Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - A Stamped Flower

Before I get on to the theme of this week's Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge, I'd like to say a big welcome to our new DT members:

Beate

Carina

Francesca

Kelly

They all have fabulous blogs...well worth a look, and their first challenge with us will be on March 2nd.

Ok, on to this week's challenge, which has set by Wendy, and the theme is:

'A Stamped Flower'

I have quite a few flower stamps...but they rarely get a look in, so it was good to have a rummage through my stamps for this challenge. The flower I've used is from the 'Art Deco' set by Woodware, which I coloured with watercolour pencils, then cut out using my Nesties (available here at the Secret Crafter) I couldn't decide which papers to use on this card, so in the end chose not to use any, and instead use my Cuttlebug 'Kassie's Brocade' and 'Victoria' folders (available here at the Secret Crafter) on plain card for the background. I added a large bow of seam-binding ribbon...which may have fallen into my basket while I was picking up some bits and pieces for my recent candy ;0) and a few adhesive pearls (available here at the Secret Crafter)

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

• Sketch & Stash - Sketch (the seam-binding ribbon is my new stash)
• Totally Papercrafts - Clean & Simple
• Fab'N'Funky - Tempting Texture

For more inspiration, please check out the fabulous samples by my lovely Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge DT buddies.

And the winner is....

Thank you to all of you lovely people who entered and linked my candy...and welcome to my new followers! :0)

But, there can only be one winner of my candy...I've just pressed the button on the Random.Org generator...and he spat out:

 Number 64 is:

Woo-hoo - congratulations Kaz!!!

Please email me (helenbrammer@hotmail.com) by 10pm next Wednesday (16th Feb) to claim your prize :0)

ABC Christmas Challenge - C is for...

We're half-way through our 'C is for Clean & Simple' challenge over on the ABC Christmas Challenge blog, and I and a few of the other DT members, thought we'd have another go with my sketch, and create some more inspiration for you. Here's a reminder of the sketch:

I've used an adorable Penny Black snowman stamp (from the 'Jolly Friends' set) on my card this time, together with two of my favourite Cuttlebug embossing folders - 'Swiss Dots' and 'Snowflakes'. I added a pice of dotty ribbon (from Hobbycraft), and a Cuddly Buddly sentiment.

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

• Jingle Belles - Baby it's cold outside (but my little snowman looks cosy in his fluffy hat & scarf)
• Penny Black Inc - White Space

Don't forget that we have two fabulous sponsors for this challenge...which means two lovely prizes:

Simon Says Stamp - $15 shopping Voucher

and:

Stamp Fairy - 3 digital images of the winner's choice.

One more thing before I head off...my candy closes at 10pm tonight...so if you haven't entered yet...you'd better get your skates on!

Cuttlebug Spot - Step-fold Cards

We're continuing our card fold themed challenges this week at the Cuttlebug Spot with:

'Step-fold Cards'

I love the look of step-fold cards, great for an 'extra special' card, but have only ever made one before. It was a large A5 sized side step card (here's a link to it, and I also made a tutorial, which you can see here), so I thought I'd try something different this time, and made a square card, with 'steps' on each side. I've used an adorable Lili of the Valley bear ('Teddy with Bouquet'), which I coloured with watercolour pencils. I decided to keep the rest of the card white...something I love to do on Christmas cards, but thought it would really make the image stand out here. I used my Cuttlebug 'Floral Fantasy' folder for the embossing, and cut the flowers using one of the dies from my Cuttlebug 'Olivia' alphabet, adding little white pearls to their centres. I lightly distressed the edges with my distressing tool, and added a sentiment (from the CCSR set by Papermania).

Here's a view from the side to show the 'step' shape:

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

• Crafty Sentiments - Bears
• Sweet Stampin' - Spring Flowers

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

Vase of Flowers

I coloured this image in months ago (it's by Hero Arts...sorry...I can't remember the name...and I'm too lazy to go and hunt out the stamp to find it! lol), and when I came across it in my image box at the weekend, I thought it was just perfect for the photo inspiration challenge over at A Spoon Full of Sugar. The papers are by We R Memory Keepers (from the '72 and Sunny' and 'Hippity Hoppity' scrapbook pads), the ribbon is from Hobbycraft, and the sentiment is from the CCSR set by Papermania.

Other challenges for this card:

• Sweet Stop - Sketch
• Sew Many - Anything Goes

Jolly Friends

This card uses one of the stamps from the 'Jolly Friends' set by Penny Black, which I coloured with watercolour pencils. I used my Cuttlebug 'Snowflakes' folder for the embossing, and EK Success 'Scalloped Diamonds' punch for the scalloped edges. The button I used (from a Making Memories pack) had slits in it rather than holes, so I threaded it on to the ribbon before tying a bow.

Challenges for this card:

• Penny Black Inc - Sketch
• Bah! Humbug! - Buttons & Bows
• Our Creative Corner - Branch Out (Tree image in a CAS style)
• Pollycraft - Baby it's Cold Outside
• Sir Stampalot - All Creatures Great & Small

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - GDT Card!

Woo-hoo...I am so excited to be the guest designer at the Penny Black Saturday Challenge this month! I've been bursting to tell you all ever since the lovely Kath asked me a few weeks ago if I'd like to be a guest designer at the PBSC. I'm sure any regular visitors to my blog will know that I love my Penny Black stamps...they were what first got me into stamping...and I love the PBSC too...it's my favourite challenge. I've entered every one of their 136 previous challenges...which date back to before I had my blog...in fact I think it might be to blame for my current blogging & challenge addiction! So...I jumped at the chance to join those lovely PBSC girls for a few weeks...I just hope I do a good job!

Anyway, enough of my waffling...the theme of the challenge this week is:

'Love is...'

(finish the phrase on your card)

And of course there are some fabulous prizes on offer:

4052K Joie De Vivre from Penny Black

and: 

Bundle of ribbons from The Ribbon Girl

I decided to try something new, and made a pocket card, with a tag insert. I sort of followed this tutorial on Splitcoast Stampers, but altered the dimensions to fit the items I wanted to use. I used Bazzil card for the base, and then covered the outside with some My Mind's Eye 'Kiss & Tell' paper. The image is from the 'Every which way' set (of course by Penny Black), which I coloured with watercolour pencils. I used more paper from the same MME collection on the band around the middle, and inked all of the edges before assembling the card.

I decorated the tag inside with the same papers, and added an anonymous quote I found by Googling:

Here's a view of both the pocket and the tag:

I thought that this would make a good anniversary card for my parents...so Mum, if you're reading this...you'll have to forget that you've seen this card!

I can't wait to see what the Penny Black Saturday Challenge girls have come up with...it's always one of the first things I do when I get home from work on a Saturday.

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Valentines

This week's Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge has been set by Tracie, and the theme she has chosen is:

'Valentine'

My card is ultra clean and simple...I made the base from kraft card, and then stamped some Penny Black hedgehogs from the 'Every which way' set on to some offcuts. I coloured them with watercolour pencils, and then added some Glossy Accents (available here at the Secret Crafter) to the hearts. I used one of my scalloped square Nesties (available here at the Secret Crafter) to cut out the red mats.

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

• Cards for Men - Valentine's
• Charisma Cardz - No embellishments
• Crafter's Companion - Romance
• Creative Craft - Love is in the air
• Creative Inspirations (Sundays) - Valentine's/Love
• Die Cut Dreams - Lots of hearts, but NO sentiment
• Digi Doodles - Valentine's
• Double Dutch - Love is in the air
• Little Red Wagon - Kraft
• Prairie Fairy - For a sweetheart
• Raise the Bar - Hearts
• Simon Says Stamp - Love is in the air
• Stampin' for the Weekend - Valentine's
• Sundays with Crissy - Love
• Wild Orchid - Love is...

For more inspiration, please check out the gorgeous samples by my lovely Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge DT buddies.

Bright & Cheerful!

I made this card at the weekend, when it was dull & miserable outside...with the hope that it would bring us some sunshine...and guess what? It has - yippee! I've used one of the stamps from the 'Wonderful' set by Penny Black...I think I must have developed a bit of a thing for PB hedgehogs...as I've got two more cards using them lined up for the weekend! The gorgeously sunny papers are from the 'Hippity Hoppity' scrapbook pad by We R Memory Keepers (found in the clearance pile at TKMaxx), and the flowers are all by Prima. I've added some rainbow ribbon (from Hobbycraft) and a Cuddly Buddly sentiment.

Challenges for this card:

• CES - Bold & Bright
• C.R.A.F.T. - In the roll of a die (I've used my faithful Nestie circles)
• Crafty Catz - Flowers
• Crazy Challenge - Happy Birthday
• For Fun - Winter or Spring? (Spring please!)
• PaperPlay - Stamp it out!
• Penny Black @ Allsorts - Say it with flowers
• Penny Black Saturday - Fab sketch by my lovely friend Pauline :0)
• Stamptacular Sunday - Whateva!
• Totally Gorjuss - As YOU like it (I love PB stamps...and flowers...and yummy papers)

ABC Christmas Challenge - C is for...

It's my turn to host the ABC Christmas Challenge this time, and the theme is:

'C is for Clean & Simple'

And I've created a nice easy sketch for you to use:

We have not one...but two fabulous sponsors for this challenge too:

Simon Says Stamp - $15 shopping Voucher

and:

Stamp Fairy - 3 digital images of the winner's choice.

How fabulous is that???

I've kept my card ultra simple...no stamped image, or papers or fuss of any kind! I've used kraft card for the base, with red as an accent colour. I embossed more of the kraft card with my Cuttlebug 'Snowflakes' folder, behind the red snowflake (cut using my 'Ice Crystal' die), and used the matching 'Ice Crstal' folder (which I hardly ever use) to emboss the rectangle...I'd never thought to use it this way until I saw Ann's gorgeous cards last week. I stamped a Lili of the Valley sentiment straight on to the card blank, and added a simple bow.

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

• Bah! Humbug! - An oldie, but a goldie (the 'Ice Crystal' folder - inspired by their DT member Ann)
• Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes!

For more inspiration, please check out the fabulous cards by my lovely ABC Christmas Challenge DT buddies, and our lovely guest designer Sharon.

Cuttlebug Spot - Tri-fold Valentine

The themes of this month's Cuttlebug Spot challenges are all different types of card folds, and we're getting started this week with:

'Tri-fold cards'

And, as Valentine's Day is just around the corner, we're asking you to create one with a Valentine's theme.

I wasn't exactly sure what a 'tri-fold' card was...but I was fairly certain that it should have three folds...until I Googled...and found SO many different card shapes all described as 'tri-fold', and very few actually having three folds! They mainly seemed to have three panels, so that's what I went for with my card, simply making my square card base as normal, and then folding the front panel back on itself. The image I've used is an adorable Whiff of Joy stamp called 'Henry Hugging Heart', and I coloured him with watercolour pencils...making him grey (rather than my usual 'mousey' brown) to match the grey card I was planning on using. I added Glossy Accents to the heart, before cutting him out with one of my Nesties. I've kept it really simple...thought it would suit a man better that way! lol 

I used my 'Swiss Dots' folder for all of the embossing, and distressed the edges with my distressing tool.

Here's a view of the card 'open':

I mirrored the layout of the front on the inside, so that the message would be hidden when the card is closed. I used my Cuttlebug 'Olivia' alphabet for the lettering, and the heart was cut using the 'Concentric Hearts' die.

For more inspiration....including different 'tri-fold' card shapes, please check out the fabulous samples by my lovely Cuttlebug Spot DT buddies.

I have candy on offer here...if you haven't already entered :0)

Pile It On! Challenge - Punch It!

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

'Punch It!'

Our sponsor for this challenge is SuzyQ Scraps.

The DT were given an adorable stamp set called 'Winter' to use on our projects this week, and I chose a cute polar bear from it for my card. I coloured the image with watercolour pencils, added some Glossy Accents to the bear's eyes & nose, and 'Ice Crystal' Stickles to the snow, then matted it on to a shape cut using my 'Lacey Circles' Nesties. I used my Cuttlebug 'Snowflakes' and 'Ice Crystals' folders on plain white card for the background - I love white on white Christmas cards. My 'punched' element is the scalloped border along the bottom, which I created using my EK Success 'Scalloped Diamonds' punch. The snowflakes were cut using a mixture of Cuttlebug and Marianne Creatables dies, then coated with more Stickles.

Here are the challenges I've Piled On!:

• Pile It On! - Punch It!
• Cooking it up with Katie - Sketch me a Textured Punch
• Crafts & Me - Monochrome
• Crafty Sentiments - Favourite Things (Christmas, Embossing & Glitter!)
• Creative Craft - Monochrome
• Double Dutch - White
• Everybody Art - Favourite Things (Christmas, Embossing & Glitter!)
• Fab'N'Funky - Delight in your Digi
• My Time to Craft - Emboss, Emboss, Emboss
• PaperPlay - Layer it up
• Simon Says Stamp - Animal Antics
• Sketch & Stash - Sketch
• Stamp Something - Winter
• Totally Papercrafts - Kiddies Cards
• Wags'N'Whiskers - White

For more inspiration, please check out the fabulous samples by my lovely Pile It On! Challenge DT buddies.

And....if you haven't already entered, you can find my candy on this post.

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Hot Chocolate

This week's Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge has been set by Mel, and she has chosen the theme of:

'Hot Chocolate'

We are excited to announce that we have a new monthly sponsor:

The Stamping Boutique

The prize is five digis of the winner's choice.

They also provided some images for the DT to play with...and I chose to use 'Princess Jennifer Latte-Heartbreaker'. I coloured her with watercolour pencils, and then cut out the image using my 'Lacey Circles' Nesties (available here at the Secret Crafter). The papers are a mixture of Bo Bunny 'Tis the Season', My Mind's Eye 'Colourful Christmas' and '29th Street Market', and I distressed all of the edges, and added faux stitching with my CutterBee Bug and a white gel pen. I embossed the plain brown paper with my 'D'Vine Swirls' Cuttlebug folder (available here at the Secret Crafter). The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts, and the jewelled brads are from Craft Obsessions.

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

• Papertake Weekly - Sketch
• Crafty Creations - Heat It Up!
• Critter - Distressing & a Circle
• Delightful - Have a Heart (There are hearts on the image)
• Digi Doodles - Swirls
• Stamping Boutique - Monthly Challenge

We also have a DT call running at the moment, so for more information about that, and some fabby inspiration from my lovely DT buddies, please visit the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge.

And...if you haven't already entered, I have candy on offer here.

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge DT Call

Just a quick post this morning to let you know that we are having a DT call over at the Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge...for all the details, please check out this post over on the challenge blog.

Oooh...and I have candy on offer here :0)

It's Candy Time...

My little blog's counter went past 50,000 hits just after the New Year...so to celebrate that, I've put together some candy:

Crafts-Too embossing folder - 'Daisy & Swirl'

BasicGrey 6x6 paper pad - 'Curio'

Hero Arts Clear Design stamp set - 'Thinking of You Messages'

200 mixed colour paper flowers (2 sizes)

60 5mm white adhesive pearls

Mini 'Glossy Accents'

5m white seam binding ribbon

So...if you fancy winning those goodies, all you need to do is pop the photo of my candy with a link back to my blog on your blog (sidebar is fine), and then leave me a link to you with the linky widget at the bottom of this post...that's it.

This candy to open to bloggers everywhere...and will close at 10pm (UK time) on Wednesday 9th February. I will announce the lucky winner, chosen at random, the following day. One entry per person please...duplicates will be removed.

Winter Snuggles

I've used some goodies I bought in the post-Christmas sales to make this card. The adorable hedgie image is from the 'Jolly Friends' set by Penny Black, which I got in the Sir Stampalot sale...I coloured it with watercolour pencils, and then added some Polar White Flowersoft to the umbrella for the snow. The papers (from the 'Countdown to Christmas' pad by My Mind's Eye) were also a sales purchase...from Hobbycraft, where I discovered all of the Christmas stock was reduced to half-price a couple of weeks before Christmas! The glittery brad (from an American Crafts pack) was also bought in the Hobbycraft sale...but a different Hobbycraft, and this time after Christmas. The snowflakes were cut using a mixture of Cuttlebug and Marianne Creatables dies, and the sentiment stamp is also by Penny Black.

Here's a close-up of the Flowersoft 'snow':

Challenges for this card:

• Crazy Challenge - Dots & Stripes
• Dutch Dare - Sketch
• Penny Black Saturday - January Sales

Cuttlebug Spot - Inspired by a Magazine Advert

This is our final week of 'Inspiration' challenges at the Cuttlebug Spot, and this time we're being:

'Inspired by a Magazine Advert'

After a quick flick through my flatmate's glossy fashion mags for a suitable advert, I was feeling rather uninspired...so I thought I'd take a look through some of my magazines...I only have craft & food ones...so I wasn't hopeful...but I came across this one for Bonne Maman jam on the back of last month's Delicious magazine, and fell for the gorgeous colour combo of peach, aqua and green.

I found some old My Mind's Eye papers (from the '29th Street Market' Collection), the backs of which were a perfect match for the colours in the advert. I embossed them with my Cuttlebug 'D'Vine Swirls', 'Victoria', 'Floral Fantasy' and 'Just My Type' folders, then sanded over the raised areas to reveal the white core. I chose the adorable Lili of the Valley bear image ('Teddy with Flower'), because of the butterflies...if you click on the photo of the advert above it should be big enough to make out the butterfly that the little boy is trying to catch. I distressed all of the edges, and then added a couple of flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts.

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

• Lili of the Valley - Sketch
• Teddy Stampers - Anything Goes

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

Birthday Monkeys!

If this card looks familiar to you...it's probably because it's very similar to this card, which I uploaded last Sunday...different image and layout, but the same colour combo. The image is 'Birthday Monkeys' by Rachelle Anne Miller for Stampavie, and I coloured it with watercolour pencils, before coating the balloons with Glossy Accents. I used my Cuttlebug 'Swiss Dots', 'Spots & Dots' and 'Stars' folders for the background, inking all of the edges to add definition. The stars were cut using Nesties.

Challenges for this card:

• Sketchy Thursday - Sketch
• Allsorts - Men's Cards
• Creative Card Crew - For Men
• Digi Doodles - Anything Goes
• Fab'N'Funky - Animal Magic
• My Time to Craft - Spots & Dots
• Paper Sundaes - Distressing
• Sew Many - Monkey Business
• Sweet Stampin' - Brown & One Other Colour
• Totally Stampalicious - Masculine Cards