New Releases from Spiral Whisper

Sorry, I've been neglecting my blog recently, but things have just been so chaotic here. Hope to start posting regularly in the New Year.
Spiral Whisper have some fab new stamps out by childrens illustrator Adam Clay,which are going to be released in January. there's a competition on the site to win some before the release date.

Whiff of Joy Advent Calendar

There is a Whiff of Joy advent calendar at Katharina's blog. If you leave a comment each day, there's a chance to win a surprise gift.

Friday Sketchers 30 and OCC

This week at Friday Sketchers the challenge is a sketch by Carole. You can add your sentiment and embellishments wherever you like. I've combined this with the OCC Challenge to incorporate snowmen or snowflakes on your card.
All paper and card is from the DCWV Christmas Glitter Stack. Stamp is Charlie building Snowman by Whiff of Joy coloured with H2Os. Magnolia 'Merry Christmas' stamp is layered onto green then red scalloped mirri card. Little deer embellishment is from K & Co. and some red snowflakes from stash.

Double Whiff of Candy!

Fran at Franmade Cards and Things is offering 2 Whiff of Joy stamps, one each to 2 winners - 'Charlie with presents' and 'Teenage Lizzie'. The first winner picks their favourite, then the next has the one that's left. These being my latest favourite stamps, I will definately be entering, and I don't mind which one I get if I win, they're both so gorgeous. Finishes Tuesday 2nd December.

Friday Sketchers 29 and Cute Card Thursday 38

The challenge this week on Friday Sketchers is a fab sketch by Beatrix. I turned it around to suit an upright DL card. I've noticed that Cute Card Thursday's challenge this week is to make a lilac card, so I've decided to combine the challenges. The image is a Spiral Whisper stamp called Snowball Maddie water coloured with pencils and stickles added for snow. Mounted onto lilac mirri card. Papers used are lilac patterns from the English Paper Company. Purple ribbon added with a knot at one end and a glittery star at the other. White Prima flower is stippled with a little lilac ink, as are the papers, then a sparkly button added. Winter Wonderland stamped with black Versafine, and a few stamped snowflakes added.

I've been Tagged!

I've been tagged by hello gorgeous and also by Anita. Thanks guys.

I have to list 7 random or weird facts about myself. Ok here goes:

1. Before giving up work, I was a hairdresser.
2. I used to enter competitions for up to 6 hours a day and won £12k worth of prizes in a year. (why did I give this up? must be mad lol)
3. I don't like summer.
4. Dentists absolutely terrify me.
5. When I was younger I wouldn't eat toast unless it was burnt black.
6. I don't do text messages.
7. I was into punk music in my teens and had pink spiky hair for a while.

I'll invite the first 7 people who answer this post to play tag with. I'd like to get to know some other bloggers, so please play along.

Another Award!

I'm very honoured to have received an award from my friend Maxine.
This award states that:
This blog invests and believes the PROXIMITY- nearness in space, time and relationships
These blogs are exceedingly charming
These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends
They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement
Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated
Please give more attention to these writers
Deliver this award to 8 bloggers who may then pass it on.

I will offer this award to the people who follow my blog, and are becoming my friends.

Award!

I've been given an award from my lovely friend from Trimcraft, May.

The rules for passing this award on are
1. The winner may put this award on their blog
2. Put a link to the person who sent this award to you
3. Nominate 5 blogs
4. Put links to their blogs
5. Leave a message for your nominees
Choose only 5

I think I'll pass this on to all the lovely people whose blogs I follow, as I can't choose 5 over the others. I really enjoy visiting their blogs, and am thankful for any comments they leave for me.

Jane's Blog Candy.

My friend Jane has some blog candy in the form of Dovecraft goodies up for grabs to celebrate 1000 hits on her blog. Well done Jane. It finishes midday, Friday 28th November.

A Funky Snowflake Christmas

I've managed to do 2 challenges in one. Challenge 37 on Cute Card Thursday is to see 'snow' or snowflakes on your card, and Penny Black Saturday Week 24 is 'Funky Christmas'. They are asking for Christmas Creations with a twist ie stay away from the traditional colours and create something different. I went for mainly pink and black. I used a PB Hedgie on a snowball stamp which I coloured with H2Os and Marvy le Plume. I mounted it onto black glitter card, then silver mirri card. I added pink and black ribbons in a bow on DCWV snowflake card. I then added some snowflakes and a circle sentiment with a snowflake in the centre.

Magnolia Vs Stampavie Week 4

The challenge at Magnolia Vs Stampavie this week is 'Get The Feeling'. The idea is to get as much texture going on in your work as possible. I've used a Sarah Kay image coloured with water colour pencils. I added a little bit of red and gold Stickles to the tree and then stippled brown ink round the image. All papers Basic Grey granola. Put brown BG paper through the Cuttlebug to emboss with a Christmas ef, then sanded and added some gold ink. Magnolia circle Christmas sentiment stamped and embossed in black and layered. Lastly, I added a red Prima flower with a snowflake brad and the word 'SNOW' in chipboard. I did some faux stitching on the backing paper.

Whiff of Joy Challenge 9 and A Spoonful of Sugar

Whiff of Joy have a sketch challenge this week. The sketch is by Heather and it's fab. I realised that this card also fits the Spoonful of Sugar Challenge this week 'Blooming Marvellous' to use flowers or a floral creation. I used my new Lizzie stamp (I love it) coloured with H2Os (first time I've used them) and Sakura Stardust.Matted and layered on various backing papers inc. Anna Griffin and DCWV. Poinsiettas made myself and coloured with H2Os and gold pearlidoodles. Added ribbon and sentiment.

A Stamp a Day on offer ! Day 14

Sally at Bootiful Stampz is giving away a stamp a day for the whole of November. That is so generous, and it'd be great to win.

Debbie's Blog Candy.

Debbie at Passion For Crafts has some Copics and Sugar Nellie stamps as well as the gorgeous new Swell Noel 12x12 pad from Kay & Co and the matching Pleated Grand Adhesions. WOW WOW WOW, please let me win this. You have till 5PM next wednesday - 26th November to enter.

Daring Cardmakers Challenge

I love birds, so when i found out the challenge this week on Daring Cardmakers was to do with birds I just had to enter. I distressed some white card. Added shades of browns ink and swirls, then stamped the Inkadinkado birds in blue Versafine over the top and added a couple of metal buttons. I used 7gypsies Savannah backing papers and added Prima brown flowers and a brad to finish. I'm not too sure whether I like the result or not.

Blog Candy at Carlz Cardz

Carly at Carlz Cardz has lots of fab blog candy on offer. Closes 29th November and there will be 4 winners!

House Mouse Challenge 14

House Mouse Challenge this week is : All About Christmas. I've made a little gift bag with a template on double sided red/green card. Stamped snowmen over the outside with Versamark, then embossed with black embossing powder. Stamped the House Mouse image and then water coloured with pencils. Stamped some holly with Tombow pens straight to stamp. Added red Stickles to the berries. Punched image with a large scallop circle punch and added green gems. Added the image to the bag with foam pads. Lastly, I added some red, white and green fibres.

Anita's Blog Candy

Anita has some great candy on offer to celebrate the birth of her fab online store Anita's Crafting Cavern. The candy is a shopping trip through the store, you select your own goodies, rather than Anita choose for you. Closing date Monday 1st December.

Whiff of Joy Challenge

The challenge at WOJ this week is to make a Christmas cards using one of their stamps, with NO BLUE. I used Dovecraft Victorian backing paper. Put HOTP brown distressed paper through the cuttlebug, then used green chalks on it. WOJ lantern stamp coloured with water colour pencils. Added green ribbon, snowflakes which I coloured green and chipboard sentiment from Dovecraft Contemporary range.

Spots and Dots!

I made some new Christmas cards and realised that this one fits in with the challenge on Cupcake Crafts of Spots and Dots.I used a scallop template on silver mirri card. Added tree topper with beads and snowflakes to it. (You can't see the beads on the tree too well because of the glare from the holographic card of the tree.) I then used blue with silver embossed stars and dots backing paper layered onto silver mirri card. Added topper with foam pads. Glued silver wavy mirri card and then added a sentiment.

Fretwork

I thought I'd try my hand at a bit of fretwork. Not being that experience with a craft knife I didn't find it very easy. However, I was really pleased with the result. Inside: Fretwork by WS Designs on gold pearl card. Background paper by K & Co. Dark green ribbons added with Laura Ashley s/a ribbons down the middle. Outside: K & Co. paper (same as inside) added to gold pearl card. Best Wishes glittered sentiment added to K & Co. and music sheet. Added gold metal embellishments.

Friendship Swap

Last week I made a pocket card for a Friendship swap. We swapped images, Sarah Kay, WOJ, Spiral Whisper, Tilda etc. The card I sent is the top red one, and the card sent to me is the pretty pink card.

Blog Candy of Mimi Stamps

There are 2 fab Mimi stamps on offer here. I'd like to wish Pink Gem Designs the best of luck with the new Mimi stamps. I'm sure I will become a customer as they're gorgeous stamps.
Here's what Janet says:
To celebrate the launch of my new business I am giving away two Mimi stamps as blog candy, Party Mimi & Mimi With Chicks. All you have to do to enter the draw is leave a comment here and then post on your blog about Pink Gem Designs. The draw will take place on Tuesday 18th November at 7pm so good luck! X

Christening

I had to make a card for my nephew (on hubby's side) son's Christening. I found this really hard as I've never done a Christening card before, and it was for a toddler rather than a baby. So I scoured the internet for something and came up with this.I downloaded the pyramage and backing paper from a freebie site. Added blue mirri card and a ribbon with slider and then put in an insert with a cross sticker. Unfortunately I wasn't well enough on Sunday to travel to Manchester for the ceremony, but apparently a good time was had by all.

Daughter's Boyfriend passed Driving Test

Here's the card I made for my daughter's boyfriend, who passed his driving test first go last week. Well done Colin.

Wedding Anniversary

Last week was also my 8th Wedding Anniversary. We didn't do much for it as I had been bought a Cuttlebug as my prezzie. I made the card using backing paper from Joanna Sheen's Dancing with Shadows for A5 cardstock and image also from same CD. Put image into a small aperture card, which I added velcro to so it would stay closed. (I put an extra message inside this card). Added aperture card to black card and attached some lace, then secured to cardstock and then added insert.

Been to see Santa!

I've been neglecting my blog for the last week as I've been quite poorly with the lupus. I'm starting to feel a bit better now, so I thought I'd put a nice, happy post to remind everyone how close we are to Christmas!
I took my son to Harrods last week to see Santa. You have to book now, and by the time I got round to it there weren't many dates left. We went with a friend of mine and her 8 year old son, and the kids had a lovely day (so did the mums in the handbag department of Harrods). We went to the Natural History Museum first to see the dinosaurs. They've certainly got it all worked out there, as when you come out of the dinosaur part, it leads you straight into the shop. So, £10 lighter off we went to Harrods. First visit - the handbag department-and a lovely Marc Jacobs bag for mum. Then onto Santa. I expected to see a lot of people around, but we went straight in - a good start. Santa was very chatty and when he asked the boys if they'd been naughty, my son's hand went straight in the air, but he did promise Santa he'd be good now (haha). They were given a huge chocolate coin, a badge (mums got badges too) and a Christmas sticker book, all free. We did buy a photo, which was a lovely reminder of the day. My son's 7 now, so I'm hoping we'll be able to go again next year.

WOW My first 2 awards both on the same day!

I'm in shock, I got my first ever award, and my second ever award! First was from Maxine and second from Jane . Thanks to both of you, I'm thrilled.

The rules are
1 The winner can put the logo on their blog.
2. Link it to the person who gave it to them.
3. Nominate at least 7 more blogs
4. Put the links of the blogs on your blog
5. Leave a message on the blogs you have nominated

I've nominated:

1. Gail
2. Sam
3. Jilly
4. Katie
5. May
6. Jenni
7. Jude

Elaine's Blog Candy

Elaine at My Creative Corner is celebrating turning 40 by offering some Promarkers as blog candy. I really, really want to win these. I hope you have a great birthday Elaine. The lucky winner will be drawn on Sunday 16th November.

Ribbon Swap Cards

I participated in a ribbon swap on Trimcraft last week. The idea was to send about 7 ribbons of varying length to 3 people and you got 3 back. I made Tilda pocket cards. I coloured the Tildas with water colour pencils. Various backing papers. Inside, I added peel offs to the pockets. I used a ribbon card for a template to keep the ribbon tidy, and added velcro to close the cards.Finally, I made enveloboxes to send them in.

Juliet's Blog Candy

Juliet at Juliet's Paper Palace is celebrating 10,000 hits on her blog with some really fab candy.There are three paper pads, Forever Friends, Creative Imaginations and DCWV Neutrals cardstock, a fabulous Wings and Flowers CD which contains some beautiful images to print off, a set of teeny alphabet stamps, two Studio G stamp sets, a pack of Christmas toppers, a pack of WR Memory Keepers designer brads and snaps, two pots of glitter in pink and red, a pot of snaps and an assortment of flowers, brads, buttons and ribbon. Ends next Saturday 8th November.

Suzanne's Thank-You Giveaway!

Suzanne at Suzanne's Card Crafts is giving away a Joanna Sheen CD of your choice (WOW) to celebrate 50,000 hits. Ends on Thursday. What a great giveaway, I love JS CDs.

Leonie's Blog Candy

Leonie at Leonie Design is celebrating 10,000 hits on her blog with some great blog candy. You can win 20 pieces of design paper, 8 x 1 meter ribbon and some Elzybells stampprints! Ends on November 1st.

Blog Candy at Saturday Secrets

Olga at Saturday Secrets has some fab Papermania blog candy to celebrate 1000 hits. You need to leave a comment on her blog before 11pm on 6th Nov. Open to UK and Ireland only.

Blog Candy at Kreativ Kristin

A fab Rachelle Anne Miller stamp up for grabs in blog candy to celebrate 15,000 hits over at Kreativ Kristin's blog. It ends 1st November 12 noon.

The Glitter Garden opening and Blog Candy

Helen at Ellephantastic Cards is offering some fab blog candy to celebrate the opening of her friend Katy Jane's online craft shop The Glitter Garden. I've visited the shop and it looks great, some lovely products from BasicGrey and 7Gypsies (2 of my faves) plus lots more. Wishing you good luck Katy Jane. Ends on Saturday 25th October.

Regina's Blog Candy

Regina has some great blog candy up for grabs. It ends on 26th October at 6 o'clock.

ABC Challenge

The challenge at ABC this week is 'N' for 'Nature'. It can either be a creation using images (stamped or otherwise eg. leaves, flowers) or the colours of nature. I've come up with something very different for me.Everything on this card is stamped. I used a dark pink pearl DL card. For the background I stamped some leaves with Versamark, then rubbed a couple of shades of green chalk over them. The main image of the rose is stamped with Versacolour greens and peony pink, with green chalk smudged round the edges. I added some pink ribbon and a French sentiment, with a leaves punch.

Friday Sketchers Challenge

The challenge at Friday Sketchers is sketch #24. I made a Christmas card using Dovecraft Victorian papers. I coloured Edwin with Lyra Aquacolours with some Stickles glitter, and added a couple of poinsiettas and a sentiment. I wasn't too happy with the colouring on this card, I'm thinking of getting some Copics for Christmas.

Whiff of Joy Candy

Hurry up'cos this is being drawn today! Jen has a set of WoJ Guardian Angel collection stamps to give away. What great candy!

Blog Candy from Julie at Scrapping Away

To celebrate the fact that she is now an independant Stampin' Up! Demonstrator (UK), and to say Thank you to everyone who visits her blogs, Julie at Scrapping Away has decided to do her very first blog candy giveaway. It includes: 5 Sheets of American Crafts THICKERS, Adirondack Acrylic Paint Dabber, Pot of American Crafts Typehouse Numbers, and last but definitely not least Ranger Perfect Pearls!!. Saturday 1st November at 10pm (UK Time) is the closing date.

Blog Candy at Papercrafts by Rach

Rach at Papercrafts has blog candy of a Whiff of Joy stamp plus more to give away on Tuesday 28th October. I'll be entering as I NEED a Whiff of Joy stamp.

Sassy Crafts DT Call

Theres a call for new Design Team members at Sassy Crafts. I wasn't going to go for this as I'm still very much a novice with my card making, but I changed my mind. I thought about it and came to the conclusion that I should have more confidence in my work. It's not the end of the world if I don't get on the DT, there's always time to improve and try again. I've only been doing this for 7 months and am getting better all the time. More important than anything else, I love it.
Emma's requirements are to show a stamped project, your favourite piece of work made up to now, and a project that contains 4 squares, 3 small and 1 large (new work only).

My stamped project: A Sarah Kay stamp on 7gypsies paper. (already on blog)



My favourite piece of work so far is this bird stamp on BasicGrey Granola papers. (already on blog)






A project that contains 4 squares, 3 small and 1 large. I used a Tilda stamp, watercoloured with pencils. HOTP Heritage papers with a little BasicGrey Granola. I turned the 3 small squares round and added flowers.

Maxine's Blog Candy

Maxine is offering some great candy on her blog as she's reached 1000 hits. Up for offer are
1 Dovecraft winter wonderland decoupage kit
1 pack of 2x12 winter wonderland papers
2 sets of Dovecraft chipboard stickers
You've got till the end of the month to enter.

It's Autumn!

Been busy today. Felt like making an Autumnal card. It also fits in with 4 challenges. I used a brilliant sketch from Lynda Benden at Our Creative Corner . The challenge at Cute Card Thursday is to make an Autumnal themed card. The challenge at BasicGrey is to show some stitching in your creations, it can be faux or real, and to use at least one item of BasicGrey. I used BG Granola papers. The challenge at Cupcake Craft is to use any form of heat or hot colours on your creations. I triple embossed the bird stamp.
I used my gorgeous brand new bird stamp from Crafty Individuals for this card. I stamped it with Vintage Sepia Versafine, stamped all over with Versamark, then triple embossed with clear powder plus I added a little Glamour Dust. I used BasicGrey Granola papers. The brown paper, I put through the Cuttlebug using the Script ef. I then distressed it and added some gold ink and layered it on top of the other papers. I put scallops in the flowery paper and added faux stitching to the background paper. Also added a blue ribbon with a brown HOTP brad. Added the image with foam pads to give it some dimension.

Spiral Whisper Challenge 5

I thought I'd have a go at the Spiral Whispers Challenge. The challenge is to follow a lovely sketch, which was perfect for a Christmas card. I'm hoping to get some Spiral Whisper stamps after payday, but I hope my entry will be allowed as it's from a free download of Seemore the giraffe by Debbie Moore . The background paper is from Helix. I coloured Seemore with watercolour pencils and added a couple of shades of Stickles for the snow. Then I layered the image onto scalloped edge card on which I used a brown Whisper pen for a faux-stitching look. I added a sentiment and put 4 gold gems in the corners.

My mystery package from Crafty Krafts

Crafty Krafts were doing a promotion where you got a 2kg box of goodies worth £135 for £35. Only thing was you didn't know what was going to be in the parcel. I thought I'd take the gamble and received my package last week. I was very pleased with what I got. Some of the items were: a Magnolia old lady stamp, a Lily & Milo stamp, 3 Papirloftet stamps including a gorgeous baby one, some alota rubber stamps,2 paper pads 6 x 6, 3 Memories ink pads, 2 small vibrance ink pads, 3 packs of ATCs, pearl cards and envelopes, holographic glitter card, scissors, tweezers, glue stick, tape strips, glitter, brads, flowers, stamp cleaner, rub ons, chipboard stickers, punch-outs, die-cuts and ribbon stickers. It's all in the picture.(Doesn't include the Lazy Town comic that's under the table!) A pretty good deal I think.

A Spoonful Of Sugar Challenge

On A Spoonful Of Sugar this week is a fab sketch challenge by Lim. I decided to make this into a Christmas card as I still have so many to do. The sketch was fun to follow. The backing paper was a freebie from a mag, which I layered on plain pink paper. I put the second circle through the cuttlebug to give it some texture. Used water colour pencils for the Tilda image and added some stickles to the wings and bobble on the hat. Added some gorgeous pink self adhesive gems as the finishing touch.

Martine's Blog Candy!

There's so much blog candy around at the mo. Martine at The Craft Table is offering some great candy in the form of a Crafters Companion Papercrafts collection CD rom twinset and a collection of stamped images. I'd love to win this one. It ends on Saturday the 18th October 3.00pm.

Tracey's Blog Candy!

Tracey over at The Stichinwitch's Rat Cage Blog has some blog candy up for grabs after reaching 100 hits. She's not sure what it will be yet only that it will be Christmassy and crafty. It will finish on 31st October. To enter just leave a comment and a link back on your blog.

Paul's Blog Candy!

More fab blog candy available at Paul's blog. He's celebrating over 15,000 hits WOW. The set includes some stamped images (cut out with nesties) and scalloped shapes for easy matting and layering, some blank shapes which fit onto the nestie scallops so that you can stamp onto them, some notelet cards with apertures, some large tags, various die cut kits (including banners, snowflakes, teddies, grass, snowman, aeroplanes and people) and some die cut shapes for creating the take away boxes. You have until the end of the month to enter.

Joanne's Blog Candy!

Joanne at Bubble's Crafty Corner has some blog candy up for grabs.
Joanne says: 'It's kind of celebrating 3 things a belated blogoversary, sailing past 10,000 hits Wow I still can't believe that, thank you so much and my forthcoming birthday next week.
So I've made up a little parcel of goodies which include various different 8x8 sheets of dp, a roll of pink velvet ribbon, a pack of assorted buttons, some of my flower stash and a brand new Sugar Nellie 'Baby Millie' rubber stamp designed by Rachelle Ann Miller.
I will also include a handmade card and maybe some stamped images and other bits and pieces I come across!'
To join in all you have to do is add a link on your blog referring to Joannes's candy then go back and leave a comment on the post.Closing date and time for her candy is Friday 24th October midnight UK time.

10,000 Hits Blog Candy!

Jill at Jill's Cards is celebrating reaching 10,000 hits on her blog with some fab candy which includes a brand new Forever Friend stamp, dovecraft papers, adhesive ribbon, flowers and 2 brad ribbon sliders. It's going to be drawn at 6.00pm on Saturday 25th October. All you need to do is leave Jill a comment and post a link on your blog.

Anything But Square

The challenge this week on Our Creative Corner is 'Anything But Square'. I used a baby dress template and Three Bugs In A Rug Celebrate paper, added vellum and pink ribbon in the shape of bows. Added a 'BABY' rub on to the vellum.

Christmas Candy!

Emma at elf-creations has some fab Christmas Candy on offer. The draw will be on Friday the 17th of October and is open internationally.

Blog Candy

Priscilla's blog over at Skraptacular Designs has some fab blog candy for reaching 1000 hits. Head over there for the chance to win "House Mouse stamped images, Sarah Kay stamped images, Sugar Nellie stamped images, Prima flowers, ribbon, brads, stickers, chipboard embellishments, etc... I'm sure I'll find more goodies to add between now and when the winner is announced!"

House Mouse meets Basic Grey

This card is for the challenges on House Mouse and Basic Grey. The House Mouse Challenge was to follow a sketch, which is one I will definately use again, it was really good fun to follow. The Basic Grey Challenge was to make a card using a choice of colour combos. I chose blue and gold for my card. This is the first time I've entered either one of these challenges.
I used Basic Grey Granola papers, they're gorgeous. I layered the papers onto gold mirri card, used blue brads in the corners and added blue ribbon. For the stamped image I used Tombow pens direct to stamp, then blended a little, (was really pleased with how the image turned out).I used gold ink round the edges of the card with the image on then I added it to gold mirri card, with only one side of the gold showing. I then added a few blue flowers. I did the sentiment in gold ink and in the same way as the image round the edges. I also added gold ink round the edges of the card.

Thanks A Bunch

This card is for the Penny Black and Secret Crafter Saturday Challenges. At Penny Black the challenge is Week 18 -Thanks A Bunch. On Secret Crafter Saturday Challenges there is a sketch from Sue to follow for Challenge 2. I really enjoyed following the sketch and found it went so well with the PB image.
I used Laura Ashley Contemporary papers for the backing paper. I stamped the hedgehog with a single flower as I didn't want to include the flowers in his other hand this time. Added some leaves and watercoloured. Mounted on green pearlised card and added metallic green brads after cutting the corners away. The sentiment is a peel off sticker on the same green card. Added ribbons and more green brads from stash.

Gotta Wear Shades

The challenge at Daring Cardmakers this week is called 'Gotta Wear Shades'. The challenge is to be bright. Clashy is good, hot colours are good, anything super duper bright is good too. I decided to use Vanessa's sketch from her midweek dare as it's a fab sketch.
I used HOTP Birthday backing papers and added swirls, flowers, pink peel offs and a couple of circle stick-ons from my stash. The colours are very bright, and they certainly clash.

Blogoversary Candy!

Visit Natalie at http://nattykcards.blogspot.com/ for the chance to win some fab blog candy as it's her first Blogoversary on the 18th October.

2 Sketches 4 You Challenge Laura's Sketch 10

The challenge at http://2sketches4you.blogspot.com/ is a sketch by Laura. As I've not made many Christmas cards yet I decided that this would be my theme. I used HOTP and Dovecraft backing papers, gold ribbon and Dovecraft chipboard with brads. Added some gems and a sentiment. Lastly, I brightened up the swirls in the backing paper with some gold Stickles. The picture hasn't come out very well, it looks much better in real life.

Hanglar & Stanglar

I've managed to do one card for 2 challenges. The first is from http://aspoonfullofsugarchallenge.blogspot.com/ where the challenge was to use the colour scheme of pink and green. The second is from http://cupcakecraftchallenges.blogspot.com/ where you had to make a card based on a sketch by Ceal from the DT.
I water coloured a Hanglar & Stanglar stamp, cut out and put on a pink oval background. The background papers are from Heidi Grace. Added ribbon and slider, then image on top on foam pads. I punched out some green sparkly card and added flowers with gems, and lastly a 'Birthday Wishes' sentiment. It was a fun sketch to work with, and I didn't realise until now how well pink and green go together on a card.

Ooh-la-la Creations Challenge 19 Shabby Chic

Ooh-la-la's challenge is to make something in the style of Shabby Chic. I hope I've pulled it off ok with this card.
I used HOTP emerald papers which I sanded to give them a distressed look. I painted alcohol inks onto glossy card and ripped the bottom, then added the lady's face stamp (Paper Artsy) onto vellum, which I then layered onto the alcohol inks card and framed. Painted the frame and added gems. Lastly, I added a ribbon and the word 'dream' and another piece of the ripped alcohol inked card in the top corner.

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge 1

Here is my entry to the SCS Sketch Challenge. The sketch was perfect for a baby card, especially as my niece was due to have a little girl 2 days ago.
I used backing paper from stash. The embellishment of a pram was mounted onto scalloped card and then layered onto a circle of pink glittery card. I added a sentiment, flowers, a little heart and pink peel offs.

Penny Black Saturday Challenge 17

I've been crafting now for 3 days in a row, not very often I get that privilege. So I thought I would use my time to enter some more challenges, Here's my entry for the Penny Black Saturday Sketch Challenge 17. I had to follow a sketch and include at least one PB image. I've used a little hedgehog stamp, watercoloured with pencils. I used a scallop punch, then layered the image onto a circle in brown card. All papers are 7gypsies Savannah range. Added white lace, 3 brads and a sentiment with a little gem in the centre.

Caardvarks Challenge

The Caardvark challenge this week is to create a ***NEW*** item that incorporates scoring in a special technique. I made my first spring card and box yesterday for this challenge. They both needed a lot of scoring, and took me a while to do as it was my first attempt at a box (I have to do things the hard way and start off with an awkward shaped one). It was also my first attempt at a Spring card. I printed the rose decoupage image (which I layered onto silver mirri card), and backing paper for the card from a Robert Addams CD 'Roses' that my friend Barbara lent me. (Thanks Babs). The base of the box was made with 300gsm white cardstock and the lid from pink glittery card. I cut an aperture from the middle after scoring it and added acetate, put a base in, then added a pink bow on the lid.