Christmas Crafting

This is a new challenge for me - I haven't attempted this one before and very nearly didn't do this one either:

http://christmascrafting.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/challenge-11-twas-night-before.html

But finally, I have my creation:

For this I used:

Cre8tive Hands - Fireplace
Spellbinders Labels dies
Typed words from poem
Grosgrain ribbon
Scrapbook papers
White card blank

Winter Wonderland

This was one challenge I had an immediate idea for ... but seem to have trouble getting it from my head into card form!  Anyway, this is the details of this challenge:

http://christmasblogchallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/sing-song-with-winter-wonderland.html

I'm so glad that I did manage to get this finished in time as I am happy with the end result:

For this card, I used:

Doodle Dragon Studios - DragonCarol
Merry Christmas acrylic stamp (brand unknown)
Scrapbook paper - CraftyBitz
Lace
Kindy Glitz - Crystalline
Copic markers
Pink glitter cardstock
Spellbinders labels dies

Birdie Brown

This one is a new challenge using a provided image:

http://birdiebrown.blogspot.jp/2012/05/new-freebie-stitched-rose.html

And this is my creation with this image:

I used:

Birdie Brown - stitched rose
Thank You
White card blank
White lace
Rose paper - Bearly Mine Designs
http://bmd-creations.blogspot.co.nz/2011/01/january-freebies-part-2.html

Meljens Challenge

This challenge is glitter, shimmer and shine:

http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/challenge-111-glitter-shimmer-shine.html

It was fun getting out the glittery stash this week.

I used:
Meljens Designs - Sweet Little Donkey
Glitter cardstock
Grosgrain ribbon
Rhinestones
Onefourzero - Merry Christmas acrylic stamp

Dare to Be Sassy Thursday 126

This one is all about hats:

http://sassystudiodesigns.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/dare-to-be-sassy-thursday-126.html

And this is my creation:

I used:

Sassy Studio Designs - Effie Trinket
Spellbinders Labels
Copic Markers
Ribbon roses (coloured with copics)
Ribbon
Scrapbook papers
Pink card blank

ABC Christmas Challenge

This is the letter J challenge:
http://abcchristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/j-is-for-jingle-bells-challenge-top-3.html


And here is my card:

This is a short and sweet post as it is currently 10pm and I've just realised that this closes about 4am our time!

Scrapbook paper is from Crafty Bitz
Image is from May Brit - tegning 65
Sentiment - typed on my computer
Purple grosgrain ribbon
Copic markers

I am also entering this card for the following challenge:

Christmas Cards All Year Round - Christmas carol
http://christmascardsallyearround.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/may-challenge.html

Tiddly Inks Challenge

This week I decided to try the Tiddly Inks challenge as it was a flowers one and I seem to be doing a lot with flowers lately!  This is the ful details of the challenge:


http://tiddlyinkschallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/tiddly-tuesday-and-challenge-87-flowers.html

This is the card that I have created:

For this card, I used the following:

Pink card blank
Scrapbook papers from my stash
Tiddly Inks - Flower Frame
Tiddly Inks - Garden of Love sentiment
Flower

The Design Team inspiration cards on the Tiddly Inks blog were full of colour.  I have gone for a bit softer look so I hope that they like it.  I struggle working with bolder colours and seem to prefer the more soft look to my cards.  I am adding this card to my card box - not sure if I will use it for my mother's birthday or for Mother's Day next year.  At least, I am well ahead either way!

Dustin Pike - Pikes Playground

Dustin has set a challenge using a sketch this time.  The link to the challenge and sketch is:

http://dustinpike.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/another-sketchy-challenge.html


This is the card, that I created using this sketch:

This card came together really well.  I'm not sure why but when I saw the sketch these colours popped into my mind.  When I looked at this lion image, he fitted my colour scheme perfectly.

I used:

Black card blank
Paper from Bearly Mine Designs
http://bmd-creations.blogspot.co.nz/2010/10/halloween-freebies.html#comment-form
Black cardstock for matting
Doodle Dragon Studios image - Color FBb (freebie from last Pikes Playground challenge)
Yellow grosgrain ribbon
Sentiment from Desert Diva
Copic markers
Clear rhinestones (coloured with copics)

I have also entered this card into the following challenge:
http://bearlymine-challenges.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/wowchallenge-37.html
which is an Animal Kingdom challenge (must feature an animal and a Bearly Mine Designs paper)

Numbers Card

This card has ended up being a card for the following two challenges:

Shelly's Images - It's all in the numbers (needs to feature a number)
http://shellysimagesblog.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/terrifically-thrilling-thursday_24.html

Papertake Weekly Challenge - True colours (feature national colours)
http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/true-colours.html

My national colours are blue, red and white (New Zealand). 

This is my card:

For this card, I used:

Beccy's Place - Quilted One and Bear
Happy Birthday paper from my stash
White card blank
Spellbinders Labels dies
Copic markers
Some white snowflake stuff that I got in a bag at my local discount store
Glossy Accents (for adhering snowflake stuff)

TLC inspired card

This image is a freebie from Create with TLC.  This is the link to it:

http://createwithtlc-createwithtlc.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/memorial-day-freebie.html

When I saw this image, I had an idea of a card.  The challenge was finding the striped paper that I wanted to go with it.  This morning Free Vintage Digital had three red, white and blue striped papers on their site which was exactly what I needed:

http://freevintagedigistamps.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/free-digital-scrapbook-paper-red-white.html

So, this is my finished card:

Products used:

White card blank
Star paper from Crafty Bitz
Striped paper from Free Vintage Digital Stamps (link above)
Digi stamp from Create with TLC (link above)
Copic markers

I'm not sure if you can tell from the photo, but I layered the shield shape onto white cardstock that I had coloured with a copic marker to pick up the colour from the centre of the star paper. 

I have kept the card relatively unadorned as I wanted the digi stamp to be the main focus of the card and didn't want to draw attention away from it.  I have a tendency to fill spaces at times, so I had to be restrained here to keep the emphasis on the stamp.

Paulette had given us a time frame of "until tomorrow night" to complete a card.  With the differing time zones, I'm not sure if I finished it time but I wanted to make it anyway so I'm happy she gave us some sort of deadline to make me get on with it!!!  Otherwise, it might just have sat around in my head for a while and not actually been created.

Whoopsi Daisy Challenge using Bearly Mine Designs Papers

This challenge:

http://cutedaisymay.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/shape-it.html

is all about shapes.  I chose to work with circle shapes:

For my card, I have used:

Whoopsi Daisy image - bedtime
Copic markers
Spellbinders - Large circle scallop dies
Card template from Cardmaking in Easy Steps magazine
Lace
Clear rhinestones coloured with copic markers
Paper from Bearly Mine Designs - Floral 39
http://bmd-creations.blogspot.co.nz/2010/06/freebies.html

I have also entered the card into the following challenge:

http://bearlymine-challenges.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/challenge-36-anything-goes.html

Christmas Card Challenges

This week the challenge was to use a provided sketch:

http://christmascardchallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/2012-christmas-card-challenge-week-25.html

I'm loving this sketch!  It was so fun to use:

Okay, I went about this card in a different way than I usually do!  Normally, I start with the image and work from there.  This time, I started with the papers.  I had to make sure that I had three papers that would work well together.  The green one was a recent purchase - Crafty Bitz.  The other two were from my stash.  Both the two top papers both had starflake type images on them so I wanted to go with a snowman image.  I found this image from Cre8tive Hands called Snowman.  He was perfect for circle cutting.  I then coloured him with copic markers and added some Glossy Accents on the snow for a bit of a 3D look.  To finish, I added some snowflakes.  I bought a whole packet of these snowflakes a while back but not managed to use them much as yet but they were perfect for this card.  I didn't even need to colour them either!  They were the perfect colour already. (If you read some of my other posts you will see that I have a tendency to colour embellishments with my copic markers!!!).

Sassy Studio Designs

This is my card using the first image supplied this fortnight:

http://www.papercraftplanet.com/group/sassystudiodesigns/forum/topics/fabulous-freebie-friday-5-11-12-and-challenge

I wanted a soft look for this card, but it is something that I find a bit challenging.  However, this is what I created with her:

This image is from Sassy Studio Designs and called Preggo Honey.  I have used a background paper from my stash and overlaid some silver ribbon that I got out of a paper scrap pack that had all sorts of bibs and bobs in it.  The buttons are from my Mum.  She had a big box of buttons that she has had for years and not used.  While I was down visiting her recently, she allowed me to raid her button box and these ones were some I raided!  The die-cut that I have used to cut the image is a Nellies one.  I have coloured her using various pastel coloured copic markers.

Winter Wonderland - Embossing

The challenge this week is all about embossing:

http://christmasblogchallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/embossing.html

Now, that you have read that post..... I will tell you that I chose to do dry embossing:

I have used a Universal Embossing Folder called "Happy Holly"  that I bought a few months back but hadn't managed to use as yet.  I inked the folder using  Tim Holtz Distress Ink called Peeled Paint before I embossed the white card.  I also inked around the edges of the panel using the same distress ink.  The horizontal strip and matt were white card that I coloured using that same Peeled Paint Distress Ink which has come out darker as it was direct to paper.  The sentiment is one from When the scrap hits the fun http://whenthescraphitsthefun.blogspot.co.nz    .  The holly on the embossed panel has some red added using a copic marker.  I have also used a copic marker to colour the three bears on the top.  The bears were my daughter's idea as I didn't originally have them there - but she pointed out that the sentiment had bears in it and there were no bears on the card!  The only bears I could find were blue brads so I coloured them to match the card.  I have also added a couple of the smallest size of Kaisercraft rhinestones to the green strip.

Sassy Studio Designs - Triple Play

The Dare to Be Sassy Thursday Challenge is all about Triple Play.  Details can be found here:

http://sassystudiodesigns.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/dare-to-be-sassy-thursday-125.html

This is my original idea for this challenge:

As soon as I saw this image - I noticed the three olives!  I immediately thought of finding three oval rhinestones to embellish the card to represent the olives.  However, I then couldn't find any green ones!  So...... these ones are pale blue ones coloured with my trusty copic markers (YG23).  As I went to assemble this card I had alot of green papers on my work area and thought "why not take the triple play a step further".  Hence, the card now has three background papers!  The image is a Sassy Studio Designs image called Martini Pin Up.  I have coloured her using various copic markers.

Broken Box Stock - Polka Dots

This challenge has been updated:

http://brokenboxstock.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/polka-dot-challenge.html

As we are now allowed to do up to 3 entries per person and the deadline had been extended, I have decided to do another card.  Working with dots is not something I do alot (but maybe should).  I tend to patterns and stripes more - not sure why.

This is the second card that I created for this challenge:

I used the Broken Box Stock freebie image called LOL.  I tried some paper piecing - a skill I have avoided but found with this image that it is quite easy!

The background papers are from a blog called Bearly Mine Designs.  The link is http://bmd-creations.blogspot.co.nz/2010/07/julys-freebies-part-i.html. 

I coloured the face on the LOL digi stamp using copic marker Y00 and outlined the whole digi stamp using copic marker 100 (black) so that it popped a little more.

The flower pieces are from my stash and coloured using copic markers Y00 and V17.  I set a rhinestone into the centre.

I am really pleased with how this card turned out and think that maybe I should try new things more often!

The Evolving Challenge!

This card started out as an entry for one challenge.  In looking around blogs, I discovered a sketch that was perfect for the papers I had chosen!  Then, I realised that the sketch had "three of something" so would fit the Triple Play challenge.  These are the three blogs:

http://www.papercraftplanet.com/group/sassystudiodesigns/forum/topics/fabulous-freebie-friday-5-11-12-and-challenge

http://rubysrainbow.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/rubys-rainbow-ch-28-sketch.html

http://sassystudiodesigns.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/dare-to-be-sassy-thursday-125.html

This is my card that fits all three challenges:

The paper has a nice cream tint across it but is hard to pick up in this photograph and tends to look alot whiter than it actually is.

For this card, I have used:

Ruby's sketch
Scrapbook papers
Sassy Studio -
Copic markers
Self-adhesive stars
White card blank

Meljens Design Challenge - Black

The challenge this time is Black.
http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/challenge-110-black-color-challenge.html

You can use as little or as much as you like.  My card has a reasonable amount of black.  When I saw this image, I knew I had to use it for this challenge. 

Materials used:

Meljens Designs - Miss you birdie
Black cardstock
Scrapbook piece from a Collage Pack I bought from a craft fair about 3 years ago!
Copic markers R59 (heart), C7 (bird) YR04 (beak)

I used the image in two different sizes and put more focus on the birdie.  It is a really cute wee birdie and I wanted to make it the focus of my card.

Hope you like it.

Shelly's Images - challenge

Shelly's Images this week was an anything goes challenge.  Plenty of scope!

http://shellysimagesblog.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/show-us-what-you-got-for-terrifically.html

After reading what happened to Lyn on her blog, I felt really inspired to make a card using one of her images.  Here is the post I am referring to:
http://spyder-spyderscorner.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/this-wednesdays-digi.html
That sort of thing makes me mad!

Anyhow, for this card:

I have used three of the Spyder's corner stamps and brought them together for a scene.  I felt they worked really well together.  The sentiment is one from Digital Doodling.

Spyders Corner - Fairy wall
Spyders Corner - Dotty daisy bear
Spyders Corner - Purfic Day Marmalade
Digital Doodling - Thinking of you 2
Scrapbooking papers to represent grass and sky
Red ribbon and bow crafted from it.
Red rhinestones
Copic markers

TAWS - Be Inspired 4

The details of this challenge can be found here:

http://www.thealleywaystamps.blogspot.co.nz/search/label/BE%20inspired%20Challenge

This is the inspiration photo I was working from:

I wasn't sure that I was going to get this one completed in time!  However, here is my entry for this challenge:

After lacking inspiration on the sentiment, I finally had a brainwave.  I am notoriously bad at getting birthday cards out at time, so this is appropriate for me to have in my card box!

I have tried to colour the shell with a shell-like effect.  I found this quite hard to do but it seems to have turned out okay.

For this card, I have used:
The Alley Way Stamps - Snail
The Alley Way Stamps - Snail Mail
Scrapbook Papers
Copic markers
Sentiment typed on computer
Spellbinders Nestabilities die
Carl Craft - corner rounder punch
Bow crafted from brown raffia

Christmas Card Challenges

This one was a good challenge:

http://christmascardchallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/2012-christmas-card-challenge-week-24.html

The theme is to use an old, neglected stamp.  Whilst most of my stamps aren't "old" as such as I haven't been crafting that long, these two I did purchase some time ago.  However, they are definitely among my neglected stamps at the moment as I am tending to digi stamps - too lazy to clean the wooden block ones!!!

This is my card:

I have kept the card reasonably free from embellishment to focus on the stamps.  Both of these stamps are from a New Zealand company called Rubbadubbadoo http://www.rubbadubbadoo.com.

Rubbadubbadoo - Shepherd (S) - D367S
Rubbadubbadoo - Spirit of Christmas - C401S
Memento Ink Pad - Tuxedo Black
Scrapbook papers from my stash - background and matting
Copic markers
Glossy accents - sheep and shepherd's beard

Princess Bella Lockwood challenge

This is a new challenge.  The image to be used is provided:

http://www.papercraftplanet.com/group/bellas-stamping-boutique/page/right-competition-time

You have to join the group first but once you have done that you are away.

This is my card:

To make this card, I have used the image provided (Princess Bella Lockwood - Maddy Eating for Two).  The sentiment is another from Desert Diva.  I have used the Spellbinders large circle die to cut out the image and then coloured between the image and the edge using copic marker B000.  I have used the same colour to colour the matt for the sentiment.  The background paper is one from a set by Crafty Bitz.  I have layered over this a strip of gold cardstock.  I have added some gold rhinestones to finish the card off.

Broken Box Stock - polka dots

This week we have moved on from stripes to polka dots:

http://brokenboxstock.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/polka-dot-challenge.html

I found this really cute Broken Box stock image called Val who just seemed to fit with the polka dots.  Here is what I created with her:

I have used a couple of polka dot papers that were freebies from Vintage Digital.  The circle has been cut from the same cardstock as the card blank.  The matt is from a piece of blue cardstock.  I have coloured Val using copic markers E000 (skin) RV10 (cheeks) BG05 (pants and heart) RV02 (t-shirt) and E43 (hair and shoes).  To finish this card, I added a piece of grosgrain ribbon (American crafts) and constructed a flower from pieces in a Glam Creations tub. 

I bought this tub of flower pieces at a craft expo a couple of years ago and thought they might come in handy some time.  I hadn't used many of them but since I discovered that I could colour them with copics they are getting much more use!  These particular ones started off life as cream with red tip (now BG05) and white with red centre (RV02).  I have added a blue rhinestone to the centre of the smaller flower.

Crimbo Crackers - Challenge 15

This is the current Crimbo Crackers challenge:

http://crimbo-crackers.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/challenge-15-sentiment-as-focal-point.html

For this one, the sentiment had to be the focal point. 

Products used:

Crafty Cat 957 - FREE XMAS
http://craftycat957.blogspot.co.nz/2011/11/freebie-friday_11.html
Poinsettia scrapbook paper
Spellbinders Large Circle and Large scallop circle dies
Red sheer ribbon
Copic markers - R22, Y00 and YG11

Milk Coffee challenge

This is the latest Milk Coffee challenge.  It doesn't close until next week, so if you would like to have a go, check out this link:

http://milkcoffeechallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/show-us-buttons-and-bling-challenge.html

This is my card for this challenge:

I used:

Milk Coffee - freebie Champagne
Desert Diva - Hi there!
Scrapbook paper offcuts
Cherry ribbon from American crafts
Red rhinestones (on cherries)
Red self adhesive button stickers

Christmas Cards {with sketches}

I made a card for this challenge and was really pleased with it - the sketch seemed a bit familiar but that happens!  Then I went on the blog to check the closing date and realised I had used the sketch from the challenge before. 

It's been a bad week!  Anyway, this is the correct challenge and sketch:

http://christmaschallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/challenge-26-sponsored-by-stempelstudio.html

So after having to start again, this is the correct card:

For this card, I used:

Various scrapbook paper offcuts from my stash
Cre8tive Hands - Christmas pudding
Digi Doodles - Season's Greetings (from Christmas 1)
Distress Ink (worn lipstick) around edge of image
Red cardstock for matting sentiment
Copic markers
Kindy Glitz (Icing on pud)

For the record, this is the first card I made (with the wrong sketch!!)

I was so pleased with this one.  However on the positive side, it is another Christmas card completed.

Sassy Studio - DTBST

I enjoy working with the Sassy Studio digital images that I am going to try and do this one as often as I can.  This week is:

http://sassystudiodesigns.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/dare-to-be-sassy-thursday-124.html

Working with a sketch is quite enjoyable and also makes me vary my card design.  It can be easy to fall into the trap of doing the same thing all the time!  This is the card that I created using this sketch:

Due to a minor car accident last week I didn't manage to make a card using one of the Sassy Studio images from the PCP discussion.  Actually, it never really got past the vague idea stage!  So, I decided to use her for this challenge as it is an image that will get a lot of opportunities to be used.  This way, when I need to thank a teacher, I've already got the card done!!

The image that I have used is Sassy Studio - Mrs Sassy.  I have coloured her using copic markers -
E000 (skin), E47 and E18 (hair and skirt) RV13 and RV10 (tops) R46 or R27 (apple), C3 (whiteboard edging)

I have used a variety of scrapbook papers from my "rainy day" stash - you know, the papers that you save and never really get around to using!  Well, I've decided that they need to be used and not sit in my box.  I've had them for such a long time and most don't have any branding on them so I've no idea of the brand (probably can't get them now anyhow!)

Okay, back to what I used on the card!  The matt has been cut from an A4 sheet from a Rosie's Studio Card Stock Pad - Earth Collection.  The grosgrain ribbon is from American crafts.  The gold bow is made from a piece of gold that came in an activity pack that I bought a few years ago (yes I was saving that one too).

Christmas Challenges

I am entering two challenges with this card:

Winter Wonderland - Frosty the Snowman
http://christmasblogchallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/frosty-snowman.html
ABC Christmas Challenge - I is for Icy
http://abcchristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/i-is-for-icy-inspiration.html

For this card, I used:

Blue card blank and cardstock
Nellies scallop square die (not sure if that is the correct name for it)
Cre8tive Hands - Singing snowman
http://cre8tive-hands.blogspot.co.nz/
Digi Doodles - Merry Christmas (from Christmas 1 sentiments set)
http://www.digidoodleshop.com/
Copic markers - YR07, V15 and BG05
Icy blue rhinestones
Scrapbook paper from Crafty Bitz
Border die - I think it is a Nellies die but can't find the package it came in to make sure

Shelly's Images

This one in some ways was an easy challenge but in others quite hard!

http://shellysimagesblog.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/terrifically-thrilling-thursday_10.html

There were such a lot of images that I could chose from within my stamps that it was quite hard to pick one of the things that made me happy.  It actually made me feel happy realising how many things do make me feel happy (if that makes sense!). 

I went with a BBQ image - when we have a BBQ that is the time that I don't have to do the cooking (and that makes me happy!).

For this card, I have used an image from TLC called Vintage Summer Picnic.  http://createwithtlc-createwithtlc.blogspot.co.nz/ I have cropped it using a Spellbinders Circle die to focus more on the barbecue in the image.  I coloured the image using a range of mainly pastel coloured copic markers with a stronger red to highlight the BBQ.  I have also picked up this red in my matting colours.  The sentiment is one from Desert Diva  http://desertdiva-hannelie.blogspot.co.nz.  The backing paper is from a matt stack I bought a few years ago and hadn't used much until recently.  I cut this using a border die - I think from Spellbinders but it could be a Nellies one (couldn't find the package).  I have added three bright red rhinestones to finish.

ABC Christmas - I is for Icy

This challenge is working it's way through the alphabet.  Before I found it, A-H had already been covered, so I've started with I:
http://abcchristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/i-is-for-icy-inspiration.html

When I saw the theme, I immediately thought of an digi image that I have with fish encased in ice.  The iciness of the card increased as the card developed!

I have mainly used the penguin photo for inspiration.  It is this photo that gave me the idea of adding the Christmas frosting along the right hand edge of the card for a more 3D look.

For this card, I have used:
White square card blank
Blue snowflake scrapbook paper (from my stash)
Two different colours of glitter cardstock (from a matt pack I bought just prior to Christmas)
Doodle Dragon Studios image - FB0217128
http://dustinpike.blogspot.co.nz/
Season' s Greetings sentiment - Digi Doodles (from Christmas 1 sentiments set)
http://www.digidoodleshop.com/
Glitter ribbon (American crafts)
Glue and christmas frosting (freebie with a cardmaking magazine)
Copic markers - R46, 100, C7, YR07, B000, C1 plus an E on the sticks (not sure of the number)

The use of the glitter cardstock and the christmas frosting as given the card a real icy feel.  I'm not sure that the photo totally does the card justice!

I'm looking forward to seeing what they come up with for J!

Peppercus Challenge

I have attempted a different challenge this week:
http://peppercus-design.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/challenge-5-bis-14052012.html
This is my card:

The starry paper made me think along the lines of "You're a star" so that was a good starting point for a Congratulations themed card!  I added a striped paper that matched the star colour.  I used part of the image as I wanted to focus more on the top of her body rather than the full person.  The image is from Peppercus and is called Maedchen mit Springsell (refer blog details above).   I used my copic markers to colour her and added some Glossy Accents to her belt buckle.  The congratulations sentiment is one from Desert Diva http://desertdiva-hannelie.blogspot.co.nz/.  The image has been cut using my Spellbinders Large Circle die and matted with purple cardstock cut with my Spellbinders Large Scallop Circle die.  The sentiment  and matt have been cut using my Fiskars trimmer.

Mother's Day Cards

I made two cards for Mother's Day - one for my mother and one for my hubby's mother (who is currently in hospital recovering from a stroke).

My mother's card:

For this card, I used part of a Beary Wishes image http://www.bearywishes.com/2011/04/11/a-fundraiser-cards-a-freebie-2/ which I have die-cut with a Spellbinders Oval Die and matted with a Spellbinders Scallop Oval die.  The sentiment is from Desert Diva    http://desertdiva-hannelie.blogspot.co.nz.  I cut both the sentiment and mat using my Fiskars trimmer.  The matting is from a glitter cardstock pack I bought for doing my Christmas cards last year and still have heaps left.  The scrapbook paper is from a similar pack (matt stack) that I bought a few years ago.  The lace is some that my mother gave me when I stayed with her a few weeks back for the school holidays.  The lace was quite old looking and also the wrong colour so I coloured it with my copic markers - which I have also used for colouring my image.  I added five rhinestones (from Kaisercraft) in the bottom left hand corner for balance.


Hubby's mother's card:

This one is another Beary wishes image http://www.bearywishes.com/2012/04/22/floral-basket-freebie-22/  which I have coloured using my trusty copic markers!  I cut this one using my Spellbinders Large circles and matted using Spellbinders Scallop Large circle.  The sentiment is also from  Desert Diva    http://desertdiva-hannelie.blogspot.co.nz . The scrapbook paper is another one from the matt stack that I mentioned for the other card.  This time the matting is light pink cardstock.  I have added two ribbons from American crafts along the left hand edge and some pink rhinestones at the top.

Elegant Lady

The latest challenge from Jellypark Friends:


I'm not used to doing alot of girlie girl type cards as my daughter and her friends are not really girlie girl.  However, I am really pleased with how this one turned out and may do more in the future.

My card uses a gorgeous image from Beary Wishes called Elegant Lady. 

The stamp can be found here:

http://www.bearywishes.com/2012/04/

I have used Spellbinder oval dies to cut her out and matt her.  The scallop oval has been cut from white cardstock and had some pink Christmas frosting added on top - this came free with a magazine last Christmas and I still had quite a bit left.  The scrapbook paper and ribbon I have had in my stash for ages and consequently don't know the brands for them.  The ribbon roses were white ones I got from a discount store but coloured them pink with Copic marker RV06.  The image is also coloured with copic markers - mainly RV06, RV02, E000 (skin) and Y38 or Y35 for the hair (can't remember which one I used now as I coloured it last night).   I have added three pink rhinestones to finish.

Christmas Card Challenges - #23

I found this challenge a bit of a tough one this time:

http://christmascardchallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/2012-christmas-card-challenge-week-23.html

However, I have managed to pull together a card which contains a humourous image:

My card uses an image from Doodle Dragon Studios called FB113011B.  The sentiment is one from an acrylic set (but don't know the brand sorry).  I have used up another piece of scrapbook paper that I have had for absolutely ages in my stash.  The ribbon is one from American crafts.  The image and sentiment have been matted with grey cardstock and the image coloured using my copic markers.

This is the blog for Dustin Pike which has the link to Doodle Dragon Studios:

http://dustinpike.blogspot.co.nz/

Pikes Playground - Colour challenge

Wow.  Check this one out!

http://dustinpike.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/feeling-colorful-its-challenge-time.html

My favourite colours are orange and yellow so guess who just loves this challenge!  After the week that I have had, it was great to work with such cheerful colours for this challenge.

My card:

What I will say with this photograph is that the red colouring is not photographing red.  I used copic marker R46 on both the skirt and the bottom layer of the flower but they are looking a bit brownish in this photograph (they look red on the card!)

I used a bright yellow cardstock for the card blank.  I have layered one of the papers out of the Crafty Bitz pack that I bought recently.  The next layer is a piece of sheer ribbon that I have had in my craft stash for absolutely ages.  The image is a freebie from a recent Pikes Playground challenge and the sentiment is from Digi Doodles.  Both of these have been layered onto yellow glitter cardstock.  The flower was individual flowers that I have coloured with copic markers and layered together.  The original colours were grey, ochre and white and coloured with R46, YR07 and Y08.  The centre is a red rhinestone.

I hope you like my cheerful and colourful card.  It certainly cheered me up after the damage done to my car on Wednesday.

I didn't get the freebie from the last Pikes Playground even though I did a follow up e-mail in case it got lost in cyber space.  I assuming my card wasn't quite up to standard.  I'm hoping that this one will be okay and that I get the freebie as the sneak peak looks interesting.

UPDATE:  I received the freebies from this challenge and the previous one today.  Seems I wasn't doing anything wrong - they were just late being sent.  Great freebies too.  There is a new challenge there now - a sketch one - so will have to have a go at that.  The freebie looks interesting too - possibly a chef?

Milk Coffee Challenge

The latest challenge from Milk Coffee is Lots of Layers:

http://milkcoffeechallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/04/lots-of-layers-challenge.html

The card that I have made for the challenge using an absolutely fabulous image:

I had done most of the work on this one before my accident yesterday (see previous post).  However, I did the colouring today and I'm not sure that I am totally happy with it but still feeling the after-effects of the accident. 

The card uses the Milk Coffee image - Charlotte with a kitten.  I have coloured them with the following copic markers:  E000 (skin) E21 (hair) C01 (kitten) E43 (shoes) Y00 and YG11 (dress and head scarf).   The sentiment is from the Fun with Birthdays sentiment set from Digi Doodles.  The scrapbook paper was from a mat stack I bought a couple of years ago.  I also used ribbon and mint coloured rhinestones.

Sassy Studio - Add a Frame

The details of this challenge:

http://sassystudiodesigns.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/dare-to-be-sassy-thursday-123.html



Eek - more gremlins.  I wish these photos would load the right way up all the time!

I had fun with this card.  I have used Sassy Studio - Elf on a present.  I have embellished her with a small rhinestone on her hat and some beads on her outfit and shoes.  The frame has been die cut using a Sizzix branded frame die cut and red glitterstock.  The scrapbook paper is some I have had for ages and was saving for a rainy day.  I decided that I needed to stop doing that and get it out and use it!  The Christmas Wishes sentiment is a acrylic stamp set (from a magazine I think).  The ribbon is some that I bought just before Christmas when there were good supplies in the shops of Christmas embellishments!


I also did the EFFIE trinkets challenge but due to circumstances yesterday I didn't get it uploaded in time.  I would have liked to have it had it uploaded in time, but life happens! However, if anyone would like to have a look at my effort this is the link to it:

http://craftysuze.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/sassy-studio-effie.html

I had finished the card in time but after being involved in a car accident yesterday I was a little bit shaken last night and not really patient when I was having issues with my post.  A car slammed into another car which slammed into mine (causing me to go into the car in front of me as well).  I was stationary at the traffic lights at the time, I think the car behind was just slowing or maybe stopped and the car that hit that one may have been travelling reasonably fast still when you see the damage to my car.  Unfortunately, my car may well be a write off but I won't know for sure for a few days.  However, on the really positive side, other than being quite shaken and feeling a bit more tired, I am perfectly fine so that is the main thing. 

Sassy Studio - EFFIE

This one was an extra challenge from Sassy Studios this week.  It is such a gorgeous image that they supplied that I just had to do it!  The link is:

http://sassystudiodesigns.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/celebrating-600-fabulous-freebie.html

The image was only available for 48 hours so you will have missed out on that by now, though.

E is for Embossing - sizzix cut flower embossed with Opals embossing powder

F is for Flowers - flower embellishments (orange one coloured with copics)

F is for Full of Color - orange, pink and lime

I is for Ink - edges of oval die cut and also edges of card inked with Distress Ink

E is for Embellishments - flowers and rhinestones

This was my second attempt at this card.  The first one I had different coloured hair but my bookworm daughter said she had to have pink hair! So, to keep her happy, I re-coloured my image!

The image of course, is from Sassy Studio Designs - Effie.  I have used copic markers for colour throughout.  The orange flower was originally a cream one but was the right size for what I wanted so I coloured it using one of the oranges from the dress (YR04 or YR07).  I also added some orange to the Opal embossed sizzix flower as the colour wasn't bright enough for me and it also gave it a bit more texture.  I have used pink rhinestones in the flower centres to tie in with her hair.  The scrapbook paper was a recent purchase from Lincraft called Crafty Bitz.

Meljens Challenge - Anything goes

This is the link for this challenge:

http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/challenge-108-anything-goes.html

This card I started off with being my idea for the Ovals challenge and possibly as a second entry into that challenge.  However, the idea never really got off the ground so when it was anything goes this time, I was able to develop it into a suitable entry for this challenge. I hate ideas sitting in my head and not being acted upon so it was great that it was anything goes!

To make this card, I used:

Meljens - Honey Bee Buckets
Digi Doodles - Happy Birthday (from Fun with Birthdays sentiment set)
Flowers (one coloured with copic markers)
Rhinestone
Green cardstock
Scrapbook paper from my stash

Shelly's Images - Don't punch me

This was a very challenging challenge.  No punches or dies!  Yikes - I punch everything!!! Check it out at:

http://shellysimagesblog.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/terrifically-thrilling-thursday.html

While you are there you might like to read the post on card folding.  It has a tutorial on Double Z to diamond fold.  Very interesting.

This card uses a couple of different scrapbook papers from my stash (probably been in the box for a couple of years at least!).  The stamp that I used comes from Digi Doodles and is called Kittens in a Box.  The Merry Christmas stamp is also from Digi Doodles - out of a sentiment pack called Christmas 1.  I mounted both the image and the sentiment onto green cardstock.  All the cutting has been done using my Fiskars trimmer.  I usually use this for cutting card but not for images - more fun to use the die machine!  However, with this challenge that wasn't allowed so I've used it on the image too.  I added some rhinestones in the top corner for a bit of extra colour.

One more Christmas card for my christmas stack - might even managed to get organised before Christmas.

Crimbo Crackers - Challenge 14

The link for this challenge:

http://crimbo-crackers.blogspot.co.nz/2012/04/challenge-14-angels.html

This is my card for this challenge:

Unfortunately, I am still having trouble figuring out how to keep these photos the right way up.  I have had one person suggest using Photo Bucket but don't know what that is and how to do it.  In the meantime, the photos will be side on!

The card has a base of snowflake scrapbook paper.  The paper has been sitting in my "paper box" for quite some time so I don't know where I originally got it from.  The ribbon is from American crafts.  The image is one from Sliekje stamps   http://sliekje.blogspot.co.nz/2010/02/kleine-fee.html.  There are lots of other really nice stamps on this site but the link should take you to this stamp.  The sentiment is from Digital Doodling.  I don't have the link to this one but the blog addy is: http://digital-doodling.blogspot.co.nz/.  I think the sentiment ties the image and background paper together nicely.  I did have another sentiment in mind until I saw this one and as it fitted perfectly, I ditched the other one.  The colouring on the image has been done with Copic markers - mainly the lighter colours.  I'm not sure of the exact colours that I used but know it included EOOO (skin), B000, C1, Y02 (I think), and the hair was done with an E (possibly E51 but can't be sure).  I really should write the numbers down as I colour but tend to just dip in and out of the box.

Involved in a car accident today (not my fault but car is not able to be driven!) so behind with doing this.  While the car is in a very bad state, I am okay and that is the main thing.

Christmas Inspirations

This challenge was all about choices (in the form of a bingo card).  Check out the following link and you'll see what I mean:

http://natalduranteoanotodo.blogspot.co.nz/2012/04/desafio-452012-bingo.html

For my bingo combination, I chose to go horizontal on the top line (digi stamp, black, white).  This is how it turned out:

I used:

Black and white worded scrapbook paper
Cre8tive Hands digital stamp - 4be77522
Spellbinders Nestabilities dies - Large circles
Grey scrapbook paper
Black cardstock
White grosgrain ribbon (American crafts)
Copic markers

I originally coloured the scarf using a pastel yellow copic (Y00) but found it was still too bright on the colour so toned the scarf and the nose (Y35) down by using a cool grey (C1) over the top.  I wanted the colours to be fairly muted so as not to detract from the black and white effect. I think it was worth the effort of toning the colours down and I'm pleased with the end result. 

This is not a colour scheme I would normally choose but I'm glad that I did this challenge and worked outside my comfort zone with this one.

Broken Box Stock - stripes

You can read all about this challenge here:

http://brokenboxstock.blogspot.co.nz/2012/04/stripes-challenge.html

This is my card:

I have used a recent freebie image "Write a letter" from Broken Box stock.  I'm really bad about keeping in touch with people at times and need cards that just say "Hi".   

Other materials I have used included striped and floral scrapbook paper, gold cardstock, ribbon (American crafts), Spellbinders nestabilities oval and scallop oval dies and of course my ever faithful Copic markers.

Sassy Studios - Letters Week 1

This fortnight's challenge for Sassy Studios is all about letters.  You can read about it here:

http://www.papercraftplanet.com/group/sassystudiodesigns/forum/topics/fabulous-freebie-friday-4-27-12-and-challenge
Here is my card:

Materials used:
American styled scrapbook paper (Brand unknown)
Sassy Studios - Rah Rah Rhonda
Sizzix Letter U
Cuttlebug Letters
Opals embossing powder
Copic markers

I had fun with this card getting out my sizzix letter dies that I hadn't used for ages and also using my Opals embossing powder which also hasn't seen the light for some time!!  It was a bit frustrating doing the embossing initially as I hadn't done any in quite a while but I got there in the end.

Christmas Card Challenges

This one is all about the punches:

http://christmascardchallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2012/04/2012-christmas-card-challenge-week-22.html

As I went to upload this one, I realised that I had calculated the closing time/date incorrectly and missed the cut-off.  However, I'm still going to post it as I did finish it!

This is my card:

Materials used:

Yellow and green cardstock
Creative Hands digital stamp - Winter
Digi Doodles - Merry Christmas (from Christmas 1)
Carl Craft punches - square,holly and corner
Scrapbook paper
Copic markers

The new challenge is now up on their blog so I'll have a look at that one and see if I can do it and get it in on time!!

Christmas Challenges {with sketches}

I found a whole lot of new (for me) Christmas challenges and I have decided to give some of them a go this week.  The first one is:

http://christmaschallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2012/04/challenge-25-sponsored-by-elphine-house.html

This one involves designing a card based around the supplied sketch.  As layout of cards can sometimes be a problem for me.  I thought that this one would be a good one for me. 

This is my creation:

Materials used:
Digi Stamp from Digi Doodles - Christmas Wreath (from Christmas Bonus Pack)
Digi Stamp from Digi Doodles - Merry Christmas (from Christmas 1)
Various scrapbook papers (brand unknown)
Spellbinders Nestabilities - circles
White cardstock
Copic Markers

I really enjoyed doing this one, although I only found this site yesterday and it is due in today.  Hope to have more time to do the next one.

After reading the comment posted, I have cropped the photo a bit to see if it comes up better than it orginally did.  Problem with taking photos at night at the last minutes is that the lighting isn't too wonderful!

Meljens Designs - Ovals Challenge

This one appealed to me as I am always using my ovals dies!  If you want to have a play with some ovals, then check out:

http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.co.nz/2012/04/challenge-107-ovals.html

When I was younger, I used to play a Christmas piece on the piano called "Little Donkey".  As soon as I saw this image, it reminded me of that piece of music.  Then, I just had to do a Christmas theme.  Although, my objective at the moment is to get a number of Christmas cards made earlier in the year as last year I fell well short and the year before I didn't get any made and felt depressed as a result. 

Materials used:

Meljens Designs Digi Stamp - Sweet Little Donkey
Hero Arts stamp - Joyeux Noel
Christmas lights scrapbook paper
Gold cardstock
White cardstock
Copic markers
Beige grosgrain ribbon