Blue Christmas

Do you all remember Shakin' Stevens? He kinda popped into my head when I was thinking of a title for this blog post.  His was one of the first albums I ever had and I loved the song 'Blue Christmas'.
I generally leave it until November before I start making Christmas cards, but I have the cute 'Winter Sprite' from Aurora Wings so decided to do at least one now!

Products used:

• Card blank
• DoCrafts patterned paper
• Coloured cardstock
• Assorted snowflake dies
• Papermania shimmer dots
• Snowflake ribbon
• Crafter's Companion sentiment stamp
• Memento Dew Drop 'Tuxedo Black'
• ProMarkers - Tan, Sunkissed Pink, Putty, Almond, Denim, Blue Pearl, Powder Blue, Midnight Blue, China Blue, Cobalt & Indigo

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Aurora Wings - #67 Joyous Occasions
2. Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - May Anything Goes
3. Simon Says Monday - Inspired By A Song
4. Crafty Catz - #418 Anything Goes/Christmas
5. Crafty Gals Corner - #166 Anything Goes
6. Crafting By Designs - Get Ready For Christmas
7. Colour Crazy - WK21 Anything Goes
8. Christmas Crafts All Year Round - May Anything Goes

Floral Hugs at Ching-Chou Kuik

It's already my last inspiration creation for the May challenge at Ching-Chou Kuik.  Don't forget the theme is PEARLS/GEMS and you have another week to enter here.

This week Vanessa challenged the team to make our own flowers.  I have a couple of different flower dies, so this was no problem for me.  I used an image ('Come Softly') that doesn't have any flowers in it, so as not to be over the top floral!! 

Products used:

• Cream card blank
• Cardstock
• Patterned paper
• Outline sticker
• Flower dies
• Brads
• Sakura Gelly Roll - Metallic Gold
• ProMarkers - Cinnamon, Tan, Sunkissed Pink, Putty, Almond, Coral, Black True Blue, French Navy, Sky Blue, Raw Sienna, Pumpkin, Burnt Orange, Burnt Sienna, Cocoa, Gold, Sunflower, Spice, Ginger, Apricot, Holly, Marine & Mint Green

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. CCC Digi Creations - #92 Flower Power
2. Crafty Creations - #367 Anything Goes
3. Crafty Gals Corner - #166 Anything Goes
4. Creative Craft Cottage - #107 Dies and/or Punches

Cherry Blossom Smile

I always knew spring had arrived back home because there would be cherry blossoms everywhere.  They are one of my favourite flowers, but unfortunately I don't see any here.  
I couldn't resist this gorgeous 'Cherry Blossom' digi from Make It Crafty, which is on sale right now at only $1!!! Plus a massive bonus that Zoe has created a background for it too.  
The image definitely needed to stand out, so I printed the included sentiment with it and made a CAS card with just a bit of ribbon and lace.

Products used:

• Kraft card blank
• Lace & ribbon
• White Sakura Gelly Roll
• ProMarkers - Baby Pink, Dusky Pink, Almond, Primrose, Soft Lime, Walnut, Cocoa, Raw Sienna, Caramel, Sandstone, Olive, Moss, Pear, Fuchsia, Pink Carnation, Blossom, Mulberry, Denim & Blue Pearl

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Make It Crafty - Flora
2. Cute Card Thursday - #350 The Great Outdoors
3. Let's Craft & Create - #137 AG
4. CCC Digi Creations - #92 Flower Power

Get Better Greyscale

I love colouring in greyscale, especially adding just a hint of colour, so Power Poppy's latest challenge is perfect for me.  Usually I colour right from black to white but I've gone quite pale and subtle with this one, using the 'Orchid Cascade' digi for a get well card.   
Twisted easels are one of my favourite card folds and I've kept this one pretty clean and simple.  I always decorate the bottom portion when I make these, but this time I've left it blank with just a few gems to hold the top part up.

Products used:

• White card blank
• Black cardstock
• Ribbon
• Spellbinders Lattice Rectangle die
• Square gems
• ProMarkers - Warm Grey 1-5, Amethyst, Sunflower, Tulip & Buttercup

I am entering my card into Power Poppy - Black and White with a Pop of Color

Birthday Dreams at Ching-Chou Kuik

It's our second week of inspiration at Ching-Chou Kuik.  Don't forget the theme this month is Gems and/or pearls and you can enter the challenge here.

This week the team were challenged to use buttons, so I have incorporated these with some gems to make a birthday card.  I have used 'Dream of Dahlia' as I thought she worked really well with this theme. 
Products used:

• Cream card blank
• Coloured cardstock
• Tonic Tim Holtz paper distresser
• Papermania gems
• Buttons
• Papermania glitter outline stickers
• ProMarkers - Umber, Burnt Sienna, Cinnamon, Tan, Henna, Cocoa, Holly, Lush Green, Burnt Orange, Bright Orange & Mango

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Double D - Bling It Up
2. Let's Craft and Create - #137 Anything Goes
3. World Wide Open - #5 Anything Goes
4. Classic Design Team - #24 Anything Goes
5. Crafty Creations - #366 Anything Goes

Pearls & Gems at Ching-Chou Kuik

It's time for a brand new challenge at Ching-Chou Kuik and this month we are asking you to use PEARLS AND/OR GEMS on your projects.  So off you go to make something pretty, then you can enter here.

Well of course pearls and gems are going to make me think Mermaids, so I have used 'Embrace the Ocean' to make a celebration card. 

Products used:

• Kraft card blank
• Recollections designer paper
• Ribbon
• Recollections paper flowers
• Ranger Liquid Pearls in White Opal
• Papermania gems
• Distress Oxide in Worn Lipstick
• Celebrate clear stamp
• Papermania button
• ProMarkers - Umber, Khaki, Pastel Beige, Satin, Hot Pink, Magenta, Carmine, Pastel Pink, Baby Pink, Holly, Marine, Mint, Burnt Orange, Pumpkin, Amber, Coral, Sunkissed Pink, Putty, Henna, Cinnamon, Tan, Indigo, French Navy & Canary

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Simon Says Monday - Ombré (mermaid hair & background paper)
2. Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - May AG
3. Pammie's Inky Pinkies - #1818 AG
4. CRAFT Challenge - #467 Birthday Blog Hop
5. Colour Crazy - WK18 AG
6. Crafty Creations - #366 AG
7. Crafty Gals Corner - #165 Add A Flower