Crafty Cardmakers challenge 11 DT + exciting news!

Our new challenge at Crafty Cardmakers is to use your favourite products of 2009 - which should be easy but how to choose! I have sooo many favourites lol.

Well, I had to make a decision so I went for a Digistamp Boutique image, coloured with promarkers and used my Nellie Snellen circle dies to make the fancy frame - I've used these loads in the last couple of months but it's the first time I've used them to make a frame. I think I might have to get the squares next :o) The papers are Doodlebug, with DCWV cardstock. Flowers are Green Tara with a little button centre, and added a little butterfly sticker (mounted on acetate and cut out) to finish.

I'm also entering my card for the following challenges:

• Bee Crafty - circles
• Hanna & Friends - lovely sketch (I replaced the centre square with a circle, hope that's ok!)
• Flutter By Wednesday - open theme & use a butterfly, angel or fairy
  

Now onto my fantastic news - I can't quite believe it but I've been chosen to be on the Design Team for Prairie Fairy, a brand new digital stamp site that I know is going to be very popular - the images I've seen so far look fab and I can't wait to get started! Congrats to the rest of the new DT - I'm off to have a look around everyone's blogs in a min. I've had a busy day visiting friends and buying birthday pressies for Dex, who's going to be 2 on 8th Jan - can't believe he's nearly 2 already! My birthday's the week after and I think everyone's giving me money for some lovely new craft stash :o) I usually hate shopping but I've had a big smile on my face all day - I'm sooo excited to be on the Prairie Fairy DT!

Finally adding my last Christmas cards!

I wasn't sure whether to add these cards or not, seen as I didn't get round to putting them on here before Christmas. But I thought I might as well, as I have followed some sketches and they can still be entered for a few challenges. I've been feeling so miserable after our little Phoebe cat died just before Christmas I've not really been in the mood for celebrating, but the boys have still had fun.

1st card - Image is a High Hopes stamp (stamped for me by the lovely Squirrel), coloured with promarkers with added glamour dust. The papers are MME, cardstock is DCWV, ribbon from stash and the sentiment is a Pink Petticoat download.

2nd card - Image was a fab freebie from Pollycraft, coloured with promarkers with glamour dust and sakura clear glitter pen. I tried to do a bit of a night sky effect by colouring with lots of different grey shades and then using the blender pen over them - not sure if it really worked! The gorgeous bright papers were sent to me by Donna from Donna's Den. DCWV cardstock, ribbon from stash, sentiment downloaded from Pink Petticoat. The snowflakes were cut with the Cuttlebug icicle die, then lightly inked with fired brick distress ink and then added a little sakura clear glitter pen and a card candy dot.

3rd card - Large 8 x 8 card blank. Image from Digistamp Boutique, coloured with promarkers with glamour dust 'snow'. Shimmery blue cardstock from stash, pink cardstock is coredinations. Papers are MME, snowflake cut with the Cuttlebug icicle die (again!) with a blingy gem centre, Pink Petticoat sentiment (again!), and some tiny pink pearls to finish. I followed the sketch from Friday Sketchers for this one but didn't upload it in time to enter!

I'm entering my cards for the following challenges:

• Sweet Sketch Wednesday - sketch (1st card)
• Pollycraft Challenge - sketch (2nd card)
• ABC Challenge - k is for kissing (3rd card)
• Crafty Creations Challenge - anything/ no rules
• Tuesday Taggers - let it snow
• Digital Tuesday - let it snow
• Stamp Something - holiday somethings
• Dare U 2 Digistamp - last minute Christmas cards (not sure what date this one ends, might be too late?)
  
  
  
  

Happy Christmas & thank you!

Well I had planned on putting the last of my Christmas cards on my blog today, but I'm still feeling quite down about losing our little Phoebe, so I've decided I probably won't bother - maybe I'll pop them on here when Christmas is all over. I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been kind enough to leave messages for me - it's so lovely to know that people out there understand how we're feeling. I know she was 'just a cat' but she's so missed, the house feels strange without her. Morgan is already working to persuade us to get a kitten, and to be honest I think we'd all like one - I'm just not sure we're prepared for how utterly bonkers kittens can be after being so used to our 10yr old cats!

It's been a long day at MIL's - Pav's family are Polish and their celebrations are on Christmas Eve, so we've had a huge dinner and lots of pressies there. We've been thoroughly spoilt, you should have seen the kids pressie mountain! And MIL gave me perfume and a £50 voucher for Bunny Zoe's :o) She's also given us a joint pressie of enough cash to pay for a holiday! See, I told you - we've been spoilt rotten today! And we get another Christmas at my mum's tomorrow, the boys are completely hyper.

Anyway, I've had a few glasses of wine so I'm rambling lol, but I just wanted to wish everyone a very happy Christmas. I hope you all have a fabulous time and I look forward to seeing everyone's lovely creations in the New Year :o)

RIP Phoebe cat

Well I had lots of cards to blog today but I really can't face it now. We left our lovely Phoebe at the vets last night, so that they could xray her today and find out what was going on with her - she's had a cough and trouble breathing recently. About an hour ago the vet called to say they'd found a large mass, and they were going to ring and go through our options, but sadly while she was coming round from the anaesthetic she passed away.

Morgan's so upset and although Dex obviously doesn't understand, he's going to miss her so much, he loved that cat and she loved him. Even our other cat looks a bit lost without her and they couldn't stand each other really! Happy Christmas to us eh?

Papertake, Cupcake, Incy Wincy

Hubby asked me for a quick card for his friend who he works with. I've made a bright and cheerful card but the poor man probably doesn't feel much like celebrating - it's his 40th, nearly Christmas, and his wife has just asked for a divorce and sent him to live at his mum's.

I've followed the lovely sketch at Papertake Weekly for this card, although I'm probably cutting it a bit fine to enter seen as the new challenge will be up tomorrow - never mind, I had fun with the sketch anyway. The super cute image is a freebie from Karen's Doodles - isn't he gorgeous?! He's coloured with promarkers, with a little bit of sakura clear glitter pen here and there. The papers are Doodlebug with coredinations cardstock. Used the Martha Stewart scallop dot punch for the border strip, and added rainbow drops in the scallops - this looks quite nice in 'real life' but in the photo the rainbow drops look a bit strange! Sentiment is a Pink Petticoat download.

I'm also entering my card for the challenges at Cupcake Craft (celebrations) and Incy Wincy where there was a photo for inspiration - I've used the colours and thought the rainbow drops had the same 'marbly' texture.

Cards for my Grandma

It's my Grandma's birthday today and these are her cards - the first one is from my mum and the second card is from us. It was lovely to do something other than Christmas cards for a change! We've driven over to see her today and on the way it started snowing again - there's quite a lot of it out there now!

1st card - 8 x 8 card blank. Digi stamp from Digistamp Boutique, coloured with promarkers, cut out with oval nesties. The papers are Papermania CCSR, with coredinations cardstock. Martha Stewart scallop dot punch used to make the centre panel, added a strip of stripy paper and then sheer ribbon over the top. Swirly corner made using a sizzix die, computer generated sentiment with a tiny rose added to finish.

2nd card - my first attempt at an easel card! I don't know why, but I expected this to be a lot more complicated than it actually was, I'll definitely make more of these. The image is a Penny Black stamp, coloured with promarkers. Papers are Doodlebug, with DCWV cardstock. Butterfly and heart embellishments are Papermania (I think). Computer generated sentiments.

I'm entering my cards for the following challenges:

• Moving Along With The Times - sketch + bears theme (1st card)
• Flutter By Wednesday - sketch + butterfly (2nd card)
• Lots To Do - free theme
• Get Sketchy - favourite colour (I change my mind all the time, but generally it's pinks and greens)
• Alphabet Challenge - J is for Jewels (2nd card, on the butterflies)
• If The Shoe Fits - colour your world (promarkers)
• Charisma - anything but Christmas
• Colour Create - pink, burgundy, ivory + roses (1st card)
• Digital Tuesday - birthday (1st card)
• Creative Card Crew - anything goes + DT call
  
  
  
  

Friday Sketchers etc

I think these might actually be the last of my card orders, I just need to put the sentiments on - I wanted to get them on here though because I followed the sketch at Friday Sketchers and I'm not sure what time they have to be entered by. Now that I've seen the pictures, I'm not all that happy with my colouring - I've not blended very well! But in my defense, the light has been particularly bad today. It's snowed a little and we're meant to have more overnight - Morgan will be pleased if we do! Dex hated the snow last year, I wonder if he'll like it more now. Anyway, onto the cards....

1st card - The image is a Stampavie stamp that I was very tempted by, but my lovely blogging friend Squirrel kindly offered to stamp a few for me. I've coloured it with promarkers. The papers are Sandylion, with some shimmery gold cardstock from my stash. The pinwheel flower thingies are cut with a sizzix die, with card candy centres. The snowflake is the cuttlebug icicle die with a flat back pearl centre.

2nd card - same image as before. I'm not sure what the papers are, I bought them in a local craft shop - I bought the shimmery pink cardstock at the same time. The little snowflakes were freebies in with an order from Dies To Die For, with some glamour dust and gems added. Big snowflake is the cuttlebug icicle die with a flat back pearl centre.

3rd card - same image again. DCWV papers and cardstock. The snowflake/ flower thingies are large cuttlebug icicle snowflakes that I've cut down and coated in glamour dust, with some felt flowers and brad centres. Large snowflake is the cuttlebug icicle die again, with a big gem centre.

Now I just need to get on with a couple of family birthday cards, and then get the last of our Christmas cards done - most of mine had to wait until my orders were all done, and as I'm running out of time, I've been panicking slightly!

I'm also entering the following challenges:

• Susie's Sassy Challenge - a touch of gold (1st card)
• Crafty Creations - traditional Christmas colours - red, green & gold (1st card)
• Sketchy Colours - green & blue (3rd card)
• One Stop Craft - Christmas love (any or all of them!)
  
  
  

Sweet Sketch Wed etc

As usual, with the dark days at the moment, I've struggled to get decent pics sorry! I've made this card for Morgan's teacher, who I always think seems quite ridiculously young, but he really is doing a fantastic job with Morgan.

I've followed the lovely sketch at Sweet Sketch Wednesday, first time I've done this challenge. I don't often make cards this shape, I'm a bit of a square card addict, but I must start being a bit more adventurous with shapes next year! The image is from Digistamp Boutique, coloured with promarkers with glamour dust for some sparkle. Paper is MME (I think) with DCWV cardstock. Ribbon, buttons and flat back pearls from stash, and a computer generated sentiment.

I'm also entering my card for the following challenges:

• Stampavie - snowmen
• Simon Says Stamp - Merry Christmas
• Die Cuts R Us - naughty or nice
• My Time To Craft - Yuletide wishes
• Cooking It Up With Katie - Christmas theme, ribbon & any current sketch
• C.R.A.F.T. - free for all/ anything
  
  

Sugar Bowl 25

Hmm I don't think I did enough with this card really - I keep looking at the pictures and thinking of extra bits I could have added! But my mum needed it in a hurry, so I didn't have all that much time to think about it.

I've used this cute little Sugar Nellie bunny, coloured with promarkers. The plain circle was cut with Nesties and it's mounted on a Nellie Snellen die cut. The squares were also cut with Nesties. The paper is MME - I did get lots of different matching papers out, but deciding which order to place them was taking me too long so I stuck with the same paper layered up with bazzill cardstock in the end! Finished off with a downloaded sentiment from Pink Petticoat, edged with cinnamon promarker.

Crafty Cardmakers challenge 10 - sketch

Time for a new challenge at Crafty Cardmakers - this time it's a sketch, a lovely one too, hope you'll have a go :o) I needed two similar cards so I've used the sketch twice!

For both cards I've used a large 8 x 8 card blank, a Digistamp Boutique image coloured with promarkers - with lots of glamour dust, a chalked sky background and a sakura clear glitter pen for the falling snowflakes. The papers are all MME, with pink coredinations on the first card, and blue DCWV cardstock on the second one. I've used a Nellie Snellen die (again!) to cut out the images, and mounted them on scalloped circles that I bought from a craft fair - I still haven't got round to buying scalloped circle nesties! I used the Cuttlebug icicle die to cut some large snowflakes, covered them with glamour dust, and then added half pearls for the pink/ green/ blue card, and rainbow drop beads for the blue & red card. Added computer generated sentiments, and then because I didn't quite feel 'finished', I added half pearls around the scallop circles.

I'm entering my cards for the following challenges:

• Sophisticat - Christmas theme
• The Pink Elephant - winter/ Christmas
• Kaboodle Doodles - sparkling winter
• Die Cut Dreams - glitter me silly
• Crazy 4 challenges - snowmen or snowflakes
• The Secret Crafter - snow
• Our Creative Corner - the holidays are here
• If The Shoe Fits - let it snow
• Cute Card Thursday - sew beady (hope my rainbow drops are 'beady' enough!)
• La La Land - pink & green
  

Totally Gorjuss - free & easy

This week at Totally Gorjuss we're having a 'free and easy' week, as everyone's so busy at this time of year. Basically you can enter anything you like! Well I'm still trying to catch up with ordered cards, as well as our own cards that I still need to make. So I spotted a lovely simple sketch at Truly Scrumptious and made 3 versions of it - none of them all that exciting I'm afraid but I needed to get as much done as possible. I WILL be more organised next year!

The first card has a Digistamp Boutique image, coloured with promarkers. The papers are Doodlebug, with coredinations cardstock. The sentiment is computer generated and added a couple of tiny purple buttons to finish.

This card has a Popcorn bear image - a cardmaking friend lent me some of her stamps and this was one of them. I've coloured it with promarkers, with lots of glamour dust on the hat trims. I've used a large 8 x 8 card blank. The papers are downloaded ones that I'd already got printed off so I'm not sure what they are sorry, cardstock is DCWV. The sentiment is computer generated and I added some card candy dots (coloured with a gold promarker) to finish.

This one is exactly the same as the previous card, apart from the colour scheme.

I'm entering my cards for the following challenges:

• Truly Scrumptious - lovely sketch
• Tuesday Taggers - Oh Christmas tree (dp on second card has trees on)
• Stamp Something - Winter Wonderland
• My Time To Craft - Xmas foliage
• Charisma Cardz - red, green + white or silver
• Stampavie - red & green

Sorry for lumping everything together on one post, I have more cards to make today so I'm in a bit of a rush!

Blue & silver Christmas

Pav's off work this week so I'm making the most of him being around to entertain our littlest monster, and getting lots of Christmas cards made! I've made 4 of this design just to try and get as much done as I can.

The image is an Elzybells stamp, coloured with promarkers, with a chalked sky background and sakura clear glitter pen on the falling snowflakes, and polar white flowersoft for snow. My circles are all cut with Nellie Snellen circle dies - my favourite toys at the moment! The papers are Doodlebug, layered onto mirri card, with some blue coredinations for the circles. The flower was cut with a sizzix die from mirri card, with a big gem centre. The wavy silver strip that I've used instead of ribbon, was from a pack of different coloured strips bought from a craft fair ages ago.

I'm entering my card for the following challenges:

• Mojo Monday - sketch
• Three Clovers - blue, white & silver Christmas
• Papertake Weekly - no red & green
• Creative Inspirations - non-traditional Christmas colours
• Simon Says - let it snow
  
  

And this one's a quick card for Sunday Sketch & Stamp. My mum wanted a card for my cousin's birthday so hopefully this one will do.

I've used a Riley moose (Hanna?) stamp, coloured with promarkers. The papers are Doodlebug, yellow cardstock is DCWV, sentiment is a download from Pink Petticoat. Added a couple of red rainbow drops to finish.

Multi challenge Christmas card

My second post for today and another rubbish photo sorry! It's a shame I couldn't get a better pic, because for a change I'm really happy with this card.

The image is a digi stamp from Digistamp Boutique, coloured with promarkers, with lots of glamour dust and some sakura clear glitter pen on the falling snowflakes. The image was cut out with circle nesties - I drew around the largest die on red card to make my larger circle for matting, then added glamour dust all round the edge of the circle. The paper is DCWV with coredinations cardstock. The sentiment is computer generated - for even more sparkle I lightly covered the sentiment with glamour dust too! The sentiment was cut out with nestie circles and then mounted onto the smallest Nellie Snellen circle die. I found the silver snowflakes in my stash and added some little gem centres to finish.

I'm entering my card for the following challenges:

• Friday Sketchers - fab sketch
• Creative Card Crew - gold or silver
• Everybody Art - red/ green
• Die Cuts R Us - project with a holiday feel
• Cupcake - sing a Christmas carol (Does 'when the red, red robin comes bob bob bobbin' along' count as a carol?)
• Incy Wincy - snowflakes
• Pile It On - tinsel town
• Challenge Up Your Life - a little joy
• Lots To Do - snow
• Stamp Something - glitzy somethings
• Crafty Catz - green, red & silver
  

Pink & Blue Christmas

Firstly, apologies for the terrible photo - I had to take the pic this morning because it's a card that my friend asked for and I met up with her today. The light in my craft room at this time of year is bad in general, but especially early in the morning, so I had to use flash to get anything at all!

The image is a digi stamp from Digistamp Boutique, coloured with promarkers with glamour dust for sparkle and some ivory flower soft on the hat bobble. The papers are MME with some sparkly blue and pink cardstock from my stash. The big snowflake was cut with the Cuttlebug icicle die, with a flat back pearl centre. The small snowflakes were punched, with some blue stickles and tiny blue gem centres. The sentiment is computer generated with some sakura clear glitter pen added to the lettering - I was quite happy with this card until I added the sentiment, I think I ruined it but didn't have time to come up with anything else!

I'm entering my card for the following challenges:

• Stamp With Fun - lovely sketch
• Paperplay - Christmas without red or green
• Pink Elephant - your favourite Christmas colour combo (I'm loving pink & blue for Christmas at the moment - it's the MME papers I think!)
  

Sketch Saturday etc

This is a card that a friend asked me for - it's for a 10yr old girl who likes dogs, hopefully this will be ok.

The image is a digi stamp from Digistamp Boutique, coloured with promarkers and cut out with nestie squares. The papers are K&Co and I've used 3 different shades of purple cardstock, some is coredinations and some bazzill. The flowers were cut from co-ordinating K&Co paper using a X-cut punch with little purple brad centres - I've added a little star charm hanging from a brad behind one of the flowers. I'd intended to attach the charm with some chain but couldn't find my wire clippers in the chaos that is my craft room, so I ended up having to use some thread instead! Ribbon from stash and a computer generated sentiment.

I'm entering my card for the following challenges:

• Sketch Saturday - fab sketch (I've turned it round)
• Allsorts - purple
• Colour Create - lilac/ purple, aqua, black & white
• Quixotic - be charming
• Simon Says - so charming
• Caardvarks - digital elements
  

I've added this card onto the same post and I'm not entering it for any challenges, because I don't think I really like it! Although it would also fit the Caardvarks digital one I suppose. I've used a digi stamp from Charmed Cards & Crafts coloured with promarkers. The papers are Doodlebug - I bought lots of different Doodlebug papers last week although I really don't need anymore papers, but I couldn't help myself! The blue cardstock is coredinations. I added a diecut sentiment (not sure where from) and then wrote DAD in white pen on the 'blackboard'. I really love the bright papers, but the card doesn't really work for me, even though I followed the sketch from Papertake that I used on a card I liked last week!

And the candy winner is......

Sarah Well done hun :o)

I ended up using the online random thingy to do the draw. I was planning on getting one of my sons to do the draw, but my eldest is out and my youngest little lazy bum Dex is still in bed - at 10.30am! I'm leaving him for now because I know he must be exhausted from a tough couple of days for the poor little man. He was having his bath before bed on Thursday evening and managed to pull a pot vase/ candle holder down onto himself, which broke and cut his leg open quite badly! Cue much panic from mummy, daddy and older brother! We took him to the children's hospital where he had x-rays and butterfly stitches and is all patched up, but we're all still catching up on our sleep. Also, we have a bit of an issue with bathtime at the moment - we've been told to keep his leg dry, which we thought would be our main issue, but it turns out that he's now totally hysterical about the bath. He's obviously connecting the accident with the bath and we just gave up last night, he was too upset. Has anyone got any suggestions for how to get him back to his old 'splashy-bath loving' self?

Totally Gorjuss challenge 8 - sketch

This week at Totally Gorjuss there's a lovely sketch from Net to follow. Also, you can use whatever cute & girly images you like, although you'll get 2 entries if you use a Gorjuss Girl.

I've used a Victoria Case stamp, coloured with promarkers and cut out with nesties. I've used both sides of an Imaginisce double sided paper, with some bazzill cardstock for my scalloped nestie. The sentiment is computer generated, ribbon from stash. I've added some big flat-backed pearls on the paper here and there - these were sent to me as a Christmas gift from my fellow DT member Paola, she sent us all some beautiful things! The flower is a chipboard one that I've coloured with my cinnamon promarker, with a button centre.

I'm also entering my card for the following challenges:

• Cute Card Thursday - swirly girly (make a card with all things girly!)
• By The Cute & Girly - let's go to the movies (my movie is 'Confessions of a Shopaholic)
  

Also - there are still a couple of hours left before the draw closes for my blog candy, if anyone is interested :o)

5000 hits candy time!

*This candy is now closed*

My hits went over 5000 recently, so I thought it was about time I offered my very 1st blog candy :o)

Here's what you could win:

• 1 x pack of butterfly charms
• 1 x pack of pink ribbons
• 1 x pack of roses
• 1 x Craftwork Cards paper/ die cut pack
• 1 x Papermania 'birthday gifts' stickers
• 1 x Papermania 'birthday messages' stickers
• 1 x Papermania 'ladybirds' stickers
• 1 x Papermania 'fun cats' die-cut shapes
• 1 x Silvia & Pelle unmounted stamp
• 1 x set of Papermania 'retail therapy' clear stamps
• 1 x Sizzix Sizzlits 4 die set - Easter
• 1 x mini box of Thorntons 'moments' choccies - not pictured because I forgot, fancy forgetting the most important bit lol!

What you need to do to be in with a chance of winning:

• Put the pic of my candy in your sidebar with a link to my blog
• Become a follower if you're not already
• And leave me a comment on this post

The draw will end on Friday 4th December at 10pm and I will get one of my sons to randomly pick a winner on Saturday 5th December. I will post worldwide. Good luck :o)

Inspirational Card Sketches 45

I've made this following the sketch at Inspirational Card Sketches. It's a completely different style of card for me, but a friend asked me for a card for a lady in her 60's who likes flowers, so it couldn't be my usual cutesy type of thing! I'm not keen on it, and I'm considering making a different one to give her but I'm not sure.

The digi stamp was a freebie but I can't remember where from at the moment - I've coloured it with promarkers. Papers are some that have been in a drawer for a very long time so I'm not sure what they are either! Cardstock is coredinations, the border was made with a Martha Stewart punch and I've added some ribbon and little lilac gems from my stash. The sentiment is computer generated in Scriptina font.

Good luck nurse

Yet another card for an order - this is my 3rd post today, think I need a lie down lol!

I've used a new digi stamp from Digistamp Boutique coloured with promarkers and mounted onto blue & pink coredinations cardstock. The sentiment is computer generated. I'm not sure what the papers are sorry, really like them though! Added a few teeny buttons to finish.

I'm entering my card for the challenges at:

• Papertake Weekly - fab sketch, think I'll use this one again later
• La-la Land - buttons
• Digistamp Boutique - offer of the month comp
  

Delightful sketches & Die Cut Dreams

My 2nd post for today - I'm still wading through loads of orders so there'll probably be quite a few posts on here in the next week or so!

I've followed the sketch at Delightful Sketches - well I had to have a go, the prize is some Riley Moose stamps and there are lots of them on my wishlist! I've used Riley in his car for this card, coloured with promarkers and cut the image out with nestie squares. Paper's are MME, with bazzill cardstock. Computer generated sentiment. I'm also entering my card for the challenge at Die Cut Dreams - I'm totally cheating because their theme is 'hot chocolate' and I'm just using a chocolatey colour scheme. But I didn't have much time and really wanted to enter because amazingly for me, I won last week's challenge :o)