Reindeer

Lacking in inspiration...other than knowing that I wanted to use these cute Hero Arts reindeer...I did a search on Google images for cards using this stamp and die set, and stumbled across this fabulous card by Vicki...and borrowed totally stole her idea! I hunted out lots of Christmas sentiments (from sets by Hero Arts, Penny Black, Paper Make-Up, Simon Says Stamp & Lili of the Valley) and used them to make the 'wordy' backgrounds, then simply added my reindeer on top, raised up on 3D foam pads.

Challenges for these cards:

• Christmas at Sweet Stampin' - Deer
• Christmas Cards - Anything Goes
• Creative Corner - Christmas in July
• Happy Little Stampers (CAS) - Stamping
• Hiding in my Craft Room - Any Holiday
• Holly Jolly Christmas - Inspired by a Christmas Carol (Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer)
• Rudolph Days - Anything Christmas
• That Craft Place - Words

Christmas Cake!

I have a Christmas card to share today...I used a cute Lili of the Valley die cut image...I love how the little pup is waiting to help add the ribbon to the cake! The papers came free with a magazine, but I have no idea which one...I distressed the edges, then added some faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug and a black gel pen. The twine is from the Ribbon Girls, and the little red pearls are from Hobbycraft.

Challenges for this card:

• Bunny Zoe's - Layers
• Completely Christmas - Anything Christmas
• Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas - Let's Get Sentimental
• Fab 'N Funky - Christmas
• My Time to Craft - Christmas in June
• Squirrel & the Fox - Christmas
• Winter Wonderland - Christmas Dinner

Christmas Stampin' All Year Long - Gift Set

This week at Christmas Stampin' All Year Long, our challenge theme is:

'Gift Set for a Teacher'

Our sponsor for this challenge is:

Creations by AR

Prize - 2 Templates of the Winner's Choice!

I've used one of the fab templates from our sponsor Creations by AR, called 'Brownie Box'. I printed it on to paper from the 'Believe' pad by My Mnd's Eye, and used a wide piece of satin ribbon to tie it together. I made a simple matching card using the same paper and a sentiment stamp by Paper Make-Up.

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

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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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!

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.

Cuttlebug Spot - Pop-up Cards

It's the final week of our 'card fold' challenges over at the Cuttlebug Spot, and this week we're showcasing:

'Pop-up Cards'

This is my first ever pop-up card...so be gentle with me! As I wanted the focus to be on the inside of the card, I kept the outside really simple, using my Cuttlebug 'Ice Crystals' and 'Snowflakes' folders for the embossing, and 'Ice Crystal' die to cut the snowflake:

I continued with the snowflake theme inside, with more embossing, and snowflakes cut using Marianne Creatables and Cuttlebug dies. The images I've used are from three clear stamp sets by Penny Black: 'Christmas Critters'; 'Jolly Friends'; and 'Holly-Jolly'. The sentiment stamp is by Paper Make-up.

Here's a close-up of the pop-up bit:

I'm also entering this card into a few other challenges:

• Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas - The white stuff
• Craft Us Crazy - Winter
• Winter Wonderland - It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

For more inspiration, please check out the fabulous creations by my lovely Cuttlebug Spot DT buddies.

ABC Christmas Challenge - Z is for...

Wow...I can't believe it's been a whole year since my lovely friend Samantha came up with the mad idea of the ABC Christmas Challenge...but you know what they say...and it's true...time really does fly when you're having fun...and we've certainly had lots of that over the course of the last 25 challenges! But...we've been saving the best 'til last...not only do we have a fabulous challenge for you as your get all your final preparations done for the big day...with two fabulous sponsors...but we're having a blog hop with some special guests and candy hidden along the way!

So...you should have reached my blog from the lovely Dorte's blog...if not...you might want to go back to the ABC Christmas Challenge and follow the hop to make sure you don't miss out on any of the letters or hidden candies.

Who, but Samantha could host this very special challenge? She's feeling very generous this week, and the theme she has chosen is:

'Z is for Zero Time Left'

We know that time is tight, and even the best organised amongst us still have masses to do before Christmas, so we're giving you free reign to use any of the themes from our previous challenges this year...you can use one...or two...or combine as many as you can...it's up to you! You can find a full list of this year's challenge themes is the sidebar on the ABC Christmas Challenge blog.

We are sponsored for this challenge by:

 
Their prize is a $15 shopping spree in their fabby store.

and

They have very generously donated prizes for 3 lucky winners:
1st - 3 images
2nd - 2 images
3rd - 1 image

Ok...on to my projects...I've revisited a few of our challenges, and made several items. The first two are gifts...a snowglobe and a photo frame:

The snowglobe is from Hobbycraft...but instead of putting photos inside, I added a stamped Penny Black image (from the 'Christmas Critters' set) and a sentiment (from a set by Paper Makeup):

Challenges for the snowglobe: D for Decoration, O for Ornaments & U for Under the Tree.

I also bought the photo frame in Hobbycraft (sorry...I forgot to take a photo of it 'naked')...and I painted it with bronze paint, then added pieces of bronze metal, embossed with various Cuttlebug folders ('Floral Fatasy', 'Victoria' & 'Kassie's Brocade'):

Challenges for the Photo Frame: U for Under the Tree.

For my final project...I've used a cute little snowman digi image from our lovely sponsor the Stamp Fairy to make a couple of little gift tags for when I wrap these presents. I coloured the wee chap with watercolour pencils, and added some 'Crystal' Stickles to the snow. The blank tags are from WHSmiths, and the sentiment is a Lili of the Valley stamp:

Challenges for the tags: F for Frosty & X for Xmas.

I'm also going to enter some of these items into some other challenges:

• Allsorts - Last minute Christmas
• Charisma Cardz - Christmas Gifts
• Cupcake Craft - Non-traditional Christmas Colours (the tags)
• Everybody Art - Handmade Gifts
• Incy Wincy - Non-traditional Christmas Colours (the tags)
• Paperplay - Holiday Tag
• Paper Sundaes - Anything but square or rectangular (the tags & snowglobe)
• Penny Black Saturday - The Holly & the Ivy (the snowglobe)
• Scrapbook Sisters - Non-traditional Christmas Colours (the tags)
• Stamp Fairy - Use glitter or Stickles (on the tags)
• Stamp Something - December Digi Day (the tags)
• Stamp with Fun - Christmas
• Top Tip Tuesday - Christmas Inspired
• Totally Stampalicious - Clean & Simple (the tags)

Ok...the letter you need to collect from my blog is M...so now it's time for you to 'hop' on over to the next blog...which is one of our lovely sponsors...The Stamp Fairy...but don't forget to leave me a comment before you go...I may have some hidden candy!

ABC Christmas Challenge - L is for...

 This fortnight's ABC Christmas Challenge is hosted by Lols...and the theme is:

'L is for Lights'

...with the optional extra of Christmas Trees

 

 Well, as I was unable to find an image with any Christmas lights on...I decided to 'adapt' one of my Christmas tree images (this one is from the 'Holly Jolly' set by Penny Black) with some cute little lights. They came on a string, but I cut them up and poked the string through holes I made on the image, then fixed them in place with tape on the back. Here's a close up:

 

The sparkly papers are from the 'Wonderful Winter' pad by My Mind's Eye, the snowflake was cut using my Cuttlebug  'Ice Crystal' die, which I then stamped with Versamark ink, and coated with holographic embossing powder. I added some star shaped bards (from Tescos) to the tops of the trees on the bottom section of the card to hold my easel part up, and the sentiment stamp is by Paper Makeup. 

Here's a side view, so that you can see the dimension of those lights...this is one card that will be delivered by hand this Christmas! lol

 

I followed the sketch from Eat, Sleep Stamp for the top part of my card, and  I'm also going to enter it into the 'Pimp your card' challenge over at Sweet Stampin'.

My lovely DT buddies have created some fabulous cards for this challenge...you can see them all on the ABC Christmas Challenge blog.

ABC Christmas Challenge - H is for...

It's my turn to set the theme for the ABC Christmas Challenge...and I've chosen:

'H is for Holly'

My 'optional extra' is a sketch...which you can see on the right.

Our sponsor for this challenge is Simon Says Stamp...who are very generously giving the winner of this challenge a $15 spending spree in their store!

The image I've used on my card is from the 'Christmas Critters' set by Penny Black, and all the papers I've used are from the 'Eskimo Kisses' collection by BasicGrey (a mixture of 12x12 and 6x6 sheets). I embossed the reverse of some of the sheets using my 'Snowflakes' and 'Snow Dots' Cuttlebug folders...sanding the raised areas on the red to reveal the detail. The sentiment stamp is by Paper Makeup, the snowflakes were cut using a Cuttlebug die, and the ribbon is form Poppicrafts. I distressed all of the edges using an emery board and my distressing tool.

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

Bah Humbug! - 'Embossing'
Pollycraft - 'Anything Goes'

Don't forget to check out the fabulous cards by the rest of the ABC Christmas Challenge design team.

Wee and Stocking

Katharina is having a Guest Design Team Call for Whiff of Joy stamps...so I thought I'd have a go, and make a card using the recipe of '1 cardstock, 2 design papers, 1 button, 1 ribbon'. I thought I'd combine it with the current Whiff of Joy Challenge...which is to make an easel card. I used the sketch from Totally Papercrafts for the layout. I've used 'Wee with Stocking' to make a Christmas card with papers by Sandylion. The snowflakes were cut using Cuttlebug dies, and they've been coated with Glamour Dust....although it doesn't show up very well in the photo. The sentiment stamp is by Paper Makeup, and the ribbon and button are from Poppicrafts.


I'll be back on Wednesday with another Christmas card...as it will be time for the next ABC Christmas Challenge. There's still time for you to get your entries in for the current challenge...'F is for Frosty'...if you haven't already done so, to be in with a chance of winning the $15 shopping spree at Simon Says Stamp!

ABC Christmas Challenge - E is for...

We've reached the letter E over on the ABC Christmas Challenge...and our theme for you this fortnight, has been chosen by the lovely Cathy, which is:

'E is for Elf'

Well...if you don't have an elf...we don't mind if you use a gnome or pixie or other fairy folk on your projects...just as long as it's Christmassy! lol

Cathy's 'extra' is to use the colours Red & Green on your creations.

For my card, I've used an elf image by Magnolia (kindly sent to me by my ABC Challenge DT buddy Vicky), which I've watercoloured, and then cut out. I've perched her on some fabulous red pom-pom trim, sent to me by my lovely new DT buddy Lacey...who is also sponsoring this challenge...and has donated a fabby WOJ Gnome stamp from her Stamp & Create Store as a prize for the lucky winner. The papers are all My Mind's Eye - the striped and plain ones, are from the '29th Street Market' collection, and the spotty one is from the 'Wonderful Winter' pad. I used my Cuttlebug 'Snowflakes' folder for the embossing, lightly sanding the surface to reveal the white core. The sentiment stamp is by Paper MakeUp, and the cute little stocking charm is also form Lacey.

For my card, I followed the sketch from the Just Christmas & Birthdays Challenge...although I did cheat a little, so that my little elf could sit on the pom-poms! lol

For inspiration, make sure you visit the ABC Christmas Challenge...including gorgeous cards from our lovely new design team members!

ABC Christmas Challenge - D is for...

The challenge for this fortnight on the ABC Christmas Challenge blog is:

'D is for Decorations'

It's Samantha's turn to choose the 'extra' element for you to include on your projects, and like to see you use some ribbon....what could be easier than that??!!

We have a fabulous prize on offer for the lucky winner of this challenge...the fabulous Simon Says Stamp store has donated a $15 voucher for their store.

As soon as I saw the 'Decorations' theme, I just knew I wanted to use this fab Penny Black stamp (from the 'Holly-Jolly' set)...I love the way the decorations are flying off the tree! The papers are all from the 'Wonderful Winter' stack by My Mind's Eye, the sentiment stamp is by Paper Make-Up, and the grosgrain ribbon is from Poppicrafts.

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

Cute Card Thursday - 'Spots & Dots'
Susie & Vikki's Christmas Club - 'Christmas Trees'

Don't forget to check out the rest of the design team's cards...and also the fabulous card by our guest designer Jane, over on the ABC Christmas Challenge.

Wishlist Mouse...

I managed to find a little time yesterday to have a go at a couple of challenge cards once I'd got my DT stuff for the week done & dusted...
This one combines the sketch from Quixotic Challenges, with the Penny Black Saturday Challenge colour combo of 'Blue, Cream & Gold'. I don't very often use gold...it's not a colour I like very much...on cards or even jewellery...but when I do use it, it's usually on a Christmas card...so that's what I've made. I used this wee mouse form the Penny Black 'Christmas Critters' set with his letter to Father Christmouse...awwww how sweet! The spotty paper is K&Co ('Blue Awning'), and I used my Cuttlebug 'D'Vine Swirls' (on the gold card) and 'Victoria' (on the cream card) folders. The sentiment stamp is by Paper Make-Up, and I inked the edges of the papers with gold pigment ink, then embossed them with clear embossing powder.

Well, so far I'm managing to keep up with my plan to make at least one Christmas card a week...this is my third...and I have another to show you later in the week. I noticed a 'Christmas card tally' on someone's blog whilst blog-hopping the other day...a great idea to keep track...so I think I'll add one to mine too! :0)

Winter Pals

The My Time to Craft Challenge has a lovely theme for their challenge this week...'Winter Pals'. Now, I think that these two little fellas look both wintry and friendly...and having a high old time singing their hearts out! The image is a House Mouse stamp called 'Christmas Singing Duo'. I followed the sketch from Sketch Saturday...although I was naughty, and omitted the scalloped edges. And, I'm also entering this card for a couple of 'Christmas' themed challenges: Stampavie & More; and Stamp with Fun.
The papers are by BasicGrey ('Figgy Pudding'), the sentiment stamp is by Paper Makeup, and I added some pieces of card candy in coordinating colours.



Oh, and I've been given this award by Susan...thank you!
I posted my 'one word' answers here a couple of weeks ago, as I received it from a couple of my other bloggy buddies then.

I also received another award this week...but I'm still trying to come up with some 'interesting' facts about myself, so I'll blog that later! lol