Spooky Birthday Wishes at The Paper Shelter

Hello Spooky Crafty Peeps,

It's time for another challenge at The Paper Shelter and this week our theme is Halloween/Halloween Colours. I never give Halloween cards, so I usually end up making myself more decorations. This time I am using Halloween colours for a spooky birthday card. It is my birthday soon and I have friend's birthdays coming up too,.

I have used 'October Elegance' for a pop-up front step panel card. Previously I have only made these square, so this time I have changed up the dimensions and placed the pop-up panel to the side rather than in the middle.

I think this is a really fun 'costume' for a spooky ball!

Of course my Stickles had to be right at the end, so I cut the top off and used a pokey stick to finish filling in the sentiment.

For a finishing touch I added some 'eyes' to the top of the pop-up panel.

Thank you for stopping by today. Your kind comments are always appreciated.

Please come and join in our challenge this week and remember, you can use any image but if you use a Paper Shelter image you are eligible for a higher value prize!

You can also share your creations over in our Facebook Group.

{Crafty Hugs}

Products used:

• Cardstock
• Patterned papers
• Cheesecloth
• Wooden embellishments
• Chipboard sentiment
• Gems
• Ribbon
• ProMarkers - Warm Grey 1-3, Cool Grey 1-5, Black, Umber, Pastel Beige, Khaki, Champagne, Aubergine, Slate, Amethyst, Bright Orange, Mandarin, Apricot, Pine, Lush Green, Emerald, Pastel Green & Tea Green
• Prismacolor Pencils - Crimson Red, Poppy Red & Metallic Silver

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Two Old Bats Halloween Challenge - October Anything Halloween
2. Allsorts Challenge - WK750 Add Some Texture
3. Crafty Calendar - October Autumn Colours/Halloween
4. Simon Says {Monday} - Text It
5. Pammie's Inky Pinkies - #2341 ATG
6. I♥Promarkers - #545 ATG

The Mermaids Balcony

 Hello Crafty Peeps,

I couldn't resist one more mermaid card to finish off the MerMay Madness!

This time I have made a fun fold that is new to me - the Balcony Front Card. I saw a few while scrolling Pinterest and knew it would be a perfect choice for my last entry into the fun at Sweet November Stamps.

I have combined a few stamps for this card. Digital - 'Nami' & 'Hanalei'. Clear - 'Dock On The Bay' & 'Mermees #3'

I coloured the mermaids in similar colours to make them look like sisters.

I used some nautical/ocean themed die cuts for the top of the card

I made a couple of the fish look like they are jumping by adding them to acetate. The sentiment 'wraps' as a continuous banner across the card front.

The tutorial for this card showed it being folded flat with all the 'balconies' outwards but I found it a bit too bulky that way, so I just flattened from the front. Not that I will be mailing it to anyone... it's one of those cards I just can't give up!

Products used:

• Cardstock
• Mirri card
• Nautical patterned papers
• Foliage & Flower dies
• Banner die
• Bubbles die cut
• Chain & Rope die cuts
• Mermaid Scales embossing folder
• Mermaid gems
• Silver, Gold & Glitter Blue gel pens
• Cuttlebug Acetate
• ProMarkers -
• Hanalei - Deep Mocha, Burnt Sienna, Cinnamon, Tan, Indigo Blue, Prussian, Violet, Azure, Pine, Saddle Brown, Raw Sienna, Dusky Rose, Pale Pink & Baby Pink
• Nami - Burnt Sienna, Cinnamon, Tan, Dusky Pink, Burnt Umber, Cocoa, Pine, Aegean, Royal Blue, Indigo Blue, Pale Pink, Carmine, Cerise & Magenta
• Seagulls - Gold, Sunflower, Cool Grey 1, 2, 4 + 5 & Cocoa
• Fish - Bright Orange, Amber, Cool Grey 1 + 2, Gold, Sunflower, True Blue & Azure
• Prismacolor Pencil - Black

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge - #548 ATG
2. Allsorts Challenge - WK731 Use Your Dies
3. Crafty Calendar - June, Summertime
4. Creative Knockouts - #495 Fun Fold
5. Your Scrapbook Place - June ATG
6. Creative Inspirations - Something For The Girls
7. The Paper Funday Challenge - #54 ATG

Ocean Scene Pop-Up Box Card

Hello Crafty Peeps,

I've been seeing this style of pop-up box card on Pinterest using dies, but figured I could measure and make one myself. It's been a while since I made any kind of pop-up card, so it was a bit of a fiddle but I got there!

I made the most of my clear stamps from Sweet November Stamps, as they are so easy to quickly stamp, colour and cut out. They are also a great size for this card.

I made my background piece first, using the large island from the 'Dock On The Bay' set. I'm really pleased with how this scene turned out.

I then coloured strips of 'ocean' to cover the sections and front of the card, plus stamped and coloured all my elements to add to the sections. Most of the images are from the same set, then I cut the tail from one of the mermaids on the 'Mermees #3' set. I've been colouring a lot of mermaids lately, so thought it would be fun to just have a glimpse of tail.

Here is a few angles of the finished card:

Thank you for stopping by today, I appreciate your kind comments

{Crafty Hugs}

Products used:

• Kraft card
• Woodware corner rounder punch
• ProMarkers - 
• Island Background - Bright Orange, Pumpkin, Amber, Gold, Sunflower, Yellow, Tulip Yellow, Buttercup, Cool Aqua, Duck Egg, Tea Green, Chocolate, Burnt Sienna, Pine, Forest Green, Grass, Bright Green, Sandstone, Caramel, Warm Grey 1 & 2
• Dock - Blush, Raw Sienna, Saddle Brown, Chestnut, Sandstone, Caramel, Cinnamon, Coral & Antique Pink
• Rock - Gold, Sunflower, Warm Grey 1 & 2
• Fish - Mandarin, Apricot, Aegean & Sky Blue
• Seagulls - Sunflower, Yellow, Black & Cool Grey 1-4
• Mermaid Tail - Petrol Blue, Marine, Turquoise & Mint Green
• Posca Paint Pen - White

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. The Corrosive Challenge - #8 ATG
2. The Divas That Cut Paper - Stamp With All Your ART ATG
3. The Paper Funday Challenge - #44 ATG
4. Crafty Gals Corner - #234 Lazy Days Of Summer
5. Simon Says {Monday} - Make Your Own Background
6. Simon Says {Wednesday} - ATG
7. Stamping Sensations - Feminine
8. Pammie's Inky Pinkies - #2235 Birds

Spooktacular Spice Fairy

 Hello Crafty Peeps,

It's almost Halloween so I had to make one last spooky creation! I've been colouring scenes using Sweet November images lately, so I thought I would change things up with a pop up front step panel card (this name is so long I usually just call it a 3D card!). For some reason I always end up using this style for Halloween cards. I never give them, but they make fantastic decor pieces.

The Pumpkin Spice Fairy has decided to stick around to watch the Trick or Treaters, so she's dressed in her favourite Halloween colours and chilling out in a cup with her PSL!

I just need to add a piece of twine to the back so I can hang this as a decoration with my others.

Thanks for stopping by

{Crafty Hugs}

Products used:

• Cardstock
• Recollections patterned paper/embellishments - Boo
• Recollections lazer cut card - Ravenshead Manor
• Recollections Bat and Skull stickers
• ProMarkers - Coral, Sunkissed Pink, Putty, Spice, Ginger, Apricot, Cocoa, Cinnamon, Burnt Sienna, Tea Green, Black, Cool Grey 5, Plum, Amethyst, Aubergine, Grass, Holly, Lush Green, Green, Walnut, Saddle Brown, Burnt Orange, Pumpkin & Amber
• Prismacolor Pencils - Pumpkin Orange, Crimson Red, White
• Sakura Gelly Roll - White

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Creative Knockouts - #425 ATG
2. Creative Fingers - #218 ATG
3. The Paper Funday Challenge - #34 ATG/Halloween/Purple
4. Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge - #508 ATG
5. Creative Craft Cottage - #145 Autumn/Halloween

Frozen Mermaid Wishes at Faery Ink

We are already halfway through MerMay and today I have a special inspiration featuring a new image from Faery Ink on Patreon.  You can find all the information and more photos on my blog post here.

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

1. Classic Design Challenge - May ATG
2. Colour Crazy Challenge - WK19 ATG
3. Crafts Galore Encore - #75 ATG
4. Paper Shelter - #428 Nature/Sea
5. Crafty Gals Corner - #207 For The Ladies
6. Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - May ATG

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

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

Baby Pop-Up Box Cards

What to do when your friend is having a baby soon and you don't know the sex? Make two cards of course! 

I wanted to make another pop-up box card as I haven't made one for ages, so I bought some new X-Cut dies to make the process of creating two cards a bit easier. 

I've used the following materials to make these cards:

• Papermania plain card
• Recollections patterned papers
• X-Cut baby dies
• Promarkers

I would like to enter these cards into the following challenges:

1. Creative Fingers - Challenge #109
2. Paper Creator's Crafts - #47 Anything Goes
3. Crafty Catz - #324 Dies & Punches
4. Creative Card Crew - #112 Anything Goes
5. Crafts Galore Encore Challenge - #29 Anything Goes

Pop-Up Box Birthday Card

A friend asked me to make a special card for her mum's 60th birthday, so it was the perfect opportunity to try a pop-up box card. I'd been looking at these for a while on Pinterest and was very intrigued by them. 
They look quite complicated to make, but are actually quite simple. It can get a little bit fiddly arranging all the pop-up elements, but they look stunning when finished. 

I've used the following materials to create this card:

• Papermania card, eyelet and brads
• Melissa Frances 'Classic Elegance' papers and pearls
• X-Cut 3D butterfly punch and Square Parenthesis die
• Sizzix flower & flourish dies
• Whispers ink
• Core'dinations Glitter Silk and colour core card
• Acetate, vellum and twine from my stash
• Damask Rose embossing folder from Cardmaking & Papercraft

When I'd finished making the card, I realised there's nowhere to write your message, so I added a vellum pocket to the back and made a tag insert to write on. I think it's actually a nice little touch to this style of card.

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

1. 613 Avenue Create - #83 Anything Goes

2. Crafting At The Weekend - #4 Anything Goes

3. Crafting From The Heart - #30 Anything Goes

4. Crafts Galore - Anything Goes

5. Crafty Cardmakers - #120 Fancy Folds

6. Crafty Creations - #269 Flower Power

7. Crafty Girls - #24 Anything Goes

8. Creative Fingers - #45 Anything Goes

9. Love To Create - #127 Anything Goes

10. Papertake - Anything Goes

11. Scrapping 4 Fun - #23 Something Girly

12. Sister Act - #69 Anything Goes

13. Suzy Bee's Bloomin' Challenge - #40 Anything Goes

14. The Crafter's Café - #75 Lots of Layers

15. Totally Gorjuss - Flowers