Pile It On! Challenge - Floral Fantasy

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

'Floral Fantasy'

Our sponsor for this challenge is Crafty City:

Prize - a 15% off coupon code for the lucky winner!

I thought that the floral theme would be perfect for the Mother's Day card to send to my Mum. I used a favourite stamp of mine...'Blooming Meadows' by Hero Arts...which I stamped using the watercolour technique and Distress Inks. I stamped it a few times to stretch across the front of the card, then added a sentiment (from the Hero Arts 'Sentiments' set) and doodled a simple border.

Here are the challenges I piled on:

• Pile It On! - Floral Fantasy
• 4 Crafty Chicks - Spring
• Crafty Catz - Anything Goes
• Crafty Sentiments - Mother's Day
• Crazy Challenge - Flower Frenzy
• Cute Card Thursday - Floral Delights
• Dream Valley - Mothering Sunday
• Hiding in my Craft Room - Freestyle
• Kaboodles Doodles - Spring
• Paper Crafting Journey - Anything Goes
• Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

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

Cupcake Glory

I'm just sneaking a quick post in before dinner to catch a few challenges that close tonight. This card is for my friend's daughter who will be celebrating her first birthday soon...the image is called 'Cupcake Glory' by Penny Black, which I coloured using watercolour pencils. The papers are from the 'My Girl' pad by American Crafts...I doodled some simple borders around the edges using a black gel pen. The sentiment stamp is from the 'Cupcakes' set by Hero Arts, and I cut the number '1' using my Cuttlebug 'Olivia' Alphabet.

Challenges for this card:

• Crafter's Cafe - Add Doodling
• Crazy 4 Challenges - Anything Goes
• Creative Card Crew - Animals
• Delightful - Critters
• Penny Black & More @ Allsorts - So Sweet
• Seize the Birthday - Anything Birthday
• Sisterhood of Crafters - Animals
• Stampavie & More - for a Girl
• Stamping Boutique - Doodling
• Sweet Stampin' Doodles

Garden Bouquet Mother's Day

I have a Mother's Day card to share today...using a couple of Hero Arts stamps. The flower stamp is called 'Garden Bouquet'...I stamped it using the watercolour technique and Distress Inks...and the sentiment stamp is from the 'Sentiments' set. I blended a little 'Old Paper' Distress Ink over to top, then went around the very edges with 'Brushed Corduroy'.

Challenges for this card:

• 4 Crafty Chicks - No Designer Paper
• Craft Your Passion - Mother's Day
• Crafting for All Seasons - No Designer Paper
• Crafter's Cafe - Square Cards
• Delightful - Spring
• Emergency Crafters - Flowers
• Inky Impresions - Spring
• My Time to Craft - Mother's Day
• Totally Gorjuss - Mum

Crafty Little Fairies Challenge - On the Farm

The theme of this week's Crafty Little Fairies Challenge is:

'Down on the Farm'

Our sponsor for this challenge is:

I've used a Penny Black stamp called '...to You!'...which I coloured using watercolour pencils. The papers are from the 'Party Day' pad by Crate Paper...I doodled some simple borders using a black gel pen, and added some twine (from the Ribbon Girls).

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

• Fab 'n' Funky - Masculine
• Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

For more inspiration from my lovely DT buddies, please pop over to the Crafty Little Fairies Challenge.

ABC Christmas Challenge - F is for...

We have a new ABC Christmas Challenge starting today...Annette is the host, and the theme is:

'F is for Friends & Family'

(We want to see personalised cards)

Our sponsor for this challenge is:

Sweet Stamps

Prize - $10 Gift Certificate!

I chose to make my card for my Dad...his was the last card I made last year, so I thought I'd get in early this time! I used a Penny Black stamp called 'Carolers' which I coloured using watercolour pencils. The papers are from the 'Christmas in the Country' pad by Papermania...I distressed the edges, then added some faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug and a black gel pen. The sentiment stamp is from a set by Lili of the Valley, the snowflake was cut using a Marianne Designs die, the spotty Button is by Dovecraft, the twine is from the Ribbon Girls, and the lettering was cut using my Cuttlebug 'Olivia' alphabet dies.

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

• C.R.A.F.T. - Christmas
• Creative Corner - Birds
• Sweet Stamps - Anything Goes

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

Oldie but a Goodie Challenge - Bunting

This fortnight's Oldie but a Goodie Challenge is all about:

'Bunting'

I've used some little bunting and alphabet stamps that came free with craft magazine to make a Mother's Day card. The image stamp is from Lili of the Valley called 'Big Bouquet', which I coloured using watercolour pencils...and the papers were also a magazine freebie. I doodled some simple borders and added a few pieces of Card Candi.

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

• Cutie Pie - A Cute One for Mum
• Gem of a Challenge - Mother's Day
• Hiding in my Craft Room - Colour It (I used watercolour pencils)
• Simon Says Stamp (Wednesdays) - Mother's Day
• Sweet Stampin' - Mother's Day
• That Craft Place - Flowers and/or Mother's Day

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

Pile It On! Challenge - For a Man

This week at Pile It On! we asking you to create something:

'For a Man'

Our sponsor for this challenge is:

Doctor Digi's House of Stamps

Prize - 2 Digis of winner's choice!

I've used a Whipper Snapper stamp on my card...he's called 'Birthday Pup', and I coloured him using watercolour pencils. The papers are from the 'Party Day' pad by Crate Paper...I distressed the edges a little, then added some faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug and a black gel pen.

Here are the challenges I've piled on:

• Pile It On! - For a Man
• Aud Sentiments - Anything Goes
• Crafty Creations - Happy Birthday
• Fab 'n' Funky - Animals
• Fussy & Fancy - Birthdays
• Love to Create - Anything Goes
• Penny's Paper Crafting - Anything Goes
• Seize the Birthday - Birthday Stitches
• Simply Create Too - Animals
• Stampin' for the Weekend - Anything Goes
• Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

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

Crafty Little Fairies - Inspired by a Song or Film Title

We have a new Crafty Little Fairies Challenge starting today...we want to see projects:

'Inspired by a Song or Film Title'

Our sponsor for this challenge is The Ribbon Girl:

Prize: a £10 Gift Voucher!

The film I've picked is 'The Snowman'...and I've used one of my oldest (and still most loved' stamps...'Snowy' by Penny Black. I simply stamped him on to my card blank (I'm really trying to make lots of cheap to post Christmas cards this year!), and coloured him using watercolour pencils...adding some Stickles to the 'snow' for a touch of sparkle. The sentiment stamp is by Lili of the Valley.

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

• Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes
• Just for Fun - Anything Goes
• Loves Rubber Stamps - Anything Goes
• Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
• That Craft Place - Anything Goes
• Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

For more inspiration from my lovely DT buddies, please pop over to the Crafty Little Fairies Challenge.

ABC Christmas Challenge - E is for...

We have a brand new ABC Christmas Challenge starting today...Bettina is the host, and the theme is:

'E is for Enclosed'

Our sponsor for this challenge is Zlatoena's Design:

Prize - 2 Digital Images!

I've made a simple little giftcard holder...it measures just under 4 inches square. The papers are from the 'Winter Wonderland' pad by My Mind's Eye...the snowflakes were cut using Cuttlebug and Marianne Designs dies, and the pearls are from Hobbycraft. I distressed the edges, and added some faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug and a black gel pen.

Here's the inside...and the 'enclosed' giftcard:

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

Oldie but a Goodie Challenge - Spring has Sprung!

This fortnight's Oldie but a Goodie Challenge theme was chosen by me...and (rather optimistically) I picked:

'Spring has Sprung'

I've used an old stamp that always makes me think of spring...its 'Bunny Friends' by Penny Black...which I coloured using watercolour pencils. The papers are from the 'My Girl' pad by American Crafts...I distressed the edges a little, then added some faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug and a black gel pen. The flowers are a mixture of Prima, Wild Orchid Crafts and Poppicrafts, and are held in place by some BasicGrey brads.

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

• Allsorts - Spring is Coming
• Cards Galore Encore - Use a Stamp
• Corrosive - Animals
• Cute Card Thursday - Springtime
• Crafty Calendar - Animal Antics
• Created with Love - Think Spring
• Emergency Crafters - Flowers
• Hiding in my Craft Room - Spring Colours
• Little Red Wagon - Yearning for Spring
• Penny Black & More @ Allsorts - So Sweet
• Stamp and Create - Ready for Spring
• Sweet Stampin' - Cute

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

Pile It On! Challenge - Lamb or Lion

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

'Lamb or Lion'

(Sweet & Soft OR Bold & Bright)

We are sponsored for this challenge by Jelly Park:

Prize - 2 digis!

I went with 'Bold & Bright', and used papers from the 'Here & There' pad by Studio Calico, and 'Party Day' pad by American Crafts. The image is an old favourite of mine...'Birthday Dog' by Penny Black, the sentiment stamp is from a little set by Studio G, and the brads are Basic Grey.

Here are the challenges I piled on:

• Pile It On! - Lamb or Lion (Lion)
• Challenges 4 Everybody - Anything Goes
• Crafty Catz - Anything Goes
• Creative Inspirations - It's a Boy Thing
• Love to Create - Anything Goes
• Paper Crafting Journey - Make it Manly/Boyish
• Seize the Birthday - Anything Birthday
• Simply Create Too - Shop in Your Stash

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

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Lace & Pearls

It's the first Saturday of the month...so that means it's time for a new Penny Black Saturday Challenge...and this month the theme is:

'Lace & Pearls' 

As usual, we have some fabulous prizes on offer from our lovely sponsors:

The Ribbon Girl:

1-2-3 Stitch!:

Prize - a $20 voucher

I've used a stamp from the 'Wonderful' set...and papers form the 'My Girl' pad by American Crafts. I used my lace to trim the edge of the image...and added some doodled borders using a black gel pen. The sentiment stamp is from another Penny Black set ('Party Critters'), and the pearls are from Hobbycraft.

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

• Everybody Art - Ribbon or Lace
• Simon Says Stamp (Wednesdays) - Anything with Pearls

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

Lola with Bird

I've used  a really old stamp on today's card...it's 'Lola with Bird' by Rachelle Anne Miller for Sugar Nellie. I coloured it using watercolour pencils to match the 'My Girl' papers by American Crafts. I distressed the edges a little, then added some faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug and a black gel pen. The sentiment stamp is from the 'Party Critters' set by Penny Black, the flowers are by Prima, the twine is by Dovecraft, the pearls are from Hobbycraft, and the buttons are from my stash.

Challenges for this card:

• Allsorts - Ladies Day
• Creative Inspirations - Buttons
• Cute Card Thursday - Buttons & Bows
• Daring Cardmakers - Old, but Not Forgotten (This stamp is at least 5 years old...and checking back through my blog, I don't think I've used it in over 3 years!)
• Incy Wincy - Birthdays
• In the Pink - Pink Plus One Other Colour (Grey)
• Pink Elephant - Use Pink
• Squirrel & the Fox - Something Spooled (Twine)
• Sugar Bowl - Colour Combo:

• Totally Gorjuss - Strings the Thing

Top Hat

I have a Christmas card to share today...using a Lili of the Valley stamp called 'The Top Hat'...which I coloured using watercolour pencils...adding some sparkle to the snow using Stickles. The papers are from the 'Christmas in the Country' pad by Papermania...I distressed the edges a little, then added faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug and a white gel pen. The ribbon was from Poppicrafts...long ago...the sentiment stamp is also by Lili of the Valley, and the sparkly brads are by American Crafts.

Challenges for this card:

• Christmas Cards - Anything Goes
• Christmas Challenges {with Sketches} - Sketch #111
• Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas - Use a Sentiment
• Crafty Ribbons - Anything Goes
• Cutie Pie - Spots & Dots
• Fab 'n' Funky - Spots or Stripes
• Penny Black & More @ Allsorts - Sparkle
• Winter Wonderland - The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Birthday Cupcake

Something a little more fussy today...I hadn't used this House Mouse stamp in ages ('Birthday Cupcake') so thought it was about time I rectified that! I coloured the image using watercolour pencils, then added some tiny pearls to the cupcake frosting. The papers are all by First Edition , but from three different pads ('New Bloom', 'Isabelle' and 'Summer Breeze')...I distressed the edges, then added some faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug and a black gel pen. The sentiment stamp is from the 'Sending Sunshine' set by Simon Says Stamp, and the Card Candi is by Craftwork Cards.

Challenges for this card:

• Cards Galore Encore - Add Gems, Glitter, Candi etc
• Corrosive - In Stitches
• House Mouse & Friends - Purple, White & One Other Colour (Green)
• Papertake Weekly - Lovely Layers
• Penny's Paper Crafting - Lots of Layers
• Sketch & Stash - Sketch #133
• Top Tip Tuesday - Stitching

I want to ride my bicycle...

I inked up some of my (many) bicycle stamps to create a simple masculine card...these ones are a Hero Arts cling set simply called 'Bicycles'. I used shades of Distress Inks (Mowed Lawn, Brushed Corduroy & Spiced Marmalade), a sentiment stamp from a set by Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous called 'Going Somewhere', then simply doodled a border using a black gel pen.

Challenges for this card:

• CAS on Sunday - Masculine
• Crafty Creations - Keep It Simple
• Creative Knockouts - No Square Cards
• Less is More - Masculine

While I has my bicycle stamps and Distress Inks out...I used them to create a piece of wall art:

I used the same stamps as on the card above, another Hero Arts one ('Classic Bike') and a couple from a set by Avery Elle called 'Roll With It'...I had to play around a little bit with layout to get them to fit on my A4 card, but I'm pleased with the end result. The frame is from The Range.

This is going to go on the wall in my new craft space...I'm going to be sharing it with my flatmate, who will be using it as an office for his business...he runs cycling training courses...sells bikes...and generally eats, sleeps & breathes all things bike...so that explains my choice of images!

I will be making some others...but thought I'd start with this one as a sweetener...I'm not sure he realises the full extent of my craft stash! I'm usually only a weekend crafter (except during the school holidays...I'm a music teacher) and all of my stash is currently stored in boxes in a cupboard on the landing...I'm hoping that if I have easier access to my stash, and a dedicated space for crafting, that I might be able to sneak some in during the week!

Right now the room is completely empty...our other flatmate moved out last weekend...we have a trip to Ikea planned to pick up some pieces of furniture, and various bits'n'pieces for storage, so hopefully it won't be too long before it will be usable. I'm so excited about finally having a dedicated place to craft (even if I'm having to share it!)...up until now it's mainly been on the floor in my room!

Challenges for my stamped bicycle artwork:

• All Crafts Challenge - Anything but a Card
• Challenges 4 Everybody - Anything Goes
• Crafty Sentiments - Anything Goes
• One Crazy Stamper - Anything Goes
• Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

Crafty Little Fairies - One for the Boys

This week's Crafty Little Fairies Challenge theme is:

'One for the Boys'

Our sponsor for this challenge is Handy Hippo:

I've used a Stampavie stamp by Rachelle Anne Miller...called 'Birthday Monkeys' which I coloured using watercolour pencils...I think I may have used them on a girly card once, but their cheeky little faces just scream little boy cards to me! The papers are from the 'Here and There' pad by Studio Calico...I distressed the edges a little, then added faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug and a black gel pen. The sentiment stamp is from the 'Sending Sunshine' set by Simon Says Stamp.

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

• A Little Bit Crafty - Man Up!
• Corrosive - In Stitches
• Hiding in my Craft Room - Use Three Designer Papers
• Seize the Birthday - Anything Birthday
• Sweet Stampin' - Sketch
• Top Tip Tuesday - Stitching

For more inspiration from my lovely DT buddies, please pop over to the Crafty Little Fairies Challenge.

ABC Christmas Challenge - D is for...

It's time for a new ABC Christmas Challenge, and this fortnight Dorte is the host, with a theme of:

'D is for Die Cuts'

Our sponsor for this challenge is QKR Stampede:

Prize - 5 Digital Images!

I used a Hero Arts and Sizzix stamp and die set to create my card. I stamped the reindeer on to kraft card...adding a little colour using watercolour pencils...and gave them coloured jumpers using 'Chipped Saphire' and 'Fired Brick' Distress Inks. I cut the trees from an assortment of green papers from pads by My Mind's Eye, Penny Black, Studio Calico and Crate Paper. For the background, I used paper from the 'Here & There' pad by Studio Calico, and strips of white hammer textured card, torn to look like fluffy snow. The sentiment stamp is from the 'Celebrate Everyday' set by Hero Arts.

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

• 52 Christmas Card Throwdown - Christmas Landscapes
• Christmas Cards - Trees
• Crafty Sentiments - Anything Goes
• Cute Card Thursday - Clever Cutting
• Feeling Crafty - Dies and/or Punches
• Sweet Stamps - Anything Goes
• Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

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