This calls for chocolate

This is such a wonderful sentiment and could be used for a number of occasions.

The card is being entered into the following challenges:
Meljens Designs - Tear it up/Distress
http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/challenge-133-tear-it-up.html
Brown Sugar - Anything Goes
http://brownsugarchallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/challenge-13-anything-goes.html

The background papers are all offcuts from a card I made at a course.  We got to bring home what we didn't use out of the pack.  The paper pack is from Glitz and is called French Kiss.  The image is from Meljens Designs.  I printed off the digi onto cardstock, screwed it up and unfolded it, tore the edges and then stippled it with Distress Ink - vintage photo.  I then used some Earth coloured copics to add a bit of colour to the image.  The sentiment is from Create with TLC.

Thinking of You

I haven't made a Thinking of You card for a while, so I decided to remedy that

The card is for the following challenges:
CRAFT Challenge - Recipe
http://trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/craft-challenge-178-recipe.html
Fresh Brewed Designs  - Thinking Of You
http://freshbreweddesigns.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/fbc-116-october-prize-challenge-and.html

The recipe at CRAFT Challenge is:
1 Image - mine is a rose digi from Trimgym Digistamps
2 Designer Papers - I have used two from DCWV - Serenity Matstack
2 Flowers - two white ribbon roses coloured with copic markers (didn't count the image flower!)
1 Sentiment - from Digital Doodling

I have coloured the rose using two copic markers to tie in with the designer papers.  One is RV69 and the other E35.  I used the same two on the roses.  I coloured the rose with the E35 and then dotted the RV69 on top.  It has come out quite effective.

Buttons & Twine

I have made a card using some really old buttons and some new-ish twine:

The buttons are some that my mother has had for years and gave to me to use.

I have used an image from Digital Doodling then die-cut this with a Spellbinders Beaded Oval die.  I then threaded the twine through the die.  The background paper is from Bearly Mine Designs.  I added some kindy glitz to the fur trim for a bit of dazzle.  Actually it is dazzling a bit more in the photo than it does on the card - must be the flash from the camera.

The card is being entered into the challenge at Christmas Crafting:
http://christmascrafting.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/challenge-15buttons-and-twine.html

Boo

This time I have made a card with a non-traditional halloween image.  Sometimes, I like to do that and I hope that the designer doesn't mind too much!  It's great to be able to see if you can pull it off.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:
Fresh Brewed Designs - Sweet not Spooky Halloween
http://freshbreweddesigns.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/fbc-119.html
Seems a little sketchy - Sketch
http://seemsalittlesketchy.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/sketch-25-sponsored-by-bugaboo_29.html
Shelly's Images - Spooky
http://shellysimagesblog.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/spooky-ttt-challenge.html

I was originally going to create a card using this image for the challenge last week but someone stole last week!  Somehow it is this week and the challenge had closed!  When I saw the challenge for this week, I looked at the sweet on the top of the house and thought about using this image for this challenge.  Once I went down that train of thought, I had to give it a go and see if it worked.  I'm so happy with how it turned out.  I did have to cut off the presents to remove the Christmas look there but otherwise the choice of colours has been used to Halloween it!

The sketch is from Seems a little sketchy.  I started with a black card blank to give the card more of a Halloween feel to it.  The background paper is from Bearly Mine Designs.  The border panel is some black glitter cardstock from DCWV which I have edged punched with a Martha Stewart Eyelet Lace Border punch.  The overlay on this piece is some paper from DIY and Digital Designs.  The orange scallop oval is from a scrap paper pack and die-cut using Spellbinders.  The bat comes from Digi Stamp Boutique and the Boo sentiment from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles.

Candy Corn

Candy Corn is something we don't have in New Zealand but it was such a fun image, I wanted to use it anyway!

The basis of the card is the sketch at Stella Says Sketch.  I have used a black card blank for contrast.  The paper is from Spectacular Printables with the plain orange (that the rhinestones are on) being a scrap from a themed scrap pack.  The image is from Bugaboo.

The card is for the following challenges:

Catch the Bug (Stella Says Sketch)
http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/stella-says-sketch-challenge-122.html
Pixie Dust - candy
http://pixieduststudiopixiechallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/give-us-some-candy.html

Snowman Christmas

A lovely christmas card this time featuring a snowman.

The card follows the sketch from Sweet Sketch Wednesday:

The background papers for this card are from Bearly Mine Designs.  I have matted the layer between with silver pearlised cardstock.  The ribbon is a recent purchase - went into the shop to get something else and came out with a pack of Christmas ribbons.  Hey, it did have 24 different christmas ribbons in the pack and the price was good too!

The image that I have used is the one for the challenge at Designed 2 Delight.

Because I wanted to show off the ribbon that I bought I kept trying to find small embellishments so that it didn't get hidden.  I was going to use some small buttons but even then they started overshadowing the ribbon!  In the end, I settled for these buckles that I bought the die-cut for at my card workshop last weekend.  They are a Memory Box die and come in a set of three buckles.  This is the middle sized one of the set.  I die cut them out of some green glitter cardstock and I'm really pleased with how they turned out.  Because they are quite open they have allowed the ribbon to have a bit more of the spotlight!  I also extended the ribbon to the edges of the card to give it a little more prominence.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Sweet Sketch Wednesday
http://sweetsketchwednesday.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/bugaboo-sketch-177.html
Designed 2 Delight
http://designed2delight.com/blog/2012/10/4665/

Pink Christmas

A pink christmas card with inspiration from a sketch!

The card is suitable for these challenges:
Christmas Challenges {with sketches} - sketch + banners
http://christmaschallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/challenge-47-with-twist-sponsored-by.html
Sassy Studio Designs Dare to Be Sassy Thursday - pink christmas
http://sassystudiodesigns.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/dare-to-be-sassy-thursday-148.html

For this card, I have used a couple of backing papers from Bearly Mine Designs.  One was a nutcracker themed one which worked perfectly with this image.  The image is from Sassy Studio Designs and is called The Nutcracker.

The pink diamond and banners are cut from pink cardstock.  I also embossed the banners to give them more depth then added some stickers for the year.

Sparrow, Duct Tape & Bath

What do these three words have in common?  They are the random words chosen for the challenge at Tuesday Alchemy!
http://tuesdayalchemy.blogspot.gr/2012/10/challenge-37-random-word-inspiration.html

I had fun with this challenge.  I'm hoping that my birds in the bird bath are actually sparrows - not good on my bird species but they sort of look like sparrows to me!  The duct tape was an interesting addition but I used that as part of the background and it turned out quite interesting I think!

The background is strips of duct tape on a diagonal across a white card blank.  The image is bird bath from Broken Box Stock.  I stamped an acrylic stamp sentiment underneath the bird bath and then die-cut using a Spellbinders scallop oval die.  The matting is burgundy cardstock.  I die-cut four buttons using a Memory Box die that I purchased at the weekend when I attended a card workshop and sale day.  For some contrast, I have added some ribbon roses around the largest button.

Wagon full of pumpkins

I have made another pumpkin themed card.  I enjoy the colours of autumn and pumpkins so it is lovely working with them:

This card is for the following challenges:
Love to Create - pumpkins, pumpkins
http://lovetocreatechallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/challenge-38-pumpkins-pumpkins.html
Seems a little sketchy - sketch
http://seemsalittlesketchy.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/sketch-24-sponsored-by-squigglefly.html
Kaboodle Doodles - Trick or Treat/Fall
http://kaboodledoodles.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/challenge-142-trick-or-treat-fall.html
Incy Wincy - things with wheels
http://incywincydesigns.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/things-with-wheels.html

The card uses a background paper from Create with TLC.  I followed the sketch from Seems a little sketchy.  The other background paper is an offcut from one I've used previously (need to locate the source!).  Ditto with the piece that I used for the border.  The border has been cut using a Martha Stewart Eyelet Lace Edging Punch.  The image comes from Sandi's Samples and the sentiment is one I typed on the computer and oval die-cut.

Just went to upload the challenges and realised that I missed the deadline for Incy Wincy!  I spent Saturday at a cardmaking workshop and spent yesterday catching up and missed this one.  Had lots of fun (and spent lots of money!) at the workshop so it was worth it.  I've got a few new Memory Box and Mariannes dies to have a play with as soon as I get the chance.

Just a bit batty

Some days, that's how I feel but this time I'm talking about my card:

The card is for the challenge at The Alley Way Stamps.

This is not my usual style of card but I decided to try something different for this challenge.  The image and sentiment that I have used were freebies from The Alley Way Stamps.   I printed out the bats in a line and then coloured them using purple and black.  I then matted this onto black cardstock.  I printed out the sentiment, circle cut and then matted.  I then added a length of black ric-rac to the top of the card. 

It's a simple design but it looks quite effective.  I may even try this style again as it does seem to work.

Maleficent

One card:

For five challenges:
Sassy Studio Designs - FFF
http://www.papercraftplanet.com/group/sassystudiodesigns/forum/topics/fabulous-freebie-friday-10-12-12-and-challenge
The Sweet Stop - Sketch with a spin: movie/book inspired
http://sweetstopsketches.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/sss181-sketch-with-spin-and-prize.html
Sentimental Sundays - Halloween plus a sentiment
http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/challenge-125-halloween.html
Shelly's Images - spooky
http://shellysimagesblog.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/spooky-ttt-challenge.html
Crafty Creations - Halloween spooks
http://craftycreationschallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/challenge-193.html

I have used three background papers from DIY and Digital Designs.  The image is the one supplied for the second week of the Sassy Studio Designs Challenge.  She is called Evil Sorceress.  The sentiment is from Limited Runs.

The Evil Sorceress AKA Maleficent was a great image to work with.  I have coloured her with black/dark grey and purple.

Sweet Treats

The challenge at Milk Coffee this time is for Sweet Treats:
http://milkcoffeechallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/yum-yum-show-us-your-favorite-sweet.html

I had this lovely image of a birthday cake from Milk Coffee and have used it to create a birthday card:

The background paper is from Sweet Wishes Paper Pack.  I have added a strip of pink lace along the left hand side which gave the paper a bit of a lift.
The image is from Milk Coffee.  I coloured this with copic markers and added a bit of glitter to the cake. For some reason when I've photographed this I've ended up with some glare on the right hand side of the image. 
The sentiment is from Desert Diva. 
I have matted both image and sentiment using yellow cardstock.  I then constructed a flower with two pieces from the same kit plus a small rhinestone in the centre.

Metal leaf

The latest challenge at CRAFT Challenge is to use metal on the card:
http://trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/craft-challenge-177-use-metal-on-card.html

I chose to die-cut a leaf using a sizzix die-cut.

I have to admit to not being happy with this image but when I went to photograph this card, I discovered that my camera batteries were flat.  By the time that they re-charge, it will be too late to enter this challenge.  So, I have used my video camera and it produces small and relatively poor quality JPEG images!  I will update the photo later on when the camera batteries are re-charged.
UPDATED PHOTO:

I have used a leaf paper from Spectacular Printables that worked really well with my leaf.  After die-cutting my leaf, I used metallic rub-ons to add some autumn colours to it.  The image that I have chosen to use is from Digital Doodling.  I added some washi tape to the card for a bit of fun and contrast colour.

Pink Christmas

I'm not dreaming of a white christmas this week - it's pink instead at Crimbo Crackers:
http://crimbo-crackers.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/challenge-26-pink.html
This is to honour breast cancer awareness for October.

It makes a change to create a pink Christmas card and I quite enjoyed the challenge!

My card uses a non-traditional Christmas paper from Bearly Mine Designs although I feel it has quite a christmas feel to it.  I added a strip of lace over the top before adding the image and sentiment. The angel image comes from Anne's Cards 4 U.  The sentiment is one I found recently at Mudmaven Designs.  I blinged up the image by adding some small rhinestones around the die-cut.  I then splodged down some glue randomly in the top corner and applied some sequins, rhinestones and some glitter (smash book style).   I just felt in the mood to be less precise at that moment - not sure if it entirely works but it was fun being random!

Happy Birthday Julie

The challenge at Scrap Happy Paper Crafter for this month is to create a birthday card with the option of making it for Julie herself.  You can find the challenge here:
http://www.scraphappypapercrafter.com/2012/10/october-scraphappy-paper-crafter.html

This card was alot harder to create than I thought because I so wanted to make it special but knew that I had to post it from New Zealand to United States.  That placed limitations on what I could use if it was to arrive in the same condition as it left here!  As a result, I have had it sitting here half made for days trying to figure out what I could use as embellishments that would survive the trip!

In the end, I decided to work with bright colours, and I nice decorative die-cut and paper.  I have added some glossy accents to the cherry on the top of the image and some rhinestones to the card itself but otherwise kept it fairly flat.

The background paper is from Create with TLC and the image from Scrap Happy Paper Crafter.  The sentiment is an acrylic stamp.

Get Well Soon

With the ever changeable weather we are having at the moment, everyone I know seems to be getting sick - including myself!  So with that in mind, I have created a Get Well Soon card that I am sure will need to be used very soon!

The card will be entered into the following challenge:
Crafty Creations - Get Well
http://craftycreationschallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/challenge-192-get-well.html

I have used a very vibrant and cheerful backing paper from Spyder's Corner.   This one is called Picnic.  The image is from Eiglassing and is called Dennis.  I have only outlined coloured Dennis as I thought solid colouring would be too much against the background paper.  However, I nearly coloured it in completely as itis alot harder to outline colour!   The sentiment has been typed on the computer.  The matting is yellow cardstock and I have also added some yellow rhinestones.

Christmas Cocoa

I normally try not to create Christmas cards with the Sweet Sketch Wednesday sketch but I found a christmas paper pack that I hadn't opened and then I really wanted to use it:

So for the challenge that can be found following this link:
http://sweetsketchwednesday.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/sweet-sketch-wednesday-176.html
I have created the above christmas card!
I also found the challenge at Sweet Sketch Wednesday worked perfectly with the challenge at De Creatieve Zebra so I have entered that one as well.  The link can be found here:
http://decreatievezebra.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/challange-34.html

The card started from this lovely sketch at Sweet Sketch Wednesday:

I have used background papers from a christmas paper pack called Berry Merry by Jennifer Ellory.  There are six different patterns in the pack and they are all gorgeous.  I have used two of them here.

Rather than use a flower embellishment, I have chosen to add a matching bow to the ribbon across the centre of the card.  This worked perfectly with the anything goes but add a ribbon or bow to your project which was the theme of the challenge at De Creatieve Zebra.  I added both!

The image that I have used is one from Bugaboo called Ted Xmas cocoa.   Such a yummy looking hot cocoa it is too!  I have matted the image and the papers using red cardstock.  I have glitzed up the fur trim with some kindy glitz and added a yellow rhinestone to the end of the hat.

Missing You at Christmas

I have been creating Christmas cards recently with alot of non-traditional colours.  For this one though I have gone with the candy cane colour scheme:

The card is for the following challenges:
Christmas Challenges {with sketches}
http://christmaschallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/challenge-46-sponsored-by-hobbycompleet.html
Meljens Designs - Missing You
http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/challenge-132-missing-you.html
There always seems to be some of my friends that I am not able to see at Christmas time so the Missing You message is an appropriate one for their cards.  I couldn't find an appropriate sentiment among my collection of sentiments so typed this one out on the computer.

The background papers are all from Free Digital Scrapbooking.  They were blending into each other a bit much so I drew some faux stitching around each piece using a Distress Marker.  It's a bit hard to pick up but the white lower layer is a vellum snowflake pattern.  The red ones are either red candy canes on red or white diagonal stripes on red - again not the easiest to pick up from the way I layered them and the quality of the photograph!

The image that I have used is a darling image from Meljens Designs called Stocking Kitten.  I have coloured this using copic markers and added some kindy glitz to the fur trim on the stocking.

Now, the hard part is going to be deciding which of my special friends that I'm not going to be with at Christmas time is going to receive this card!

Circular Happy Birthday

For a change, I've made a circular card:

This card uses the sketch from Incy Wincy and the theme from Whoopsie Daisy.. The challenges can be found at the links below:

Incy Wincy - sketch
http://incywincydesigns.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/its-sketch-challenge-and-winners.html
Whoopsie Daisy - birthday cards
http://cutedaisymay.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/birthday-cards.html
Bearly Mine Challenges - anything goes
http://bearlymine-challenges.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/challenge-57-anything-goes.html

The image comes from Whoopsi Daisy and is one I've had for a while but don't think that I've used before.  The red flowers are a composite of one layer of a flower set and clear rhinestones added for flower centres.  The ribbon roses have been used as is - first time that I have used them without colouring with copics!!!

The Happy Birthday is an acrylic stamp.  The tags are from a Sissix die that has taken me an hour to find today - my filing system really needs improvement!  I have tied the tags together with some gold cord.  The background paper behind the image is from Bearly Mine.

Bugaboo Christmas

A Christmas Card today:

This card is being entered into the following challenges:

Catch the Bug - Stella Says Sketch 121
http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/stella-says-sketch-challenge-121.html
Catch the Bug - October BINGO
http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/october-bingo-challenge-at-bugaboo.html
ABC Christmas Challenge - Up to You.
http://abcchristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/u-for-up-to-you.html

The card follows the sketch found at Stella Says Sketch 121.

The BINGO combination is:
Starts with P - Penguin digi from Bugaboo
3 or more papers - Background, stripe and border
Sentiment - Happy Christmas stamped in Distress Ink

Pretty in Pink

October is the month for creating pink cards and projects!  Here is a think pink challenge:
http://kennykskraftykrew.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/challenge-115-think-pink.html

I've gone with a cute image:

The background paper and matting paper are from my stash.

The image is from Kenny K and is called Heart Teddy Bear.  It is such a cute image that suits pink really well.  I've used mainly RV06 and RV02 for the pink colouring.  I've also used some RV10 lightly through the fur area and on the paws and nose.  The remainder of the bear has been coloured in an E copic - can't remember which one I used!

The sentiment is an acrylic stamp I think.  It is one that I was going to use on another card and then changed my mind.  It was perfect for this card though. 

I have added some pink flowers and rhinestones as embellishments.  The ric-rac is from American Crafts.

Be Thankful

There are always things that we should be thankful for. 

And this is the inner of the card to show the remainder of the sentiment:

This card is for the following challenges:
Avadares Challenge - Thankfulness
http://avadareschallengeblog.blogspot.co.nz/2012/09/challenge-4-thankfulness.html
Platypus Creek - Be Thankful
http://www.platypuscreekdigitals.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/challenge-18-be-thankful.html

I had a hard time deciding which image I wanted to use for this challenge.  Both of them were Avadares images which I thought were appropriate.  In the end I settled on this one called Thank You Mister Sun which I coloured with my copics.  I also streaked on some Glossy Accents onto Mister Sun to give him a bit of texture.

The background paper is from When the Scrap Hits the Fun.  The paper used for the matting and inner of the card is also from the same set. 

The sentiment is a two parter from A Piece of Heart.

Embellishments used are grosgrain ribbon and some satin flowers.

Halloween BINGO

When I saw this BINGO card, I decided that it was a bit more challenging than the 3x3 ones so was going to use my grey cells a lot more!  Here is what I came up with:

The BINGO card can be found at the Sassy Studio Designs challenge here:
http://sassystudiodesigns.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/day-2-of-halloween-hop.html
The other challenges that I am going to enter this card into are:
Sassy Studio - Dare to Be Sassy Thursday - Halloween
http://sassystudiodesigns.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/dtbst147.html
Love to Create - Trick or Treat
http://lovetocreatechallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/challenge-37-trick-or-treat-or.html
Papercraft Weekly - Halloween
http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/fright-night-boo.html

I had a lot of fun with this card.  I have used a background paper from Create with TLC called Bump in the Night.  This paper has bats on it but when I applied the images I realised I'd covered them up!  So to make sure that my bat could be seen, I've used a digital from Digi Stamping Boutique and layered it up at the top of the card.

The four images are from Sassy Studio Designs.  These take care of my pumpkins and the colour orange.  As well as colouring the pumpkins orange, I have also added orange to their outfits.

My spider and blood are on my sentiment from Limited Runs.  I coloured the blood using a red copic and it didn't quite look right so I added some glossy accents over the top which gave me the look I was after!

So, to recap my line was:
Bat
Pumpkin
Spider
Orange
Blood

Although, I didn't have enough time to do the Blog Hop, I did enjoy creating this card.

Pumpkins & Apples

This is a card that started from the inspiration photo at Catch the Bug:
http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/time-for-photo-inspiration-challenge-at.html

As well as entering the above challenge, I am also entering the following:
Kaboodle Doodles - pumpkin patch
http://kaboodledoodles.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/challenge-141-pumpkin-patch-or-anything.html

The card uses both apples and pumpkins from the inspirational photo:

The background papers are both from Create with TLC (Plaid Apple and Pumpkin Pie).  The matting papers are from an orange themed scrap pack.  The image is from Bugaboo (bumpkin trio) and the sentiment from Create with TLC (pumpkin time)

It is a nice bright cheerful card to go along with the cheerful image and sentiment!

Pop-it up butterfly

This latest creation is a card using 2 digital stamps from A Day for Daisies.  One butterfly is just plain while the other has notes over it.

I am entering this card into the following challenges:
The Sweet Stop
http://sweetstopsketches.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/sss180-october-13.html
A Day for Daisies
http://www.adayfordaisies.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/new-release-101212-musical-butterflies.html

The card is based on sketch 180 at The Sweet Stop which can be found at the link above.

The background has been stippled using a shaving brush and two Distress Ink colours - mustard seed and vintage photo.  The matting is black cardstock.  The music paper comes from My Grafico and is called Vintage Sheet Music.  The next layer is a piece of butterfly patterned ribbon.

The 2 butterfly images from A Day for Daisies have been coloured using a yellow copic marker and then stippled with Distress Ink - Vintage photo to mimic the music paper.  The music one has then been layered over the plain one and the wings curved a bit to give it more body.

The sentiment is one from Desert Diva.  My daughter is sitting a music exam soon and I'm hoping this will be able to be used for her!

ATC Attempt

Do you ever have one of those times when you put alot of effort into something and it doesn't go quite right?  This ATC had a lot of thinking go into it before I finally created it - I have to admit that I don't really like creating ATC's.  This is possibly because my first attempts at them were heavily criticised and so I now lack the self confidence to tackle them.

I decided that I would do this one and was fairly pleased with the result - until I took the photograph.  Grrr - the camera has decided it will not after many attempts take an in focus photo of this ATC.  It worked perfectly okay when I took a photo of a card earlier in the day and perfectly fine last evening but tonight well here is the best of the photos:

Not too good huh?  But the challenge closes in 2 hours and as it is 9.35pm I'm not going to get any better light before challenge closing.  So, this will have to do.  I'll try and see if I can get a better photo in daylight tomorrow and at least update my blog post if I do.

I have rounded the corners of my ATC.  The background has been stippled using Distress Ink and a shaving brush.  I think lightly inked around the edge of the ATC using one of the Tim Holtz tools and the same Distress Ink.  The image has been coloured using copic markers - pink and E000.  As the photo is so out of focus, it is probably hard to pick up the pink tinge of her hair.

The image is from Sassy Studio Designs and is called "Support a Cause"

I added some pink rhinestones to each of the rounded corners.  I know that was one of the criticisms I had on my ATC's is that they are supposed to be flat but I felt it needed a bit of bling and couldn't find anything flat to achieve the look I wanted.

I'm sorry for the quality of the photograph but hope that you see the general idea of the ATC. 

A sweet mermaid card

I liked the idea of the challenge at Pixie Dust Studios for this one:
http://pixieduststudiopixiechallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/full-of-fantasy-with-pixie.html

When I first read the post, I thought that I would create a unicorn themed card as I haven't made one of those before.  I was certain that I had a unicorn image that I hadn't used.... but I couldn't find it.  So, I then decided I wouldn't do the challenge.  However, I came across this lovely image of Syrena from Sassy Studio Designs and my creativity started flowing again!

I have used a background paper from a Glitz paper pack that I have half used.  I then added some glitter cardstock and used some glitter and glue on Syrena.  I'm usually a cheat and will use kindy glitz but decided to pull out the "real glitter" today as it was a good colour match for my glitter cardstock.  I probably should do that more often as the colours are alot stronger with the real glitter and it's not much good just sitting on my shelf!  The only copics I used for colouring Syrena were E000 for the skin tones and YR00.

Sassy Miss Kitty

Here is a Halloween card that I have made:

I was having trouble deciding which image to use for the Dare to be Sassy Thursday challenge at Sassy Studio Designs
http://sassystudiodesigns.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/dare-to-be-sassy-thursday-146.html
then out comes the image above for the Friday challenge:
http://www.papercraftplanet.com/group/sassystudiodesigns/forum/topics/fabulous-freebie-friday-10-12-12-and-challenge

Problem solved!!

The orange and black background paper is from Create with TLC and is called Retro Halloween.  The black matting paper and the black paper that I have used for the circle both come from DIY and Digital Designs.  The image is from Sassy Studio Designs and is called Miss Kitty.  The sentiment is from Mudmaven Designs and I felt this was fitting with it's little black cat to match Miss Kitty!

I have also added some lace and a bow made from black ric-rac (just to be different!).  Actually, I thought that the ric-rac had a bit more of a halloween feel - spidery looking.

I usually try not to look at the DT inspiration cards until after I have created mine so that my cards are more me.  Sometimes I need to to sort the colouring out - when I'm not sure whether a part is hair or not or that type of thing.  This was one of the times that I didn't look until now and have noticed that what I thought was a garter is actually the top of stockings!  Probably should have checked this time but thought I was right! Never mind, at least mine is original and it is not a biggie.

Monochromatic Christmas

Remember B&W TV - or am I dating myself here!  Anyways, that is the inspiration for the colour scheme for this card.

The backing paper for this card comes from a mini pack by Trimgym Digital Stamps.  The image is also from Trimgym.  I have used copic markers for the colouring of the image.  The white ribbon roses I decided to colour black to match the lace.  I added a little bit of kindy glitz to the centre of the roses to give them a bit of sparkle.

This card is being entered into the following challenges:

CRAFT Challenge - Monochromatic
http://trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/craft-challenge-176-monochromatic.html
Trimgym - Christmas
http://trimgymsdigistampsandimages.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/time-for-another-challenge-and-winner.html
Christmas All Year Round - Traditional image + non-traditional colours
http://christmascardsallyearround.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/october-challenge.html

I'm fairly confident that Black & White is a non-traditional colour scheme!

I don't usually do this but I'm going to do a bit of a plug for one of the challenges above (only because I'm often the only one to enter!).  Have a look at the one at Trimgym - the papers are provided as a freebie so I'm surprised that I'm the first entry in again this month.  The link to the challenge is listed above so please have a look.

Whoo's wishing you a Happy Birthday

My son absolutely loves owls so at times I'm drawn to images of owls.  His preference is for realistic looking owls - not steampunk or cartoon or such like so this is one that I made with him in mind:

The card is for the sketch challenge at Meljens Designs Studio:
http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/challenge-131-sketch-challenge.html


This image is called Fuzzy Owl and comes from Meljens Designs Studio.  The image behind is from The Graphics Fairy.  The sentiment comes from Create with TLC. 

The colour scheme kind of evolved with this card.  It wasn't what I originally thought I'd do but when I looked at the sketch I had this idea of printing the sentiment directly onto a piece of cardstock and fitting it as the bottom piece of the sketch.  But then it looked too white... I could have changed the card colour but I didn't think of that at the time.  So, out come the Distress Ink pads and my shaving brush.  I stippled some Vintage Photo over the piece of card.  That got me thinking of vintage, so decided to peruse The Graphics Fairy for a suitable vintage looking image of an owl.  Didn't quite have as much of a vintage feel as I wanted so stippled this one too!  I then found some grosgrain ribbon to tie in with this colour scheme.

Really pleased with how this turned out and not a backing paper in sight!  I'm getting better at creating cards without feeling the need to stick backing papers everywhere.

PS - This is a note for anyone from Meljens. I love the idea of the Tic Tac Toe game but I'm not on Facebook so have to miss out.  Any chance of doing the odd one with these challenges for those of us not on Facebook (I don't think I'm the only one who doesn't like Facebook)?  Quite happy having the sketch challenges too - this one has been great.

Just writing to say Hi

I have made a card "Just to say Hi":

The card is for the following challenges:
Crafty Creations - photo inspiration
http://craftycreationschallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/challenge-191.html
Sentimental Sundays - black + white + one other colour
http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/challenge-124-blackwhite-another-color.html
Beccy's Place - anything goes
http://beccysplace.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/october-challenge.html

The colour scheme is partly inspired by the photo and the image is also inspired by the photo.  As soon as I saw this photo, this image (by Beccy's Place called Quill and Lamp) sprang to mind.  The sentiment is by Paper Dreams of Mine.  The background paper is one from Create with TLC.  I have added some border strips top and bottom using some scraps from my orange scrap paper pack.

The die-cuts that I have used are Beaded Oval and circle - both from Spellbinders.  I have added some pearls to the Beaded Oval die-cut.

Glittery Cottage

I loved this digi as soon as I saw it but haven't had a chance to use it:

Then I found two challenges that worked well together with this image.
Sparkle & Glitter - anything goes with sparkle & glitter
http://sparkleandglitterwithrick.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/the-first-ever-rick-st-dennis-challenge.html
Sweet Sketch Wednesday- sketch
http://sweetsketchwednesday.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/sweet-sketch-wednesday-175.html

Here is the sketch I used for this card:

For this card, I have used some background papers from my stash.  I think the green one comes from Crafty Bitz.  The ribbon is from American Crafts - I've added some crystallina Kindy Glitz to it to give it a bit of a glittery look.  I have also added a strip of glitter cardstock to the card and on top of this a row of small rhinestones for a bit of sparkle.  I have a matching sparkly flower added to the top of the card.

The image is from Rick St Dennis and is called 3 chimney cottage.

Purple Baubles for Christmas

I have found two challenges that worked really well together this week:
Christmas Challenges {with sketches} - sketch
http://christmaschallenges.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/challenge-45-sponsored-by-elisabeth-bell.html
Winter Wonderland - photo inspiration
http://christmasblogchallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/photo-inspiration.html

My inspiration has come from the baubles themselves and the colour of the baubles (purple).

I have used a white square card blank - stippled with Distress Ink using a shaving brush.  I then overstamped it using an acrylic sentiment stamp and the same Distress Ink.  The layers have been created mainly using two papers from DIY and Digital Designs.  There is one layer consisting of lace interwoven with a narrow purple satin ribbon.

The image is from Digital Doodling and has been die-cut usng a Nellies Multi Frame die and coloured using copic markers.  The sentiment comes from Mudmaven Designs.  I have matted this with the same paper from DIY and Digital Designs that I have used throughout the card. 

When I started creating this card, I didn't really have any intention of working with a largely monochromatic colour scheme but the more the card evolved, it was obvious that was the direction it was heading!

Dino-mite

Another challenge at Doodle Pantry without a specific theme can be found here:
http://doodlepantryblog.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/doodle-pantry-digital-challenge-28.html

The only requirement is to use a Doodle Pantry image - and they make it easy by providing some freebies!  I have chosen to use their dinosaur image called Tiny Triceratops.

I have used some pieces from a scrap pack.  Most of these have been used as is with little trimming.  I added a bit of grosgrain ribbon and lace, a button, bow made from green satin ribbon and some rhinestones.  The image and sentiment are both from Doodle Pantry.

Swirls and Pearls

The challenge at Bearly Mine Challenge can be found here:
http://bearlymine-challenges.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/challenge-56-pearls-and-swirls.html

This time it is a swirls and pearls one.  With all the lovely swirly paper, I knew I was going to enjoy this one.  I teamed my swirly paper from Bearly Mine Designs with a baby girl insert panel also from Bearly Mine Designs.  I just used the centre piece and stamped a sentiment from Whimsy Stamps onto it.  The paper had faux pearls on it so I painstakingly added some tiny pearls over the top of the faux ones.  I also added a flower over the top of the flower on the paper.  This is how it turned out:

Again, it is a rather simple style card (which seems to be my style!).  I am happy that I was able to show the versatility of the baby insert paper and use it for a more general card.

A Partridge in a Pear Tree

The challenge at ABC Christmas Challenge this time was the letter T for Twelve Days of Christmas.  The challenge can be found here:
http://abcchristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/t-is-for-twelve-days-of-christmas.html

I am also entering this in the challenge at Papertake Weekly - all creatures great and small
http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/all-creatures-great-small.html
And the Anything Goes challenge at Tuesday Alchemy:
http://tuesdayalchemy.blogspot.gr/2012/10/challenge-35-anything-goes.html

I chose to work with a partridge in a pear tree:

The image that I have used comes from Beccy's Place.  I have coloured the image using copic markers and then added some Matte Accents for a bit of shine to the pears.  The background paper is from a paper pack and the matting paper from a green themed scrap pack.  I have also added a green satin ribbon and some green Kaisercraft rhinestones.

Fall suitcases

The challenge this time at Tiddly Inks is fall.  I have interpreted that using the colours:

The challenge can be found by following this link:
http://www.tiddlyinkschallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/challenge-95-fall.html

I have used a white card blank and then added layers of orange scraps (from a themed scrap pack) and autumn leaves paper (from Spectacular Printable).  For the final layer, I substituted an image from Tiddly Inks for the autumn leaves paper.    I have coloured the suitcases to co-ordinate with the autumn leaves paper and then added some yellow coloured rhinestones

Floral Girl

This card is a little bit different in that I have coloured her so that she appears to be dipping her feet in water.  Every time I look at this image, I think she is dipping her feet into water so I've gone with that!

The card is for the following challenges:

Whoopsi Daisy - flowers
http://cutedaisymay.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/flowers-galore.html
Seems a little sketchy - sketch
http://seemsalittlesketchy.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/sketch-23-sponsored-by-robins-nest.html


I have used some background papers from my stash.  The image is from Whoopsi Daisy and has been coloured using copics.  The die-cutting is using Spellbinders dies of various shapes.  The flowers are a composite.  The lime green is one layer from a put-together-yourself type set and the flower with pearls and the roses are white ribbon flowers coloured with copic markers.

I have some flowers in the background paper, the image and the embellishment.

Autumn Leaves are Fallin'

I have made a brightly coloured autumn card:

I love the colours of autumn, even though we are springtime here.  This card is being submitted to the following challenges:

Love to Create - Autumn colours
http://lovetocreatechallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/challenge-36-fall-fun-autumn-colors.html
Kaboodle Doodles - Colours of Autumn
http://kaboodledoodles.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/challenge-140-autumn-leaves-falling.html

I have used a yellow card blank.  The paper is some from my stash.  The image is from Sassy Studio Designs and is called Fall Fun.  The sentiments are both from DIY and Digital Designs.

The die-cutting has been done with Spellbinders - scallop circles and scallop ovals.

Peppercus Sketch Challenge

The challenge at Peppercus for this month is a sketch which can be found here:
http://peppercus-design.blogspot.co.nz/2012/09/challenge-10-bis-14102012.html

I have created this card:

I used two different papers from Peppercus Designs.  The background paper is a freebie from August 2012 and the triangle is cut from the centre of a paper called "Blaetter"  The image is called "Huhn mit Ostereier". 

While for some viewing this card, autumn leaves and easter eggs may look strange, we have easter in autumn time so for me this is usual.

The digi has been die-cut using a Nellies Multi Frame scallop edged square die.  The flower is a satin flower that came in a bunch.  I dis-assembled the bunch so I could have an individual flower.










hgaiow

New Home Card

I haven't made a new home card before but I seem to have friends that are moving at the moment.  So here is my first new home card:

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

Kenny K's Krafty Krew - orange, black and one other Halloween or autumn colour
http://kennykskraftykrew.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/challenge-114-black-orange-1.html
The Sweet Stop - sketch
http://sweetstopsketches.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/sss179-october-6.html
Shelly's Images - Tic Tac Toe
http://shellysimagesblog.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/ttt-challenge-time-to-play-tic-tac-toe.html

I have used the sketch at The Sweet Stop as my design inspiration along with one row of Shelly's Images Tic Tac Toe.  The line I decided to work with was Orange - Bling - Die.  The obvious type of card with the colour choices at Kenny K's Krafty Krew was a Halloween card but we don't really celebrate Halloween that much and I've made a few already.  It was nice to think a bit outside the square for this one and the House image from Kenny K lent itself to this colour scheme using an olive green colour as my extra colour.

The papers are from DIY and Digital Designs (black) and Free Digital Scrapbook (both orange crackle papers).  The card is a white card black that I have inked around the edges using Distress Ink - Spiced Marmalade.  The matting is done in black cardstock to give the layers a bit of pop.  The sentiment is from Netty's Cards.  The buttons are some old ones my Mum had away in a box in her cupboard. She let me go through the box and take what I wanted.  I have added some black diamond shaped rhinestones to the centre of the buttons.

Another Pink Card for October

Pink is the colour for October and here is another pink card I have created:

This card is for the challenge at Sassy Studio Designs:
http://www.papercraftplanet.com/group/sassystudiodesigns/forum/topics/fabulous-freebie-friday-9-28-12-and-challenge

The card uses some pretty pink paper from My Grafico.  The lace is white with a red edge.  The image is the Sassy Studio Designs image "Support A Cause".  The sentiment is from Sugar Paw Scraps.  The flowers were white ones that I have coloured with copic markers.  I have then added various rhinestones to give the card some bling!

Anything goes at Pixie Dust

I have had this Pixie Dust image for some time but haven't managed to use it until now:

I am entering this card into the Anything Goes challenge at Pixie Dust:
http://pixieduststudiopixiechallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/pixie-is-playinganything-goes.html


For this card, I have used:

Backing papers from Sweet Wishes ( a paper pack that came with Australian Papercraft Essentials magazine)
Spellbinders Beaded Oval Die Cut
Image from Pixie Dust Studio - Pixie celebrates
Hand drawn swirl embellished with pink rhinestones
Copic markers

Be Inspired 12

I think after creating a few pink cards recently, it was the first thing I noticed about this inspiration photo at The Alley Way Stamps:
http://thealleywaystamps.blogspot.co.nz/2012/09/be-inspired-12.html

I could have noticed the ice-cream and created a summery card but I go with my first inspiration.

The background papers that I have used on this card come from a paper pack called Sweet Wishes which came with Australian Papercraft Essentials magazine.

The image and sentiment are both October freebies from The Alley Way Stamps.  The ribbon is grosgrain ribbon from American crafts with a pink heart shaped rhinestone added to it.

Across the Miles

I have a couple of people in the UK that I sent cards to, so this was a chance to create a special one for one of them:

The card is for the challenge at Winter Wonderland which can be found here:
http://christmasblogchallenge.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/across-miles.html
and also for the challenge at Meljens Designs Studio which can be found here:
http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/challenge-130-anything-goes.html

Usually I don't like the Anything Goes challenges - too much scope - but I had this lovely new image from Meljens Designs Studio called Nermin the Fox - Witchy Hat.  Okay, so it is meant to be a halloween image but coloured green it looked so Christmassy!

So, now we have a non-Christmas image coloured in traditional Christmas colours!  On to the next challenge - this one at Christmas Cards All Year Round:
http://christmascardsallyearround.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/october-challenge.html


The card uses a backing paper by Bearly Mine Designs.  The matting is from a scrap paper pack.  I couldn't find a sentiment that read "Across the Miles" so I typed this one out on the computer.  I have added three light blue heart shaped rhinestones to finish.