Guest Designer at Colour Crazy Challenge with Crafty Sentiments

This is my last project as Guest Designer for Colour Crazy Challenge.  This time we are sponsored by Crafty Sentiments

I have created a layered Christmas card using 'Benson & Betty'. This image is very versatile as you can make them any kind of bear you like.  I have gone for a furry teddy bear look. 

Products used:

• Card blank
• Black cardstock
• DoCrafts designer Christmas paper
• Layered chipboard sentiment
• Anita's outline stickers
• ProMarkers - Powder Blue, Cool Grey 1-3, Crimson, Berry, Lipstick, Holly, Lush Green, Mint, Burnt Sienna, Saddle Brown, Caramel, Sandstone & Arctic Blue

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Double D - Snuggle Up Buttercup!
2. Simon Says Wednesday - ATG
3. The 12 Months of Christmas - #47 ATG
4. Creative Fingers - #154 ATG
5. Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - Nov ATG

Christmas at Ching-Chou Kuik

Are you getting a head start on your Christmas cards?  If not, hopefully this month's challenge at Ching-Chou Kuik will help you.  Our theme is 'Christmas/Fireworks' and you can enter here.

I have created a Christmas card using 'Christmas Elf'.  This image isn't often used, but I like to find those images as the older ones can get forgotten. 

Products used:

• Kraft card blank
• DoCrafts designer paper
• Merry Christmas sentiment die
• Fancy Oval die
• DoCrafts glitter card
• ProMarkers -Spice, Coral, Soft Peach, Blush, Warm Grey 1-3, Berry, Red, Lipstick, Black, Cool Grey 5, Cocoa, Caramel, Yellow, Holly, Pine, Forest, Walnut, Arctic Blue & Midnight Blue
• Sakura Gelly Roll- White

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. World Wide Open Design Team - #10 ATG
2. Allsorts - WK492 Pretty Papers
3. Creative Fingers - #154 ATG
4. The 12 Months of Christmas - #47 ATG
5. Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - November ATG
6. Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - November ATG

Festive Bow

I like to mooch for inspiration on Pinterest and kept seeing these fantastic bow cards, so I had to try one for myself.   I actually made the bow a little while ago, but it got put aside for other things as I didn't really know what I wanted to do with it.
Being a fairly small space on the front, I figured a sprite would be the perfect image to use.  So finally I have finished it using 'Holiday Wreath Sprite' from Aurora Wings.

Products used:

• Recollections cardstock
• DoCrafts glitter card
• Sizzix Tim Holtz Festive Greenery dies
• Spellbinders Big Scalloped Oval die
• Distress Ink - Stormy Sky
• ProMarkers - Warm Grey 1&2, Cinnamon, Tan, Dusky Pink, Almond, Indigo, True Blue, Cobalt, Arctic Blue, Berry Red, Holly, Lush Green, Pine, Forest, Burgundy, Cardinal, Gold, Canary, Cool Grey 1, 2&4, Moss & Bright Green
• Sakura Gelly Roll - White
• Prismacolor pencils

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Aurora Wings - Anything Goes
2. Get Creative - #71 Shaped Card
3. Simon Says Wednesday - AG
4. Passion For ProMarkers - WK454 Dies/Punches
5. Cut It Up - #153 Christmas In July
6. Crafty Gals Corner - #170 Christmas In July
7. Crafty Creations - #371 AG
8. Card Mania - #106 AG
9. Crafting By Designs - AG
10. C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - #477 Christmas

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

Christmas/Winter at Ching-Chou Kuik

It's time for a new challenge at Ching-Chou Kuik and as it's getting closer to Christmas our theme this time is Christmas/Winter.  We'd love to see your chilly or festive makes over on the blog. 

I've gone the chilly route and made a monochrome card using 'Snowflake Imprint' and the following products:

• Cream card blank
• DoCrafts designer papers
• Blue cardstock
• Ribbon
• Snowflake charm
• ProMarkers - Midnight, Denim, Blue Pearl, Powder Blue, Aegean, Cyan, French Navy, Indigo, Sky Blue, Arctic Blue, Cool Grey 1 & 2
• Sakura Gelly Roll - White

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Simon Says Wednesday - Snow White
2. Classic Design Team Open - #19 AG
3. Come and Get It - Winter Girls
4. Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - #358 AG
5. The Ribbon Girl - November Card Challenge
6. Petal Lu Creations (FB) - November 1st Anything Goes
7. Beccy's Challenges - November Month of Holiday Cards

Merry Christmoose

I was lucky enough to win a set of Canadian-themed stamps by Frog's Whiskers Ink from Creative Scrapbooker Magazine a few weeks ago, so thought I'd have a play with them.  It's been a while since I did any tapestry stamping so I used these stamps in conjunction with some other stamps I have, to create a Christmas card.  It feels weird to me now making a card without a digital stamp, but I realise how much I love playing with real stamps.
I can never get my writing as nice as I'd like when writing sentiments, but I didn't have anything suitable for this card. I really wanted to to a pun-ny sentiment!

Products used:

• Cream card blank
• Papermania snowflake stamps (free from a set in the magazine)
• See-D's Morsels stamps 'Springtime Collection'
• Frog's Whiskers Inks stamps 'Maple Leaf' & 'Moose'
• Whispers inks
• Black pen

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Stamping Sensations - August Anything Goes
2. Power Poppy - Mix and Match
3. ABC Christmas Challenge - P, Q & R (Quick & Red)
4. Addicted to CAS - #117 One Layer
5. A Bit More Time to Craft - #49 Anything Goes

Farewell KennyK Stamps

And so, as our closing party draws to an end, I want to wish Elena & KennyK a fabulous future in all that they do.  

I have one last very special card to show you today using the fabulous 'Game Show Gals' and my own sentiment.  This is my personal card to the fabulous KennyK family and I have gone CAS as the image says it all. 

Product list:

• White and coloured cardstock
• Gold & silver Sakura Gelly Rolls
• ProMarkers - Cinnamon, Tan, Dusky Pink, Satin, Sunkissed Pink, Black, Cool Grey 4 & 5, Burnt Sienna, Cocoa, Hot Pink, Carmine, Pastel Pink, Violet, China Blue, Blue Pearl, Aubergine, Warm Grey 1-3, Amber, Sunflower, Tulip, Buttercup, Denim & Powder Blue

Don't forget you only have just over a day left to shop in the massive closeout sale!

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. World Wide Open Design Team - #23 AG
2. The Ribbon Girl - June Any Image
3. Simon Says Wednesday - AG
4. I♥Promarkers - #338 Special Occasions
5. AAA Cards - #93 Words Take Centre Stage

           

Time Flies

I've been meaning to try the emboss-resist technique for some time but just hadn't done it, even though I got a new heat tool a few months ago! The new challenge of create your own background at the Ching-Chou Kuik Facebook group kicked me into gear though and I finally gave it a go. I've also coloured a background around the image to emulate old paper. 

Product list: 

• Digtal Stamp 'Time Flies' by Ching-Chou Kuik
• Kraft card blank
• Papermania Chronology stamps
• Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Inks
• Ranger Pigment Ink 
• Metal gears and brads
• Cosmic Shimmer extra thick clear embossing crystals
• Anita's 3D Gloss
• Outline stickers
• ProMarkers - Umber, Khaki, Pastel Beige, Satin, Walnut, Cocoa, Cinnamon, Black, Pastel Pink, Burnt Sienna, Tan, Pine, Olive, Lush Green, Leaf Green, Cardinal, Ruby, Lipstick, French Navy, Aegean, Blue Pearl, Sunflower, Burgundy, Warm Grey 1, Raw Sienna, Tulip, Canary, Lemon, Shale, Cool Grey 4 & 5 and Caramel

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Ching-Chou Kuik Digital Stamps (FB) - Create A Background
2. Simon Monday - Touchy Feely
3. Simon Wednesday - Emboss It
4. Sparkles Monthly - #93 Embossing heat or dry
5. Fab 'n' Funky - #355 Vintage
6. Not Just Cards - #45 Anything Goes
7. Open-Minded Crafting Fun #18 Just About Time in June
8. Crafty Gals Corner - #127 Vintage
9. Creative Moments - #120 AG
10. Crafting by Designs - Things With Wings
11. A Bit More Time To Craft - #46 AG

Happy Birthday Flowers, Feathers & Fairies

Sabrina of Flowers, Feathers & Fairies has now had her Etsy shop for one year so is having a celebration.  If you're a member at Kit & Clowder you can grab 'Eliza's Birthday' for free, colour her up then enter the challenge at the FFF Facebook group. 
I decided to also make a card for her, using the following products:

• DoCrafts Kraft card blank
• Michaels DP
• Gold ribbon 
• Little Claire Designs outline stickers
• Sakura Gelly Roll, White
• ProMarkers - Cinnamon, Tan, Dusky Pink, Satin, Umber, Walnut, Cocoa, Spice, Apricot, Oatmeal, Burnt Orange, Pumpkin, Amber, Gold, Tulip, Buttercup, Tea Green, Olive, Moss, Warm Grey 1-5, Powder Blue, Mint, Amethyst, Pink Carnation, Lemon, Duck Egg, Cool Aqua, Lilac, Orchid, Lavender, Turquoise, Soft Lime & Indigo

I used a tutorial I found on Pinterest for the bubbles.  They look a bit odd during colouring, but I really liked the effect when they were finished. 

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Flowers, Feathers & Fairies - FB Birthday Challenge
2. Addicted to CAS - #108 Smile
3. Brown Sugar - #245 AG
4. CCC Digi Creations - #70 Include an Animal
5. Colour Crazy Craft Challenge - WK14 AG
6. Crafting When We Can - #141 Animals
7. Double D - Neons/Brights
8. Dream Valley - #153 Our 4-Legged Friends 
9. Morgan's ArtWorld - #7 AG
10. Simon Says Wednesday - Happy Birthday

March Challenge at Crafting With An Attitude

It's time for a brand new challenge over at Crafting With An Attitude.  As always we are Anything Goes. Our sponsor this month is

The prize will be the winner's choice of three images. Have fun playing along.

I have used 'Twinkles Boo' to make a little girl's birthday card. Products used:

• Papermania card blank, cardstock, DP and buttons
• X-Cut scalloped circle die
• Darice embossing folder
• Kraftin' Kimmie clear stamps 'Let Your Light Shine'
• Whispers inks
• Sakura Gelly Roll in white
• ProMarkers - Apricot, Saffron, Blush, Satin, Magenta, Carmine, Cerise, Arctic Blue, Powder Blue, Rose Pink, Baby Pink, Aegean, Cyan & Duck Egg

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Crafty Catz - #360 AG
2. Crafty Creations - #336 AG
3. Cute Card Thursday - #467 AG
4. Glitter 'N' Sparkle - #228 AG
5. Passion for ProMarkers - #384 In The Pink
6. Brown Sugar - #240 AG
7. Crafting By Designs - March AG

Pretty As A Flower

I will start off this post with my blonde moment: 

I fairly recently started using Canson Illustration card for my markers, as the regular card I was using was feathering. Unfortunately it is 250g and my printer doesn't like it.  So a very clever lady called Lucy recommended I tape a piece of paper to the end to trick the printer.  It actually works and I've been using the method since. (Another unfortunate thing about this card is that it's 9"x12" so I have to cut off half an inch before it will fit in my printer).

I was rushing a bit in my printing as it was bedtime for the kiddies and I put the card in the wrong way up.  Normally not a problem as my printer doesn't like thick card.... apart from right at that moment when it decided to work!  So a couple of images printed across the tape. Typical.  

I'm not one to waste though and the two images were flowers so I knew I could just use them cropped. 

One of the images is Conie Fong's 'Flowers In A Vase'. This is a freebie image over on her Facebook group right now to celebrate the one year anniversary of her Etsy shop. I've put it behind a frame I made with gold card and two dies and mounted it to a flower-shaped card as I think this works really well. 

Products used to create my card:

• HunkyDory flower card blank
• Designer Papers & tag 'English Tea Party' (magazine freebie)
• DoCrafts ribbon & eyelet
• X-Cut nesting dies, circle and scalloped circle
• Gold cardstock
• ProMarkers - Olive, Moss, Pear, Pine, Forest, Apple, Raw Sienna, Gold, Mustard, Burnt Orange, Peach, Soft Peach, Antique Pink, Pastel Pink, Sunkissed Pink, Khaki, Canary, Lemon, Soft Lime, French Navy, Cobalt, Powder Blue, Purple, Amethyst, Orchid, Lilac, Lavender, Fuchsia, Pink Carnation & Blossom

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Conie Fong Art & Design (FB) - February Freebie
2. Though The Craft Room Door - W/C Feb 7th AG
3. Inspiration Destination - #121 AG
4. Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - #51 AG
5. Open-Minded Crafting Fun - #14 Flowering In February
6. Crafty Creations - #334 AG
7. Creative Fingers - #124 AG
8. Brown Sugar - #237 Rhinestones and/or Ribbon
9. Crafting When We Can - #137 Flowers

A Naughty Purple Wedding

My naughty friend just ran off to St.Lucia to get married, so naturally I had to tell her off for not giving me notice to make a card! Luckily I had printed a wedding image a while ago, but hadn't got around to colouring it (I must've known).  Her favourite colour is the same as mine, so it was nice to colour a purple bride for a change. 
I have used these products to create my card:

• KennyK 'Wedding Dance' image
• Papermania cardstock
• DoCrafts Forever Friends designer paper 
• Embossalicious embossing folder
• Ribbon, lace, pearls & outline stickers from my stash
• Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink 'Dusty Concord'
• Sakura Gelly Roll White
• Wink of Stella Clear

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. World Wide Open Design Team - #17 AG
2. Brown Sugar - #228 AG
3. Classic Design Team Open - #9 AG
4. Crafty Catz - #351 AG
5. Crafty Girls Corner - #101 AG
6. Inspiration Destination - #116 AG
7. Pile It On - #123 Any Holiday/Celebration
8. The Crafter's Cafe - #163 Use Ribbon
9. Sweet Stampers - #2 AG

Almost Christmas!

Eek.... I haven't been about for a while.  I am crafting, just haven't had the time to blog.  Well, I'm sure all you crafters know what it's like at this time of year making a million Christmas cards!
I am going to share one very special Christmas card as it's been received now.   This one I made for Alyce and Jon (Kit & Clowder) as my wedding roses never arrived. The wonderful Amanda at Faery Ink even drew me a special image to use. (You can actually get a couple of versions of the image in the shop now, just not with Alyce's cat Lila poking out of the tree!)
This is the first double-z fold pop-up card I've made (If you follow you know I love trying new card styles).  I've used the following products:

• Card blank, cardstock & grommet from my stash
• Embellishments from Jolee's Boutique
• Designer Paper from Dovecraft - 'Krafty Christmas'
• Outline stickers from DoCrafts Anita's
• Red & Green Stickles
• Wink of Stella Clear
• Sakura Gelly Roll White
• ProMarkers - Burnt Orange, Coral, Sunkissed Pink, Blush, Rose Pink, Cinnamon, Tan, Dusky Pink, Satin, Denim, Midnight, Pear Green, Sandstone, Caramel, Cocoa, Buttercup, Tulip, Mustard, Vanilla, Gold, Raw Sienna, Black, Cool Grey 1, 2, 3 & 5, Antique Pink, Pastel Pink, Crimson, Ruby, Berry, Saffron, Warm Grey 1,2,3 & 4, Forest, Moss, Aegean, Cyan, Duck Egg, Cool Aqua, Tea Green, Magenta, Cerise, Pink Carnation, Bright Green, Lime Green & Lipstick

Lots of photos on this one as it you see different things from different angles!

I also just want to share quickly that I just saw Creative Fingers have a Christmas Blog Candy, so pop over there for a chance to win some goodies!

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. The Crafter's Cafe - #162 Christmas and/or Birthday
2. Sweet Stampers - #2 AG
3. Sparkles Monthly - #86 Christmas Is Coming
4. Pile It On - #123 Any Holiday/Celebration
5. Pearly Sparkles - #11 Merry Christmas
6. Inspiration Destination - #115 AG
7. Glitter 'N' Sparkle - #218 AG
8. Classic Design Team Open - #9 AG
9. Crafting When We Can - #134 It's Christmas!
10. Card Mania - #87 AG
11. Christmas Cards All Year Round - Anything Christmas/Holiday

December Challenge at Crafts Galore Encore

Well it's our last challenge of 2016 over at Crafts Galore Encore.  I hope you have fun joining in and will continue to support us in 2017.  We have some exciting new sponsors coming up next year and we will be changing to ALWAYS ANYTHING GOES!

Back to the current challenge though.  We are being sponsored by My Besties this time and our theme is Anything Goes.  The winner will receive the 3 images as used by the design team.

Click here to shop

I am using the Gingerbread Bestie as thought she would make a great gift tag. I have used the following products to create my tag:

• Cardstock, twine, eyelet & snowflake confetti from my stash
• Designer Paper from MME 'Sleigh Bells Ring' paper pad
• ProMarkers - Burnt Sienna, Raw Sienna, Ginger, Cardinal, Ruby, Lipstick, Black, Pine, Forest, Apple & Canary
• White Sakura Gelly Roll

I am entering my tag into the following challenges:

1. Christmas Cards All Year Round - Anything Christmas/Holiday
2. Crafting By Designs - Anything Goes December
3. Card Mania - #87 Anything Goes
4. My Sheri Crafts - #195 Winter
5. Allsorts Challenge - #391 Anything Christmas

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

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