Draco Christmas Tag ~ with Scrapper's Delights

Scrapper's Delights asked me to help out again with one more project for their Progressive Freebie Friday Challenge over on Facebook.  I was given Draco Xmas 2 to use (you can get this image free as part of the challenge - check rules) and thought he would make an awesome gift tag. 

The image comes with a few Christmas ornaments, so I swapped one of the ones he's holding using Photoshop.

Products I have used to create my tag:

• Cardstock, eyelet & twine from my stash
• Designer paper & outline stickers from DoCrafts
• X-Cut oval dies
• ProMarkers - Cool Grey 1-3, Gold, Tulip, Buttercup, Moss, Pear, Lime, Lipstick, Berry, Crimson & Midnight Blue

I am entering my tag into the following challenges:

1. My Sheri Crafts - #195 Winter
2. Incy Wincy Designs - Non-traditional Christmas
3. Just Keep on Creating - November AG
4. Desert Island Crafts - #6 (Things with wings/add a creature/anything but a card)
5. Crafting Musketeers - #43 Christmas Wishes
6. Crafty Catz - #348 AG/twist - Christmas Tags
7. C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - #391 Not A Card
8. Card Mania - #86 Tag, You're It!

Winter Wonderland ~ with 4 Crafty Chicks

As November draws to a close it's my final guest post over at 4 Crafty Chicks. The challenge this week (#326) is Winter Wonderland. I just had to get this wonderful image from Bugaboo Digi Stamps called 'Sign It Snow Friends'.  This one is great as comes with a frame that you can add your own sentiment to like I have. I used 'ShellaHerra' from FontBundles (I'm slightly addicted to fonts, but that's another story!)

As there's a lot going on with the image and sentiment I kept the card pretty CAS, apart from some sparkly snowflakes.

Products used:

• Card blank from my stash
• Core'dinations Glittersilk card
• Sizzix Sizzlits Snowflakes #5 & #8
• Wink of Stella Clear
• ProMarkers - Cool Greay 1-5, Blush, Raw Sienna, Cocoa, Walnut, Cardinal, Ruby, Burnt Sienna, Gold, Tulip, Buttercup, Pine, Forest, Bright Green, Burnt Orange, Bright Orange, Peach, Lipstick, Berry, Crimson, Cyan, Duck Egg & Cool Aqua

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:

1. Sparkles Monthly - #86 Christmas is Coming
2. The Crafter's Cafe - #161 Christmas Comes Early
3. Unicorn Challenge - #15 Snow/Snowflakes
4. World Wide Open Design Team - #16 AG
5. Crafty Creations - #329 Christmas
6. I ♥ ProMarkers - #322 No Patterned Papers 
7. Inspiration Destination - #113 AG
8. Just Keep On Creating - November AG
9. Simon Says Wednesday - Christmas to Die For!
10. Craft Rocket - #29 Winter Time
11. Craft Your Passion - #339 AG
12. Crafting By Designs - Get Ready For Christmas Nov Edition

Fabric ~ with 4 Crafty Chicks

Doesn't time fly when you're having fun?! Already week 3 of my Guest Designer spot at 4 Crafty Chicks.  The challenge this week (#325) is Fabric.   

As soon as I saw that I knew I had to make a dress.  I had some lovely fabric in my stash which I knew would be perfect for this theme. It has been a while since I made a card with no digital image, so it was really nice to give myself a break from colouring. 

Products I have used to create my card:

• Kraft card blank and laser-cut paper pad from Michaels
• DoCrafts red glitter card, gem and outline sticker
• Ribbon, pearls and 3D foam pads from my stash
• Yellow Stickles

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. World Wide Open Design Team - #16 AG
2. Glitter 'n' Sparkle - #214 AG
3. Deep Ocean - #142 Inspired by Song or Movie (Lady In Red)
4. 613 Avenue Create - #191 AG
5. Come and Get It - Ribbon or Twine
6. Craft Your Passion - #338 AG
7. Creative Fingers - #120 AG

Lip Balm Gift Card

KennyK Stamps just sent out their newsletter with a lovely freebie 'City Star'. You can grab her from the shop if you haven't yet signed up. I wanted to do something a little different with this image so decided to colour it in monochrome blue. Turned out quite appropriate as it started snowing again today.  

I'm just starting to get on with my Christmas cards and wanted to make some as little gifts, so I have designed a gift holder for lip balm (you can find the template at the end of this post.)

Products I have used to create my card:

• Papermania cardstock
• Patterned paper, twine and metal snowflake from my stash
• Ranger Stickles
• Wink of Stella Clear
• Sakura Gelly Roll White
• ProMarkers - Duck Egg, Cool Aqua, Tea Green, Midnight Blue, Denim Blue, Arctic Blue, Aegean, Sky Blue, Cobalt, Turquoise, Indigo & True Blue

Step-By-Step

1. First you need to measure, cut and score the card base using the template (feel free to save and use this template on your own blog, I just ask that you please credit and link back to me)
   
2. Your card should look like this: 
   
3. I prefer to use Collall Tacky Glue (similar is fine) when assembling these type of cards as it is more forgiving than sticky strips. First glue the long tab at the right side and create the box shape. Then glue the bottom tabs starting with the side tabs, then the bottom tab. 
   
4. The cut-out window is handy here - I like to use something to push against to get the glue to hold 
   
5. I had already designed and made a card previous to this one, which had a larger box.  I decided this was actually too big for my lip balm, so I redesigned.  I measured to the height of the lid which you will see was a bit silly, as it's actually taller just down from the lid and sticks out of the window a bit. I'd forgotten to add my acetate window on the blue one too, which was just as well in the end! (the template has measurements in between these two)
   
   
   
   
6. Once you have put your lip balm in the box, stick down the top flaps.  I prefer to use a removable adhesive for this so the box doesn't get ruinined upon opening. (I bought some Removable Scotch Tape for this, but any kind is fine. Unfortunately it started lifting, so I also wrapped some twine around to hold it. You could always use this method instead of adhesive) 

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Club Kenny K (FB) - #18 AG/twist New Release/Freebies
2. Unicorn Challenge - #15 Snow/Snowflakes
3. World Wide Open Design Team - #16 AG
4. Fab 'n' Funky - #327 Digi Girls or Hats
5. Glitter 'n' Sparkle - #214 AG
6. Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - #45 AG
7. Love to Scrap - #89 Fancy My Fold
8. Passion for ProMarkers - #372 Christmas is coming
9. Open-Minded Crafting Fun - #11 Christmas/Hanukkah
10. The Crafter's Cafe - #161 Christmas Comes Early
11. The Crafty Addicts - #28 AG/Winter Blues
12. Come and Get It - Ribbon or Twine
13. Craft Your Passion - #338 AG
14. Crafty Awesomeness - November AG
15. Crafty Catz - #346 AG
16. Crafty Gals Corner - #98 Any Holiday

Thorns & Roses

Happy Sunday to you all. The sun has been shining here for a week or so and it has even been as warm as summer on a couple of days!  I'm sure it won't last though as there is snow forecast for Friday. 

Over on Facebook there was a Trick Or Treat Around The Blogs challenge hosted by Markers! Papers! Digis! so I grabbed this fabulous dollar digi from The East Wind called 'Thorns & Roses'.  I coloured her up for the colouring competition in the group, but I've only just got around to making a card with her.  

Since joining the Facebook group and investing in a class over at Kit & Clowder I've been more into colouring backgrounds for my images. I often just fussy-cut them, but when I leave them in a square or rectangle I now don't always like all that white space! (I also didn't used to have the confidence to colour a background).

So, I bring you one of my favourite card styles - the twisted easel.  Since making my first one I now hardly ever make a straight easel.  I love the extra dimension that the twist gives and you get so much more space to work with than just making a square card. 

I have used the following products to create my card:

• Kraft card blank from Michaels
• Core'dinations Tim Holtz Kraft Core Nostalgic Collection & Glittersilk card
• Tonic Tim Holtz Paper Distresser
• Gems & butterfly brad from my stash
• ProMarkers - Umber, Khaki, Pastel Beige, Satin, French Navy, Aegean, Sky Blue, Warm Grey 1-5, Black, Burgundy, Cardinal, Ruby, Olive, Moss, Pear, Indigo, Midnight & Cobalt

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Fab 'n' Funky - #326 Get Krafty!
2. Glitter 'n' Sparkle - #214 AG
3. I ♥ ProMarkers - #321 Distress Those Edges
4. Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - #45 AG
5. The Crafty Addicts - #28 AG/Winter Blues
6. Brown Sugar - #224 AG
7. Crafty Catz - #346 AG
8. Crafty Gals Corner - #97 Use A Sentiment
9. Creative Fingers - #120 AG
10. Dark 'n' Daring - #7 AG
11. The East Wind (FB Group) - #33 Come Over to the Dark Side

Vintage ~ with 4 Crafty Chicks

It's my second week with 4 Crafty Chicks and for this challenge (#324) the theme is Vintage.  

I already had the gorgeous Savannah Belle from KennyK Stamps coloured up, but I didn't know what to do with her at the time. Seems I was saving her for this challenge! I have recently been getting into canvases so decided I would make something for myself as I cannot bear to part with this image...lol.

I started with using Distress Inks and a stencil to colour the whole canvas, then Texture Paste with a different stencil on the left side.  Once that was dry I inked over again to make the texture stand out. I added some vintage lace down the left-hand side, then attached a key to some twine and glued next to the lace. I attached the image plus some flowers with brads in the centre. I finished off with some black pearls in the top-right corner and some more twine for hanging. 
Products I have used to create my canvas:

• Canvas, flowers, key, stencils & black/white twine from Michaels
• Jute twine, pearls & brads from my stash
• Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Dried Marigold, Vinntage Photo & Walnut Stain
• Ranger Texture Paste
• Vintage Lace from Normas Treasures on Etsy
• ProMarkers - Coral, Sunkissed Pink, Blush, Rose Pink, Cocoa, Burnt Sienna, Raw Sienna, Gold, Indigo, True Blue, Cobalt, Mustard, Sky Blue, Arctic Blue, Caramel, Sandstone, Black, Cool Grey 1-5, Dusky Pink, Satin & Walnut

I am entering my canvas into the following challenges:

1. TTCRD - AG w/c 8th Nov
2. Get Creative - #51 AG
3. Pearly Sparkles - #10 AG
4. Crafty Awesomeness - Nov AG
5. Crafting with an Attitude - #21 AG
6. Classic Design Team Open - #8 AG
7. Craft Your Passion - #337 AG
8. 613 Avenue Create - #191 AG

Anniversary Bear

With all these DT & GDT posts I've been doing, I've neglected my other cards! It was my birthday last month plus my parents' anniversary on the same day. (I joke that I was their best anniversary present!).
Having tried my first upright z-fold card a little while ago, I wanted to do another one.  I used a gorgeous Conie Fong image 'Bella with Gift' that was a freebie over at Kit & Clowder.  This cute little bear just seemed perfect for an anniversary.
Other products I have used to create my card:

• Card blank, cardstock, twine and brad from my stash
• Papermania designer papers from the Red Hot Paper Pack Capsule Collection
• Promarkers - Burnt Sienna, Caramel, Sandstone, Cyan, Duck Egg, Cool Aqua, Crimson, Berry, Lipstick, Cool Grey 1 & 2, Canary, Lemon, Soft Lime, Mustard, Tulip & Buttercup

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:

1. Get Creative - #51 AG
2. Pearly Sparkles - #10 AG
3. TTCRD - November AG
4. Creative Fingers - #119 AG
5. Crafting With An Attitude - #21 AG
6. CCC Digi Creations - #60 Happy Anything
7. Crafting By Designs - November AG
8. 613 Avenue Create - #191 AG

Swirly Pearls ~ with 4 Crafty Chicks

Hello crafty peeps!  

This month I am so excited to have been chosen as a Guest Designer over at 4 Crafty Chicks, so here is my first post for them. 

The challenge this week (challenge #323) is Swirly Pearls.  Who doesn't love swirls and pearls?! This made me think of Saturated Canary's beautiful mermaid image 'Pearl'. Sadly Saturated Canary is no longer open for me to link the image. 
I have used the following products to create my card:

• Papermania card 
• Patterned paper & pearl embellishments from Michaels
• Tim Holtz Distress Ink 'Stormy Sky'
• Tonic Tim Holtz Paper Distresser
• Promarkers - Tea Green, Cool Aqua, Duck Egg, Turquoise, Blossom, Rose Pink, Cardinal, Blush, Sunkissed Pink, Coral, Soft Lime, Lemon, Indigo, True Blue, Cyan & Mint Green

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Crafting by Designs - November AG
2. Crafting with an Attitude - #21 AG
3. Creative Fingers - #119 AG
4. I ♥ ProMarkers - #321 Distress Those Edges (sorry I didn't take a close-up of the distressing, but it is there!)
5. Inspiration Destination - #110 AG
6. Pearly Sparkles - #10 AG
7. Dream Valley - #143 One for the Girls
8. CCC Digi Creations - #60 Happy Anything
9. Classic Design Team Open - #8 AG
10. Artistic Inspirations - #166 AG

November Challenge at Crafts Galore Encore

We've survived the first (early) snowfall, Thanksgiving and Halloween and now it's November and a new challenge at Crafts Galore Encore. This year is going very quickly indeed!

This month we are sponsored by The Fantasy Art of Nikki Burnette.

This artist is new to me, so I had fun looking through and choosing an image to use. I wanted to get away from Halloween images as I've done so many lately and strangely I ended up choosing 'Arden' which is the banner image!
I have used the following products to create my card:

• Canson Illustration cardstock
• Papermania cardstock
• Flowers & Berries from my stash
• Sizzix Stampin' Up Embosslits 'Beautiful Wings'
• Darice embossing folder 'Retro Circles'
• Wink of Stella clear
• Sakura Gelly Roll white
• Promarkers - Spice, Coral, Soft Peach, Blush, Mustard, Gold, Raw Sienna, Burnt Orange, French Navy, Aegean, Sky Blue, Tulip, Warm Grey 1-5, Antique Pink, Pastel Pink, Moss, Pear, Olive, Pumpkin, Denim, Midnight, Sunkissed Pink, Cinnamon & Buttercup

 I used a torch on the dress to better show the Wink of Stella glitter effect!

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Inspiration Destination - #109 AG
2. Simon Says Wednesday - AG
3. World Wide Open Design Team - #15 AG
4. Creative Fingers - #119 AG
5. Get Creative - #51 AG
6. Crafty Catz - #344 AG w/twist die cuts/punch
7. Crafty Cardmakers - #176 Explosion of Colour
8. Craft Your Passion - #336 AG
9. Crafty Awesomeness - November AG
10. Classic Design Team Open - #08 AG
11. CCC Digi Creations - #60 Happy Anything