A shaped card

The current challenge at Bearly Mine Designs is to produce a shaped card:
http://bearlymine-challenges.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/challenge-45-shaped-cards.html

This is the shape that I chose to work with:

The shaped card has been die-cut using a Spellbinders die.  The paper is one from Bearly Mine Designs.  The image is a recent  freebie from Folded Paper and Printed Pixels which I have coloured using copic markers. 

A cute animal card

When I saw this challenge at Ruby's Rainbow:
http://rubysrainbow.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/rubys-rainbow-ch-33.html

I knew just the image to use:

The image is one from Sliekje Digital Stamps which I have coloured using my copics.  The sentiment is from Desert Diva.  All the die-cuts are from the Spellbinders Labels 11 set.  Both the background paper and the matting paper are from my stash.  I added a blue ribbon to co-ordinate with the cute kitty's ribbon.

Handmade Embellishment

I have made a card for two challenges:
Milk Coffee -  More than one circle
http://milkcoffeechallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/round-and-round-we-gocircles-challenge.html
Papertake Weekly - Make your own
http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/make-your-own.html

This is my card for both challenges:

The background paper that I used for this card was from Daizy Mae.  I added some satin ribbon and lace to give it a bit of a girlie feel.  The image that I have used is from Milk Coffee  and has been coloured with my copics.  The sentiment is from Netty's Cards.  I cut the matts for both of them from a paper from my stash.  The die-cuts used are from Spellbinders.

I die-cut a flower using my Spellbinders Carnations Creations die that I bought recently at a papercraft expo.  This was the first time that I had used it and I'm really pleased with how it came together.  I used another paper from my stash and inked some of the edges of the die-cuts with Distress Ink - Spun Sugar.  Instead of using a brad to secure the layers together, I glued around the centre opening and then added a pink rhinestone.

Just saying Hello

The challenge at Tiddly Inks this week uses a sketch which can be found here:
http://tiddlyinkschallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/challenge-91-sketch.html

I am still managing to incorporate a frame into each card:

For this challenge, I used Marlena's oval frame which fitted with the sketch perfectly!  I couldn't believe that I could still use a frame!  I have also included the Tiddly Inks image "Ellie" inside the frame.  The background papers are some from my stash.  There are actually three papers used although one is hard to pick up from this photo.  The horizontal band is made up of a paisley paper layered over a striped paper with about a 5mm border top and bottom.  The sentiment is from Birdie Brown and has been die-cut using a Spellbinders banner die.  I have used a self adhesive clear bubble sticker over the flowers on the frame and added three rhinestones to finish.  I coloured the rhinestones with my copics to match the flowers in the frame, the hearts and the Hello on the sentiment.

I still have some frames left to use and hope that I can fit one of them into the next challenge!

A penguin themed Christmas Card

The challenge at Crimbo Crackers is to use penguins (or animals) on a Christmas creation:
http://crimbo-crackers.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/challenge-20-penguins-or-animals.html

I chose to work with a penguin:

  I love this particular image and have used it before.  It is one from Cre8tive Hands.which I have coloured with my copics.  The sentiment is from Desert Diva.  I die-cut the digi image and matt using a Spellbinders Octogan die set.  The sentiment and it's matt has been cut using my trimmer.  The background paper is one from Bearly Mine Designs.    I have added some rhinestones over the larger dots on the background paper.

Sassy Studios Picture challenge

For the Sassy Studios challenge this fortnight, we had a picture inspiration to work from.  Details of the challenge and a copy of the picture can be found at this link:
http://www.papercraftplanet.com/group/sassystudiodesigns/forum/topics/fabulous-freebie-friday-7-20-12-and-challenge
This is my card using the image from the first week  She is called Denim Debbie.

I have used the colours as inspiration but also included flowers in my choice of backing paper.    The backing paper is Pink Paislee Spring Jublilee Designer Paper Stack.  Denim Debbie has been coloured using copic markers.  I used 0 on the denim to give it a more realistic look.  The sentiment is one from Desert Diva which I have die-cut using a Spellbinders scallop oval die.  I have added three pink rhinestones for a bit of bling.

A Christmas Easel Card

Easel Cards are not my favourite cards to make as I seem to have trouble getting them to stand properly.  However, when I found some challenges that an easel card would be ideal for, I decided to have another go.

Beccy's Place - Easel Card
http://beccysplace.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/july-challenge.html
Christmas Crafting! - Two or more folds
http://christmascrafting.blogspot.co.nz/2012/06/its-our-first-birthday-and-challenge-13.html
Christmas Cards All Year Round - Holly or Poinsettia
http://christmascardsallyearround.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/july-challenge.html

This card decided it would co-operate and stand up for me!

I have used white cardstock to create the easel card.  The image that I have used is Quilted Puddings from Beccy's Place.  The digi stamp actually has 9 puddings but I chose to just use two of them.  The background paper is some from my stash.  The centre panel has been edged using a Martha Stewart Eyelet Lace Punch.  The sentiment is one from Desert Diva.  The puddings have been coloured using various copic markers.  I have added some crystal stickers to enable the panels to stand.

A wintry Christmas Card

I have created a card to fit with more than one challenge:
Sassy Studio Designs - DTBST - three different papers
http://sassystudiodesigns.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/dare-to-be-sassy-thursday-135.html
Christmas challenges with sketches - Sketch
http://christmaschallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/challenge-34-sponsored-by-alota-rubber.html
And this is the card that I created for both of these challenges:

I have used a Sassy Studio Designs image called Frostina. I have coloured her with copic markers G000, G21, Y17 and E000.  The image has been die-cut using a Spellbinders Large Oval die.  I kept the papers to three by repeating two of them within the sketch (I wasn't sure whether it was three papers only or at least three papers for the Sassy Studio Designs challenge!).  All three papers are from Bearly Mine Designs.  The sentiment is from an acrylic stamp set that came as a freebie with a magazine.

Hip to be Square

This is the theme for the latest Pikes Playground Challenge which you can read about here:
http://dustinpike.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/feeling-hip-challenge.html
I nearly missed this one as I hadn't received my freebie image from the last challenge!  Anyway, I found it in time, and this is the card that I created for it:

So often, when I make Thank You cards they are full of lace, ribbon, flowers, etc.  But, I do need some Thank You cards for males so decided that it was time to do a masculine Thank You card. 

For this card, I used a square white card blank.  The background papers are some from my stash.  The image is one from Doodle Dragon Studios.  I coloured the image with copic markers and added a sentiment stamped with an acrylic stamp (not sure of the brand for this one).  I die-cut the image using a Nellies Multi Frames die.

Strawberries and Cream

This is the theme for the challenge at Kenny K's Krafty Krew:
http://kennykskraftykrew.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/challenge-103-strawberries-cream.html

I haven't done one of their challenges before so decided to give this one a go.  Here is my card:

For my card, I used a white card blank.  The background paper is one from Bearly Mine Designs to which I have added some lace.  The image is from Kenny K and is called Heart Teddy Bear.  I have coloured the image with copic markers - R000, R02 and E51.  Unfortunately R02 has come out a bit orange like - I thought it was going to be a light red colour.  It still looks good but not quite the colour I was after!  I have coloured the ribbon roses using the same R02.  The image has been die-cut with a Spellbinders Small Oval Die.

A colourful Christmas card

The challenge here at Winter Wonderland:
http://christmasblogchallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/pink-purple-aqua-green.html
includes the colours pink, purple, aqua and green.

I have used all four in my card:

The image that I have chosen to use is called "Frostina" and is an image from Sassy Studio Designs.  I have coloured her using my copic markers and kindy glitz.  The die-cuts are from Spellbinders. I especially love the little banner one that I have cut from aqua glitter cardstock.  I adorned this banner with some pink rhinestones.  The background paper layered over the green card blank is from Bearly Mine Designs.  I have rounded the corners using a Martha Stewart lace punch.  To finish, I have added a purple bow.

ATC

Meljens Designs has an interesting challenge this time:
http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/challenge-119-atcs.html

Now, ATC's are not my favourite things to create but I decided I wouldn't let the challenge get the better of me.  Logically, I know it is a miniaturised card but somehow I can't seem to get it to work.  I finally came up with this:

I have used a background paper from TLC Creations called "Bee Cuz Paper"  I have used two images from Meljens Designs.  One is called Honey Bee Buckets and the other is called Honey Bunches.  I have coloured both images using a yellow copic marker and then added some Glossy Accents over the bee and it's wings.  Both images have been cut using Spellbinder  dies - the smaller ones in the sets.  I tend to use the larger ones in each set but not the smaller ones!

In the end, I am pleased with how this turned out and happy that I finished it in time to enter into the challenge (even if it is only just!!!).

Black and white and a splash of colour

This is a new challenge for me.  The details of which can be found here:
http://brownsugarchallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/challenge-3-black-white-with-splash-of.html

I chose to use a Sassy Studio Design image for my card:

The image is called Mrs Sassy and is perfect for Thank You cards for teachers.  Going wih this theme, I used a black and white numbers background paper and also some letter stickers for the sentiment.  I felt the stickers gave a more "school" feel to the card than a stamped or printed sentiment.  I have added some black and white ribbon from American Crafts and also a little white flower. 

My splash of colour is some aqua coloured glitter cardstock.

A country themed card

The challenge at Sassy Studio Designs was to create a card highlighting your favourite country:
http://sassystudiodesigns.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/its-small-world-after-all-release-blog.html

It wasn't clear whether or not it had to be one of the countries featured in the Blog Hop so I hope that my card counts:

I have used Sassy Studio Designs - Little Honey Fourth of July image but changed her flag to the New Zealand flag.  I have also picked up on these colours when colouring the remainder of the image.  The card is on black cardstock and the matting also in black.  Our national rugby team is called The All Blacks and traditionally our runners used to compete in black shirts (they don't any more as it was too hot in some countries!). Our national football team is called The All Whites so I included white as well.   The background paper I made myself using white cardstock coloured lightly with Distress Ink - Black Soot.  I then stamped in Black Soot some jandals over the top - Jandals are one of our Kiwiana items.

I think that this card represents my country well and hope that it fits with the challenge okay.

Queen of Hearts

I made this card for the following challenge:
http://trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/craft-challenge-164-use-playing-card-on.html

I have had this embossing folder for some time and not really used it so here was the chance!

To make this card, I have used the Tim Holtz Alterations Embossing Folder to create my Queen of Hearts.  I have coloured this using Ranger Distress Ink - Scattered Straw and Barn Door.  I mounted this on to green cardstock and rounded the corners.  The background paper is from Trimgym.  I have added some grosgrain ribbon and lace as well as some rhinestones.

Christmas Bunting

After missing the last two challenges at ABC Christmas Challenge, I actually managed to complete this one!  Here is the link:
http://abcchristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/n-for-not-card_11.html

For this challenge, I made some bunting:

I have also taken a closer up photo of some of the letters:

For this I have used:

Some red paper string
Green cardstock
Spellbinders die
Sizzix letter dies
Acrylic stamp set that came with a cardmaking magazine
Green satin ribbon
Self adhesive gems
Copic markers

A christmas card for kitten lovers

The challenge at Christmas Challenges {with sketches} can be found here:
http://christmaschallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/challenge-33-sponsored-by-heindesign.html
This is the card that I made for this challenge:

For this card, I used:

Green card blank
Three different backing papers from Trimgym - Chrismas 2011 Paper Pack
Image from Scrap Happy Paper Crafter - Kitten Christmas
Acrylic stamp - Happy Christmas (brand unknown)
Copic markers

Hit the Beach

The challenge at Sassy Studios DTBST this week can be found here:
http://sassystudiodesigns.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/dare-to-be-sassy-thursday.html

For my card, I took my meaning of hitting the beach (which probably differs from most other people).  When I hit the beach, I like to take along a book and read - no phones to disturb my reading.  I love reading with the sound of the sea around me.  So, my creation includes the sand, the sun and of course a book to read:

For this card, I used:

Sassy Studio Designs - Magazine Margie
TLC Creations - Find a place to relax
TLC Creations - Vintage Shell Photo
Distress Inks - Scattered Straw, Tumbled Glass, Mustard Seed and Spiced Marmalade
Copic Markers

The background of the card has been sponged with Distress Inks - scattered straw for the sand and tumbled glass for the sky.  The "sun" has been coloured using the Mustard Seed ink with an edging of spiced marmalade.  The image has been coloured using copic markers and then raised up.   I re-sized the vintage shell photo to varying sizes as shells are not all the same size.  I then cut out just the shell part and adhered them randomly across the sand.

An Ace of a birthday card

The current challenge at both Trimgym and CRAFT challenge is to use a playing card on the creation.  Trimgym has supplied a paper to be used for that challenge.  Details of the challenges can be found here:

Trimgym
http://trimgymsdigistampsandimages.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/a-new-freebie-and-new-challenge-with.html
CRAFT Challenge
http://trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/craft-challenge-164-use-playing-card-on.html

I opted to use the playing card paper supplied by Trimgym for both challenges:

I have used:
Trimgym paper
Corner rounder punch
Happy Birthday acrylic stamp (brand unknown)
Mounting foam

I printed out the Trimgym paper twice - once on 100gsm paper and the other on 160gsm card.  I adhered the paper one to the card blank and then cut the Ace of Diamonds only from the card one.  I raised this over the top of the paper.  I then cut a strip from the remainder of the 100gsm paper and adhered this over the bottom of the card and stamped a sentiment on top.  To finish off the card I rounded the four corners of the card to represent the playing card.

A girlie birthday card

I have made a girlie birthday card to enter into the following challenges:
Papertake Weekly Challenge
http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/all-things-girlie.html
Bearly Mine Designs Challenge:
http://bearlymine-challenges.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/challenge-no-44-girly-birthday-card.html


This image that I have chosen does help to give it a real girlie feel along with the embellishments that I have chosen.

I have used:

Bearly Mine Designs - Background Paper
Saturated Canary - Fancy
Acrylic stamp (brand unknown) - Happy Birthday
Lace
Ribbon roses coloured with copic marker
Rhinestones coloured with copic marker
Spellbinders Oval dies - plain and scalloped

A recycled card

The current challenge at Broken Box Stock was to use something recycled
http://brokenboxstock.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/challenge-5-recycled-materials.html

I thought this one would be really easy as I am such a hoarder that I have heaps of "recycled materials".  I'm the one who saves the ribbons off packaging, bubble wrap around parcels, wrapping paper, etc.  However, I struggled to decide what to use and the deadline for the challenge was looming!

In the end, I decided to work with the ring pull from a soft drink can:

So, I have used some background paper from my stash, an image from Broken Box Stock that has been die-cut using a Spellbinders oval die.  I coloured the image with copics and the die-cut with Rnagers Distress Ink (scattered straw).   I added some Glossy Accents to the centre of the flower and sun.

The ringpull has been coloured using Opals UTEE and then has some grosgrain ribbon threaded through it.

Sentiment Card

The challenge at Winter Wonderland this week was to create a card with the sentiment as the focal point:
http://christmasblogchallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/sentiment-as-focal-point.html

I found I had a few suitable sentiments to choose from, but this is the one that I eventually decided upon:

For this card I used some background paper from my stash.  I overlay this with some red grosgrain ribbon and some red and white lace.

The sentiment is one from Cre8tive Hands.  I have coloured the holly with copics and put a dab of Glossy Accents on the berry.  I have cut out the sentiment using a Nellies Multi Frame die and then matted this with green and then red cardstock.

I have added three red rhinestones to finish off the card.

Simple - yet effective.

A triangular bookmark

This challenge at Sassy Studio Designs challenged us to make a bookmark or two:
http://www.papercraftplanet.com/group/sassystudiodesigns/forum/topics/fabulous-freebie-friday-7-6-12-and-challenge

For my second bookmark, I have chosen to do a triangular bookmark:

A bookmark

The challenge at Sassy Studios FFF for this week was to create a bookmark or two:
http://www.papercraftplanet.com/group/sassystudiodesigns/forum/topics/fabulous-freebie-friday-7-6-12-and-challenge

The image that I have used was the image provided on 6 July and I have used it to create a standard bookmark:

Rain or shine, I must design

This is the title of the challenge at Pixie Dust:
http://pixieduststudiopixiechallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/rain-or-shine-i-must-design.html

I chose to do a snowy Christmas card:

The image that I have chosen to use is one from Digital Doodling and is called Mrs Tilly Clause.  It is such a sweet image and lovely for this challenge.  I have created a very feminine Christmas card using a background paper from Bearly Mine Designs.  I have overlaid this with some lavender grosgrain ribbon from American Crafts and some lace.  I tied a bow using my new bow maker and added this onto the lace.  The image has been coloured with my copics and cut out using a Spellbinder oval die (small).  The matt has been cut from lavender cardstock using a Spellbinder oval die (large)

Sports Card

I am submitting this card for two challenges:

Scrap Happy Paper Crafter - anything goes
http://www.scraphappypapercrafter.com/2012/07/july-anything-goes-card-challenge.html
Milk Coffee - Sports
http://milkcoffeechallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/looking-for-sports-creations.html

Okay, I probably will miss the cut-off for the Milk Coffee Challenge as my camera isn't working properly.  Time is ticking away fast as I try to take the photo!

However, back to the card.  This is made from a digi image that I had drawn especially for me for being one of the first 5 to submit an entry into a monthly challenge.  It is an image by Scrap Happy Paper Crafter called Playing Golf.  I have coloured the image with copics and used a rectangular Spellbinder die to cut both the image (small) and matt (large).  The matt has been cut from dark grey cardstock.  I have used a grey and white checked ribbon from American crafts on the card together with some background paper from my stash.  To finish, I added three grey rhinestones.

A sketch for DTBST

Sassy Studio Designs has a sketch challenge at DTBST:
http://sassystudiodesigns.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/dare-to-be-sassy-thursday-133.html

I found some lovely papers that worked really well with this sketch:

The image that I used for this card is a Sassy Studio Designs imaged called Victorian Beauty.  I won this image for a comment on a post during their June celebrations.

The image is coloured using copic markers and then trimmed with a trimmer.  The background papers are from Webster's pages - Collection Combo Pack (Western Romance and All About Me).

The border is cut from yellow cardstock using a Martha Stewart punch.  I have added a sentiment stamped with an acrylic stamp and also added some yellow rhinestones.

A birthday card

I nearly missed the challenge at Meljens this week:
http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/challenge-118-happy-birthday.html

and it is a Happy Birthday one too! 

I have just spent three days at a Papercraft expo doing some classes and learning new techniques - and of course buying some new goodies!  However, I might have over-done the number of classes and am now extremely tired.  Tired does not get the creative juices flowing that well.

However, while playing with a new technique, this card started to fall into place.  The die-cut is a new purchase too so it was fun to have a play with that.

I have used some background paper that I had in my stash.  The image is one from Meljens called Bunny Love.  The sentiment is from Digi Doodles.  The die-cut is from Spellbinders and is called Blossom Two.  I have inked around the edge using Tim Holtz Foam pads and Scattered Straw Distress Ink.  I have also used this technique on the sentiment.  The image has been coloured with copic markers.

An easel card for summer

The challenge at Trimgym and CRAFT Challenge was a summer theme:
Trimgym:
http://trimgymsdigistampsandimages.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/another-freebie-and-for-our-summer.html
CRAFT Challenge:
http://trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/craft-challenge-163-summer.html

Jo at Trimgym had provided an easel pack to use.  I haven't had much success in creating easel cards and nearly wimped out on this one.  I'm pleased I didn't because this one actually worked!

I have taken the lower piece from a different angle so you can see the sentiment:

The piece that the sentiment is mounted on was meant to be on the flower at the top.  I hope Jo doesn't mind that I changed things around a bit!

I have used the easel card pack provided with the challenge by Trimgym's digi stamps.  I have also used one of the digi images and sentiments from Trimgym.

The image has been coloured using copics and I have also edged all the layers of the easel pack with Copic 100 (black).

I am pleased that this card actually stood up as I attended some classes last weekend at a papercraft expo and my easel cards were reluctant to stand up!  It was an extremely tiring three days but I came away with some new skills which I can hopefully put to good use.

Bells for Christmas

Another great sketch from Christmas Challenges {with sketches} can be found here:
http://christmaschallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/challenge-32-sponsored-by-judi-kins.html

And they were so kind to make sure the twist was obvious this time for people like me who missed it last time.  Thanks for that.  This is my card, including the embossing twist:

I have used a Universal Embossing folder to do the embossing of the holly leaves on the green cardstock.  The layers have been created using various papers from the My Mind's Eye Snowed in Winter papers set. The image is one from TLC Creations called Bells of Christmas Morn Vintage.  The image and matt have been cut using a Spellbinders Circle die.  The image and matt have been coloured using copic markers.

Strawberries and Cream

Strawberries and Cream.  Yum!  However, this strawberries and cream - here:
http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/strawberries-cream.html
 .. is not to eat!  Here is what I did with the strawberries and cream theme:

It is a very wet wintry day here and strawberries and cream would be just delightful - but out of season!

I have created my card using :-

Strawberries digital image from Princess Bella Lockwood
Spellbinders Circle die
Rangers Distress Ink - Scattered Straw
Cream grosgrain ribbon - American Crafts
Two papers from Raspberry Road Designs - Summer Goodness

What the text

When I first saw the heading I thought this was going to have to include text language!  But no, just a sentiment:

http://shellysimagesblog.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/ttt-challenge-announcement.html

I chose to use the sentiment as the focal point of the card. 

I have used a background paper from Kate Knight - Totally Tropical Summer Papers.  The sentiment is one from TLC Creations - Be like the flower.   I have cut this out using a Spellbinders Beaded Ovals die.  I have also used a Nellies Multi Frame border die.  I have decorated the Beaded ovals die with pink rhinestones and the border die with purple rhinestones.  I have used the same purple cardstock for the beaded oval and the border die even though in this photograph they have come out different colours - must be the angle I took the photo on.

Primary Colours

Pikes Playground has a challenge using primary colours:
http://dustinpike.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/challenge-primary-fun.html

This is my primary coloured card:

I have used:

Red card blank
Blue satin ribbon
Nellies Multi Frame Dies
Copic markers
White ribbon roses - coloured with copic markers
Doodle Dragon Studios digital stamp
Daizeefli sentiment

A bright and colourful card

Milk Coffee has another colour challenge.  Check out the colour palette here:
http://milkcoffeestamps.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/coloring-challenge-2-and-special.html

As soon as I saw the inspiration picture and colour palette, I had an idea:

I looked at the picture and thought that it would make a lovely background for a card.  I then tried to find some papers that had the same general idea.  Alas, amongst my stash, I couldn't find anything remotely similar.  Not to be steered off my idea, I got out the copic markers and made my own background! 

The image that I have chosen to use is one from Milk Coffee called Special Freebie.  The sentiment is one from Desert Diva.  I have used Spellbinders rectangle and oval dies for the image, sentiment and matting. 

I have used the following copic markers to colour the image, background and matts:
G02
V09
RV06
YR07
Y02

A blue and green card for summer

This is a nice summery card that I designed for two different challenges!

I found a new challenge which appealed to me:
http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/speedy-fox-and-friends-challenge-115.html

Plus another challenge that I regularly do:
http://trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/craft-challenge-163-summer.html

I liked the idea of limiting the card to two colours but also giving it a summery feel so that it fitted both challenges:

I have to admit I did need to sneak a couple of other colours in for skin and hair (although I did run the G000 through her hair which gave it a bit of a greenish tinge!  I know that swimming in chlorinated water can give hair a greenish tinge so thought it wouldn't be totally weird!

She has a lovely mint flavoured ice-cream. Yum!

I used:

Sassy Studio Designs - Ice-cream
Trimgym backing paper - Just stripey
Green cardstock
Spellbinders oval dies
The Alley Way Stamps - Happy Birthday sentiment
Green glitter ribbon - American Crafts
Copic markers - mainly greens and blues
Kindy Glitz - alongside ribbon
Blue rhinestone

A sparkly white on white Christmas card

Winter Wonderland have a challenge of white on white:
http://christmasblogchallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/white-on-white.html
Although they did allow colour to be added to the image, I have kept the colouring in the image to a minimum so that it doesn't detract from the white on white effect.

I have used the following:

White card blank
White glitter cardstock
White pearlised cardstock
Cherry Lynn doily die
Spellbinders rectangle die
Digi image - Christmas Belle by Digital Doodling
Copic markers
Glossy accents
Kindy Glitz - crystallina

A red or blue card

The challenge at Meljens is all about red or blue:
http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/challenge-117-red-or-blue.html
I have actually used both colours in my card but the predominant one is the red:

I have used:

Meljens Digital stamp - Love strung birds
Red cardstock for matting
White card blank
Copic markers - R46, R22, B00 and RV10 (over B00 as highlight)
Scrapbook paper - from my stash
Flower parts
Red rhinestone for flower centre

Card with a metal embellishment

The challenge at Sassy Studio Designs - Dare to be Sassy Thursday - is to use metal on the card:

http://sassystudiodesigns.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/dare-to-be-sassy-thursday-132.html

I got quite excited when I saw this challenge as I had just been sorting out an old box of craft stash and found some metal sheets that I hadn't used.  I decided to try cutting a tag out of one of them using my Sizzix die.  This worked really well but didn't have quite the look I was after so I pulled out my metallic rub-ons that again I haven't used for a couple of years and rubbed some colour on to the tag.  This is the end result:

I have used:

Sassy Studio Designs - Sally and Jack (the only one of the June freebies that I didn't miss as I was so busy doing the relay!!!)
Metal sheet
Some fibres that I found in the same box as the metal sheets!
Sizzix tag die
Metallic rub-ons

A new challenge

While looking at the various freebies listed on Free Digital Stamps blog, I came across this challenge:

http://pixieduststudiopixiechallenge.blogspot.co.nz/

I liked the image and the colour scheme for the challenge so decided to give it a go.

I have used a bubble paper from TLC Creations.  The image and sentiment have been die-cut using different sized Spellbinders Large Circles.   I have placed these on the card to mimic the bubbles on the backing paper.  The sentiment is the one provided by Pixie Dust Studios for this challenge and has been coloured using my copic markers.  The sentiment is from Desert Diva.  I have added some Glossy Accents to the bubbles in the digi.

Trim the Tree

The Alley Way Stamps is now having a fortnightly challenge:

http://www.thealleywaystamps.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/be-inspired-challenge-6-something-new.html

The bonus is that there is a random draw prize which gives cardmakers like me a better chance of winning.  Here is the card that I created for Be Inspired 6:

I was inspired by all the dots on the item of clothing behind the white word peace.  I have combined those two (red & white dots as well as white) as the base of the card and worked from there.

The image and sentiment are both July freebies from The Alley Way Stamps.  I have coloured the image using copic markers in greens and reds.  The image and green cardstock matt are cut using a trimmer.  The sentiment and it's matt have been cut using Spellbinders dies.  I have attached a rhinestone to the smaller bauble and a bow to the larger bauble.  The backing paper is from a Raspberry Road Designs paper pack called Summer Goodness

Santa in the Chimney

The challenge at Christmas Challenges {with sketches} can be found here:
http://christmaschallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/challenge-31-sponsored-by-my-favorite.html
and the one for Crimbo Crackers can be found here:

http://crimbo-crackers.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/challenge-19-buildings.html

I decided to make this card fit with both challenges.  I don't usually do this but I am having so many internet hassles at the moment that the less uploads I have to do the better!

For this card I used a number of papers from my stash.  Some of them are from CraftyBitz but others I have had for a long time.  I used a length of lace and grosgrain ribbon across the card.  The image that I chose is one from Bird's Cards.  The sentiment is stamped with an acrylic stamp that came free with a magazine.

The image hasn't come out too clearly on the photograph but the wording says:  "maybe I shouldn't have had that last mince pie".

I hope that I didn't miss anything in the instructions this time.  Managed to miss the twist hidden amongst the bits written in Dutch on the CCWS challenge recently!  I need to make sure I read the posts properly especially when they are written in another language!

A wedding anniversary card

The challenge at Papertake Weekly Challenge for this week was anything goes. 

http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/anything-goes.html

So, I decided that this was a great opportunity to make a card for my parents' wedding anniversary at the end of the month:

The image that I have used for this card is one from TLC Creations called 1000 Vintage Couple Anniversary.  I have used a backing paper from a paper stack - forgot to write down which one it was so will update next time I'm on-line.  I'm having to use the library for internet at the moment which is a real pain when you forget to bring something with you!  I adde some lace across the paper and three red rhinestones for a bit of bling.  The image has been coloured with copic markers and has some glossy accents added to the bow on the present, the lady's ear-rings and also her dress.

Milk Coffee Colour Challenge

Details of this challenge can be found here:

http://milkcoffeestamps.blogspot.co.nz/2012/06/coloring-challenge1.html

There is also a colour tutorial there is well which I found helpful.

I am also using this card for the "sports" challenge:

http://milkcoffeechallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/looking-for-sports-creations.html

Here is my card for these challenges:

For this card, I used:

Milk Coffee - Little Ballerina
Scrapbook paper from my stash
Ric Rac from American crafts
Sentiment from Birdie Brown
Black cardstock for matting
Spellbinders large and small oval dies

Red White and Blue

Here is another challenge using red, white and blue:

http://tiddlyinkschallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/challenge-90-red-white-and-blue.html

I decided to continue my self-set challenge of using the frames in each challenge!  This time I chose to use Larissa's frame:

The dog in the photograph appears more brown but he/she has been coloured with a red copic! 

I have used:

Tiddly Inks - Larissa's Frame
Tiddly Inks - Kiki
Glossy Accents - nose and eyes
Copic Markers - R59 (Kiki), RV10 (nose) R46 and B28 (frame)
Free Vintage Digital - striped paper
American Crafts - ribbon

Splashy Card

I am entering my card in the following challenges:

Trimgym
http://trimgymsdigistampsandimages.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/time-for-another-challenge-in.html
CRAFT Challenge
http://trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/craft-challenge-162-splashywater-themed.html


The image and paper that I have used for this card are both current freebies from the Trimgym Digital Stamps blogs.  What surprises me is that not many people use these images and papers for the CRAFT Challenge - if you do, you can enter the card in both challenges as I have done.  Enough rambling - here is my card:

I have used:

Trimgym backing paper - Just Stripey
Trimgym digital image - Dophins
Blue cardstock
Copic markers - BG49, BG05, B000, Y08, C3 and C1

Hopefully there are no typos in this post that I missed.  I managed to catch my finger in the car door when I was shutting it earlier and it is a little hard typing anything that needs my pinky on my left hand!  Need to watch what I am doing when I'm tired!!!

Theodore's Card

When I was checking for new challenges from a couple of my favourites, I noticed some similarities in what was required:

Bearly Mine Designs
http://bearlymine-challenges.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/challenge-no-42-ribbons-and-bows.html
Bugaboo (Catch the Bug - Stella Says Sketch)
http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/stella-says-sketch-challenge-114.html
Since both of them looked as though they needed a ribbon and bow, I decided to see if I had some Bearly Mine Designs paper and a Bugaboo image that would work well together.  This is what I came up with:

The photograph hasn't come out the best - a wee bit out of focus (not sure how that happened as the camera was set on auto which usually focusses okay!).

So, as I said, the paper is from Bearly Mine Designs.  It is actually from a halloween paper set but I feel it works well with other occasions.  It works particularly well with the border die-cut from Nellie's Multi Frames and with the grosgrain ribbon and bow.  Not halloween looking at all I feel.

The image is one from Bugaboo that I have had for a while.  It is called Theodore.  I have coloured Theodore using four different copic markers - RV13, 100, Y38 and Y00.

The sentiment is an acrylic stamp of which I don't know the brand.  That's the difficulty with acrylic stamps as they get separated from their packaging and then you have no idea where you got it from!

Retro Card

Birdie Brown has another retro challenge this month:
http://birdiebrown.blogspot.jp/2012/07/july-freebies-and-challenge.html

I found that I had this wonderful black, white & grey retro paper which fitted this image perfectly.  This TV reminds me of one we had when I was younger (alot younger!!!).  I just had to colour it in  Black and White because this TV was so that era!  While I was making this card, my teenage daughter came along and insisted that I put some glitter on the aerial and bow-tie.  I wasn't originally going to do that but wanted to keep the peace!  However, it looks quite cool with the glitter so I've stayed with it.  So, here it is:

I used:

White card blank
Black, white and grey retro scrapbook paper
Retro TV image (Birdie Brown)
Stay Tuned sentiment (Birdie Brown)
Black cardstock for matting
Kindy Glitz - crystallina

White on White

Now, this is what I call a challenge!!!
http://cutedaisymay.blogspot.co.nz/2012/07/white-on-white.html
However, I managed to conquer it I hope:

It is amazing how hard it was to figure out how to work white on white.  After much muttering, I finally managed to come up with a concept which seems to have worked!

I used:

White card blank
White glitter cardstock
White pearlised cardstock (matt)
White wax crayon (to lightly colour image)
Image - Whoopsi Daisy fairy
White flowers
White grosgrain ribbon
White lace