Just Cute Bears - Here Comes Summer

Our theme for you this week at the Just Cute Bears Challenge is:

'Here Comes Summer'

For my card, I've used an adorable Lili of the Valley bear called 'Deckchair Dreaming'...well...isn't that how most of us would hope to spend the summer? The paper is from the 'Cupcakes' pad by BasicGrey...and, although I don't like icecream, I'm assured it's a most enjoyable treat on a hot summer's day! lol I used my 'Forest Branches' Cuttlebug folder on Core'dinations 'Whitewash' card, then sanded over the raised areas to reveal the blue core before distressing all the edges. The sentiment is a Tim Holtz adage ticket, the ribbon is from Poppicrafts, and the letters were cut using the Cuttlebug 'Olivia' alphabet.

 

I followed the sketch from Sweet Sketch Wednesday for my card, and am also entering it into the Crafty Catz 'Embossing' and Totally Papercrafts 'Animal Magic' challenges.

Make sure you stop by and check out the fabulous creations by the rest of the Just Cute Bears design team.

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Include a Quote

 The theme for this week's Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge has been chosen by Mel...and she wants to see us:

 'Include a Quote'

Now, this is something I don't very often do...but I do have a set of fab 'Kids Quotes' stamps by Inkadinkado...so I took one of those ('You make me smile all over my face') as my starting point. I picked this image ('Here's Lookin' at You' by Penny Black) because it made me smile, and coloured it with watercolour pencils, adding some Glossy Accents (available here at the Secret Crafter) to the lenses on the glasses. The paper is Classic K 'Margo' by K&Co, the swirl stamp are by Whiff of Joy, and the tag was cut using a Sizzix die.

 

So...where's the quote??? It's on the tag hidden in the pocket behind the image...

 

You can check out the fab creations by my lovely DT buddies on the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge blog.

Dogs for Dad

It was my Dad's Birthday yesterday...and it's Father's Day soon too...so when I was at home over half-term, I made a couple of things for my Dad.

The gift tag on the bottle is for Father's Day, and the card was for his Birthday - it's a wallet type card, with some gift vouchers inside. I've photographed them together, as they match...although he won't be getting them at the same time! The images are both Penny Black ('Circus Act' and from the 'Bubbly' set), I used my Cuttlebug 'Swiss Dots' folder for the embossing, the ribbon is from Hobbycraft, the tag was cut using a Sizzix die, and the little sentiment stamp is from a Studio G set.

Here's a close-up of the card:

The little sentiments are actually holding a bookmark in place...they're raised on 3D foam, so that the bookmark slides in and out.

Here's the bookmark:

 

I'm going to enter these in to the C.R.A.F.T. Challenge where the theme is 'Father's Day/Men's Cards' and Stampavie & More's 'Spots' challenge.

Presents for 2

I'm still managing to make at least one Christmas card a week...got a lovely big box full already! lolI followed the sketch from Friday Sketchers for this one...using an adorable Lili of the Valley bear ('Presents for 2'). The papers are from the '29th Street Market' collection by My Mind's Eye...the plain colours have been embossed with my Cuttlebug 'Snowflakes' and 'Snow Dots' folders...perfect for Susie & Vikki's Christmas Club 'Snowflakes' challenge. I sanded the raised areas to bring out the detail, and then distressed the edges with my distressing tool...so I'm also going to enter this card into the Crazy Challenge, where the theme is 'Distress It!'. The snowflakes were cut using a Cuttlebug die.

 

Strawberries & Cream

This card is for some of the 'Summer' themed challenges out there at the moment. I followed the sketch from the Whiff of Joy Challenge...using one of the stamps from last year's Summer collection...'Willow with Strawberrybasket'. I took my colour inspiration from the 'Strawberries & Cream' Allsorts Challenge, with paper from the 'Cupcakes' pad by BasicGrey. The lace is from Hobbycraft, and the flowers are by Prima.

Other challenges entered:

• Charisma Cardz - 'Flowers'
• Our Creative Corner - 'Summer Inspiration'
• Paper Sundaes - 'Summer Fun'
• Raise the Bar - 'Celebrate Summer'
• Stampin' for the Weekend - 'Summer/Travel'

Gifts for you!

This card follows the sketch from Sketchy Thursday over at Eat, Sleep, Stamp!, where I was so chuffed to be chosen as 'Sketch Artist' of the week with my card for last week's challenge! :0) I've combined it with the 'Swirls' theme of the Penny Black Saturday Challenge, and Sketchy Colours 'Green, Lilac & White' colour scheme. The image is 'Gifts for You!' (of course by Penny Black), and for the background, I used my Cuttlebug 'D'Vine Swirls' folder. I added some Stickles to the flower on the image, and also to the tips of the paper flowers and brad (from Poppicrafts)...although it looks kind of odd in the photo!

 

Moo'd Swing!

I haven't used this Whipper Snapper stamp (called 'Moo'd Swing') for ages...but there are a couple of  'Black, White & One Other Colour' challenges around this week...and I thought she'd be perfect! lol I followed the sketch from Truly Scrumptious, and used 'Red' as my other colour, as per the following challenges: Crafty Creations - 'Black, White & a Splash of Red'; and Create4Fun - 'Black, White & ?'. I used my 'Victoria', 'D'Vine Swirls' and 'Swiss Dots' Cuttlebug folders for the embossing (which is the 'optional extra' for the Truly Scrumptious Challenge this time). The sentiment stamp is by Cuddly Buddy, and the roses are from Wild Orchid Crafts.

 

Pile It On! Challenge - Quirky

This week's Pile It On! Challenge theme is:

'Quirky'

We are sponsored for this challenge by Bugaboo Stamps...who have very generously let the design team play with some of their fabulously quirky images. I've used 'Birthday Monkey - Cupcake' for my card. I watercoloured the image, and then added some Glossy Accents to the cherry, and some adhesive pearls to the icing on the cupcake. I made the papers using stamps from the 'Cupcakes' set by Hero Arts, and the stars were cut using Nesties.

 

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

Inspirational Card Sketches - Pick Your Own Sketch (#43)

Corrosive - Diecuts

Cute Card Thursday - Black, Blue & Orange
Daring Cardmakers - A String of Pearls
My Time to Craft - Wild Thing
One Stop Craft - Make Your Own DP
Stamp Something - Digi Day

You can see the rest of the design team's 'Quirky' creations on the Pile It On! Challenge blog.

Just Cute Bears - Happy Father's Day

This week's Just Cute Bears Challenge is to make a card for:

'Father's Day'

I've used yet another Lili of the Valley 'Busy Bear' on this card - I just can't help myself...they're soooo sweet! This one is called 'In the Shed'...perfect for those men in your life! lol The papers are from the 'Bloom & Grow' pad by My Mind's Eye, the raffia lace is from Hobbycraft, and if you look really closely, you might just be able to make the handwritten sentiment on the sign on the image.

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

• Midnight Madness - Sketch (I chose the simple one)
• Creative Cottage - 'Happy Father's Day'
• For Fun - 'Men'
• Sew Many Challenges - 'Father's Day - NO Blue'
• Simon Says Stamp - 'Father's Day/Men'

You can check out the fabulous cards by my lovely teamies, and our guest designer for June Cherie, on the Just Cute Bears Challenge blog.

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Sketch

 This week's Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge is a fabby sketch by Jane.

I've used an adorable Whiff of Joy image called 'Sneezing Henry'...and papers from the 'Wisteria' pad by BasicGrey (available here at the Secret Crafter). The flowers are a mixture of Poppicrafts and Prima, and the sentiment was done on my computer.

 

You can check out the fabulous cards by my lovely teamies on the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge blog.

Secret Crafter Manga Stamp Release...Day Five

Today sees the release of the last of the new manga stamps exclusive to the Secret Crafter...this one is called 'Samurai Boy'.

I've watercoloured him to match these papers from the 'Far East' stack by DCWV. I embossed the central strip using the Cuttlebug 'Forest Branches' folder...I thought it sort of looked like bamboo! lol

I couldn't find any suitable matching embellishments, so I coloured some white pieces of card candy using the inkpad I'd inked all of the edges with.

I followed the fab sketch from Sweet Sunday Sketch for my card.

My Secret Crafter team mates have created some fab cards with this image...you can see them here on the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge blog.

Sending Sunshine

There are lots of summer themed challenges around at the moment...and for the moment at least...our weather seems to be co-operating! I followed the sketch from Sketch Saturday...who are celebrating their birthday this week...Happy Birthday Sketch Saturday! The colour scheme of 'Pink & Green' is from the Creative Card Crew Challenge. I'll list the other challenges at the end of this post, as there's quite a few. The image is one of the 'Rain, Snow, Shine' Miss Anyas, and the papers are from the '29th Street Market' collection by My Mind's Eye.The flowers are from Poppicrafts, the sentiment stamp is from the 'Sending Sunshine' set by Simon Says Stamp, and I used an EK Success for the scalloped borders.

 

Other challenges:

• Creative Inspirations (Wed) - 'Beach Theme'
• Cupcake - 'Summer Delights'
• Everybody Art - 'Summer'
• Papertake Weekly - 'Summer Fun'
• Pink Elephant - 'Gotta Wear Shades' (Bright Colours)
• Stampavie & More - 'Summer'
• Stamptacular Sunday - 'Life's a Beach!'

Secret Crafter Manga Stamp Release...Day Four

The stamp released today, from the new range of Secret Crafter manga stamps is called 'Rockability Couple'...perfect for retro-themed cards.

I coloured the image in shades of black and grey, to match the sparkly DCWV 'Glitter Stack' papers. The sentiment stamp is from the 'Sending Sunshine' set by Simon Says Stamp.

 

I followed the sketch from Sunday Sketch & Stamp,  and I'm also going to enter this card into A Spoon Full of Sugar's 'Celebrations' challenge.

For more ideas of how to use this image, see the fabuous cards by my team mates on the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge blog.

Secret Crafter Manga Stamp Release...Day Three

Today's release from the new set of manga stamps from the Secret Crafter shop is called 'Poor Boy'...awww...isn't he adorable!?

I watercoloured him to match these BasicGrey 'Boxer' papers, distressing the edges with inks and my distressing tool. I used my Cuttlebug 'Diamond Plate' folder (available here at the Secret Crafter) on one of the plain papers, and then sanded over the raised areas to reveal the white core.

 

I'm going to enter this card into the Crafty Catz 'Boys' challenge.

There are some fabulous samples from the rest of the Secret Crafter design team over on the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge blog.

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.

Busy Baking...

I love all of the recent Lili of the Valley stamps...these 'Busy Bears' are just adorable! I followed the sketch from the Lili of the Valley Challenge on the front of this card....rotating it 90 degrees...and creating a 'fold back' where the line is...so that I could use two of the images ('Busy Baking' and 'I Baked a Cake') together. The checked paper is from the 'Sweet Nothings' pad by Papermania, the Kraft card is by Bazzill, and the sentiment stamps are from the 'Cupcakes' set by Hero Arts.

 Here's a view of the card 'open' so that you can see both of the images:

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

• Charisma Cardz - 'Circles'

• Corrosive - 'What's Cooking?'
  

• Paper Sundaes - 'Kraft & Blue'

Secret Crafter Manga Stamp Release...Day Two

Here's the second of the new Secret Crafter manga stamps...this cutie is called 'Old Fashioned Girl'...and she is available to buy from the Secret Crafter shop from today. 

I coloured her with watercolour pencils, to match these gorgeous '29th Street Market' papers (by My Mind's Eye)...one of which I embossed using my Cuttlebug 'D'Vine Swirls' folder (available here at the Secret Crafter), then I rubbed a chalk inkpad over the raised areas to bring our the detail. The lace is from Hobbycraft, and the flowers and brad are from Poppicrafts.

 

I'm going to enter this card into the Totally Papercrafts Challenge, where the theme this week is 'Monochrome', and the Critter Challenge, which this week is 'Flowers & the Colour Purple'

For more samples using this image...check out the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge blog.

Bunny Friends

There's a lovely theme for this week's Penny Black Saturday Challenge of 'In the Garden'...it's just a shame that the weather's been so miserable this weekend...we've all been cooped up indoors! Nevermind...rain is perfect weather for crafting! lol

I followed the sketch from Sketch & Stash, using some new My Mind's Eye paper (from the 'Out & About' collection). The green paper is also My Mind's Eye (from the 'Bloom & Grow' pad)...and I distressed all of the edges, and added some faux stitching using my Cutter Bee Bug and a white gel pen...for the Creative Inspirations (Sunday) challenge where the theme is 'Sewing'. The image is called 'Bunny Friends' (by Penny Black), and the flowers and large brads are from Poppicrafts.