100,000 Hits Mini Candy :0)

This post's a sticky until the candy ends...so please scroll down for new cards :0)

Ok...I've got myself organised now, and have some candy for you, to celebrate reaching 100,000 hits on my little blog. I chose these items when it was lovely and sunny and warm here in the UK...unfortunately the nice weather didn't last...but hopefully, these summery items can help bring it back!

If you fancy winning these goodies, all you need to do is pop the photo and a link to this post in the sidebar on your blog, then leave your name with the linky below.
I'm willing to post worldwide, so everyone's welcome to join in.
The linky will close at 9pm BST next Saturday (30th June), and I'll announce the lucky winner the following day. 

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Christmas in June

This week at the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge our theme is:

'Christmas in June'

 Well, it's never too early to get making those cards!

We have no sponsor this week, but our lovely Wendy...aka the Secret Crafter...has put together a yummy parcel of crafty goodies for the lucky winner! 

I've used an adorable Lili of the Valley bear on my card...sssh...don't tell on me, but it's one of the pre-coloured die cuts...I did add some Stickles to his tinsel and baubles though! The papers are from the 'I Believe' pad by My Mind's Eye...I distressed all of the edges, then added faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug and a white gel pen. The sparkly red brads are by American Crafts.

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

• Charisma Cardz - Anything Goes
• Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes
• Lili's Little Fairies - A Little Bit Distressed
• Little Miss Muffet - Sparkle

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

PS - I have candy on offer at the moment...click here to find out more...be quick though - it closes tonight at 9pm BST.

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Hot Metal

This week's Penny Black Saturday Challenge theme is:

 'Hot Metal'

Use something metallic on your projects.

We have a new sponsor this week:

The prize is a £10 voucher to J & C Creations!

My card is something a little bit different for me...it's for my Uncle's 80th birthday next week, and my Dad asked for a card to send to him...the brief was 'not cute'! I used a couple of Penny Black background stamps ('Paisley Swirls' & 'Circular Design')...stamping them in Versamark on to a couple of different shades of blue card, then brushed 'Soft Gold' Cosmic Shimmer mica pigment over the top. I cut the stars out using Nesties, then layered them up. For the 'metal' element on my card, I cut the numbers (using my Cuttlebug 'Olivia' alphabet) from a sheet of gold coloured metal.

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

• Crafty Catz - Show Us Your Metal
• Crop Stop - Are You Feeling Blue
• Here Come the Boys - Metal and/or Embossing
• Love to Create - Anything Goes
• Scrapbook Sisters - Anything Goes 
• Sisterhood of Crafters - Stars

For more inspiration from my lovely DT buddies, please pop over to the Penny Black Saturday Challenge.

PS - I have candy on offer at the moment...click here to find out more - be quick though...it closes tonight at 9pm BST.

ABC Christmas Challenge - M is for...

It's time for a new ABC Christmas Challenge, and this time Kelly is our host, with a theme of:

'M is for Make a Gift'

Make a hand-crafted item to give as a Christmas gift, or the wrapping for the gift itself.

Our fabulous sponsor is: 

Our very own Lacey, with her awesome Stamp & Create store!

 The prize is a whopping $25 gift certificate - wowee!

She has a sale on at the moment...so head over and grab yourself a bargain!

I've decorated some fridge magnets that I bought ages ago from Hobbycraft...they're meant for photos, but I got a little inky instead, and then made them each a little gift tag to use when I wrap them. For the magnets, I cut a piece of plain white card to fit the plastic outer, then inked over each one with a different combination of Distress Inks (Blue: Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans & Chipped Saphire; Green: Tumbled Glass, Evergreen Bough & Pine Needles; Purple: Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord & Chipped Saphire). I stamped a different floral stamp on each one (L-R: 'Agapanthus Clusters' by Stampendous; 'Blooming Meadows' by Hero Arts; and 'Irises' by Penny Black) in Versamark ink, then brushed 'Soft Gold' Cosmic Shimmer mica pigment over the top. For the tags, I used the same technique using a Hero Arts snowflake stamp and a bronze pigment, on just the plain kraft tag.

Here's a close-up of the magnets (as they're plastic, and really shiny, it wasn't easy to get  a decent photo):

And of the little tags:

I'm also entering these into the following challenges:

• Hotshot Crafts - Distress Inks (Magnets only)
• Incy Wincy - Anything Goes

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

PS - I have candy on offer at the moment...click here to find out more.

Cuttlebug Spot Challenge - Lace

This is my second post of the day...please scroll down for my Oldie but a Goodie Challenge DT post

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Today sees the last Cuttlebug Spot Challenge before our summer break...and this fortnight we want you to use:

'Lace'

Simples :0)

I've used an old Penny Black stamp called 'Gifts for You!' on my card...which I coloured using watercolour pencils. For the background I embossed some purple card using my Cuttlebug 'Kassie's Brocade' folder, then added my lace (from Hobbycraft) over aa piece of green card. To keep it simple, I just added a few adhesive pearls in the top corners.

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

• Lollipop Crafts - Flowers in Bloom  
• Ribbon Girls - Colour Combo (Pink, Purple & Green)

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

PS - I have candy on offer at the moment...click here to find out more.

Oldie but a Goodie Challenge - Summer Holidays

Guess what??? I was asked by my lovely blogging friend Francesca, if I would like to join the DT for the Oldie but a Goodie Challenge...and as I love digging in my stash to use those older less shinier items...I jumped at the chance...so, today I'm sharing my first DT project for the challenge, where the theme is:

'Summer Holidays'

We are sponsored for this challenge by Robyn's Fetish

The prize is 5 Robyn's Fetish digi stamps of the winner's choice!

I've used an adorable Lili of the Valley bear stamp called 'Deckchair Dreaming'...which I've had since the stamp first came out...coloured using watercolour pencils to match the pastel shades of We R Memory Keepers 'Whiteout' papers. I used my Cuttlebug 'Swiss Dots', 'Perfect Paisley' and 'Moroccan Screen' folders for the embossing...then sanded over the raised areas to reveal the white core. I distressed the edges a little, then added a sentiment (from the 'Sending Sunshine' set by Simon Says Stamp) and some little sequins that came with a Hero Arts mini stamp set. I think the papers are the newest item I've used on my card...and I got those for my birthday last August!

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

• Charisma Cardz - Summer
• Crafty Catz - Pastels
• Crazy4Challenges - Sketch
• Critter Sketch - Colour Inspiration
• Cute Card Thursday - Here Comes Summer
• Dutch Dare - Summer Fun
• Joanna Sheen - Summer Daze
• Totally Gorjuss - Yellow

For more inspiration from my lovely DT buddies, please visit the Oldie but a Goodie Challenge.

This is a 'Two Post Tuesday', so I'll be back later with my DT post for the Cuttlebug Spot Challenge.

PS - I have candy on offer at the moment...click here to find out more.

Spotty Snowy

I'm not usually one for paper piecing..it's all the fiddly cutting out that usually puts me off! But, I thought I'd giive it a go for this week's Less is More challenge. Inspired by this gorgeous card by my lovely friend Samantha, I inked up my Penny Black 'Snowy' stamp, and set about giving him a spotty hat and scarf set using some scraps of Bo Bunny 'Tis the Season' paper - so cute! I added some Glossy Accents to his nose, and some Stickles to the snow, then some candy cane striped twine.

Challenges for this card:

• 52 Christmas Card Throwdown - Glitter
• Crafty Ribbons - Clean & Simple
• Fab 'N' Funky - Polkadots
• Less is More - Paper Piecing
• Try it on Tuesday - Anything Goes

PS - I have candy on offer at the moment...click here to find out more.

Pile It On! Challenge - Make Your Own Embellishment

This week at the Pile It On! Challenge, we're asking you to:

'Make Your Own Embellishments'

We are sponsored for this challenge by Bugaboo Stamps

 And the fabulous prize is:

I used a Marianne Designs die to make my embellishments...snowflakes! The adorable bear is 'Christmas Teddy - 2 Ornaments' from Bugaboo Stamps...I coloured himusing watercolour pencils, and glittered up the baubles with some Glamour Dust. The papers are from the 'Countdown to Christmas' pad by My Mind's Eye, the gingham ribbon is from Hobbycraft, the sparkly brads are by American crafts, the buttons are from the 'Neighbourwood' collection by Helz Cuppleditch, and the twine threaded through them is from th Ribbon Girls.

Here are the challenges I've piled on:

• Pile It On! - Make Your Own Embellishment (Snowflakes)
• 2 Sisters - Anything Goes
• Allsorts - Any Die Will Do
• Craft Your Days Away - Teddy Bears
• Crafter's Companion - Time to Embellish
• Crafts & Me - Anything Goes
• Crafty Sentiments - Bright Colours
• Creative Card Crew - 1,2,3 (1 ribbon, 2 papers, 3 buttons)
• Crimbo Crackers - Anything Goes
• Delightful - Anything Goes
• Little Red Wagon - Get Krafty
• One Stop Craft - Christmas in June
• Papercrafting Journey - Kraft
• PaperPlay - Use a Die
• Papertake Weekly - Bingo (Ribbon-Die Cut-Buttons or Die Cut-Free-Glitter)
• Stamp & Create - Bold & Bright
• Sweet Sketch Wednesday - Sketch
• Sweet Stampin' - Ribbons & Bows
• Wags 'n Whiskers - Use Kraft
• Winter Wonderland - Christmas Teddy

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

PS - I have candy on offer at the moment...click here to find out more.

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - The Professionals

This week, it's Sonia's turn to set the theme of the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge, and she has chosen:

'The Professionals'

(ie. Doctor, Nurse, Fireman, Teacher etc...)

Our sponsor for this challenge is:

The prize is a $15 voucher from Heather's Hobbie Haven!

It took me a while to find a suitable image to use for this challenge...and in the end settled for this Penny Black stamp (called 'Sentiments')...so my pforessional is (in case you can't tell!) is a Postman! The papers are from the 'Whiteout' collection by We R Memory Keepers...I embossed a couple of the plainer ones using my Cuttlebug 'Spots & Dots' and Sizzix 'Plaid' folders...sanding over the raised areas to reveal the white core. I distressed all of the edges, then added faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug and a white gel pen. The sentiment stamp is by Lili of the Valley.

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

• Do You Stack Up - Inspired by a Movie (The Postman Always Rings Twice)
• Stampin' for the Weekend - Show us your Style (I love cute critters, embossing, distressed edges & faux stitching) 
• Totally Papercrafts - Inspiration Photo/Colours

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

PS - I have candy on offer at the moment...click here to find out more.

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Fly the Flags

This week at the Penny Black Saturday Challenge, we want you to:

'Fly the Flags'

Use flags, banner, bunting etc on your projects

This week, the prize comes from Penny Black Inc:

I've used a Christmas stamp on my card...'XMouse Ornament'...but I cut off his snowflake, and replaced it with a flag for the sentiment. The papers are from the '72 & Sunny' and 'Hippity Hoppity' pads by We R Memory Keepers, and the sentiment stamp is from a little Studio G set.

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

• J&C Creations - Animal Antics
• Moving Along with the Times - Happy Birthday

For more inspiration from my lovely DT buddies, please pop over to the Penny Black Saturday Challenge.

PS - I have candy on offer at the moment...click here to take a look.

Ooooh...how exciting!

I've just noticed that I've just gone over 100,000 hits....wowee! I have a little candy to celebrate this milestone...but I've not managed to get my act together and photogrph it yet...so watch this space!
Thanks to all of my regular visitors...and the occasional ones too...your comments make my day!

ABC Christmas Challenge - L is for...

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

'L for Lyrics'

We want to see Christmas projects inspired by the words of a Christmas carol/song.

We have two fabulous sponsors for this challenge:

Simon Says Stamp

Prize - a $15 voucher to spend at Simon Says Stamp

and

Saturated Canary

Prize - 2 digis from the Saturated Canary store

This time, I've been inspired by the song 'O Christmas Tree'...and this stunning card by my lovely friend Pauline. I used a Penny Black stamp called 'Before the Snow', stamping it in 'Chipped Saphire' Distress Ink (a la Pauline)...to get the illusion of the trees behind, I simply stamped again without re-inking. I glittered the two trees at the 'front' using Glamour Dust...which you can just about see - it was a nightmare to photograph!...and a sentiment by Paper Make-Up.

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

•  Hooked On Craft - Glitter
• Paper Playtime - Anything Goes with a Sentiment
• Squirrel & the Fox - Make it Sparkle

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

High Hopes Challenge - Guest Designer

Last week, I was picked as the lucky winner of the High Hopes Challenge...and in addition to winning my choice of stamp, I was asked to guest design for this week's challenge, where the theme is:

'Nature'

Now, I only have a few High Hopes stamps...mainly Christmas and Hallowe'en...so I had to think a little outside the box, and used my 'Beary Good Friends' stamp to create a wintry scene with them walking through a forest. irst, I coloured the image using watercolour pencils, then carefully cut it out. For the background, I started by embossing some light blue Core'dinations card with my Cuttlebug 'Snowflakes' folder...then sanded over the raised areas to make it look like a snowy sky. I cut some trees from various shades of green card using a Marianne Designs die, then lightly sanded the edges, and attached them to the card between a couple of pieces of torn white card for the snowy ground, before adding the image.

For more inspiration from the fabulous design team team, pop over to the High Hopes Challenge - thanks so much for having me this week girls!

Silver Wedding

I have another anniversary card to show you today...for the Silver Wedding anniversary of one of my cousins...for whom I was a bridesmaid. Everything is 'Cuttlebugged' on this card...I used my 'Concentric Hearts' die to cut the hearts...then embossed the solid one using my 'D'Vine Swirls' folder. For the background, I used my 'Kassie's Brocade' folder, and my 'Olivia' alphabet dies for the numbers. As always, the silver mirror card was really difficult to photograph, but I think you can just about see how it shines.

Challenges for this card:

• Crafty Catz - Embossing
• Great Impressions - Use Die Cuts or Punches
• Less is More - Something Shiny

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Red, White & Blue

This week it's Linda's turn to set the theme of the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge, and she has chosen to celebrate the Queen's official birthday with a colour combination of:

'Red, White & Blue'

Our sponsor for this challenge is:

Prize - 3 digis of the winner's choice from the Stamping Boutique!

I've used a cute Wipper Snapper stamp on my card called 'Party Pup', and created the background using my Cuttlebug 'Stars' and Craft Concepts 'Hexagon Illusion' folders. The sentiment stamp is form the 'Sending Sunshine' set by Hero Arts, and the stars were cut using Nesties.

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

• Charisma Cardz - Male Cards
• Creative Inspirations - Trooping the Colour
• Cupcake Crafts - Red, White & Blue 
• Delightful - For the Boys
• Do You Stack up -Boys/Men
• Forever Friends - Anything Goes 
• Little Red Wagon - Boy's Birthday 
• Totally Papercrafts - It's Raining Cats & Dogs

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

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - 5 Circles

This week at the Penny Black Saturday Challenge, we're looking forward to this summer's Olympic Games with a theme of:

'5 Circles'

To represent the Olympic rings

Our sponsor for this challenge is the wonderful Craftwork Cards

Who have generously donated these fabulous animal print Card Candi packs for the lucky winner!

I've gone very CAS...and used a wee mouse from the 'Hello Friend' set and papers from the 'Hippity Hoppity' pad by We R Memory Keepers. I cut the circles using my Nesties, and doodled borders around the edges using a black gel pen. The sentiment stamp is from the 'Cupcakes' set by Hero Arts.

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

• Creative Stamp Friends - Birthday
• My Mum's Craft Shop - Clean & Simple 
• Sisterhood of Crafters - Going in Circles

For more inspiration from my lovely DT buddies, please pop over to the Penny Black Saturday Challenge.

Christmas Flourish

I have another Christmas card for you today...well, we are over half-way there...eeek! This is my attempt at a one-layer-card with a flourish for this week's Less is More challenge...I dug out my Hero Arts 'Fantastic Flourishes' set (which I haven't used in such a long time...naughty me) and then tried to find something to go with them....eventually settling on this elegant Penny Black sentiment stamp. I stamped and embossed them in silver, masked off strips at the top and bottom, then blended (starting from the edges working towards the middle) 'Stormy Sky', 'Faded Jeans' and 'Chipped Saphire' Distress Inks over the top...simples...and cheap to post! ;0)

Challenges for this card:

• Craft Your Passion - Anything Goes
• Hotshot Crafts - Distress Inks
• Less is More - One Layer Card with a Flourish

ABC Christmas Challenge - L is for...

We have a brand new ABC Christmas Challenge for you today, where Carissa is the host with a theme of:

'L for Lyrics'

We want to see Christmas projects inspired by the words of a Christmas carol/song.

We have two fabulous sponsors for this challenge:

Simon Says Stamp

Prize - a $15 voucher to spend at Simon Says Stamp

and

Saturated Canary

Prize - 2 digis from the Saturated Canary store

I've been inspired by the song 'Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer'...and used a cute Whiff of Joy stamp called 'Wee & Reindeer'...I coloured it using watercolour pencils...and gave my reindeer his shiny red nose with a dab of Glossy Accents. The papers are from the 'Blitzen' pad by Bo Bunny...I distressed the edges a little, then added faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug and a white gel pen. The gold lace is from Dunelm Mill.

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

• Christmas Stampin' All Year Long - Anything Goes 
• Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas - Feature a Creature
• Creative Card Crew - Song Inspired (My card is inspired by 'Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer')
• Jingle Belles - Fa-la-la-la-la! (My card is inspired by 'Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer') 
• Sweet Stampin' - All Stitched Up (My stitching is faux)
• Ribbon Girls - Use Ribbon or Lace
• Whiff of Joy - Sketch

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