Christmas Stampin' All Year Long - Anything but a Card

This week at Christmas Stampin' All Year Long, we're challenging you to make:

'Anything but a Card'

(Tags, Giftbags/boxes, Gifts...anything really...just don't forget the stampin'!)

There's no sponsor this week, but there will be a surprise package for the lucky winner!

I've made some tags...I'm usually well prepared with my cards, but never seem to remember to make the gift tags in advance! I was inspired by these fabulous tags by Penny Black designer Jenyfur Pohl...and totally CASED them for some simple elegant tags. I inked plain manilla tags using various Distress Inks, then stamped some of my favourite 'non-cute' Penny Black stamps over the top, adding a sentiment, and a sprinkling of snowflakes - I'll list the colours/stamps under the individual photos of each tag.

Here are some close-ups:

Inks: Stormy Sky; Faded Jeans; Chipped Saphire; & Tea Dye

Stamps: 'Snow Dust' (Penny Black); 'Merry Christmas' (Penny Black); 'Snowflakes' (Hero Arts); & flourish from 'North Country' set (Prima)

Inks: Evergreen Bough; Pine Needles; Iced Spruce; & Tea Dye

Stamps: 'Before the Snow' (Penny Black); sentiment from 'North Country' set (Prima); & 'Snowflakes' (Hero Arts)

Inks: Scattered Straw; Wild Honey; Spiced Marmalade; & Tea Dye

Stamps: 'Holly & Globe'; sentiment (Paper Make-Up); &'Snowflakes' (Hero Arts)

I'm also entering these tags into the following challenges:

• Allsorts - It's a Gift
• Everybody Art - Anything Goes
• Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes

For more inspiration from my lovely DT buddies, please pop over to Christmas Stampin' All Year Long.

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After I published this post, I noticed that this is my 1500th post...wow...that's a lot of blogging! It's also my blog's 4th birthday in a few days time...so watch out for some celebratory candy coming this way!

Meet Cookie

I've used some new stash on today's card...I got some Hobbycraft vouchers for my birthday earlier this month, and popped in to the Hobbycraft in Norwich whilst I was there over the Bank Holiday and picked up a few goodies. This adorable chap is 'Cookie' from the 'Make a Wish' set by Helz Cuppleditch...the balloons were separate...and I doodled the string. I used the 'out of the frame' technique when I cut him out with my Nesties. I made the background papers, by stamping a 'Paw Print' background stamp (by Hobbbycraft) on plainish papers from the 'Max & Whiskers' pad by Basic Grey using Distress Inks ('Tea Dye' on the yellow, 'Faded Jeans' on the blue, and 'Fired Brick' on the red). I inked around all of the edges with more 'Tea Dye' distressed them, then added faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug and a black gel pen. The sentiment stamp is from the 'Anytime Messages' set by Hero Arts.

Challenges for this card:

• Celebrate the Occasion - Child's Birthday
• Crafting for All Seasons - Stitching
• Hooked On Craft - Cards for Men
• Squirrel & the Fox - For the Men
• Stamping Boutique - Anything Birthday
• Sweet Stampin' - Out of the Frame
• Totally Stampalicious - Anything Goes

ABC Christmas Challenge - Q is for...

I have another card for this week's ABC Christmas Challenge today, where the theme is:

'Q is for Quilting'

(Make a 'patchwork quilt' effect on your cards/projects)

We have two fabulous sponsors this time:

Prize from Lili of the Valley:

and

Prize from Crop Stop: a $15 Gift Certificate!

This time, I've made a more regular patchwork pattern, cutting my papers (from the 'Blitzen' pad by Bo Bunny) into triangles...distressing the edges, and adding faux stitching. The image is 'Christmas Bunny & Robin' from Lili of the Valley, which I coloured using watercolour pencils...adding some Stickles to the snow. The brads are by BasicGrey.

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

• Crazy Challenge - Anything Goes 
• Creative Card Crew - Christmas
• Lili of the Valley - Spots or Stripes

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

Vroom vroom!

I've used a cute Penny Black pooch on today's card...he's from the 'Hello Friend' set, and is coloured with watercolour pencils. For the background, I embossed three shades of blue Core'dinations card, using my Cuttebug 'Swiss Dots' & 'Diamond Plate, and Craft Concepts 'Hexagon Illusion' folder, matting the layers on to kraft card. The sentiment stamp is from the 'Anytime Messages' set, and the numbers were cut using my Cuttlebug 'Olivia' alphabet dies.

Challenges for this card:

• Aud Sentiments - Numbers 
• Craft Your Passion - Emboss It
• Crafty Mess - Animals & Blue
• Hooked On Craft - Cards for Men
• Incy Wincy - Slugs 'n Snails & Puppy Dog's Tails
• My Time to Craft - Milestone Birthdays
• Squirrel & the Fox - One for the Men
• Whimsy Inspires - Lots of Layers
• Willow Sketchie - Sketch

Bella & Butterfly

I've used a new stamp on today's card and is called 'Bella with Butterfly' by Wild Rose Studio...it was a birthday gift from my lovely friend Pauline...thanks so much...I love it! The papers I've used are from the 'Hopscotch' pad by BasicGrey...I distressed the edges, then added faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug and a white gel pen. The pleated ribbon is from the Ribbon Reel and the sentiment stamp is from the 'Cupcakes' set by Hero Arts.

Challenges for this card:

• BasicGrey - Anything Goes
• Shopping Our Stash - Use a Sketch (I used the one from Sketch Saturday)
• Sketch Saturday - Sketch
• Squiggles & Giggles - Colour Board Inspiration

A Christmas Wreath

A really simple card to show you today...a lot of my Christmas cards this year are one layer (ie. cheap to post!) cards. I've used a stamp from the 'A Bright Tomorrow' set by Penny Black, which I stamped in black and embossed in clear. I watercoloured it using Distress Inks (Festive Berries, Fired Brick, Aged Mahogany, Crushed Olive, Forest Moss & Iced Spruce). The sentiment stamp is from a set by Lili of the Valley.

Challenges for this card:

• Less Is More - Recipe: 3 (Words); 2 (Colours - Red & Green); 1 (Layer)
• Top Tip Tuesday - One Layer Cards
• Totally Stampalicious - CAS
• Winter Wonderland - Red & Green

Blowing Dandelions

I'm sneaking in another post before bedtime today, to catch a couple of challenges that end in the middle of the night. I've used a House Mouse image called 'Blowing Dandelions', and papers from the 'Wisteria' pad. I distressed the edges of the paper, then added some faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug and a white gel pen. I made the flower by cutting a few freehand circles from scraps of the papers, crinkling them up, and layering them up with a button threaded with twine (Dovecraft 'Tea Party') in the centre. The little sentiment is a stamp from the 'Critter Party' set by Penny Black.

Challenges for this card:

• BasicGrey - Anything Goes ('Wisteria' papers)
• Card Positioning Systems - Sketch #279 
• Corrosive - Cute as a Button
• Crafting for All Seasons - Stitching (Mine's faux)
• Crafty Sentiments - Flowers
• House Mouse & Friends - Double Trouble
• Pink Elephant - Make Your Own Embellishments (Flower)

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - White on White

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

'White on White'

(Colour on the image only)

Our sponsor for this challenge is:

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

I've used an adorable Penny Black stamp on my card, called 'Wishes for Kisses', which I coloured using watercolour pencils...adding some sparkle to the snow with some Stickles. For the background, I used by Cuttlebug 'Swiss Dots' and Sizzix 'Snowglobe' embossing folders. The snoeflakes were cut using Marianne Designs and Cuttlebug dies, and the lace is from Hobbycraft.

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

• Anything Goes - Make Your Own Background
• Charisma Cardz - Lace
• Stampavie & More - Animals

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

Christmas Stampin' All Year Long - Non-traditional Christmas Colours

This week at Christmas Stampin' All Year Long we want to see:

'Non-traditional Christmas Colours'

Our sponsor for this challenge is Meljen's Designs: 

Prize: 4 (non-coloured) images from Meljen's Designs!

I've used an adorable image from Meljen's Designs on my card called 'Cozy Winter Owl', which I coloured using watercolour pencils. The papers I've used are from the 'Colourful Christmas' collection by My Mind's Eye...just perfect for this challenge. The little die cut trees and sentiment are from the same set, and I added a few pieces of green Card Candi.

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

• Forever Friends - Anything Goes
• Sweet Stamps  - Watercoloured (I always use watercolour pencils to colour)

For more inspiration from my lovely DT buddies, please pop over to Christmas Stampin' All Year Long.

Yum!

No card to show you today...but I haven't been slacking...I've busy making some DT stuff, that I can't show you just yet...and have had a bit of a marathon baking session these last couple of days.

I made an Apple & Blackberry pie yesterday:

And some cakes today for a party tonight...first a vegan coffee & walnut cake:

And some bite-size Victoria Sandwich Cakes:

That's it for now...I'm off to enjoy some music-making...and cake eating! See you in the morning for my Christmas Stampin' All Year Long DT post :0)

ABC Christmas Challenge - Q is for...

This week it's my turn to host the ABC Christmas Challenge, and the theme I have chosen is:

'Q is for Quilting'

(Make a 'patchwork quilt' effect on your cards/projects)

We have two fabulous sponsors this time:

Prize from Lili of the Valley:

and

Prize from Crop Stop: a $15 Gift Certificate!

This is a technique I like to use when I've gathered lots of little scraps of patterned papers (I don't throw anything away...ever! lol), so I've made a little 'step by step' of how I made for card for this challenge...please excuse my messy craft mat!

1. Select your papers (I've used 'Eskimo Kisses' by BasicGrey) and colour your image (I've used 'Skating Along' by one of our sponsors, Lili of the Valley)

2. Cut a piece of co-ordinating piece of card to act as a base for your quilting, to attach to your card blank when completed, and play around with your scraps until you have a layout you like. I tried to have a mixture of differernt shapes and sizes, with an even spread of colours...don't worry, the bigger gap in the middle will be covered up when I add my image later :0)

3. Add some faux stitching (or real if you're handy with a sewing machine or needle & thread) - I did mine using my CutterBee bug and a white gel pen...I also distressed the edges ('cos I just can't help myself!), then adhere them to your base card.

4. Add your image and embellish as desired...I just added a few snowflakes (cut using Marianne Designs & Cuttlebug dies) and some glitter to allow the quilted background to be a real feature, then attach to your card blank.

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

• BasicGrey - Anything Goes
• Lili of the Valley - Girly
• Lollipop Crafts - Anything Goes
• Simon Says Stamp & Show - No Rules
• Stamptacular Sunday - Girls

For more inspiration from my lovely DT buddies, and our awesome guest designers, please pop over to the ABC Christmas Challenge.

Oldie but a Goodie Challenge - Paper Piecing

Our challenge this fortnight at Oldie but a Goodie is:

'Paper Piecing'

We are sponsored for this challenge by:

Prize - 5 images of the winner's choice from Squidgi Digi!

I've used a High Hopes stamp on my card called 'Cherry Chip Chimp', and paper pieced his cupcake. The papers I've used (and I've managed to use 7 different patterns on this card!) are all from the 'Offbeat' pad by BasicGrey. I doodled borders using a black gel pen, and cut the star using Nesties. The three little brads are also by BasicGrey.

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

• BasicGrey - Anything Goes ('Offbeat' papers)
• Craft Your Passion - Power of Three (3 brads)
• Dutch Dare - Furry Friends
• Here Come the Boys - Sketch

For more inspiration from my lovely DT buddies, please pop over to Oldie but a Goodie.

Let It Snow!

I have a clean and simple Christmas card to share today...with a torn edge for this week's Less Is More Challenge. I embossed a piece of blue Core'dinations card using my SIzzix 'Snowflakes' folder...lightly sanding over the surface to reveal the lighter core. I tore the bottom edge, then matted it on to a piece of navy card, on to which I'd stamped and embossed a sentiment (from the 'Joy to the World' set by Penny Black). The snowflake was cut using a Cuttlebug die, and the button and twine are from my stash.

Challenges for this card:

• Challenge Up Your Life - Christmas in Summer
• Charisma Cardz - Monochrome
• Less Is More - Tearing
• Totally Papercrafts - Inspired by a Song (Let It Snow!)

Pile It On! Challenge - Cuddly Critters

This week's Pile It On! Challenge is a nice easy one:

'Cuddly Critters'

Our sponsor this week is the fabulous Stamp Fairy

Prize: $10 to spend in the Stamp Fairy store!

I seem to be in Christmas mode at the moment...nearly every card/project on my blog for the last week or so has been a Christmas one...so, keeping up that theme, I've used 'Barry Winter - Skis' from the Stamp Fairy. I coloured him using watercolour pencils, then added some sparkle to the snow with some Stickles. For the background I used a couple of shades of blue Core'dinations card, embossing them using my Cuttlebug 'Swiss Dots' and Sizzix 'Snowflakes' folders, sanding over the edges to reveal the lighter core. I distressed all of the edges, and added some twine (Dovecraft 'Tea Party'), a die cut snowflake (a Marianne Designs die) and a button (threaded with more of the twine).

Here are the challenges I've piled on:

• Pile It On! - Cuddly Critters
• Craft Your Days Away - Anything Goes
• Crafty Catz - Animals
• Critter - Use a Digi
• Delightful - Punches & Dies
• Do You Stack Up - Buttons
• Gem of a Challenge - Animals/Teddies
• Stampavie & More - Buttons & Bows
• Sweet Stop Sketches - Sketch with a Spin (Die Cuts - Circle & Snowflake)
• Totally Gorjuss - String
• Wags 'N Whiskers - Favourite Colour Combo (Blue & Kraft)
• Winter Wonderland - Winter Sports

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

 

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Circle Cards

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

 'Circle Cards'

Our sponsor for this challenge is:

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

I've used a stamp set that I got for my birthday on my card, called 'Just for You' by Hobby Art. I stamped the flowers in various colours of Distress Inks (Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord,  Crushed Olive, Forest Moss), and thee dragon flies in black, colouring them in with Dusty Concord. After inking around thee edge with the two greens, I mounted it on to a card cut (using my largest scalloped circle Nestie) from 'Dusty Concord' Core'dinations card.

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

• Clearly Inspired - Circles
• Creative Stamp Friends - Make a Scene
• Stamping with the Dragon - Anything but a Square or Rectangle
• Stamptacular Sunday - Shaped Cards 

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

Christmas Stampin' All Year Long - Make Your Own Backing Papers

This week at Christmas Stampin' All Year Long, we're asking you to:

'Make your own backing papers'

Our sponsor for this challenge is:

Creations by AR

Prize - 2 Templates of the Winner's Choice!

The DT have aall been working with templates from Creation by AR...I'm using the 'Ornament Box Set'. The set comes with two different sized templates...I used the larger one, printing the 'box' part on to kraft card, and the bits for decorating on to white card. After cutting out all the pieces, I started decorating. I used Distress Inks (Tumbled Glass, Stormy Sky, Faded Jeans, Evergreen Bough and Pine Needles) to colour the card, then stamped a snowflake design (a Hero Arts cling stamp called simply 'Snowflakes') in Faded Jeans (on the main bauble) and Pine Needles (on the tag). For the band around the centre, I used a couple of stamps from the new 'A Bright Tomorrow' set by Penny Black...embossing them in white. I spritzed the whole lot with some 'Soft Gold' Cosmic Shimmer pigment mixed into water before I assembled it...it's lovely and sparkly in real life...but not so much in the photo. The tag was not part of the template...I just cut a plain circle with one of my Nesties.

The template was really easy to use...and the instructions very clear...with handy step-by-step photos. There's plenty of space for a lovely gift...here's a side view:

I decorated teh back too...just the same as the front:

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

• C.R.A.F.T. - Box 
• Crafty Ann's - Christmas in August
• Totally Stampalicious - Favourite Colour Combo (Blue & Green) 

For more inspiration from my lovely DT buddies, please pop over to Christmas Stampin' All Year Long.