It's A Hoot-Hoot Birthday!

I had recently seen many twist-and-pop cards on Pinterest and was dying to make one.  I wanted my first one to be special though, so waited for my friend Susan's 50th birthday.  She loves owls and her favourite colour combo is red, black and white, so I already had my theme sorted.  I won some Polkadoodles images a while ago and chose 'Party Time Twiggy & Toots' especially for this occasion.  
These cards are actually a lot easier to make than they look.  I just love this as people are always so impressed with pop-up cards. I don't have any step-by-step photos for this one, as just forgot to be honest.  You can find the instructions I followed here though.

Product list:

• Black and white cardstock
• Papermania 'Spots & Stripes Brights' DP
• Sequins
• Sizzix Tim Holtz Celebration Script Words dies
• ProMarkers - Walnut, Henna, Cinnamon, Tan, Cardinal, Hot Pink, Lipstick, Burgundy, Shale, Black, Cool Grey 5, Tulip, Cocoa, Warm Grey 1-4, Sandstone, Vanilla, Denim, Blue Pearl, Powder Blue, Primrose, Ginger, Saffron, Oatmeal, Burnt Orange, Indigo, French Navy, Cobalt, Bright Orange, Gold, Sunflower & Buttercup
• White Sakura Gelly Roll

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Simon Says Wednesday - Anything Goes
2. Polkadoodles - wk30 Anything Goes
3. Brown Sugar - #261 Anything Goes
4. Colour Crazy - wk30 Anything Goes
5. TTCRD - wk 25th July Anything Goes

Hello There Rosy!

Earlier in the year Kit & Clowder had a colouring class using Power Poppy images.  I used the image for the markers class, but I also loved the image for the pencil class.  I was thrilled when Marcella had this on sale one weekend and I had to have it! 

The image is called 'Everything's Rosy' and comes as a couple of different images with more or less flowers.  I have chosen the smaller image to use. The name of this image always makes me smile, as it reminds me of a kids' programme my son used to watch back home called 'Everything's Rosie' (my husband loved it so much he used to watch it on his lunch break... bahaha).

I printed the image quite large, so the only thing to really do was make a CAS card.  I am CASEing Jessie Banks' style of card for the PP challenge, plus using the 'Hues To Use' below.

Products used:

• Plain coloured cardstock
• ProMarkers - Holly, Lush Green, Moss, Leaf Green, Burnt Orange, Bright Orange, Pumpkin, Amber, Apricot, Cocoa, Gold, Sunflower, Canary, Lemon, Turquoise, Duck Egg, Cool Aqua, Tea Green & Warm Grey 1-3
• Sakura Gelly Roll, White

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Power Poppy - On the CASE!
2. Simon Says Wednesday - Anything Goes
3. Crafty Gals Corner - #133 Anything Goes
4. Come and Get It - Summertime
5. Colour Crazy - wk30 Anything Goes

Folds, Sparkles and All That Jazz!

The latest monthly class at Kit & Clowder is a great one for people like me who hate colouring hair, lol.  Alyce has chosen some wonderful images from Moonflower with big hair and lots of folds to practice these techniques.  I am in the marker classes, but chose to use the pencil class image as I preferred this one. 
I decided I wanted to keep this class, so rather than putting her on a card, I fussy-cut her and put her in a simple clip frame.  I had bought a couple of frames, but the edges were too close and cut the image up a little. 

Product list:

• Clip frame
• Lilac paper
• Core'dinations GlitterSilk card
• White Sakura Gelly Roll
• ProMarkers - Burnt Sienna, Cinnamon, Dusky Pink, Satin, Almond, Black, Warm Grey 4 & 5, Indigo, French Navy, Aegean, Cyan, Duck Egg, Cool Aqua, Tea Green, Cocoa, Gold, Sunflower, Canary, Lemon, Mulberry, Magenta, Carmine, Antique Pink, Pastel Pink & Sunkissed Pink

I had to photograph from slightly above so not to get any reflection on the glass. It does make the picture look a little odd to me, but it couldn't be helped!

I am entering my picture into the following challenges:

1. The Ribbon Girl - July Use Any Image
2. Colour Crazy - wk29 AG
3. Creative Fingers - #134 AG
4. Lemon Shortbread - #46 AG
5. Polkadoodles - wk28 AG

Poinsettia Joy

Eek I'm doing Christmas in July again!  When it comes to Christmas cards I really like to keep things simple. It's the time of year when I'm making more cards and spending a lot on postage, so a million embellishments just isn't cost effective to me. 
For this card I have used the gorgeous Conie Fong image 'Holly Poinsettia' and a lovely focal paper from My Mind's Eye. 

Product list:

• Kraft card blank
• MME 'Sleigh Bells Ring' designer paper
• 3D foam pads
• ProMarkers - Umber, Burnt Sienna, Cinnamon, Tan, Pastel Pink, Black, Warm Grey 4 & 5, Burgundy, Cardinal, Ruby, Lipstick, Holly, Pine, Lush Green, Sunflower, Cocoa, Raw Sienna, Apricot, Walnut, Henna, French Navy, Aegean, Sky Blue, Amber, Tulip, Indigo, True Blue, Cobalt, Burnt Orange, Pumpkin, Gold & Ginger
• Sakura Gelly Roll, White
• Wink of Stella, Clear

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Conie Fong (FB) - Anything Goes/Christmas In July
2. Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge - #343 AG
3. Crafty Awesomeness - July AG
4. A Gem of A Challenge - #199 Christmas In July
5. ABC Christmas Challenge - N is for New, O is for Old (new image, old card blank & paper)
6. Christmas Cards All Year 'Round - July AG

Life In The Fast Lane

Today I would love to share with you a card that I made my Dad for his birthday at the weekend.  I have used a gorgeous new rubber stamp 'Carmen Electrafying', that I got from KennyK Stamps before they closed.  I've only used digistamps from them previously, but I'm very impressed with the quality of the clear stamp.
The great thing about the clear stamps is the main image comes in a set with sentiments and accessories too.  I've used the sentiment with this card and also the tire tread marks.  I've embossed these and think it came out looking like muddy tracks. 
A technique I love doing with Core'dinations (that I know some people are scared to do) is scrunching up the card then flattening out again and sanding. It gives a wonderful distressed look and more texture than just sanding the edges, or sanding flat.

Product list:

• Grey cardstock
• Mirri card
• Core'dinations cardstock & GlitterSilk cardstock
• Sizzix Tim Holtz 'Diamond Plate' embossing folder
• X-Cut oval nesting die
• Memento ink
• Wow! black embossing powder
• Sizzix Tim Holtz Celebration Script Words dies
• ProMarkers - Cinnamon, Tan, Dusky Pink, Satin, Almond, Cardinal, Hot Pink, Lipstick, Black, Cool Grey 1, 2, 4 & 5, Ruby, Powder Blue & Shale
• White Sakura Gelly Roll

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. I ♥ ProMarkers - #339 AG
2. Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - #62 AG
3. Crafty Awesomeness - July AG
4. Crafty Creations - #346 AG
5. Creative Moments - #122 AG

Pretty Lilies at Ching-Chou Kuik

Hello all, 

How time flies - already my last inspiration post for July at Ching-Chou Kuik.  I do hope you've been checking out all the other gorgeous inspiration from the team and added your own creations to the challenge.

This week the team have an 'Anything Goes' theme.  I chose to use an image that I actually coloured a little while ago, but never added to a card.  She is the gorgeous 'Lily'.  I had to have this one as they are my favourite flower and also my daughter's name. 

Product list:

• Cream cardstock
• HunkyDory cardstock and embellishment
• Centura Pearl cardstock
• Ribbon
• X-Cut nesting oval die
• ProMarkers - Burnt Sienna, Caramel, Dusky Pink, Satin, Rose Pink, Turquoise, Cool Aqua, Lemon, Cardinal, Tulip, Forest Green, Cool Grey 1 & 3, Burgundy, Tea Green, Duck Egg, Cyan, Mulberry & Cerise

Had to to show the gorgeous sheen of the Centura Pearl card!

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Classic Design Team - #16 AG
2. The Ribbon Girl - July Use Any Image
3. Not Just Cards - #46 AG
4. Lemon Shortbread - #46 AG
5. Pammie's Inky Pinkies - #1729 AG

Live, Love, Laugh

After purchasing a flip card die and making a few cards with it at Christmas, I haven't gotten around to making any more so I thought it was about time.  The cute 'Primrose Sprite' from Aurora Wings I had coloured up was the perfect size to fit along with a stamped sentiment and a couple of dragonflies. 

Product list:

• Pink cardstock
• Designer papers from Amy Tangerine and Recollections
• Sizzix Flip Card dies
• Recollections paper flower
• Indigo Blu clear stamps
• Memento Tuxedo Black ink
• Vellum
• ProMarkers - Cinnamon, Tan, Dusky Pink, Satin, Almond, Sunkissed Pink, Raw Sienna, Mustard, Tulip, Buttercup, Pumpkin, Sunflower, Mulberry, Magenta, Carmine, Primrose, Warm Grey 1 & 2, Bright Green, Leaf Green & Meadow Green

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Stamps by Aurora Wings FB - July Things With Wings
2. Creative Fingers - #134 Anything Goes
3. Simon Says Monday - Get In Shape
4. Come and Get It - 2 or More Designer Papers
5. Pammie's Inky Pinkies - #1729 Anything Goes
6. A Perfect Time To Craft - #7 Anything Goes

Christmas In A Bottle

Do you ever start something, then put it away because you're not really sure what you want to do with it yet?  
I bought a bottle of iced tea a while ago and of course had to keep the bottle to create something with.  I decided to fill it with some little Christmas baubles that I had leftover from making a wreath.  Then I put it in a box and forgot about it. 
I won the gorgeous 'Garland Sprite' from Aurora Wings during Mitzi's 3K Facebook member celebration, coloured her up and put her in my folder (I have lots of coloured up images in there - I really must start using some!).
Realising I only have a couple of days left to enter the Aurora Wings blog challenge, I grabbed Garland Sprite out and wracked my brains for what to do with her.  I've made lots of cards lately so wanted to do something different. Hunting for a glass jar or something, I found the bottle of baubles that I'd put away. Lightbulb moment! I added some paper filler to nestle the baubles so they wouldn't rattle and covered the lid with burlap.  A bit of ribbon, twine and bells and my creation was complete!

Product list:

• Glass bottle
• Baubles
• Paper 'filler shreds'
• Burlap
• Ribbon
• Twine
• Bells
• ProMarkers - Raw Sienna, Ginger, Saffron, Oatmeal, Burgundy, Shale, Cardinal, Ruby, Holly, Lush Green, Forest Green, Crimson, Berry, Lipstick, Burnt Orange, Pumpkin, Sunflower, Canary, China Blue & Blue Pearl
• Wink of Stella, Clear
• Sakura Gelly Roll, white

I am entering my bottle into the following challenges:

1. Aurora Wings Blog - #53 Anything Goes
2. Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - #341 Anything Goes
3. Christmas Cards All Year 'Round - July Anything Goes
4. Creative Craft Cottage - #91 Christmas In July
5. Not Just Cards - #46 Anything Goes

The Tender Angie at Ching-Chou Kuik

Here we are, almost halfway through July already!  There's still plenty of time to join in the challenge over at Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps Challenge Blog

This week the team were challenged to all use the same image - 'The Tender Angie'. This is such a great idea as we all have different styles of colouring and cardmaking. Make sure you check back on the blog daily for some new inspiration using this image. 

Products used:

• Cream  & pink cardstock
• Patterned papers
• Doily
• X-Cut edge punch
• Outline stickers
• Brad
• Paper flowers
• Wink of Stella clear
• ProMarkers - Spice, Coral, Soft Peach, Blush, Burnt Sienna, Cocoa, Black, China Blue, Cobalt, Blue Pearl, Antique Pink, Pastel Pink, Sunkissed Pink, Violet, Lilac, Lavender, Duck Egg, Cool Aqua & Tea Green

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Sweet Stampers - Photo Inspiration
2. Come and Get It - Make Your Own Background
3. Classic Design Team - #16 Anything Goes
4. A Perfect Time To Craft - #7 Anything Goes
5. Allsorts Challenge - WK423 Magical & Mythical
6. Double D Challenges - Pastel Party

A Countryside Bouquet

Since discovering Power Poppy I've been really loving their images, so I was very happy to snag 'Countryside Bouquet' for a bargain price. 
I'd already cut the image in a circle before seeing the new blog challenge of 'Copy a Bloomie'.  I had a look through Instagram and found the perfect card to use.  I love the simple layering and button embellishment on Julie's card. 

As I was browsing anyway, I figured I would also use some of the colour inspiration that was posted!

I love purple, so this was a great scheme to start with. There are several others, so I'm going to have to do some more!

Products used:

• Grey cardstock
• Green Mulberry paper
• Purple ribbon
• Grey Lace
• Green Button
• Twine
• Recollections laser cut card from the Boho collection
• ProMarkers - Holly, Pine, Lush Green, Plum, Mulberry, Fuchsia, Warm Grey 1-4, Pumpkin, Sunflower, Canary, Burnt Sienna, Cocoa & Caramel

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Power Poppy - On the CASE!
2. The Corrosive Challenge - #7 July Anything Goes
3. TTCRD - WK 11 July Anything Goes
4. The Ribbon Girl - July Cards
5. I ♥ ProMarkers - #339 Anything Goes

Who's Birthday?!

Today is a very special day as it's my husbands 40th Birthday.  When I saw the May collection of bears at Teddy Bo & Co I knew I had to have one.  Hubby is a big fan of Dr. Who and I couldn't have asked for a more fitting image for him. This is my very first Teddy Bo image, so I wanted to give him an awesome background fitting for the theme.  Since starting classes at Kit & Clowder I have been much more experimental with backgrounds so decided on a timey-wimey sparkly swirl in a night sky.  I think it turned out pretty awesome. I also found a knitting pattern for the scarf so followed the colours on that as best I could.

Product list:

• Black cardstock
• Recollections Gears & clock
• ProMarkers - Henna, Cinnamon, Caramel, Sandstone, Umber, Burnt Sienna, Tan, Soft Lime, Primrose, Black, French Navy, Midnight, Cobalt, Aubergine, Plum, Purple, Khaki, Pastel Beige, Satin, Cocoa, Gold, Sunflower, Canary, Crimson, Berry, Lipstick, Olive, Moss, Pear, Cool Grey 3, 4 & 5, Lemon, Indigo, China Blue & Blue Pearl 
• White Sakura Gelly Roll

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. World Wide Open Design Team - #23 AG
2. The Ribbon Girl - July Cards
3. Passion for ProMarkers - WK402 AG
4. Open-Minded Crafting Fun - Just About Time
5. I ♥ ProMarkers  - #338 Special Occasions

July Challenge at Crafting With An Attitude

It's time for a new challenge over at Crafting With An Attitude and this time we are sponsored by Lacy Sunshine

I chose 'Dreamcatcher Maiden' to use as I really love dreamcatchers and used to have a couple up before I moved! 

Product List:

• Kraft card blank
• Gems
• Twine
• ProMarkers - Burnt Sienna, Cinnamon, Tan, Dusky Pink, Almond, Raw Sienna, Gold, Walnut, Cocoa, Turquoise, Duck Egg, Cool Aqua, Apricot, Burnt Orange, Pumpkin, Amber, Black & Warm Grey 1-5
• White Sakura Gelly Roll

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Your Scrapbook Place - Summer Fun! AG
2. Pammie's Inky Pinkies - #1727 AG
3. A Bit More Time To Craft - #47 AG
4. Brown Sugar - #257 AG
5. Colour Crazy - Wk26 AG

Monochrome at Ching-Chou Kuik

I am so thrilled to have been asked to join the team over at the Ching-Chou Kuik Monthly Blog Challenge. It is always an honour to be chosen by a stamp artist. 

Our challenge this month is Monochrome

For my very first inspiration post I am using the image 'Poinsettia Fairy', which comes in a set of four images.  I figured why not do a 'Christmas in July' card as I rarely ever do them so early!

Product list:

• Kraft card blank
• Ribbons
• Gems
• MME designer paper from the 'Sleigh Bells Ring' collection
• Tonic Tim Holtz paper distresser
• ProMarkers - Cinnamon, Tan, Dusky Pink, Satin, Almond, Walnut, Cocoa, Raw Sienna, Cardinal, Rose Pink, Blossom, Burgundy, Ruby, Lipstick , Shale & Warm Grey 1
• Gold Sakura Gelly Roll

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. 613 Avenue Create - #199 AG/twist Monochrome
2. A Perfect Time To Craft - #7 AG
3. CCC Digi Creations - #76 Monochrome
4. Christmas Cards All Year 'Round - AG July
5. Classic Design Team Open - #16 AG
6. Simon Says Monday - Red, White and/or Blue

July Challenge at Crafts Galore Encore

It's a great day here today as not only is it a new challenge over at Crafts Galore Encore but it's also Canada Day! 

This time we are sponsored by Oddball Art 

I was given this "Oddie From Canada" image to use, which turned out to be quite fitting.  I have put her on a gift bag.

Product list:

• Brown gift bag
• Canada stickers
• Corner rounding punch
• Red & White tissue paper
• ProMarkers - Burnt Sienna, Caramel, Sandstone, Pastel Beige, Umber, Cinnamon, Tan, Raw Sienna, Crimson, Berry, Lipstick, Denim, Blue Pearl, Powder Blue

I am entering my gift bag into the following challenges:

1. Pammie's Inky Pinkies - #1726 AG
2. Brown Sugar - #257 AG
3. Colour Crazy Challenge - #26 AG
4. Crafty Awesomeness - July AG