A Little Surprise

It's that time of year when I'm kicking my Christmas crafting up a notch.  I have managed to make a few cards over the months, but as usual I leave most of it until this month. 

I've made a ton of cards lately, having had a couple of orders for them, so I thought I'd change things up and make some tags.  I had fun doing something a little different from what I normally do and made two tags together....the back one hides a surprise!!  The front tag features 'Wryn's Baubles' from Tiddly Inks.

Products used:

• Kraft card
• Black card
• MME Sleigh Bells Ring designer paper
• Merry Christmas die
• Tag Die
• Eyelet
• Corner rounder punch
• Twine
• Liquid Pearls - Brass & White Opal
• Stickles -Red
• Sakura Gelly Roll - Gold & White
• ProMarkers - Cinnamon, Tan, Dusky Pink, Satin, Cocoa, Saddle Brown, Raw Sienna, Crimson, Poppy Red, Holly, Lush Green, Gold, Sunflower, Yellow, Black, Cool Grey 5, Burgundy, Cardinal, Ruby, Lemon, Soft Lime, Apple, Meadow Green & Warm Grey 1-4
• Prismacolor - Dark Green, Dark Brown, Blush Pink & Crimson Red 

I added a bit of fun to the image with some polka dots

I continued the polka dot theme on the second tag

The second tag has a pocket for a gift card

I am entering my tags into the following challenges:

1. Tiddly Inks - #231 Gift Tag Goodness
2. The Corrosive Challenge - #11 ATG
3. CRAFT Challenge - #535 Christmas
4. Pammie's Inky Pinkies - #1946 ATG
5. Your Scrapbook Place - November ATG
6. Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge - #456 ATG

Hot Stuff!

I don't often use sketches for my cards, but sometimes I like to check them out for ideas. Back to using images I've had for a while too.   I did actually print and colour this one ages ago, but it got wrecked somehow and I never got to use it. It's from the Va-Va-Valentine's set that Power Poppy did last year. The sketch is also from Power Poppy for their challenge. 

Products used:

• Card blank
• Cardstock
• Patterned paper
• Sequins
• Banner dies
• X-Cut Oval die
• Red Stickles
• Heart dies
• Memento ink - Tuxedo Black
• ProMarkers - Cool Grey 1-4, Burnt Orange, Pumpkin, Amber, Gold, Crimson, Poppy, Red, Marine & Yellow

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Power Poppy - Sketch it Out!
2. The Paper Shelter - Summer Break ATG
3. Your Scrapbook Place - July ATG
4. Colour Crazy - WK29 ATG

Faery Moon Collection at Faery Ink

Did any of you participate in the Midsummer Night's Dream ATC swap at Faery Ink?  My cards have been received, so I can now share them.  
You can find all the details and more photos over on my post at the Faery Ink Blog.

I am entering my ATCs into the following challenges:

1. Colour Crazy - WK25 AG
2. Crafty Creations - #369 AG
3. Digi Choosday - WK26 AG
4. I ♥ ProMarkers - #362 AG
5. Simon Says Wednesday - AG
6. Southern Girls - Just A Bit Flash

A Charming Birthday at Ching-Chou Kuik

It's our third and last week of inspiration posts at Ching-Chou Kuik's blog, but don't worry - you still have plenty of time to enter the challenge here. 

This week I challenged the team to use a charm on their projects.  I bought some charms a while ago and hadn't used some yet, so needed an excuse!!
I have used the image 'Happy Birthday' to create an easel card. 

Products used:

• Card blank
• Blue shimmer card
• Recollections patterned paper
• Twine
• Cupcake charm
• Pearls
• Spellbinders nesting die 'Lattice Rectangle'
• Ranger Stickles 'Platinum'
• Ranger Liquid Pearls 'White Opal'
• Sizzix Tim Holtz Celebration Script word dies
• ProMarkers - Cinnamon, Tan, Dusky Pink, Henna, Cocoa, Caramel, Burnt Sienna, Pastel Pink, Almond, Prussian, Violet, China Blue, Cobalt, Midnight, Burnt Orange, Bright Orange, Holly, Warm Grey 1 & 2, Amber, Soft Lime, Denim & Blue Pearl

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Creative Fingers - #144 Anything Goes
2. Crafting With An Attitude - #38 Anything Goes
3. Crafty Creations - #364 Anything Goes
4. Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - April Anything Goes
5. Let's Craft & Create - #136 Anything Goes

Hello Green Moth at Ching-Chou Kuik

Wow, it's already the last week of our challenge this month! I hope you've had time to join in and check out all the wonderful inspiration from the team. 
Don't forget the theme is EASTER/SPRING and there's still time to enter here.

This week Dianne challenged the DT to use Green in our creations.  I'm not especially fond of green, but I can always find some inspiration.  I have used 'Moth' from the Circle Oriental Kimono Lady set.  I really love these circular images as they're self-contained and make great card toppers, tags, ornaments etc. 
Products used:

• Cream card blank
• Designer paper
• Recollections paper flowers
• Hello word die
• Foliage dies
• Stitched hill die
• Ranger Stickles - Green
• ProMarkers - Moss, Khaki, Pastel Beige, Satin, Holly, Lush Green, Mint Green, Leaf Green, Apple, Meadow Green, Forest, Bright Green, Pine, Olive, Pear Green & Lime Green

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Double D - Just Wing It
2. Simon Says Wednesday - Floral Frenzy
3. Crafty Creations - #362 Anything Goes
4. Crafty Gals Corner - #161 Make It Green
5. Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - March Anything Goes
6. Creative Craft Cottage - #105 Make It Feminine

Pocket Fairy at Ching-Chou Kuik

We're coming to the end of our ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE challenge at Ching-Chou Kuik's Blog.  There's still time to enter your creations here though.

This week the design team were challenged to Take A Seat.  I have used 'Toadstool Fairy' to create a bookmark card.  I saw these on Pinterest a while ago, so thought it was about time to try one.  I thought a sitting image was perfect to go with a bookmark, as generally you sit while reading.  The sentiment is also great for a bookworm.
The whole card is 2"x6", so you can tell how tiny the image is!!

Products used:

• Brown, yellow & yellow-orange cardstock
• Ribbon
• X-Cut nesting dies - Square Parenthesis
• Recollections clear stamp
• Wow! embossing powder - gold
• Distress Ink - clear embossing
• Ranger Stickles - Platinum
• ProMarkers - Cinnamon, Tan, Dusky Pink, Satin, Burnt Sienna, Raw Sienna, Henna, Caramel, Burnt Orange, Pumpkin, Amber, Gold, Sunflower, Cocoa, Olive, Moss, Pear, Pine, Soft Lime, Blue Pearl, Baby Pink, Lavender, True Blue, Sky Blue & Arctic Blue

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Digi Choosday - WK8 Anything Goes
2. Dream Valley - #173 Things With Wings
3. Creative Fingers - #142 Anything Goes
4. A Bit More Time To Craft - #62 Anything Goes
5. The Corrosive Challenge - #2 Anything Goes
6. Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - #76 Anything Goes

Spring Brights at Ching-Chou Kuik

It's the last week of our DT inspiration over on the blog, but you still have plenty of time to enter your creations into the challenge.  The theme is New Beginnings and you can enter here. 

We're doing things a little differently with our inspiration this year, so each team member gets to choose a theme for week 3.  This week is Lozzy's turn and she chose Bright Colours.  I have used 'Spring Luna' as I thought this theme really suited her. 

Products used:

• Cream card blank
• Recollections designer paper
• Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Oxide - Worn Lipstick
• Crafter's Companion Die'sire Edge'able - Floral Dance
• Echo Park enamel dots
• Ranger Stickles - Blue
• Sakura Gelly Roll - Blue Star, Sky Star, Metallic Silver
• ProMarkers - Tan, Sunkissed Pink, Putty, Satin, Mulberry, Violet, Hot Pink, Black, Slate, Baby Pink, China Blue, Powder Blue, Burnt Orange, Bright Orange, Mango, Gold, Sunflower, Canary, Marine, Turquoise, Mint Green, Tea Green, Magenta, Carmine, Cerise, Sky Blue, Arctic Blue, Lemon, Soft Lime & Primrose

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Classic Design Team Open - #21 Anything Goes
2. Colour Crazy - WK2 Anything Goes
3. Crafty Creations - #358 Anything Goes
4. Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - January Anything Goes
5. Passion For ProMarkers - WK427 Something New (image, patterned paper, Gelly Rolls)
6. Simon Says Wednesday - Add A Sentiment

New Beginnings at Ching-Chou Kuik

Well it's a brand new year and there have been some changes over at Ching-Chou Kuik's Blog. We sadly said goodbye to Gloria, but we welcome Bonnie.

This month our theme is New Beginnings. This could be new baby, new home, new stash, new image - anything goes as long as your creation features something new. 

My creation celebrates the New Year plus it is a new image to me and I have used new dies. It's been a while since I made a bottle tag bWeut it was such a perfect fit for the image 'New Year Celebration'. 

Product list:

• Coloured cardstock
• Hill dies
• X-Cut nesting dies - circle & scalloped circle
• Sizzix Tim Holtz Celebration Script word dies
• Sakura Gelly Roll - White
• Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pens - Spun Gold & Sterling Silver
• Wink of Stella - Clear
• Ranger Stickles - Platinum
• ProMarkers - Burnt Sienna, Caramel, Dusky Pink, Satin, Amethyst, Lilac, Lavender, Lush Green, Leaf Green, Lime Green, Aubergine, Purple, Orchid, Amber, Sunflower, Tulip, Meadow Green, Turquoise, Duck Egg, Cool Aqua, Aegean, Sky Blue, Arctic Blue, French Navy, Cobalt, Powder Blue, Soft Lime, Blue Pearl, Baby Pink, Violet & Midnight Blue

I am entering my tag into the following challenges:

1. Cute Card Thursday - #511 Anything Goes
2. Work It Wednesday - December (new image, new dies, new year)
3. Passion for ProMarkers - WK425 Make It Digital
4. Crafting With An Attitude - #35 Anything Goes
5. Simon Says Wednesday - Something New (new image, new dies, new year)
6. Simon Says Monday - Something New (new image, new dies, new year)

Sparkly Ornaments

I couldn't resist colouring up this cute freebie - Melanie Ornaments - from Stamp Anniething (for Kit & Clowder Advent Calendar).  You can never have too many Christmas cards, lol.  I wanted to go with non-traditional bright colours for this one as I've been doing mostly traditional this year.  This image really suits something different too. 

Products used:

• Cream card blank
• Papermania 'Naughty & Nice' designer paper
• X-Cut oval die
• Ranger Stickles - Platinum
• Lace
• ProMarkers - Cinnamon, Tan, Dusky Pink, Putty, Almond, Rose Pink, Warm Grey 1-3, Mulberry, Fuchsia, Blossom, Marine, Turquoise, Mint Green & Tea Green
• Sakura Gelly Roll - White

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Simon Says Monday - Christmas/Winter Holidays
2. Come and Get It - Christmas Challenge
3. Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - #354 Anything Goes
4. Cute Card Thursday - #508 Festive Colours
5. A Gem of A Challenge - #209 Anything Christmas Goes
6. Card Mania - #99 Christmas

December Challenge at Crafts Galore Encore

It's the last challenge of the year over at Crafts Galore Encore and this month we are sponsored by Fred She Said Designs.

I have used 'Snow Lady - Light Up Your Holidays' to make a gift tag.  I love to make my own tags for Christmas and this image was perfect. 

Product list:

• Orange and green cardstock
• Eyelet
• Twine
• Platinum Stickles
• X-Cut nesting dies - Circles & Scalloped Circles
• ProMarkers - Burnt Orange, Pumpkin, Caramel, Crimson, Ruby, Lipstick, Holly, Lush Green, Black, Cool Grey 1, 2 & 5, Henna, Blue Pearl, Powder Blue, Leaf Green, Cyan, Amber & Arctic Blue

I am entering my tag into the following challenges:

1. Power Poppy - Twelve Days of Christmas
2. Simon Says Wednesday - Anything Goes
3. Christmas Cards All Year 'Round - December Anything Goes
4. If You Give a Crafter a Cookie - #83 It's the most wonderful time of the year!!!
5. I ♥ ProMarkers - #348 Autumn/Winter

Rainbow After Rain at Ching-Chou Kuik

Hello Crafty Peeps! Have you been enjoying the wonderful inspiration so far from the Design Team over at the Ching-Chou Kuik Monthly Blog Challenge? 
Don't forget the theme is 'Fall/Fall Colours/Pumpkins and you can enter here. 

It's the final week of inspiration posts, so Anything Goes for us this week. I have used 'Rainbow After Rain' to create an inspirational quote card. 

Product list:

• Kraft card blank
• Recollections laser-cut card, Boho Collection
• Recollecions paper flowers, Boho Collection
• Yellow Ranger Stickles
• Papermania ribbon
• Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink, Stormy Sky
• ProMarkers - Umber, Burnt Sienna, Cinnamon, Tan, Dusky Pink, Cocoa, Raw Sienna, Gold, Cool Grey 1-3, Crimson, Berry, Lipstick, Pumpkin, Amber, Apricot, Canary, Lemon, Soft Lime, Forest, Bright Green, Leaf Green, Midnight Blue, Denim Blue, Powder Blue, Indigo, True Blue, Cobalt, Purple, Amethyst, Lilac, Burnt Orange, Bright Orange, Mango, Peach, Carmine, Rose Pink, Baby Pink, Duck Egg & Cool Aqua

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Creative Moments - Anything Goes/Autumn Colours
2. Crafty Creations - #350 Anything Goes
3. Creatalicious - #123 Anything Goes/Leaves
4. Pammie's Inky Pinkies - #1738 Anything Goes
5. A Bit More Time To Craft - #52 Anything Goes

Oh So Pretty

Come on crafters, tell me the truth - do you have some stash that rarely gets used because you keep on buying new stuff?  We're probably all guilty of that. I am making a bit of an excuse that since moving to Canada, my craft supplies are in a couple of big boxes under the stairs.  It's not easy getting to the stuff at the back, so I just use what is easier to reach! 
Saying that though, I have the complete Mint Julep collection from Basic Grey that I won a few years ago.  It's actually in easy reach, I just haven't used it for ages *shame face*.
Something else I won, more recently, is the gorgeous 'Braids In My Hair' image by Conie Fong.  I coloured her up in gorgeous red and pink tones, then did my usual sitting and wondering what to do with her.  So out came the Mint Julep. It's a really gorgeous collection and I was extremely lucky to win everything.  I hate it when I have part of a collection and not much to go with it. 

Product list:

• Cream card blank
• Basic Grey Mint Julep papers and embellishments
• Tonic Tim Holtz paper distresser
• Ranger Stickles, Christmas Red
• ProMarkers - Cinnamon, Tan, Dusky Pink, Satin, Burnt Sienna, Oatmeal, Shale, Cardinal, Hot Pink, Lipstick, Antique Pink, Pale Pink, Almond, Pumpkin, Warm Grey 1 & 2

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Conie Fong Art & Design (FB) - Anything Goes or Die Cuts
2. Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - #64 Anything Goes
3. A Perfect Time To Craft - #8 Anything Goes
4. Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - August Anything Goes
5. Colour Crazy - WK34 Anything Goes

The Sea Is Calling

I recently treated myself to a few bits from the Graphic 45 'Voyage Beneath The Sea' collection.  Typically of me I waited until it has been discontinued to decide to buy it, so it wasn't easy to find somewhere selling all the bits I wanted!  

My mermaid image collection is getting larger though and I wanted something to go with them better.   Now I need some dies.... lol.

I have paired the papers with the super-cute 'Happy Little Mermaid' image from Aurora Wings that I chose as one of my images for winning Artist's Choice in March.  

Product list:

• Kraft card blank from Michaels
• Graphic 45 Voyage Beneath The Sea papers, ephemera card and embellishment
• Twine
• Ranger Stickles - Green, Yellow & Platinum
• ProMarkers - Umber, Khaki, Pastel Beige, Satin, Antique Pink, Pastel Pink, Sunkissed Pink, Ginger, Saffron, Oatmeal, Vanilla, Blush, Burgundy, Pale Pink, Almond, Cyan, Duck Egg & Cool Aqua
• Wink of Stella, Clear
• Sakura Gelly Roll, White

I had a little 'oops' moment when colouring my mermaid - my Wink of Stella wasn't flowing too well, so I gave a little squeeze and a blob landed on the mermaid's tail.  At least it went in the right place, but she is somewhat more glittery than I was aiming for!

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Lemon Shortbread - #44 AG
2. Simon Says Wednesday - AG
3. Aurora Wings - #52 Under The Sea
4. Crafting When We Can - Use an Image
5. Crafty Catz - #377 AG
6. Stamps by Aurora Wings (Facebook) - Something Blue

April Challenge at Crafting With An Attitude

It's time for a new challenge over at Crafting With An Attitude. Our sponsor this month is A Day For Daises and I'm sad to say that after this they will no longer be sponsoring any blog challenges. The winner will receive a $12 voucher to spend on anything in the store. 

I had a birthday coming up for my friend's little girl back home, and I chose the perfect image for her. (I've been told that she thinks it's her in the picture, so a definite win!). 'Holding Fireflies with Wings' is actually a freebie in the shop that I downloaded a while ago and hadn't actually used yet. It's such a sweet image for a little girl. I dressed it up with a simple background of grass and sky. 

Products I have used to create my card:

• Michael's Kraft card blank
• Embossing folder (free from a magazine)
• Spellbinders frame die
• DoCrafts sticky ribbon
• Yellow Ranger Stickles
• ProMarkers - Apricot, Saffron, Blush, Satin, Raw Sienna, Mustard, Tulip, Buttercup, Antique Pink, Pastel Pink, Pale Pink, Black, Aegean, Cyan, Duck Egg, Cool Aqua, Pumpkin, Amber, Cool Grey 1 & 3, Powder Blue, Pine, Forest, Apple, Cobalt, Sky Blue & Canary

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Simon Says Wednesday - Happy Birthday
2. TTCRD - AG April 4-10
3. 613 Avenue Create - #196 AG/twist Spring
4. Crafting By Designs - AG April
5. I♥Promarkers - #332 Embossing

Pansy Sprite Tag

Ooh did you see the gorgeous freebie over at Aurora Wings?  I missed out on entering the challenge with my last sprite as it came out a day after I posted. Oh well.... Mitzi is offering her newest addition 'Pansy Sprite' for the duration of the new challenge, so what a great excuse to make something else. 
I rarely make tags, but I loved making my CCK tag so much I decided it was about time to make another one. 
Products I have used to create my tag:

• Core'dinations Tim Holtz & Ranger Distress Collection 
• Metal embellishment and Brad from my stash
• Michaels braided twine
• Sizzix Flourish 10 die
• Cuttlebug embossing folder 
• Platinum Stickles
• Little Claire Designs outline stickers 
• ProMarkers - Canary, Lemon, Soft Lime, Aubergine, Plum, Purple, Lavender, Warm Grey 1, Pine, Forest, Bright Green, Tan, Dusky Pink & Satin

I am entering my tag into the following challenges:

1. Pearly Sparkles - #14 Flowers
2. Stamping Sensations - March - Close to Nature
3. Dragons Lair Designs - March AG /twist - Spring Flowers
4. A Perfect Time To Craft - #3 AG
5. Allsorts - #406 Ladies & Girls
6. Aurora Wings - #45 Sprite Delight IV
7. Double D - Think Spring
8. Aurora Wings FB Group - March 'Green'

March Challenge GDT at Ching-Chou Kuik

I was lucky enough to win a GDT spot over at Ching-Chou Kuik's Challenge Blog. I love her images, they're always so beautifully detailed.  The theme this month is 'Easter/Spring' so I chose 'Garden Daisy Fairy'. 
I finally bought a heat tool after having to leave mine in the UK when I moved to Canada. It was such fun to do some heat embossing again. I've also coloured a background using techniques learnt at Kit & Clowder. 
Products I have used to create my card:

• Card blank and pearls from my stash
• Heat It Up! gold embossing powder
• Whispers embossing pen
• StazOn black ink
• Indigo Blu clear stamps
• Ranger Stickles
• ProMarkers - Coral, Sunkissed Pink, Oatmeal, Saffron, Rose Pink, Cocoa, Cinnamon, Tan, Walnut, Raw Sienna, Gold, Mustard, Warm Grey 1 & 2, Forest, Moss, Pear, Caramel, Sandstone, Vanilla, Apricot, Plum, Purple, Tulip Orchid, French Navy, Aegean, Cyan, Olive, Powder Blue, Soft Peach, Lilac, Sky Blue, Arctic Blue, Blossom, Buttercup & Bright Orange.

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Love to Scrap - #95 AG
2. Open-Minded Crafting Fun - #14 Flowering in February
3. Pearly Sparkles - #14 Flowers
4. The Crafter's Cafe - #168 CAS
5. Crafty Catz - #359 AG/twist Thoughts of Spring
6. Creative Fingers - #125 AG
7. Cute Card Thursday - #466 Florals
8. Glitter 'N' Sparkle - #228 AG
9. House of Cards - Make a Scene
10. Classic Design Team Open - #12 AG
11. Crafty Awesomeness - March AG
12. A Perfect Time to Craft - #3 AG

March Challenge at Crafts Galore Encore

A new month and a new challenge at Crafts Galore Encore.  This month we are sponsored by Fabrika Fantasy

I chose the rather hot Fire Fairy and have added a suitable sentiment to go with her. 

Products used to make my card:

• Card blank and Mulberry paper from my stash
• Cardstock from Papermania
• Ranger Stickles in Yellow
• ProMarkers - Cinnamon, Tan, Satin, Almond, Cardinal, Ruby, Lipstick, Burnt Orange, Raw Sienna, Gold, Bright Orange, Pumpkin, Gold, Canary, Warm Grey 1, Soft Lime & Lemon

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Brown Sugar - #239 AG
2. Crafting By Designs - March AG
3. Crafty Creations - #336 AG
4. Fabrika Fantasy - #7 For The Girls
5. Glitter 'N' Sparkle - #228 AG
6. Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - #52 AG
7. Love To Scrap - #95 AG