of winning one of the prizes...all the info is on this post.

Cold Turkey!

No card today...I've really been slacking this week! Well, not really...I'm back at work now...and after a craft filled summer, I'd forgotten just how much potential crafting time is lost to work! I spent a lot of time in the last few weeks of the holidays getting all of the music arranged for this term's classes/concerts, and I'm beginning to get withdrawl symptoms from my stash! Nevermind...the weekend is nearly upon us, and I can't wait to get inky!

Before I go off to work, I just wanted to post a reminder for my candy...it closes at 8pm (BST) tomorrow...so you'll need to be quick if you fancy getting your hands on some of these goodies:

All the info is on this post.

That's it from me for now, I'll be back tomorrow with my DT cards for the Penny Black & Secret Crafter Saturday Challenges.

ABC Christmas Challenge - S is for...

It's time for a new ABC Christmas Challenge...and this week...Miria is the host. Our theme this time is:

'S is for Shaped Cards...with Swirls, Spots or Stripes'

(By 'shaped' we mean any shape but square or rectangle)

We have two fabulous sponsors for this challenge...which means two wonderful prizes for two lucky people!

Simon Says Stamp

The prize is a $15 gift certificate to spend in the Simon Says Stamp Store.

and

Karen's Doodles

The prize is 3 Karen's Doodles digi stamps of the winner's choice.

I went with a circle as my shape...they look really effective, and are so easy to make using Nesties. The image I've used is 'Bigsby Wreath' from Karen's Doodles...which I coloured using watercolour pencils...adding sparkle to the baubles with a Sakura Stardust pen. I used my trusty 'Swiss Dots' Cuttlebug folder for the embossing.

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

• Crop Stop - Spellbinders (I've used scalloped and standard circles)
• Forever Friends - Use your dies
• Raise the Bar - White after Labor Day
• Totally Stampalicious - Anything Goes

For more inspiration from my lovely DT buddies, and a guest designer from Karen's Doodles, please visit the ABC Christmas Challenge.

I have candy on offer at the moment...if you're haven't already entered, you can do so on this post.