Julie's Crafty Space

Not been around!

2012-01-23T10:07:00.002Z

Hi everyone,

thought I'd update my blog, didn't realise it's over 3 months since I posted anything!
I've been ill, but I'm feeling much better now so will hopefully have something to add soon. I've also been designing for Trimcraft , so will post some pics soon of the creations I've made for them to take to CHA.

Some other news I have is that I stood down from the design team at I &hearts: Promarkers. I've been with them right from the beginning a couple of years ago, so it was a very hard decision to make to leave. I couldn't have worked with a better team. Unfortunately illness took over and I felt unable to commit on a weekly basis at the time. Hopefully I'll soon be entering the challenges instead, that is once I've had a good tidy up in my craft room.

Hope to be back posting in the next few days.

Julie xxx

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 86 - Spooky!

2011-10-10T22:10:00.003+01:00

Sorry I'm late with this week's challenge at I ♥ Promarkers, I just haven't had time to think let alone blog and craft this last week. I've had a few personal problems which thankfully are now sorted, then illness. Everything's ok now, so I'm left playing catch-up.

Our challenge this week is SPOOKY. I love making Halloween cards, but never know what to do with them after, so I try to keep it down to only making one a year.

We are being sponsored by the fabulous Joanna Sheen, with the winner getting a £10 gift voucher to spend in her online shop.

For my card I've used a Pollycraft image called Luna Bitterfrost - Happy Haunting, coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers. I've coloured the white background with a grey Promarker, die cut the image with Go Create Frilly 2 large frame, then doodled round the edges with a black fine liner Promarker.

The dps are MME Boo to You and Martha Stewart Creepy Face. I cut around a part of a spider's web from a sheet of the dp. The bat is a die cut from the Boo to You collection. The sentiment and cat's face are digis, which unfortunately I'm not sure where I got them, I've coloured the backgrounds on both with Promarkers. The Halloween wording embellishment was a gift from a friend. I added some faux stitching, some in black and some in white. Other items used are Martha Stewart punches - a spooky gate and goo, Prima orange pearls, and Glossy Accents on pumpkin eyes and mouth, and cat's, bat's and spider's eyes. Cardstock is orange 6 x 6" Bazzill.

I'm entering my spooky card into these challenges:

Crafts and Me Challenge 55 - use a digi

Freshly Brewed Challenge 67 - Pumpkins

Little Darlings Challenge 8 - Fall or Halloween

The Paper Shelter Challenge 34 - Halloween

Cupcake Inspirations Challenge 131 - Inspiration cake pic no. 2

Sparkles Forum Challenge 22 - Halloween

2 Sisters Challenge 60 - Halloween

Crafty Calendar October Challenge - Spooky

Challenge up your life #54 - Halloween

Fussy and Fancy Challenge - Fall or Halloween

Simply Create Challenge 53 - Older than 6 months - (the digi, papers, pearls, MS punches all older than 6 months)

Stamps & Fun Challenge 68 - Halloween

Victorine Originals Challenge 18 - Halloween

Cupcake Craft Challenge 163 - Halloween

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 85 - Distressing!

2011-09-28T20:18:00.004+01:00

This week's challenge at I ♥ Promarkers is Distressing. We are being sponsored by Digi Doodle Shop with the prize being $10 to spend in their online store.

For my image I used vintage sewing machine by Digi Doodle Shop coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers. I die cut it with Nesties Labels 2, distressed the edges, inked pumice stone Distress Ink, then added some gesso.

The dp is Tim Holtz (not that you can see it any more lol), to which I distressed the edges as before, and added gesso. I then stamped a Claudine Hellmuth domestic foam stamp using terracotta acrylic paint and stamped over the top with the outline stamp in frayed burlap Distress Ink.

In the top left hand corner I used some sequin waste as a template and sprayed Glimmer and Memories Mists. I then added a doily and the image.

The flower was made by firstly stamping Hero Arts printed flowers with frayed burlap onto Tim Holtz dp, cutting them out, then scrunching them up, adding a brad and then some gesso.

Other items used are a swirly corner from Make It Crafty dabbed with a little butterscotch Adirondack acrylic paint, lace from Wild Orchid Crafts, and 3 buttons from stash. Cardstock is white 6 x 6".

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

Get Hippity with Ippity Challenge 6 - Buttons, bows or bling

Gingerloft Challenge 25 - Vintage or distressed

Polka Doodles Challenge Week 38 - Distress It!

Die Cuttin' Divas Challenge 34 - Shabby Chic or Vintage

Party Time Tuesdays Challenge 35 - Anything Goes

Paper Sundaes Challenge 88 - Anything Goes

Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge 63 - Anything Goes

Crafts and Me Challenge 54 - Flowers

Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Anything Goes

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 84 - include a number!

2011-09-22T18:20:00.001+01:00

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge this week is to use a number on your creation. We are being sponsored by Crafty Emma's store and the prize is a gift voucher for £10.

It's my son's 10th birthday on Sunday, so I made this card to give him from his sister. He's so excited as he's going to Wembley on a stadium tour with his dad and some friends on Saturday, then for something to eat. It gets harder each year to know what to do for his birthday, hopefully he'll have a good day. On Sunday we've got family round for a birthday tea.

For my card I've used Magnolia's Edwin with present, coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers. I've cut him out and added a gem in the middle of the parcel. The dp is from the Kaisercraft Up, up and Away collection, and I've inked the edges with tea dye and vintage photo Distress Inks.I've added some chipboard swirls, and numbers and stars, coloured again with Distress Inks. The numbers and stars also have Glossy Accents on them. Other items used are BasicGrey gems, a Martha Stewart punch and sentiment stamp from Stampin' Up. The cardstock is Kraft Bazzill 6 x 6".

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

Bunny Zoes Crafts Challenge 16 - Sketch

Hanna and Friends Challenge 112 - Anything Goes

Creative Inspirations Challenge 130 - Lets Celebrate (combine up to 10 challenges)

Stamp, Scrap & Doodle Saturdays Challenge - a birthday creation

Simon Says Stamp Challenge - use dies and punches

My Mums Craft Shop Challenge 24 - Boys and Girls

Oldie but a Goodie Challenge 27 - One for the boys

Lexi's Creations Challenge 49 - a card for a child

Ooh La La Creations Challenge 89 - Punches/dies

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 83 - Travel/Transport

2011-09-14T18:26:00.005+01:00

The theme at I ♥ Promarkers is travel/transport. Our sponsor this week is Letraset with the prize being a set of Promarkers.

For my card I've used Magnolia Pirates Tilda and Edwin, and a ship rubber stamp by Stamp Addicts, all coloured with Promarkers. The ship has been punched out and matted onto purple/blue Bazzill card which has been distressed. I've added Glossy Accents to the sea and various other bits. The sentiment is a download which I had printed out and am not sure where it's from. I've sat Tilda and Edwin on a rope image by Magnolia. The dp is Fancy Pants Beach Bum which I've distressed round the edges.I've also added silver metal dolphins and a silver metal corner embellishment. The cardstock is 6 x 6" purple/blue Bazzill.

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

Charisma Cardz Challenge 36 - Inspired by a song - (Yo ho ho, a pirate's life for me - a Walt Disney song from Pirates of the Caribbean Ride)

Polka Doodles Challenge Week 36 - Setting the scene

Stamp Something Final Challenge - Anything Goes

Craft Your Passion Challenge 75 - the 'F' word - friends, filigree metal embellishment

Crafting when we can Challenge 1 - Anything Goes

Gingerloft Challenge 24 - Create a sky

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge 151 - Inspired by a song - (Yo ho ho, a pirate's life for me - a Walt Disney song from Pirates of the Caribbean Ride)

Papercraft Star Challenge 62 - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Challenge - use a song or film title - (Yo ho ho, a pirate's life for me - a Walt Disney song from Pirates of the Caribbean Ride)

I ♥ Promarkers 82

2011-09-14T14:37:00.003+01:00

Here's my card for I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 82.

I've used a Humphrey's Corner image by Crafters Companion coloured with Promarkers, then cut out. I've added Glossy Accents on the snowdrops.

I took a piece of shiny white card and brayered some blue inks for the sky. I added a little greenery with a Tim Holtz stamp, and used my white gel pen to give a snowy effect.The image has been stuck onto some white glitter card to give the effect of a snowy ground.

I've added some red satin ribbon from my stash, and a chipboard button by Little Yellow Bicycle with some red leather like cord.

I stamped snowflakes round the edges of a 6 x 6" white card with Stormy Sky Distress Ink. Finally, I added a die cut snowflake and star with a greeting stamped on, then a silver metal embellishment was put in the corner.

I'm entering this card into Challenge 16 - Christmas Wishes at Crafters Companion.

Truly, Madly, Crafty Challenge 2 - New

2011-09-02T17:16:00.001+01:00

It's going to be a long post today as I have 2 cards to show you. They have been made for our new Challenge blog at Truly, Madly, Crafty. It's our second challenge and the theme is NEW - so anything new goes - it could be a new baby, new house, new technique or stash - however you'd like to interpret it! The challenge lasts a whole month, so plenty of time to get those entries in, and the winner gets £5 to spend on anything from the Truly, Madly, Crafty shop.

For my first card I've made a new baby boy easel. The image is Bambino by Sugar Nellie coloured with Promarkers, then cut out and added to a Marianne Creatables Doily die cut. The dp is HOTP and some gingham I found in my stash. Other products used include a Martha Stewart punch, Dovecraft sheer ribbon, a corner flourish die, some monogram stamps, Stormy Sky Distress Ink, a shaped white card base by Hunkydory, and a pearl gem.

I'm entering this baby boy easel card into these challenges:

Stamp Something - September Digi Day Challenge

Kaboodle Doodles Challenge 82 - Easel Card

Sparkles Forum Challenge 19 - Punch It!

Totally Gorjuss Challenge 95 - As you like it

Marianne Design Divas Challenge 1 - Anything Goes using Marianne D products (doily die)

Really Reasonable Ribbons Challenge 31 - I Got You Babe

Cute Card Thursday Challenge 180 - use a punch

Crafty Creations Challenge 134 - dies and punches (use 3 or more)- (Martha Stewart punch, Marianne D

die, corner flourish die)

Crafty Catz Challenge 98 - Monochromatic

Stamps R Us Challenge - Anything Goes

This is my second card for Challenge 2 at Truly, Madly, Crafty. I thought I would make a moving home card.

I started off by using Distress Inks on shiny white card, then stamped over it 3 times with the Home is where the Heart is rubber stamp by Stampin Bella with Stazon. I separated the 3 images, and mounted them onto black Coredinations card with a green core after I had distressed it. The sentiment came with the stamp, and I stamped the heart again onto the Coredinations and 3D'd it. The swirl was die cut with a Tim Holtz die on the same card and distressed. I added a green flower from Wild Orchid Crafts, and a bronze metal butterfly I found in my stash with a couple of gems. All on Bazzill 6 x 6" green cardstock.

I'm entering my moving home card into these challenges:

Hooked on Craft Challenge 6 - things with wings (bronze metal butterfly charm)

KB Cute Monday Challenge 27 - include a butterfly (as above)

Ooh La La Creations Challenge 87 - No backing paper

The Crafty Pad Challenge 136 - Distressing and Tearing (mats have been distressed and torn)

Deep Ocean Challenge 7 - Hearts

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 81 - Anything Goes!

2011-09-01T19:39:00.000+01:00

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 81 is Anything Goes!!

The prize is a pack of Promarkers from Letraset.

The image I've used is Hope from Sugar Nellie, coloured with Promarkers, then die cut and inked round the edges with Distress Inks. For the card I've crossed 2 flaps to give the shape, and added a tag inside. The dp is Tilda blue which I've distressed with ink, and added lace, flowers and a gorgeous gem flourish. The inside tag/card has a sentiment sticker added.

I'm entering this card into these challenges:

Aud Sentiments Challenge 36 - A card for a girl

Charisma Cardz Challenge 35 - Anything Goes

The Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge - Flower Power

Bearly-Mine Challenge 18 - Flowers

Creative Card Crew Challenge - Anything Goes

Passion For Promarkers Challenge Week 115 - Anything Goes

Party Time Tuesdays Challenge - Anything Goes

I Brake for Challenges 8 - Shabby Chic

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 80 - Paper PieRcing!

2011-08-28T17:14:00.000+01:00

This week's challenge at I ♥ Promarkers is Paper Piercing. Our sponsor is the fab Digi Doodle Shop with the prize being $10 to spend in the shop.

For my card I've used Louis, Butterflies and Buttercups, coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers, and Distress Inks for the sky. I've added some freehand paper piercing in the corner, after die cutting the image with Nesties Labels 2. The mats have all been cut with red card. The dp is BasicGrey Hello Luscious, and I've pierced holes round the edges of the green base layer. Other items used are a Martha Stewart punch, some red leather-like cord and a green button. Cardstock is dark green 6 x 6" Bazzill.

I'm entering this card into Challenge 51 at BasicGrey which is Anything Goes.

Also Challenge Up Your Life #51 - Something for men

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 79 - Easel Card

2011-08-17T16:54:00.004+01:00

A quick post from me today as I'm having internet problems, just waiting for a part to come from Sky then hopefully will be up and running properly again.

This week at I ♥ Promarkers the challenge is to make an easel card.

Our sponsor is Stampeezee with the prize being a £10 gift voucher to spend in their fab online store.

I used my A4 die cutter and Spellbinders Scalloped Circles dies to make a circular easel card. The image is by Penny Black, coloured with Promarkers. I've also used some of the new FlexMarkers, they're just as good as Promarkers, but have some fabulous pale and light shades. They took a bit of getting used to, but I love them now, and am going to have to buy the whole set (except for the colours that I already have in Promarkers) Many of the colours however, are brand new. You can find some information about them here.

Other items used are DCWV papers (I think), the poinsettias are from Wild Orchid Crafts, as are the pearls. The sentiment eyelet is by Making Memories and the felt ribbon is by Papermania. The snowflake was made using an EK Success punch, then covered with Twinklets. I've also added Twinklets around the image, and Stardust Stickles on the poinsettias.The ribbon bow is from my stash.

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

Bunny Zoe's Crafts Challenge 15 - Easel cards

Crafts and Me Challenge 48 - Blues

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 78 - Sketch!

2011-08-11T00:40:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone, hope you're all keeping safe here in the UK with these awful riots going on. I hope it's all over soon, seems to have quietened down a bit tonight at least.

Onto this week's challenge at I ♥ Promarkers, it's #78 and a fab sketch by Karen. Our sponsor is Di's Digi Downloads and the winner gets to choose 5 of her fab digi images.

For my card I've used Piano Bear coloured with Promarkers, then die cut with a circle Nestie and matted onto red Bazzill, die cut with a scalloped circle Nestie. The dp is BasicGrey Boxer, and I found the music sheet online somewhere. The digi sentiment is a free Ticket tag from Digi Doodles Shop

The cardstock is 6 x 6" Bazzill.

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

Shopping Our Stash Challenge 12 - Dogs, Digis or Denim - DIGI

KB Cute Monday Challenge 24 - Anything Goes using a digi

Here come the boys Challenge 8 - Critters

Raise The Bar Challenge 69 - Anything Goes

Stamp Something Challenge - August Digi Day

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 77 - Things with wings!

2011-08-03T20:33:00.000+01:00

It's time for the next challenge at I ♥ Promarkers! The theme this week is 'Things with Wings'!

We are being sponsored by Joanna Sheen and the winner will get a gift certificate for £10 to spend in her fabby online shop.

The image I've used for my DT card is a fairy that I found at the Newbury show for £3. She's also got a few sentiments on the sheet , so I was pleased with my bargain. However, after colouring her with my Promarkers, it was brought to my attention that her boobs look like they're hanging out. I have to say that irl she doesn't come across like that at all, but I have to agree that in the pic she does look a bit 'dodgy' around that area lol.

I think I'd better get on with listing the supplies - the dp is Prima, some pink Bazzill has been punched with a Martha Stewart punch, then some ribbon added across, then tied in a bow. The pink heart is a Martha Stewart heart button punch triple embossed with clear embossing powder, then threaded with some yellow ribbon. I've also embossed the fairy's wings to give them a nice sheen. Lastly, I've added a gorgeous butterfly charm. All on pink Bazzill 6 x 6" card.

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

Crafts and Me Challenge 46 - Anything Goes

Little Darlings Challenge 4 - Girly

Papertake Weekly Challenge - Anything Goes

Alota Rubber Stamps Challenge 64 - Tic Tac Toe - (Glitter, stamp, ribbons)

Cupcake Craftroom August Challenge - Soft and sweet

Stampalot August Challenge - whatever you fancy

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge 50 - Butterflies

Little Claire's Designs Challenge 11 - Things with wings

Truly Madly Crafty First Challenge! Summer!!

2011-08-01T19:34:00.003+01:00

There's a brand new monthly challenge just started up at Truly, Madly, Crafty to which you can enter any type of paper craft. I was honoured to be asked to join the fab Design Team, and you can find out more about us all here.

The challenges will be posted around midday on the first of each month, and you can enter up to a max of 3 projects which must all be new. They can also be combined with as many other challenges as you like. You will have till the 28th of each month to enter, so lots of time to get creating! The winner will be randomly selected from all the entries and will get a prize of a gift voucher to spend in the fab Truly, Madly, Crafty online shop.

Ok, onto the challenge now. The theme this month is:

Summer Colours

For my first creation I've made a sandal. I used a template for the basic shape, and then embellished it. Dp is Anna Griffin, flower has been made by stacking pieces of cream and peach ribbon, then adding a button. All the gorgeous ribbons and buttons are from Crafty Ribbons. I also made a box, (measurements by eye), cut a large rectangle out on top and replaced with acetate. I used a Martha Stewart border punch round the lid and decorated with ribbons and buttons.

I'd like to enter my sandal into these challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Shaped cards/creations

Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge 29 - Sizzlin' Summer theme

Allsorts Challenge Week 114 - Free and easy

Craft Your Days Away Challenge 25 - Summertime

Crafts 4 Eternity Recipe 30 - Anything but a card

Creative Inspirations Challenge 65 - Summertime

Now onto my second creation for our first challenge at Truly, Madly, Crafty.

I've made a male card for a change. The image is from Di's Digi Downloads and I've coloured him with Promarkers. Dp is Fancy Pants Beach Bum, layered onto Kraft Bazzill. I've added some brown leather cord and a button with twine to embellish. Lastly, I added some Glossy Accents to parts of the image ie: the spade, flowers and snail, but it can't really be seen in the pic.

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

Bunny Zoes Crafts Challenge 14 - Fun in the sun

The Craft Garden August Challenge - Bold, Bright & Loud

Craft Your Passion Challenge 69 - Anything Goes

Hooked on Craft Challenge 4 - Cute & Cuddly

Paper Playtime Challenge 51 - Digi Monday - Summer

Stamp Something Challenge - Summer Fun

Paper Play Challenge '11 - Week 30 - In the Garden

Craft Room Challenge - Summer holidays

Passion for Promarkers Week 110 - Animal Crackers

Everybody Art Challenge 152 - Garden

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 74 - Recipe

2011-07-14T20:46:00.000+01:00

Challenge 74 at I ♥ Promarkers is a recipe - 1 ribbon, 2 backing papers and 2 buttons/brads or gems.

Our sponsor this week is Sassy Studio Designs with the prize being 4 digis of the winners choice.

For my card I've used a Mo Manning rubber stamp called 'Prince Edward Island' coloured with Promarkers. I've added 2 gold/yellow Dovecraft gems to her dress and die cut her with Nesties Labels 8. The 2 dps are Fancy Pants Beach Bum and Blonde Moments edged with Dried Marigold Distress Ink. The yellow ribbon is from Crafty Ribbons and has been threaded through the holes in a scalloped 6 x 6" white card by Hunkydory. The inside has been decorated similar to the outside.

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

MAWTT Challenge 107 - Favourite things (promarkers, ribbon, Mo Manning rubber stamp and scalloped card)

Crafts and Me Challenge 43 - Summertime

Simon Says Challenge - Anything Goes

Bearly-Mine Challenge 14 - Anything Goes

SOS Challenge 8 - Out with the old or in with the new - (new rubber stamp, ribbon, dp and card blank - old gems)

Allsorts Challenge Week 111 - Free and easy July

Just Tracy's Craft July Challenge - Summer Holidays

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 73 - CAS!

2011-07-10T21:20:00.000+01:00

Sorry to be so late with my DT card this week, things have just been so chaotic. My daughter joined the RAF on Wednesday, and I went to see her signed in, and to look around the base. It was such an emotional day. I'm missing her like mad, even though we speak a lot on the phone. Things are going to be so tough over the next 9 weeks for her, and I just want to be there to hug her and tell her that everything will be alright.

Onto this week's I ♥ Promarkers challenge. It's CAS - clean and simple. Our sponsor is Joanna Sheen, and the prize is £10 to spend in her fab online shop. She's been on Create & Craft this weekend with some gorgeous new stamps. I love the Haberdashery set and a couple of the Christmas flower stamps.

For my card this week, I've stamped a flower image by Kanban straight onto a white 6 x 6" card. The flowers have been coloured with Promarkers, then I've added a Martha Stewart lilac gingham bow. Sorry, I can't remember where the sentiment stamp came from, but it was also stamped straight onto the card. CAS is a style that I love if done well, and I'd really like to learn to improve in this area. I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone comes up with for the challenge.

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

OSAAT Challenge 70 - Anything Goes

Crafty Ann's Challenge 44 - Thinking of you

Charisma Cardz Challenge 27 - All about flowers

Party Time Tuesdays Challenge 23 - Square Cards

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 72 - Flowers!

2011-06-29T20:20:00.003+01:00

Hi everyone, hope you've all been enjoying the hot weather we've been having here in the UK. I'm a real winter person so I'm pleased it's cooled down a bit today. We had a fab party at the weekend for my daughter, as she's leaving us to join the RAF next week. I'm so proud of her, but am going to miss her sooooo much.

Onto this week's challenge at I ♥ Promarkers, another nice easy one - include flowers. With it being summer, most of us are using flowers on our creations now anyway. The winner will get their choice of 5 fab digis from Di's Digi Downloads. The Design Team got to choose some digis from our sponsor so I chose the castle background, then added a couple of Tildas and a digi sentiment from TLC Creations.

Get ready for picture overload lol!

I decided to have a go at a gatefold easel and add the scene into the hidden centre. I coloured the 2 Tildas and the castle background with Promarkers. The dp is from Making Memories, it's gorgeous and so sparkly. (I usually write everything down so I remember, but I didn't do it for this card for some reason). The corners and tag that Tilda is sitting on are also from the Making Memories set (I got it from QVC). I've punched the paisley papers with a Martha Stewart punch. The sentiment has been die cut with a Nesties Labels die and added with a couple of layers of foam pads.

The butterfly is by K & Co and matched the papers perfectly. The laser cut corner is by Make It Crafty and is actually green, but my not so good photo taking skills have made it look a lot darker. I've added some Papermania green star gems either side of the corner. The flowers are Prima, to which I've added some Stardust Stickles in the centres. The leaves are a Marianne Creatables die. The gingham bows are Martha Stewart, and the crown charm is from Quixotic Paperie.

There are 3 gems on both sides of the openings of the gatefold, inside and out. I've added Stardust Stickles to the edges of the background picture and the castle windows as well as Tilda's wings. Also used are some random pearls and gems. I think that's it!

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

The Official Magnolia Inspiration Challenge 4 - Shimmer & Pearls

The Paper Shelter Challenge 20 - Anything Goes

Crafts and Me Challenge 41 - Birthdays

Truly Scrumptious Challenge 60 - Things with Wings (Tilda and butterfly)

Craft Room Challenge 3 - Summer Birthdays

The Crafty Pad Challenge 127 - Bold & Bright or Soft Pastels

2 Sisters Challenge 45 - Fairies

Stampin' for the Weekend Challenge 11 - My favourite things (pink and green, Promarkers, Tildas)

Just Magnolia Week 112 - Butterfly theme

Little Darlings Challenge 2 - Favourite colour combo - (pink and green)

Alota Rubber Stamps Challenge 61 - Summertime

Bunny Zoe's Crafts Challenge 13 - Fairies

By the Cute and Girly Challenge June - In the garden

Bearly Mine Challenge 13 - Summertime

Oldie but a Goodie Challenge 22 - Anything Goes (the Tilda with the wand is more than 6 months old)

Top Tip Tuesday Challenge 40 - T is for? (Tilda, tag)

The Emerald Faerie Garden Challenge 3 - Petals

Hooked on Craft Challenge 2 - Show us your flowers

Stamps R Us Challenge 24 - There was a little girl theme

The Shabby Tea Room Week 68 - favourite papers and embellishments

Ooh La La Creations Challenge 83 - Summer flowers

Flutter By Wednesdays Challenge 160 - Open (must include fairy, butterfly or angel)

My Mum's Craft Shop Challenge 12 - Something Old/Something New (old - gems, butterfly, Tilda with crown, new - Tilda with wings, laser chipboard corner)

Dream Valley Challenge 10 - Ribbon (2 bows)

Sweet Stampin' Challenge - Something Old/Something New ( old - gems, butterfly, Tilda with crown, new - Tilda with wings, laser chipboard corner)

Marks Finest Papers Speedy the Cat's Friends Challenge Week 61 - Make it Sparkle

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 71 - Anything Goes!

2011-06-22T20:14:00.001+01:00

Hi everyone, it's time for another challenge at I ♥ Promarkers and this week it's Anything Goes!

Our sponsor is Digi Doodle Shop with the winner getting a $10 gift certificate to spend in the fab online store.

The Design Team got to choose some images, so I decided to go vintage for a change and used one of the ladies from 1900 & 1920 Vintage. She is of course coloured with Promarkers.

I've created my own backing papers by stamping over HOTP plain papers with sewing machines, buttons and safety pin images from a Personal Impressions stamp set called Vintage Sewing stamps. I used Distress Inks to give a faint impression. I ripped and distressed all the papers and went round all edges with a Promarker. The tag is cut from HOTP papers, the postcard border is also from HOTP. Other items used are lace, a Martha Stewart punch, a cream feather, button and twine, and some gems and beads coloured with Promarkers. The cardstock is Papermania Kraft 6 x 6". The flower I made by scrunching up some old Prima petals and adding Gesso. I've also added Gesso round the edges and randomly on the card.

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

Creative Craft Challenge - make your own backing papers

Everybody Art Challenge 147 - Anything Goes

Hooked on Craft Challenge 1 - Anything Goes

Lexi's Creations Challenge 42 - No sentiment

Quirky Crafts Challenge 13 - theme box - Ribbon and/or Lace, Digi or stamped image, 3 backing papers (mostly made by myself with different stamped images)

Sketchy Colors Challenge 76 - Cream, mint and olive

Southern Girls Challenge 21 - Anything Goes

Art Impressions Stamps Challenge 20 - Button/bows either/or

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 70 - Black/White + 1

2011-06-16T15:59:00.000+01:00

I ♥ Promarkers challenge this week is to create something using only black, white and one other colour.

Our sponsor is Susie from Die Cut Dreams with the prize being a fab selection of die cuts.

I decided to make another Fathers Day card this week for my hubby, from my son. I've used a Lili of the Valley image called 'No. 7' Bear coloured with Promarkers. All papers are from a football pad by Paper Cellar. I cut the football word out of one of the papers and 3D'd the ball. I've used a Martha Stewart punch to the sides of the image. The screw brads are by Woodware and have been coloured with a red Promarker. I've also added red Promarker round all the edges. The cardstock is white 6 x 6" Bazzill.

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

Crafty Sentiments Designs Challenge - Fathers Day cards

Lili of the Valley Challenge 101 - Bring on the music - Football's coming home by Frank Skinner and David Baddiel.

Papertake Weekly Challenge - Dads & Lads!

Cupcake Craft Challenge - Boy Oh Boy!

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 53 - Fathers Day

Stamptacular Sunday Challenge 115 - Dads or Grads!

Creative Craft World Challenge - 3+ Brads

Party Time Tuesdays Challenge 20 - Fathers Day

Hooked on Craft Challenge 1 - Anything Goes!

Lili of the Valley Challenge 100

2011-06-11T22:58:00.000+01:00

I'm having a lovely, relaxing Saturday evening at home on my own for once. I've got Create & Craft on the tv and a box of Maltesers by my side. It's bliss!

I've been busy making some Fathers Day cards this last week. I bought a couple of gorgeous stamps from Lili of the Valley especially for FD cards. I desided to go with a monochromatic look for a change. I've coloured the Cheers Bear with my Promarkers, then die cut him with a fab new Nestie. The dps are HOTP and K & Co. I've added some dark grey satin ribbon with a bow all on a white shaped card.

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

Lili of the Valley Challenge 100 - Anything Goes

Craft Your Days Away Challenge 22 - Monochrome

Little Claire's Designs Challenge 9 - Cards for men

Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge - Cards for a man or a boy

PaperPlay Challenge 11 - Week 23 - Fathers Day/Man's card

Creative Inspirations Challenge 61 - Fathers Day

Wags 'n' Whiskers Challenge 56 - One for the boys

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 69 A Sketch

2011-06-09T19:46:00.000+01:00

Hi all, this is my first post for a couple of weeks - I've just come back from a lovely holiday in Majorca with my family. I've got so much washing to do, and no tumble dryer at the moment, so I have to rely on the weather to get everything dry, but it just won't stop raining here! Already I feel like I need another holiday lol.

Onto our challenge this week at I ♥ Promarkers. We have a fab sketch for you by Karen.

Our sponsor is The Secret Crafter and the winner will get 3 digi images of their choice!

For my card this week I've used a gorgeous rubber stamp called Wee Snippet from the Crissy Armstrong Collection for Whimsy Stamps. She has of course been coloured with Promarkers. I've added some glitter to her wings, hairband, waistband and bracelet. The image has been die cut with a circle Nestie, then matted onto DCWV card cut with a scalloped circle Nestie.

The dps are DCWV Once Upon A Time and Prima Fairy Flora.

I've used a Martha Stewart punch on the card along the centre, then added some ribbon and a bow at the side of the image.

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts, and some have been sprayed with brown Memory Mist and gold Crafters Companion Glitter Spray. The leaves were done with various MS punches. The bead string is from stash, the pearl is Prima, and the laser swirly chipboard corner is by Make It Crafty.

Cardstock is white Bazzill 6 x 6".

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

Passion For Promarkers - Week 103 - pink/brown or blue/brown

Crafts & Me Challenge 38 - Stamp Something

My Mum's Craft Shop Challenge 9 - Punch It!

A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge 155 - Here comes Summer

Bearly-Mine Challenge 12 - Anything Goes

Papertake Weekly Challenge - Anything Goes

Craft Your Passion Challenge 61 - Anything Goes

Dream Valley Challenge 8 - Stamp Something

Make It Colourful Challenge 21 - Cast Your Shadows

Crafty Calendar June Challenge - Things with wings!

Craft-room Challenge 1 - Anything Goes

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 66 Animals

2011-05-19T21:47:00.000+01:00

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 66 is 'Animals'.

We are being sponsored by Crafty Emmas with the prize being £10 to spend in her fab online store.

This week I decided to make a tissue box. I got the instructions from a Magnolia Ink magazine.

The box has been made with Kraft card. The image is a Penny Black Hedgie called 'Hot Pants'!! He has been coloured with Promarkers, and die cut. The Kraft frame is a Marianne Design Creatables die cut, to which I've added red pearls on the centres of the embossed flowers. The dp is Anna Griffin, as is the sentiment stamp. I've die cut a butterfly from Kraft and added some red and green pearls to finish.

I'm entering my tissue box into these challenges:

The Crafty Pad Challenge 121 - Holes

Sarah Hurley Challenge 41 - Frames

Paper Romance Challenge 51 - Anything but a card

Craft Us Crazy Challenge 8 - Something new/favourite embellishment -(the Penny Black stamp is new to me, as is making a tissue box and butterflies are one of my favourite embellishments)

Crafts and me Challenge 35 - Anything Goes (optional Kraft)

Alota Rubber Stamps Challenge 59 - Check it out!! - (Anna Griffin dp)

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 49 - Stamped images

OSAAT Challenge 62 - Anything Goes

Ellephantastic Challenge 26 - Birthday/party

Penny's Challenge 53 - Anything Goes

Emerald Faerie First Challenge - Anything Goes

Stamp Something 3 year celebration blog hop and Challenge - Anything Goes

Penny Black at Allsorts May Challenge - Shape Up (no squares or rectangles - I know my project has rectangles in it but once it's all put together it's a different shape, so I think it'll be included, just let me know if you think otherwise and I'll remove it from the challenge)

A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge 152 - Anything Goes

Truly Scrumptious Challenge 57 - Anything Goes

Penny Black Saturday Challenge Week 151 - Clean and Simple

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 65 - Pink & Brown!

2011-05-12T14:44:00.000+01:00

I spent all day yesterday in bed with what felt like a stomach virus. Feeling a bit better today so I thought I'd post this week's challenge for I ♥ Promarkers, then do a little blog hopping before going back to my bed.

Our challenge is to use the colours pink and brown. The sponsor this week is Robyn's Fetish with the prize being either 5 digi stamps or 4 digi stamps and a paper set of the winner's choice.

The image I've used is called 'rain, rain, go away'. She's been coloured with Promarkers. I've paper pieced the curtains and 3D'd the flowers, then added a rainbow which I cut from some free papers out of a magazine. The sentiment is from TLC Creations which I've cut to the shape of a cloud. The papers are Wild Rose Studio Girly Polka Dots and Gorgeous Ginghams layered onto pink DCWV card. Other items used are a Martha Stewart punch, the gingham bow is also Martha Stewart, and pink pearls from stash. All on a 6 x 6" white card.

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 64 - Song Title

2011-05-05T13:10:00.000+01:00

We have a fun challenge for you this week at I ♥ Promarkers - your card has to have a song title. Mine is 'This Old Heart' by Rod Stewart!

Our sponsor is Joanna Sheen with the prize being £10 to spend in her fab online shop.

For my card I've used a Penny Black stamp called 'Heaven Knows', coloured with Promarkers and matted onto red Bazzill which has been die cut. I've also added some Stardust Stickles to the flowers and round the edges.

The dp is a Vintage pad from QVC. The dotty paper has been faux stitched, distressed and edged with a red Promarker, and the brown swirl layer has been distressed and edged with brown Versacolour.

The brown shaped card is from QVC which I've cut down. I've added a punched border with a Martha Stewart deep edge punch. The swirl has been cut with my Cricut (which I must start using more), the red pearls are Kanban, and the lock and key brads are by Woodware. Cardstock is Kraft Bazzill 6 x 6".

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

Paper Play Challenge 11 Week 18 - Show us your style

Crafts & Me Challenge 33 - Swirls (die cut swirl & swirls in paper pattern)

Divas By Design Challenge 1 - Anything Goes

Ladybug Crafts Challenge 26 - Going Dotty

Papertake Weekly Challenge - Anything Goes

Top Tip Tuesday Challenge 32 - Open Challenge

Try It On Tuesday Challenge - Something old,(Promarkers, rubber stamp), Something new, (lock and key brads)

Bunny Zoe's Crafts Challenge 11 - One for the boys!

Craft Your Passion Challenge 56 - Anything Goes

Stamps R Us Challenge 20 - For the men in our lives!

By The Cute and Girly Challenge May - Anything Goes

The Crafty Pad Challenge 119 - Pearls & Swirls (die cut swirl & swirls in paper pattern, red pearls on swirl and punched border)

Scrappy Frogs Challenge - Anything Goes

Sparkles Forum Challenge 10 - Anything Goes

Totally Gorjuss Challenge 78 - 1,2,3 ( 1 image, 2 brads, 3 pearls)

Crafts 4 Eternity Recipe Challenge 17 - Anything Goes

Simply Create Challenge 42 - time to rock the metal!

Creative Inspirations Challenge 109

2011-04-28T15:23:00.000+01:00

It's my last week as Guest Designer for Creative Inspirations Challenge blog. I've had great fun joining their challenges for the last 4 weeks and would like to thank them for inviting me.

This week's challenge is Spring colours - pink, yellow and green. The lucky winner will receive a $10 gift certificate from Digi Doodle Shop.

For my card this week I've used a beautiful hAnglar & stAnglar image. She's been coloured with Promarkers. I've doodled round the edge and then distressed and matted the image onto distressed Kraft card. The next 2 layers are pink dp from The First Edition Desert Blooms stack punched with a binding EK Success punch, then matted onto Kraft card. The other dps are Anna Griffin. I've also used a Martha Stewart punch on Kraft card. The arrows were cut out by hand from some Kraft card and some Prima pearls added. Other items used are flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts, sprayed with gold Crafters Companion glitter spray, a Marianne Creatables leaf die cut, some more Prima pearls, a Martha Stewart bow, and a ticket sentiment from Sentiments 4 You. All edges have been distressed. Cardstock is 6 x 6" ribbed Kraft.

I followed a fabulous sketch from CLP Challenge 35.

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

Moving Along With the Times Challenge 96 - Anything Goes

Cute Card Thursday Challenge 162 - Sketch from CLP

4 Crafty Chicks Challenge - Distressing

Crafts & Me Challenge 32 - Vintage/Distress

Lovely hAnglar Only Challenge 23 - Your favourite stamp

Stamptacular Sunday Challenge 108 - Pile it on

CES Challenge 33 - Spring colours/image

Totally Gorjuss Challenge 77 - Bling it on!

CLP Challenge 35 - Sketch

By The Cute and Girly Challenge - Cute and Girly April

Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Anything Goes

Sparkles Forum Challenge 10 - Anything Goes

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 63 - No Designer Papers!

2011-04-27T20:44:00.000+01:00

Hope you all had a good Easter, it's a real short week this week with Friday being a Bank Holiday too because of the Royal Wedding. I'll be watching but mainly to see the wedding dress! My son has to go to school dressed up for a wedding tomorrow, as they are having some celebrations there. I know it's a big deal, but I'll be glad when it's all over and done with really, it's all we've been hearing about for the last few weeks.

Onto this week's challenge at I ♥ Promarkers, - the theme is no designer papers!

We are being sponsored by Digi Doodle Shop and the winner gets $10 to spend on some fab digis from their online shop. The DT got to use some of their digis this week. I chose Lady Bug which is only $1 at the mo!

The image has obviously been coloured with Promarkers, then matted and layered onto red and white DCWV card. I've embossed a sheet of red DCWV card with a hearts embossing folder, and added some Bazzill white pom pom ribbon. Cardstock is white 6 x 6". I tried to keep it quite simple to show off the lovely image.

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

KB Cute Monday Challenge 11 - Anything Goes

Top Tip Tuesday Challenge 31 - Squares

Party Time Tuesdays Challenge 13 - Anything Goes

The Stamping Boutique Challenge 5 - Winged Things

Cupcake Craft Challenge 139 - some kind of fluff (pom poms)

Stamps R Us Challenge - Bugs and Embossing

Get Hippity with Ippity Challenge 1 - Anything Goes

Make It Monday Challenge 34 - Anything Goes

Creative Inspirations Challenge 108 - Pets/Animals

2011-04-21T15:03:00.000+01:00

It's my 3rd week of being a Guest Designer at Creative Inspirations. The challenge is pets/animals and the winner gets to choose 3 images from Digital Delights.

I had real fun making this card. I decided to make a side stepper card and used every stamp from the Penny Black set called Purrfect Day. I coloured them all with my Promarkers, then either cut them out by hand or die cut them and added some Stardust Stickles.

The papers are from The First Edition Desert Blooms stack and they're lovely and sparkly and glittery. The fence punch is Martha Stewart and the ribbons are Laura Ashley. The gold pearls and little ladybird embellishment are from stash.

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

Digi Doodle Shop Challenge 55 - Glitter & Glitz

Charisma Cardz Week 16 - Jokes & Laughter

CRAFT Challenge 99 - Flowers

Ambers Crafts Challenge 6 - Ribbons and bows

Everybody Art Challenge 138 - Pearls

The ABC Challenge - S is for Sparkle

Bee Crafty Challenge 22 - 2 different folds

Ladybugs Crafts Ink Challenge 24 - Anything Goes

Top Tip Tuesday Challenge 30 - Open Challenge

A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge 148 - Let's Celebrate

Critter Sketch Challenge 61 - Punches and/or dies

Card Makin' Mamas Challenge 19 - Spring Colours

Craft Us Crazy Challenge 6 - Thinking of you with sentiment and/or animals

KB Cute Monday Challenge 10 - Birthday

The Crazy Challenge 63 - Friendship

Incy Wincy Designs Challenge 90 - Bright & Bold

Cupcake Craft Challenge 138 - Lots of Layers

WhoopsiDaisy Challenge - Free and easy

2 Sisters Challenge 35 - Bingo - ribbons/pearls/flowers

Little Claires Challenge 5 - Animals

A Gem of a Challenge 19 - Pearls & Swirls 1 or both (I've used pearls)

Crafty Catz Challenge 78 - Furry Friends

The Fuzzy Wuzzy Challenge 8 - Inspirational Photo

Fussy & Fancy Challenge - A card for a child

Ellephantastic Challenge 25 - Anything but square or rectangle

Pile It On Challenge 16 - smells like rubber

Stamp with Fun Challenge 107 - Birthday

Crafty Ann's Challenge 38 - Raise a smile

Phew that was hard work, I don't know how people manage to combine 1 card into so many challenges all the time, this has taken me ages.

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 62 Anything Goes!

2011-04-20T23:27:00.000+01:00

Well it's Wednesday, and I'm behind again! Real life just keeps eating up all my crafting and computer time. Today I had to go to the hospital to get some crutches, I have to accept that I can't walk without the support any more no matter how depressing it is.

This afternoon was spent form filling, then I had to sort out a couple of birthday cards for the mother-in-law. So I'm finally here, better late than never!!

Right, this week at I ♥ Promarkers we have a really nice and easy challenge for you. It's 'Anything Goes'. Our sponsor is Sentiments 4 You, which is a great little site, with the prize being $10 to spend in the online store.

The Design Team got to use some of the sentiment digis, mine says 'For someone special on your birthday'.

The image I've used is Connie, a digi image from the Simply Adorables collection. She's available at Funky Kits here.

Connie has been coloured with Promarkers (which you MUST use to enter our challenges)

I've masked her and stamped a Magnolia grass image behind her, to which I've added extra grass and flowers with Promarkers. The sky has been done with Distress Inks. The image has then been die cut with Nesties Labels 15. The dp is an old sheet I found amongst my stash so I'm not sure what it is. The blue card is Bazzill which has been punched both sides with a Martha Stewart swirl punch. The circle sentiment digi has been punched out, then matted onto pink card die cut with Nesties Crown Circles. The flower is from Wild Orchid Crafts and has been sprayed with Glimmer Mists as it started off white.

I've used seam binding ribbon from Crafty Ribbons to make a bow with a bow maker and got a bit carried away, but I quite like the resulting bow. The gems are from stash and the cardstock is 6 x 6" blue Bazzill.

I've found quite a few challenges to enter this card into:

Little Red Wagon Challenge 77 - Clouds

Sundays with Crissy Challenge 16 - Spring is in the air

Crafts and Me Challenge 31 - Pink and Sweet

Cooking it up with Katie Challenge 58 - A pink, flowery lady

Sentimental Sundays Challenge 51 - Celebrate Spring

Kaboodle Doodles Challenge 63 - Thoughts of Spring

Card Makin Mamas Challenge 19 - Spring colours

OSAAT Challenge 58 - Make it sassy!

2 Sisters Challenge 35 - Bingo - Die cuts/glimmer/flowers

A Gem of a Challenge 19 - Pearls & Swirls - 1 or both

Daring Cardmakers Challenge - Spring fling

Totally Paper Crafts Challenge 62 - Springtime

Challenge Up Your Life Challenge 41 - Masking technique

Nettie G's Digital Gems Challenge - Favourite digi and colour

Card Cupids Blog Challenge Sunday - Pastel colours

I'll be back tomorrow with my 3rd Guest DT card for Creative Inspirations. They have a fab pets/animals challenge which started today!

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 61 - Sketch

2011-04-14T20:12:00.000+01:00

This week at I ♥ Promarkers the challenge is a fab sketch. Our sponsor is Kenny K with the prize being your choice of 5 of his digis.

The DT were very lucky to have a choice of Kenny K images to use. I chose Drama Queen as she looks so much like one of my friends (not in a bad way though lol).

The image has been coloured with Promarkers and Stardust Stickles added to the trimming on her jacket. She has been die cut with Nellies Multiframes MFD 014, then matted onto purple DCWV Shimmer Stack.

The dp is Tilda Frosted blue/green paperstack. All edges have been inked with Brilliance pearlescent crimson. The flowers are Prima and Wild Orchid Crafts, sprayed with Crafters Companion Silver Spray and Sparkle to add more bling. The leaves have been cut with Martha Stewart punches. Sentiment is from Create With TLC, and lace from stash. All on 6 x 6" white Bazzill cardstock.

I've decorated the inside to match.

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

Paper Romance Challenge 46 - Paper Flowers (all of my flowers are paper)

Pixie Dust Studio Challenge 70 - Say It Out Loud! (sentiment)

Lollipop Crafts Challenge 34 - All Girl!

Paper Crafting Journey Challenge 8 - Use a freebie - (free sentiment from TLC)

Little Miss Muffet Challenge 7 - Glitter & Shine

DYSU Challenge 15 - Scallops

Aud Sentiments Challenge 26 - Anything Goes

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 44 - Lace

The Paper Variety Challenge - Flowers!

The ABC Challenge - S is for Sugar & Spice

Tuesday Throwdown Challenge 44 - Sparkle & Bling

Pile It On Challenge 15 - Say it in style

Creative Inspirations Challenge 107 - Easter!

2011-04-13T21:44:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone, it's my 2nd week as GDT for Creative Inspirations. The challenge is Easter, and is sponsored by Meljen's Designs, with the winner receiving 4 images of their choice.

We've been given some images to use for this challenge and I chose this cute little bunny. He's coloured with Promarkers, then die cut with a circle Nestie, and matted onto Kraft card which has been die cut with a scalloped circle Nestie.

The dotty dp is from one of The First Edition stacks, but I'm not sure about the Easter egg paper as I found that amongst some loose papers in my stash. I've added faux stitching round the edges. I made a little tag with Kraft, then stamped a sentiment on it. Green pearls are Prima, and ribbon is seam binding from Crafty Ribbons with a couple of heart pins.

All on Kraft 6 x 6" Bazzill.

I'm entering this card into these challenges:

The Crazy Challenge 62 - Easter

Kaboodle Doodles Challenge 62 - Cute and cuddly animals

Penny's Challenge 51 - Easter

Sarah Hurley Challenge 37 - Easter

Creative Belli Blog Challenge 115 - Eggs/Bunnies

The Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge - Easter

Die Cut Dreams Challenge 87 - Easter

I'll be back tomorrow with my DT card for I ♥ Promarkers. Sorry it's a day late, but I'm not feeling too good atm.

April Guest Designer for Creative Inspirations

2011-04-07T11:39:00.000+01:00

I was kindly invited to be April's Guest Designer for Creative Inspirations, so of course I jumped at the chance.

Being the disorganised person that I am however, I was late with my first card, thinking that the challenge started today when it was actually yesterday. Luckily all was forgiven, and I've promised to be on time next week!

Onto the challenge. This week it's Challenge 106 with the theme being to use your punches and dies.

It's my Dad's 70th Birthday today, and he hates mice, so me being me decided to make a card using my new House Mouse stamp (one of my Mother's Day prezzies).

I've used an 8 x 8" white base card. The House Mouse image is from the Spring Dip sheet and is coloured with Promarkers. I've die cut the image with Nesties Labels 10 and inked the edges with Distress Inks Antique Linen and Frayed Burlap. The buttons have been threaded with brown leather-like cord and added to the edges of the image. I've added a small Kraft tag stamped with a birthday sentiment under the left button. The dp is G.C.D. Studios Chic Bebe, it's a gorgeous shimmery paper. The brown card at the bottom was white but has been coloured with my Promarkers and inked round the edges, then punched with the gooey Martha Stewart edge punch. I thought the punch went perfectly with the gooey dripping chocolate dip. I've added Anna Griffin green stitched ribbon and made a bow. The hearts are Anna Griffin die cuts, and the little green corners are K & Co(I think). The DAD letters are Basic Grey to which I've added Glossy Accents, and the heart doily is from stash.

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

PaperPlay Challenge Week 14 - Critters Galore!

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge 97 - Animals and Pets

The ABC Challenge - R is for Ribbon

A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge 146 - Tons of Texture

Papertake Weekly Challenge - Anything Goes (optional - something new - new papers and stamp).

Craft Your Passion Challenge 52 - Anything Goes

Cupcake Craft Challenge 136 - Comedy Rocks!

My Partner in Crafting Crime Challenge 24 - Layer it up! (3 or more layers) doily, image, tag, button.

Catch The Bug Challenge - April's Anything Goes!

Card Ideas - Spotty Dotty Challenge

Shannon's Sentiments Challenge 20 - Include an oval (image die cut)

One Stop Craft Challenge Week 125 - Spots and Dots

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 60 - Easter!

2011-04-06T17:46:00.000+01:00

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 60 is Easter. I can't believe the kids are breaking up from school this week, doesn't feel like it was that long ago they were off last time. I love having my son home with me, but I don't get much crafting done.

Our sponsor this week is Joanna Sheen with the prize being a £10 gift voucher to spend in her fab online store.

For my Easter project I've made a gift box shaped envelope/pocket and card. The bunny stamp and sentiment were freebies from an old magazine coloured with Promarkers. The gorgeous die is a Marianne Creatables, to which I've added gems in the centre of every embossed flower. The dp is Hot Off The Press on purple Bazzill cardstock. The flower is Prima, and the fab ribbon is from Crafty Ribbons.

The pocket/envelope uses the same dp and cardstock.I've made a flower with some of the Easter bunny ribbons from Crafty Ribbons, to which I've sprayed Crafters Companion silver glitter spray and added a gem brad. The white ribbon has been added to the centre, then I've made a couple of holes in the lid to thread a separate piece through and tie it.The swirl is Prima, and the gems on the 'lid' K & Co. I've carried the theme on round the back of the pocket and added a sentiment.

I'm entering my Easter project into these challenges:

Craft Us Crazy Challenge 5 - Easter/Spring

Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Spring/Easter

Lollipop Crafts Challenge 33 - Make a box or gift

Paper Cutz Challenge 85 - Easter

Everybody Art Challenge 136 - Easter

Incy Wincy Designs Challenge 88 - some kind of pocket

Creative Stamp Friends Challenge 22 - Swirls (on envelope/pocket/box)

The Crazy Challenge 61 - Just add flowers

Critter Sketch Challenge 59 - Fancy Folds

Ooh La La Creations Challenge 77 - Easter

Stamp with Fun Challenge 105 - Easter

Stamp R Us Challenge - Easter Theme

The Pink Elephant Challenge 97 - Easter

Clear It Out Tuesday Challenge - Make a flower and use on project

The Crafty Pad Challenge 115 - Flowers

Lets Ink It Up Challenge 12 - Easter (no digis)

OSAAT Challenge 56 - Something 3D

Little Claires Challenge 4 - Spring Celebrations

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 59 Emboss It!!

2011-03-30T21:36:00.000+01:00

It's Wednesday again which means a new challenge at I ♥ Promarkers. This week it's nice and easy - embossing - wet or dry or both!

Our sponsor is The Secret Crafter with the prize being 3 digis of your choice.

The image is by Penny Black and the sentiment came with it. I really fell in love with this stamp when I saw it. He's been coloured with Promarkers then die cut with Nesties Labels (think it's 15). I've inked the edges with Distress Inks. The background squares are white card, which have been embossed with a Sizzix folder and die cut with the same Labels Nesties as before, just a smaller size. They've also been inked again with Distress Inks, as has the sentiment which was die cut with Nesties Fancy Labels. The ribbon has been rescued from a box of chocolates, the Kraft swirl is a Tim Holtz die cut and the cardstock is Kraft 6 x 6".

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

Creative Card Crew Challenge - For a Child

Cards For Men Challenge 7 - Embossing

Gingerloft Challenge 14 - Die cuts and/or punches

Let's Ink It Up Challenge 11 - Die cuts/punches

Pile It On Challenge 13 - Cutie Patootie

Sentimental Sundays Challenge 48 - Cute and Cuddly

CES Challenge 29 - Die cut crazy!

Penny Black Saturday Challenge Week 144 - Recycling (ribbon from a chocolate box)

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 58 - Go Dotty!

2011-03-23T17:58:00.000Z

It's time for another challenge at I ♥ Promarkers and the theme this week is Dots and Spots!!

We are being sponsored by Digi Doodle Shop, and the prize is a $10 gift certificate to spend in the fab online store

The Design Team were all given a choice of images from Digi Doodle Shop. I picked Birthday Buddies, he's so sweet and he's in the sale!

I decided to make a stepper card this week. The cardstock I've used is swiss dot embossed blue Bazzill, and the dp is Echo Park - Be Mine.

I've used a circle Nestie to die cut the image, then matted it onto some blue Bazzill cardstock using the crown circles Nestie. The sentiment has been matted onto card using a fancy tags Nestie. The flourish die cut is LR0157 by Marianne Creatables to which I've added a blue cherry blossom flower from Wild Orchid Crafts.All edges have been inked with Faded Jeans Distress Ink. The pearls are Kanban, and the ribbon and bow are from stash.

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

Everybody Art Challenge 134 - Happy Birthday

The Crafty Pad Challenge 113 - Use a digi

Creative Inspirations Challenge 104 - No square cards allowed

Crafts and Me Challenge 27 - Anything Goes

The Crazy Challenge 59 - Any shaped card but no squares

Gingerloft Challenge 14 - Die cuts and/or punches

A Gem of a Challenge 17 - Anything but square

Card Making Mamas Challenge 17 - Animals

Crafty Sentiments Designs Challenge - Animals

Wild Orchid Challenge 19 - Dieing to punch it out

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 57 - Men!!

2011-03-17T21:57:00.000Z

Sorry, I'm a couple of days late with the challenge at I ♥ Promarkers. I'm having a few problems with my lupus at the mo, so have spent most of the last 2 days in bed.

Anyway onto Challenge 57 - we want to see the cards you create for the men in your lives!

Our sponsor this week is Stampeezee with the prize being £10 to spend in their online store.

For my male card I've used an image by Papermania which depicts a typical man - food in 1 hand and a pint in the other, and not forgetting the beer belly lol. He's coloured with Promarkers, and I've added some swirls round the edges with Distress Inks on a Heidi Grace stamp. I've used a Martha Stewart corner punch, then matted the image onto red DCVW card. The dp is Wild Rose Studio 'For Men' and the sentiment stamp is from Cuddly Buddly, punched out, then matted onto punched out red DCWV card. The ribbon and gems are from stash. Cardstock is white 6 x 6".

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge 145 - Masculine card

Incy Wincy Designs Challenge 85 - For the boys!

Ooh La La Creations Challenge 75 - It's a Man thing

CES Challenge 27 - Men Only!

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 56 - Babies!

2011-03-09T13:49:00.000Z

Our challenge this week at I ♥ Promarkers is the theme of 'Babies'.

We are being sponsored by Di's Digi Downloads and the prize is 5 downloads of the winner's choice.

The Design Team got to play with some of Di's images this week.I used Christening Day Girl which you'll find by scrolling down this page.

The image is of course coloured with Promarkers, cut out and matted onto pink card. I've used a corner punch to add the shape. The dp I think is Papermania on pink card. The gingham ribbon is from Crafty Ribbons and has been threaded through a Joy Crafts die cut, then tied into a bow at the top. The flowers are Prima and came already glittered. I added a sentiment and heart die cut. The cardbase is cream 6 x 6"

I'm entering this card into these challenges:

Everybody Art Challenge 132 - Baby

KB Cute Monday Challenge 6 - the colour Pink

Paper Playtime Challenge 40 - Digi Mondays Anything Goes

The Crafty Pad Challenge 111 - use Ribbon

Dream Valley Challenge 2 - New Beginnings

Digital Tuesday Challenge 101 - Welcome little one

Some Sugar!

2011-03-07T16:38:00.000Z

When I saw these digis at Funky Kits I just fell in love with them. This image is Hope from the Simply Adorables digi range.

I've coloured her with Promarkers, then cut her out and mounted her on brown card, which I've also cut around. The dp is from a Vintage pack from QVC. I've used a Martha Stewart punch on the green paper, then added green ribbon from Crafty Ribbons. The metal frames are by Making Memories, which I've added to the ribbon. Cardstock is green 6 x 6" Bazzill.

I've followed a fab sketch from The Sugar Bowl.

Challenges I'm entering this card into:

The Sugar Bowl Challenge 54 - Lilian's Sketch

Little Miss Muffet Challenge 4 - Designer Papers

Pixie Dust Studio Challenge 64 - Polka Dots

Stamp Something Challenge - March Digi day

Fairy Tale Challenge 10 - Children

Digis with Attitude Challenge 20 - Anything Goes

Make It Colourful Challenge 9 - Colour with Shine

Card Cupids Blog Challenge Sunday - Anything Goes

Aly's Sunday Challenge - Anything Goes

Craft Your Passion Challenge 48 - Anything Goes

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 55 - Purple and Green!

2011-03-02T16:08:00.001Z

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 55 is to use the colours green and purple on your creation.

Our sponsor this week is Joanna Sheen with the prize being a £10 voucher to spend in her fab online shop.

For my DT card I've made a twisted easel shape. Tilda is coloured with Promarkers, die cut with Nesties Labels 8, then inked round the edges.

The dp is Trimcraft Desert Blooms. I love this pad, it's full of double-sided or glittered papers. The purple card has been embossed with 'In Stitches' embossing folder, sanded and torn, then inked with Versamagic purple.

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts and have been sprayed with Crafters Companion Gold Spray & Sparkle. The leaves, purple heart and border punch are Martha Stewart punches. The green dp that has been punched with an EK Success Binding punch is also from Desert Blooms.

Other items used are a heart doily, Marianne Design Creatables Tag, ribbon from Crafty Ribbons, gem swirls by Prima, Distress Inks Shabby Shutters and lace from stash.

Cardstock is Bazzill purple. All edges of papers and card have been distressed and inked with Versamagic and Distress Inks.

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

Make It Colourful Challenge 8 - Light source top left

Sentimental Sundays Challenge 44 - Anything Goes

Papertake Weekly Challenge - Anthing Goes

Top Tip Tuesday Challenge 24 - Favourites ( my favourite embellishments of flowers and ribbon and favourite colouring medium of Promarkers)

Bearly Mine Challenge 5 - Birthdays

Lexi's Creations Challenge 34 - Flowers

The Corrosive Blog Challenge 105 - Distressing

Dream Valley Challenge 1 - Anything Goes

Stamp, Scrap & Doodle Challenge - Easel Card

Sweet Stampin Challenge - Oh So Girly

Crafts 4 Eternity Recipe Challenge 8 - Easel Card

Stamp Something Challenge - Something with flowers

Paper Romance Challenge 39 - Anything Goes

Wild Orchid Challenge 18 - Anything Goes

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 38 - Ribbon

Magnolia Down Under Challenge 85 - Flower Power

Crazy 4 Challenges #76 - Flowers

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 54 Stitching!

2011-02-23T15:56:00.000Z

The challenge this week at I ♥ Promarkers is Stitching.

Our sponsor is Digi Doodle Shop with the prize being a $10 gift certificate to spend in their online store. They've got so many fabby digis to choose from.

For my DT card I've used an image called 'The Left Shoe', coloured with Promarkers, inked round the edges with blue Heritage Ink and some faux stitching added. The image has been die cut with Nesties Labels 10, then matted onto a chocolate card base which has also been die cut. I've added 3 buttons with twine to the bottom.

The base card is a circle folded in half to make a rocker card. The papers are Tilda Frosted blue/green inked and faux stitched. Cardstock is DCWV.

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

Party Time Tuesdays Challenge 4 - Anything Goes

Incy Wincy Designs Challenge 82 - Use punches or dies

Kaboodle Doodles Challenge 55 - Break Tradition

Stamps R Us Challenge - For the Girls

OSAAT Challenge 50 - Anything but square

Make It Colourful Challenge 7 - Smooth Gradients

Totally Papercrafts Challenge 54 - Do it with Digi

Pixie Dust Studio Challenge 62 - Don't be Square

Samuel Taylors Crafts Challenge 1 - Copic or Promarkers

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 53 - Paper Piecing

2011-02-16T16:46:00.000Z

Before I get to this week's challenge I need to announce the winner of my candy from our Birthday Blog Hop. I used Random Org, but I couldn't add it to my blog, so the winner is...............DEBS M

If you'd like to email me at julesandkidz2@gmail.com with your details I'll get the all the goodies posted off to you.

Our challenge this week at I ♥ Promarkers is Paper Piecing! Our sponsor is Susie from Die Cut Dreams, and she's offering some door hanger kits as the prize.

I've used an image by Wild Rose Studio which I've paper pieced with Anna Griffin paper, and coloured the rest with Promarkers. The dps are Anna Griffin and Karen Neuburger.

I've followed a fab sketch at Wild Orchid Challenges.

Items used are Nesties Labels 8, Martha Stewart edge punch, Anna Griffin ribbon, Fancy Pants ric rac, K & Co gems, peach Bazzill 6 x 6" cardstock, and the leaves are various Martha Stewart and X Cut punches.

The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts and Magnolia, and have been sprayed with Glimmer Mists and Crafters Companion Gold Glitter Spray.

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

Wild Orchid Challenge 17 - Sketch

OCC - cut it out (paper piecing)

Bee Crafty Challenge 15 - Waves (wavy ribbon and paper)

Alota Rubber Stamps Challenge 53 - Nestabilities (Labels 8)

Creative Craft World Challenge - Square

Little Claire's Challenge 1 - Anything Goes

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday # 105 - 3 pattern papers

Bunny Zoe's Crafts Challenge 9 - Spring Flowers

House of Gilli Challenge 1 - Sparkle, 3 patterned papers, dies or punches

OSAAT Challenge 49 - Make it pretty

Sketchy Colours Challenge 58 - peach, green and gold (gold is in the flowers and hair on the image.

Lollipop Crafts Challenge 26 - use your favourite colouring medium (promarkers)

DYSU Challenge 6 - Ribbon

I ♥ Promarkers It's our 1st Birthday!!

2011-02-09T07:30:00.006Z

This week over on I ♥ ProMarkers, we’re having a Blog Hop to celebrate our 1st Birthday, which will also be our weekly challenge. I hope you will all join us in our first ever Blog Hop, with a Birthday themed card.

We’ve got prizes from Whiff of Joy and Letraset for the lucky winner, and also, all the DT girls have a little prize to give to someone leaving a comment on their blogs. The Blog Hop will end at 6 pm on Tuesday 15th February, and the winners will be placed on the challenge blog, along with our next challenge, on Wednesday 16th February.

Here’s a picture of my prize. I will add more to it if I get over 30 comments.

For a chance to win, just leave me a comment and complete the hop around the DT blogs. It would be fabulous if you became a follower of my blog, but not necessary to win.

Here’s the list of the DT's blogs. You need to hop around them in this order, and leave a comment on each one. They've all come up with some stunning creations.

Julie - that's me!

Then go back to I ♥ ProMarkers and leave a picture of your project with Mr Linky. You MUST use Promarkers to be eligible to win.

I've made a birthday card for my sister this week. I used a shaped 8 x 8" white card and made it into an easel card. The image is from the S.W.A.L.K. range by Crafter's Companion. I masked it to add another image, the grassy background is a Magnolia stamp. I coloured the images using Promarkers, then did the sky with Distress Inks. I die cut it using a Nesties Labels, then matted it onto a layer of Tim Holtz dp.

All the papers are Tim Holtz, inked round the edges with Distress Inks. The heart doily has been sprayed with Crafter's Companion Spray & Sparkle Gold glitter spray, and a string of gold beads added. The lace has been lightly sprayed with the gold glitter spray, and I've added a little gold Stickles too. The flowers have also been sprayed. The lace and flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts and Magnolia. The leaves are various punches and the tag is a Labels die. The butterflies are a Martha Stewart punch, with some Stickles and Dovecraft gems added. The other gems are K & Co.The sentiment in the top left corner is Anna Griffin.

Edited to add thanks to all my new followers. As the comments have reached over 30 now, I'm going to add some ribbons and lace, brads and some buttons.

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 51 - Anything Goes!

2011-02-02T18:03:00.001Z

Sorry I'm a bit late with my post today, it's been one of those days when I've had a few unexpected visitors. Now I've got the house to myself, I can finally tell you about this week's challenge at I ♥ Promarkers.

It's a nice easy one this week - Anything Goes!!

We have a great sponsor this week too! The winner gets a £10 gift voucher to spend at the fabulous Joanna Sheen online store.

On my DT card I've used one of the fab designs from the Simply Sassy range of stamps illustrated by Krista Smith. It's called My Friend Kitty, and you can find her at Funky Kits.

She's been coloured with Promarkers, then die cut with Nesties Labels 8. The dp is Origins by BasicGrey on Kraft 6 x 6" Bazzill cardstock. I've punched some green card with a Martha Stewart deep edged punch, then added some lovely wide green ribbon. The heart is a die cut stamped with black Versafine, the flowers are Prima, and I've used various punches for the leaves.

I'm entering this card into these challenges:

Papertake Weekly Challenge - Anything Goes + Flowers

Top Tip Tuesday Challenge 20 - Anything Girlie

Pile It On Challenge 5 - Punch It

Stamptacular Sunday Challenge 96 - Whateva!!

BasicGrey Challenge 36 - Flower Power using Origins papers

Totally Gorjuss Challenge 65 - As You Like It!

2 Sisters Challenge 24 - Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 50 - Lavender & Lace!

2011-01-26T15:30:00.000Z

It's time for another challenge at I ♥ Promarkers and this week the theme is Lavender & Lace. Our sponsor is Digi Doodle Shop with the prize being a $10 gift certificate to spend in their online shop where you'll find lots of fab images.

For my DT card this week I've used Fairy 1 coloured of course with Promarkers, then cut out. The dps are Blonde Moments and Trimcraft . I've also used a Nellie Snellen Multi Frames die on white pearl card, some black gems and black lace from stash. Cardstock is lilac 6 x 6" Bazzill.

Hope you can join us. Please have cards in by 6pm on Tuesday.

Simply Sassy!!

2011-01-23T14:47:00.000Z

Happy Sunday! Hope you're all having a good weekend, I've been doing the washing all morning, it seems to be never ending.

Onto today's card. I've decided to have a go at the GDT call for the release of sets 5 and 6 of the Simply Sassy stamps by Krista Smith. I just love the images so much. I've only got the first set at the mo, but my birthday's coming up in a couple of weeks, so the next sets are top of my wish list!

I've used the image 'Pillow Talk' and coloured her with my Promarkers. I used nesties Labels 10 to cut her out, then inked round her with Stormy Sky Distress Ink. I've also added some K & Co. green gems. The dp is from a cheap pack I've had for ages by Paperworks I think. At the bottom, I've used my new Martha Stewart punch (I love this punch!), then inked the edges with Lettuce Distress Ink. I found some gorgeous ribbon in my stash, then tied it into a bow and added it to the white Bazzill 6 x 6" card.

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

Simply Sassy GDT - (as mentioned above)

The Crafty Pad Challenge 105 - Something Girly

OSAAT Challenge 46 - As You Like It!

Wee Memories Challenge 40 - Anything Goes

Stamp Something Challenge - Cute Somethings

Let's Ink It Up Challenge 8 - Anything Goes

Challenge Up Your Life #35 - Clean and Simple

Paper Cutz Challenge 75 - Anything Goes

The Sugar Bowl Challenge 51

2011-01-22T22:34:00.000Z

I love these Simply Sassy stamps and have been going through inking them all up one by one. This card is for the challenge at The Sugar Bowl. It's a fab sketch by Kiki. I've used Artistic Goddess coloured with Promarkers, then I've added Glossy Accents onto the paint blobs and her glasses, and die cut with Nesties. Dps used are Anna Griffin and DCWV. I've also added a Prima gem swirl coloured with Promarkers. The stitching is faux, done with a Tim Holtz ruler for all the holes, then joined up with a fine Promarker liner pen. Other items used are yellow metal photo corners and pink brads by Papermania, and some pink ribbon from stash. All on an 8 x 8" white pearl card.

I'll be back with another Simply Sassy card tomorrow.

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

The Sugar Bowl Challenge 51 - Sketch

Totally Gorjuss Challenge 64 - Hot colours

Alphabet Challenge Blog - L for Ladies

Timeless Tuesday FTTC 101 - Go big (oversized card) Mine is 8 x 8"

Creative Belli Blog Challenge 109 - The letter P - (pink, painter)

My Time to Craft Challenge 124 - Spots and Dots

AiFactory Challenge 64 - Anything Goes

Michelle Perkett Studio Sketch Challenge

2011-01-21T14:15:00.000Z

My card today is for Michelle Perkett Studios Challenge, which is a fab sketch. The winner gets to pick one of Michelle's fab images from her Etsy shop. You can also buy them from Bunny Zoe Crafts.

The MP image I've used is 'Princess for a Day'. I've coloured her with Promarkers and added some Stickles to the flowers. Other items used are Anna Griffin ribbon and dp, pink pearls and some gorgeous pearl flowers (which I think were BasicGrey), and a sentiment stamp. All on green Bazzill cardstock.

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

Stamp-n-Doodle Challenge - Dress it Up

Digi Doodle Shop's Best Challenge 43 - Anything Goes

Do You Stack Up Challenge 3 - Pink

Prairie Fairy Fridays Challenge 44 - Happy Birthday

Do It With Digis Challenge 2 - Pink and Girly

Sarah Hurley Challenge 26.++++++++ - Birthday Girl

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 49 Keep It Sweet and Simple!

2011-01-19T15:41:00.000Z

Hi everyone, it's time for another challenge at I ♥ Promarkers. The theme this week is KISS - Keep it Sweet and Simple!!

We have a fab new sponsor joining us. It's Sentiments 4 You, with the prize being $10 to spend in their online store. They have lots of lovely digi sentiments, and the DT were lucky enough to get some to use on our cards this week.

I've used a gorgeous image by Mo Manning, coloured of course with Promarkers. Other items used are Nesties, blue satin ribbon, blue card, dp from stash (can't remember where it was from), sentiment ticket from our sponsor - Sentiments 4 You, all on an 8 x 8" pearl card.

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge 45 - Anything Goes

Creative Craft World Challenge - Cute and Cuddly

Top Tip Tuesday #18 - Add a Sentiment

A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge 135 - Blue and Green

Karber Weekly Challenge 21 - Ribbon

Sundays with Crissy Challenge 13 - Ribbons

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 32 - Free for All

Alota Rubber Stamps Challenge 51 - Spring Theme

OSAAT Challenge 45 - New - new image and nesties

Totally Papercrafts Challenge 49 - Happy Birthday

Mo's Digital Challenge 65 - It's Playtime

Pile It On Challenge 3 - Anything Goes

The Crafty Pad Challenge 104 - New - new image and nesties

I'm back with I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 48 Punches!!

2011-01-12T13:57:00.000Z

I'm back finally after a spate of bad health. I hope you all had a good Christmas and New Year, mine was a bit strange this year. It was the first Christmas without my darling mum.

Onto this week's challenge at I ♥ Promarkers. It's #48, and the theme is 'Punches'. Our sponsor is Crafty Individuals who are offering a fabulous prize. I've just had a look at their website, and they have some gorgeous rubber stamps.

I needed to make a card for my daughter as she turned 20 on Sunday (doesn't time fly?). I've used an 8 x 8" card blank. The gorgeous image is called Hippie Chick, and she's by an artist called Krista Smith. You can find her, and others in the Simply Sassy section from Sugar Nellie at Funky Kits.

I've used Promarkers to colour the image. Other items used are Nesties Labels 10, a Tim Holtz embossing folder on white card, purple card, a Prima flower and gems, 2 different punches for the leaves (1 being Martha Stewart), a heart gem, and finally some letters and numbers from my stash. I'm not overly happy with this card, but I'm sure I'll get more creative as I get back into things.

I'm hoping to be posting regularly again now, I really missed crafting over the last few weeks. I'd also like to thank Karen for keeping my DT position open for me, I'm so pleased to be back with our fabulous team at I ♥ Promarkers.

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 41 Snowmen!

2010-11-17T20:48:00.000Z

Hi everyone, it's been a bit chaotic here today. We had family down from Manchester, as they were going to watch England play tonight at Wembley with my hubby and son. So now I'm on my own at last I can post about our challenge at I ♥ Promarkers. This week is all about Snowmen!

The winner will get $15 to spend at Simon Says Stamp, which has lots of fantastic crafty goodies to choose from.

For my card this week I've used a Joanna Sheen stamp, coloured with Promarkers. I've then added some white Flowersoft, some glitter and Stickles to the image, plus some black gems for the eyes, mouth and buttons. I've die cut the image with a Nestie and inked the edge with Promarkers.

The dp is NOEL by Dovecraft (it's beautiful and sparkly). The trees are also from the NOEL stack, and have been die cut with a Marianne's Creatable die. They've then been edged with Stickles.

I've added a bow with red organza ribbon and 3 metallic tree brads in the corners.

All on 6 x 6" white cardstock.

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

Simon Says Challenge - Sparkle

Creative Inspirations Challenge 87 - Winter Woodland

Alota Rubber Stamps Challenge 47 - Christmas

Caardvarks Challenge - Holiday Die Cuts

Critter Sketch Challenge 40 - Texture

Pollycraft Challenge 70 - A Glittery Christmas

The Crafty Pad Challenge 97 - Christmas Sparkle

Craft Your Days Away Challenge 8 - Christmas Trees

The Stamp Man Challenge 9 - Christmas

Scrappy Frogs Challenge - Christmas

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 40 Icy Colours

2010-11-10T14:44:00.000Z

This week's challenge at I ♥ Promarkers is - 'Icy Colours'.

We are being sponsored by Letraset so the winner will be able to add some more Promarkers to their collection.

For my card I've used a stamp set that has been neglected for ages. I can't remember what it's called but I think it's by Kars. I've masked the image of the girl to stamp the fence to look like it's behind her. I've used my Promarkers to colour, then added Glamour Dust for the snow on the ground, plus little spots so it looks like it's snowing.

The dp is Dovecraft, to which I've added some glittery snowflakes and also used a Copic Spica clear glitter pen on the words to give them a little sparkle (which you can't see in the pic). The die cut behind the image is by Magnolia. I've added 2 lots of lace along the centre of the card. The lilac poinsettias have been die cut with 2 different size Marianne Creatables dies. I have layered them, then sprayed them with Crafters Companion Silver glitter spray, and finally added blue gems.

The card is an 8 x 8 white pearl card.

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

Paper Sundaes Challenge 43 - Let it Snow

Crafts & Me Challenge 17 - Glitter

Creative Belli Blog Challenge 104 - old, new, borrowed or blue (old - stamp, new -Magnolia die, borrowed - large poinsettis die, blue - most of the card)

The ABC Challenge - H is for Holidays

Top Tip Tuesday Challenge 9 - use an image or sentiment

A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge 129 - Snow/Snowflakes

Crafty Calendar Challenge 14 - Winter Snowflakes

OSAAT Challenge 38 - Winter Wonderland

Charisma Cardz Challenge 44 - With Love at Christmas

Michelle Perkett Studio Challenge 53 Anything Goes using a MP image!

2010-11-09T17:33:00.000Z

Today is the start of a new challenge at Michelle Perkett Studio. It's Challenge 53, and Anything Goes using a Michelle Perkett image.

If you don't have any MP images yet, you can find them at her Etsy store or at Bunny Zoes Craft shop.

For my card I've used Eva the Glam Mermaid, and coloured her with H2Os. I made the mistake of going over her with Stickles which ended up in a bit of a mess mixed up with the H2Os. I've learnt not to do that again!

I've cut out Eva, then matted her onto Kanban sea and sky background card, which has been die cut with Nesties Labels 10, inked with Distress Inks, then some Stickles added to the waves.

The dp is K&Co. layered onto light blue card. I've used some more light blue card across the centre, punched with a Martha Stewart deep edge punch, then some green ribbon added. I've knotted the green ribbon and added a sea shell charm. I've used Stickles round the edges of the card, which is an 8 x 8" white scalloped card inked with Distress Inks. Lastly, I've added some green pearls to the corner.

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

Lexi's Creations Challenge 26 - Anything Goes

Catch The Bug Challenge - Anything Goes

Creative Craft Challenge Special Blogoversary Challenge

2010-11-08T21:39:00.000Z

Hope I'm not too late for this challenge. I've been meaning to add my card for days, but life got really busy. It's a special challenge at Creative Craft this week to celebrate their first Blogoversary. The theme is Anniversary or Congratulations, and they have some fab prizes on offer.

The stamp I've used is by Penny Black, called 'Nose Kiss' coloured with Promarkers. Other items used are a clear Copic Spica Glitter pen, pearl gems, a heart doily by Royal Lace, lots of Stardust Stickles, Nesties Labels 15, Kraft Bazzill card, dp from a QVC set, Martha Stewart punch, and Versafine Sepia. The sentiment stamps are by Crafty Ideas by Kaz and Inkadinkadoo.

I gave this card to my hubby to celebrate 10 years of marriage.

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 39 Snowflakes

2010-11-03T22:14:00.000Z

Today sees a new challenge at I ♥ Promarkers. It's Challenge 39 and the theme is Snowflakes. Please make sure you follow the theme and USE Promarkers. We're getting entries from people who are using other mediums for colouring. We are a Promarker challenge blog! Now that's cleared up, I can tell you that the winner will get a £10 gift voucher to spend in Joanna Sheen's fab online store.

The image I've used this week is a snowman freebie digital image, which was posted a few weeks ago on Imag-e-nation I've coloured her with Promarkers, then used a Cuttlebug embossing folder with snowflakes. She fits inbetween the snowflakes just right. I've lightly inked over the embossed snowflakes with Versacolour Lagoon Blue. The papers are by Crafts Too, on which I've used a Martha Stewart snowflake corner punch. The punched out snowflakes have then been added next to the image with K & Co gems in the centre of them.

The large pink and blue snowflake was made with a Marianne Creatables snowflake die cut set. I've added a star charm and a blue gem to the centre, and some Glamour Dust to the edges.

The sentiment stamp is a Holiday Ticket sentiment by Raindrop Echo Designs for Whimsy Stamps. It has been stamped with Lagoon Blue Versacolour with the edges being inked with Orchid Versacolour.

The cardstock is pink 6 x 6" Bazzill.

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

Everybody Art Challenge 115 - Untraditional Christmas

Quixotic Paperie 1st monthly Challenge - Christmas is coming

Bee Crafty's Challenge 5 - Pastels

Top Tip Tuesday #8 - Christmas Inspired

Lollipop Crafts Challenge 14 - Embossing

Critter Sketch Challenge Blog #38 - Christmas

Paper Playtime Challenge 23 - Use clock, ticket or tag (I've used a ticket)

Die Cut Dreams Christmas Club Challenge 41 - use a Christmas Digi

Mark's Finest Papers Challenge 27 - A holiday card

OSAAT Challenge 37 - Christmas

Ellephantastic Challenge 18 - Blue

The ABC Challenge - G is for Glitter

Bee Crafty Downloads Challenge 41 - Christmas

Fussy and Fancy Challenge 22 - Winter Wonderland

Totally Papercrafts Challenge 40 - Bling it on

The Shabby Tea Room Week 34 - Inspiration pic (I was inspired by the colours in the pic)

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 38 Sketch and Halloween

2010-10-27T18:11:00.001+01:00

It's time for Challenge 38 at I ♥ Promarkers, and this week we have a sketch for you to follow with a Halloween theme.

The winner will receive a $10 gift certificate to spend in the Digi Doodle Shop where you'll be spoilt for choice with so many fab digi images.

Unfortunately my printer has broken so I couldn't use an image from Digi Doodle Shop. It'll be pay day soon though, so first on the list is a new printer.

I've used a Tilda with her broomstick image for my card, coloured of course with Promarkers, then cut out. The dp is My Minds Eye Boo To You. I've added some black glitter pen over the webs to make them pop a bit more. The black 'Boo' paper has been punched in the corners with a Martha Stewart Gothic punch.

I've added orange and black ribbon, and put the sentiment on top. The stamped sentiment is by Technique Tuesday from their Trick or Treat set, stamped with black Versafine and clear embossed, then die cut with Nesties Labels 15.

The orange pumpkin and the bats which Tilda is sitting on are both die cuts from Bazzill Basics 'Just the Edge' strips.

I've added 3 silver pumpkin charms with black gems.

The cardstock is black Bazzill 6 x 6".

I'm entering my Halloween card into these challenges:

Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge - make a square card

Crafty Creations Challenge 91 - Halloween

Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Punch 'em

A Crafty Little Place Challenge 62 - Make it Spooky

The Crazy Challenge #38 - Tons of shapes

OSAAT Challenge 36 - All Celebrations

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 23 - Halloween

Totally Tilda Special Challenge - Halloween

Crazy 4 Challenges #60 - Halloween

Baby Bud Designs Challenge 1 - Halloween

Ooh La La Creations Challenge 65 - Scary Stuff

By The Cute and Girly October Challenge - Spooky

Crafty Purple Frog Challenge 1 - Anything Goes

Top Tip Tuesday Challenge 7 - Anything Goes

Paper Playtime Challenge 22 - Halloween

Simon Says Stamp & Show Challenge - Spookay!!

Frosted Designs Challenge - Die cuts

The Corrosive Challenge 87 - Halloween

Ellephantastic Challenge 17 - Halloween

I Did It Creations Challenge 26 - Surprise me (open Challenge)

Little Red Wagon Challenge 52 - Halloween

Michelle Perkett Studio Challenge 51 - Autumn Leaves

2010-10-26T18:18:00.001+01:00

It's time for a new challenge at Michelle Perkett Studio. This week the theme is Autumn Leaves and/or Autumn colours using a Michelle Perkett image. If you don't already own any of Michelle's gorgeous digis you can find them at her Etsy shop or at Bunny Zoes Craft Shop. There may also be a couple of freebies at CDAC.

The prize is your choice of any 1 of Michelle's images from her Etsy store.

The image I've used for this challenge is Forest Fairy, which I've coloured with Promarkers. I've added some sparkle to the wings with a Copic Spica clear glitter pen, and to the flowers with some Stardust Stickles. I've matted the image onto some dp, then onto orange Bazzill.

The dp is Papermania Hampstead, which is slightly glittered. I've used a strip from the same set, and punched it with a Martha Stewart punch, then matted it onto orange Bazzill.

The flowers are Bazzill and Wild Orchid Crafts, to which I've added Stardust Stickles on the petals. The leaves are various Martha Stewart and X Cut punches. The cardstock is orange 6 x 6" Bazzill.

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

Top Tip Tuesday Challenge 7 - Anything Goes

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge 90 - Anything Goes but Buttons and Bows

Bunny Zoes Crafts Challenge 5 - Autumn Love

Craft Your Passion Challenge 29 - Add glitter/sparkles

Marks Finest Papers Challenge 26 - Use die-cuts or a punch

Totally Gorjuss Challenge 53 - Sparkle

2 Sisters Challenge 10 - Anything Goes

Baby Bud Designs Challenge 1 - Fall or Halloween

Pixie Dust Studio Challenge 45 - Sketch and Fall

A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge 127 - Die cutting and punches

Karber Monthly Challenge 2 - Fantasy

Rainbow Lady's Challenge 123 - Autumn Foliage

Easy Craft Projects Challenge 24 - Autumn

Halloween!!

2010-10-22T14:22:00.001+01:00

I've done my first Halloween card this year at last! I found quite a few challenges too that it fits, which wasn't too hard as most challenge sites are 'doing' Halloween' at the mo.

The image is by Michelle Perkett who has a Halloween challenge going on at the mo here. You can find a freebie Michelle Perkett image on CDAC if you're lucky. She also has an Etsy store, or you can buy them at Bunny Zoes Crafts. The image I've used is called Candy the sweet Halloween Witch.

I've coloured Candy with Promarkers, cut her out and added orange Stickles. The dp is My Minds Eye - Boo To You, and the purple paper is DCWV Stack 7. The moon with the bats is part of a digi image I found and I've added black Stickles to the bats. The witch in the moon, spider web and sentiment stamps are all from Technique Tuesday - Trick or Treat, stamped with black Versafine. The headstone, skull and stars are all die cuts from Boo To You. I've added 2 black gems to the skull's eyes, and doodled on the stars with a black Fineliner pen.

The fence is a Martha Stewart punch, to which I've added some black gems. The cat is from a Bazzill Basics Just the Edge strip. Cardstock is 6 x 6" black Bazzill.

Onto the challenges I'm entering my card into:

The Crazy Challenge #37 - Halloween

2 Sisters Challenge 9 - Halloween

Dutch Dare Card Challenge 89 - Halloween

Baby Bud Challenge 1 - Halloween

Stampin' for the Weekend Challenge 49 - Halloween

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge 73 - Spooky

Hanna and friends Challenge 67 - Halloween

Creative Inspirations Challenge 83 - Spooky

The Creative Cottage Challenge 25 - Halloween

Crafty Purple Frog Challenge 1 - Anything Goes

MAWTT Challenge 69 - Use Promarkers/Anything Goes. Being sponsored by Letraset

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 22 - Free for all

One Stop Craft Challenge 102 - Halloween

Crafts and Me Challenge 15 - Halloween

Bee Crafty Downloads Challenge 40 - Halloween

Creative Craft Challenge - Trick or Treat

Other Lovelies Thoughtful Thursday 0031 - H (for Halloween or Haunted)

Stamp Something October Digi day - use a digi image

Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge - Green, purple and orange

Pile It On Challenge 41 - Kid themed Halloween

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 37

2010-10-20T15:02:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone, just got back from a weekend break in Blackpool. We had a lovely time, but it was so cold (I know I'm a soft Southerner lol).

On to this week's challenge at I ♥ Promarkers - Autumn! My card is more a cross between Autumn and Winter, as I looked through my stamps and this was the closest I could find (printer not working at the mo, so not got many digi images printed out).

Our sponsor this week is Simon Says Stamp and the lucky winner will get $15 to spend in their fab online store.

For my card I've used a Sugar Nellie stamp called Winter Wonderland, coloured with my Promarkers (obviously). I've inked the edges with Distress inks, and added some Polar White Flower Soft on the coat, and a red gem as a berry on the holly. She's then been die cut with Nesties Labels 8.

The dp is Papermania Hampstead. I've used a Marianne Design Creatables Doily die cut behind the image. The flowers are Prima and Wild Orchid Crafts, to which I've added some Stardust Stickles. The leaves are Papermania with some gems. I've also added some Prima gems in the top right hand corner. The cardstock is green Bazzill 6 x 6".

I'll be back tomorrow with my first Halloween card using a fab digi by Michelle Perkett.

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

Tuesday Throwdown #22 - Anything Goes

Craftalicious Challenge 10 - Anything Goes

Gingerloft Challenge 4 - Winter

OSAAT Challenge 35 - Embellish It!

Digi Doodle Shop's Best Challenge 29 - 'My Peeps'

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 36 - Cupcakes!

2010-10-13T17:01:00.000+01:00

It's time for Challenge 36 at I ♥ Promarkers. This week's theme is .......Cupcakes. So get out your cupcake stamps or draw your own. As long as you've used Promarkers on your creation and followed the theme you'll be entered into the draw for a fab prize.

Susie from Die Cut Dreams is sponsoring us this week, and she's offering some scalloped 6" cards on stands and some open book cards on stands to the winner. There are some pics on the challenge blog of the prize, and some fab examples from Susie of how to use them.

For this weeks card I've used a fab stamp from Kraftin' Kimmie called 'Francesca'. I've had her for ages, but this is the first time I've managed to ink her up. She's been coloured with Promarkers, then die cut with an oval Nestie. I've then matted her onto pink Bazzill Bling, die cut with a scalloped oval Nestie. I've added pink Stickles to the cupcakes in her hand, and on the strawberries on her dress.

The label is from a set from QVC, added to pink Bazzill Bling card, die cut with Fancy Labels Nesties. The backing paper, strips and the glittery cupcake are also from a QVC set. I've changed a bit of the colour on the cupcake with my pink Promarkers.

Finally, I've added 3 pink gems, and 3 gorgeous pink cupcake brads. All on pink 6 x 6" Bazzill Bling cardstock.

I'm entering my Cupcake card into these challenges:

Fab 'n' Funky Challenge 44 - Yummy, yummy, yummy!

Crazy 4 Challenges #58 - Birthday

Craftalicious Challenge 10 - Anything Goes

Tuesday Throwdown Challenge 21 - Use 3 elements

Papertake Weekly Challenge - 3 of a kind

Raise The Bar Challenge 39 - pink plus a female image.

Mami Doodles Challenge 11 - A girl's birthday card with a bit of sparkle.

Gingerloft Challenge 3 - All that glitters or blings

Autumn with Michelle Perkett!

2010-10-09T17:22:00.001+01:00

I decided to make an Easel card depicting Autumn and nature this week with one of Michelle Perkett's images called 'Earth'. She's part of a series of 4 images which you can find at Michelle's Etsy shop or Bunny Zoes Crafts shop.

I've coloured her with Promarkers, then added Stickles and inked round the edges, then matted her onto BasicGrey Kraft paper. I put the easel card together using Bazzill green card and BasicGrey papers. I've added Bazzill 'Just the Edge strips' which I've coloured with a Promarker to get the green shade I wanted. I've then added brown ribbon along the centre. The roses have been coloured with Promarkers to give them a brown colour, then I've added some Stickles to the edges of the petals.

I've made a tag onto which I've stamped the lovely sentiment with Sepia Versafine, then added it to the card with some green Bazzill material (the name of it has completely escaped my mind) made into a bow, then a rose added.

Sorry the pic's not too good.

You've still got a couple of days to join the challenge at Michelle Perkett Studio. The theme is Hip not to be Square.

I'm entering my Easel card into these challenges:

Stamps R Us Challenge 6 - Nature

Challenge up your Life Challenge 29 - Autumn

Totally Gorjuss Challenge 51 - Not Square

The Stamp Man Challenge 7 - Autumn

Dutch Dare Card Challenge 88 - Tagalicious (the sentiment is on a tag)

Crafty Sentiments Challenge 38 - Autumn colours

Charisma Cardz Challenge 40 - Autumn colours

ABC Challenge - E for Easel Cards

Sentimental Sundays Challenge 23 - Autumn

Stampin' for the Weekend Challenge 48 - Autumn Inspiration

Crafty Calendar Challenge - Autumn Birthdays

Create4Fun Week 41 Challenge 63 - use a digital stamp

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 35 - Think Pink!

2010-10-06T19:38:00.000+01:00

Just a quick post from me today, I've been feeling really unwell all day. We have a new challenge at I ♥ Promarkers - since this month is Breast Cancer Awareness Month we thought we would have a Think Pink week!

Our sponsor is Joanna Sheen, with the prize being a £10 voucher to spend in her fab online store.

For my card, I've followed a fab sketch at Sparkle Dreams, and followed their theme of sparkles and flowers. It's their very first challenge, and it runs for the whole month of October.

The image on my card is by C C Designs, coloured with Promarkers, with pink Stickles added to the centres of the flowers and the bow in her hair. The dps are K & Co and Wild Rose Studio. I've used a Martha Stewart punch and lots of Stardust Stickles on the dps. The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts, the bow is Martha Stewart, the gems are Dovecraft, and the sentiment stamp is by Inkadinkadoo.

Michelle Perkett Studio Challenge 48 - Hip NOT to be Square

2010-10-05T19:42:00.002+01:00

There's a new challenge over at Michelle Perkett Studio today. It's the turn of the other half of the design team, and they've come up with some gorgeous creations. The theme is Hip NOT to be Square, so any other shape cards with a MP image are fine. You can find Michelle's images at her Etsy store or at Bunny Zoes Craft shop. You might even be lucky and find a freebie on Michelle's pade at CDAC.

I've used Carmen Cupcake this week, as she seemed the perfect choice to go with a Cupcake shaped card. I've coloured her with Promarkers, and added Stickles to the dots on her dress, then cut her out. I found a cupcake template in my stash. The base is made with brown pearl card and scored to look like a cake case. The top has been made with brown pearl card as well but covered on the front with dotty paper by MME. The strawberry is a die cut also by MME, to which I've added spots of Stickles. I've also added Stickles around the edge of the cake. The sentiment was a freebie from TLC Creations, which has some fab word art. I've die cut it and then inked the edges with Distress inks, and finally added a little Stickles.

I'm entering my Cupcake card into these challenges:

A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge 124 - Sparkle and Shine

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge 31 - Step away from the square

Incy Wincy Designs Challenge 62 - Sparkly Glitter

Hanna and Friends Challenge 64 - So Dotty

Ooh La La Creations Challenge 64 - Nothing Floral

Pollycraft Challenge 64 - Anything Goes

Polka Doodles Challenge 39 - Fancy or interesting folding
Karber Weekly Challenge 8 - Go Digital

Willow - Let the beauty we love be what we do!

2010-10-02T21:33:00.002+01:00

Today I've got a gorgeous digital image to show you by Michelle Perkett. She's called Willow the Autumn Fairy, and you can find her at Michelle's Etsy store, or at Bunny Zoes Crafts shop.

I've coloured Willow with Promarkers, then added glitter to her wings. She's been mounted onto peach card. I've made a fancy fold stepper card (not sure of the proper name for it) with A4 cream card. I've added the dp (from stash), which has also been mounted onto peach card, and then did some faux stitching. The plain pale peach card at the top has been punched with a Martha Stewart punch. I've added the image to the middle section, and die cut some Sizzix swirls and flowers for the side panels. The beautiful flower is by Magnolia with some Stardust Stickles, and the gems are Prima. Lastly, I added a sentiment which was a cheap stamp I picked up in my local craft shop.

A quick reminder that you've still got time to enter the challenge at Michelle Perkett Studio which is Girly with Bling this week. You'll find it here.

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

Stamp, Scrap and Doodle Saturdays - Open Challenge

Alphabet Challenge Blog - W for Wings

Sew Many Cards Challenge - Anything Goes

Pixie Dust Studio Challenge 42 - Swirly Swirls

Flutter By Wednesday #124 - Sparkle and Shimmer

Paper Sundaes Challenge 37 - things with Wings
Lollipop Crafts Challenge 9 - Glitter, Sparkle, Gems
Creative Craft Challenges - Glamour Puss (Willow's definately glamorous)
The Creative Cottage Challenge 24 - Bling it on!
Moving Along with the Times Challenge 66 - Fairies or Fantasy

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 34 Pearls & Swirls

2010-09-29T14:45:00.000+01:00

It's time for our next challenge at I ♥ Promarkers, a nice easy one this week - Pearls and Swirls!

We are being sponsored by Pollycraft with the winner getting to choose 5 images. The DT were very lucky this week, we got to choose our own images from Pollycraft for our cards. I picked Luna Bitterfrost - Frosty, and I have to say I love this image! She's only 99p to purchase!!

The image has been coloured with Promarkers, plus I've added Stickles to her hat and mittens, and tiny black gems to the snowman as buttons. I've inked the edges with Pumice Distress Inks and die cut the image with Labels 8, then matted onto black and red card. The sentiment is from OWH - Fall/winter set which has also been inked, die cut and layered. The dp is by K & Co. matted onto black Bazzill. I've added glitter, Prima pearl swirls, Kanban snowflakes and pearls from stash. All on red Bazzill 6 x 6" cardstock.

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

Crafts and Me Challenge 14 - Something for a Teenager

Creative Inspirations Challenge 80 - Christmas in September

Karber Challenge 7 - Hobbies and Leisure (building a snowman)

Passion For Promarkers Week 71 - Vintage/Shabby Chic

Everybody Art Challenge 110 - Friends

Christmas Inspirations Challenge 7 - use a rubber or digi stamp

Sentimental Sundays Challenge 22 - Dimension

Other Lovelies Thoughtful Thursdays #27 - D for digi

The Crazy Challenge - No ribbons or buttons

The Crafty Pad Challenge 90 - Christmas Sparkle

One Stop Craft Challenge 99 - Snowflakes in September

Crazy 4 Challenges #56 - Bling

Totally Gorjuss Challenge 49 - Christmas

Paper Playtime Challenge 18 - any form of water - ice, snow etc

Raise The Bar Challenge 37 - Bundle Up - depict cooler weather

Michelle Perkett Studio Challenge 47 Girly with Bling!

2010-09-28T16:42:00.002+01:00

Challenge 47 at Michelle Perkett Studio is Girly with Bling. If you don't have any of Michelle's images, you should be able to find a couple of freebies on her CDAC page. Alternatively you can visit Michelle's Etsy shop where she has so much choice, that you're bound to find a few of her images just slip into your basket. They can also be found at Bunny Zoes Crafts.

The winner of Challenge 47 will receive an image of their choice from Michelle's Etsy shop.

I've used the image 'Put on your Party Dress' which is lovely and girly. I've used Promarkers to colour the image, and have gone for quite a CAS look for a change. Also different for me is the colour scheme, I very rarely use purples. It was fun to experiment with a different style and colours though.

I've added lots of layers of white, lilac, and purple Bazzill onto a purple DL base card. I separated the sentiment from the image, and added some white ribbon and bows. Lastly, I added the bling in the form of a few purple gems, and purple Stickles on the dress in the centre of the flowers and the bow.

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

Craft Your Passion Challenge 25 - Clean and Simple

Incy Wincy Designs Challenge 61 - Anything Goes

Easy Craft Projects Challenge 22 - Purple

Allsorts Challenge 71 - Plain and Simple

Charisma Cardz Challenge 38 - Anything Goes

Wild Orchid Challenge 6 - Ribbons and Bows

Pollycraft Challenge 63 - No Designer Paper

Fab 'n' Funky Challenge 41 - Quote me Happy

The Sugar Bowl Challenge 44

2010-09-26T15:55:00.001+01:00

Challenge 44 at The Sugar Bowl is a fab sketch by Lilian with the theme of a Birthday card. They're choosing their design team this week, which I've applied for, and have everything crossed as it's my dream team!

For my card I've used a gorgeous Diane Duda stamp called 'Curtsy' coloured with Promarkers, and die cut with an oval Nestie, then matted onto black Bazzill card die cut with a scalloped oval Nestie. I've added some tiny Papermania black gems as buttons on her dress, and also put one in the bow in her hair. The dp is Tim Holtz, which I've punched around the page with Martha Stewart punches. The sentiment stamp is by Penny Black, stamped with black Versafine. I've then matted the dp onto black Bazzill card, and wrapped some black ribbon round it and added a knot. Lastly, I've added it all onto blue 6 x 6" Bazzill cardstock.

As well as entering this card in the challenge at The Sugar Bowl I'm entering it into:

OSAAT Challenge 32 - Anything Goes

Stamp It Crazy Challenge 7 - Anything Goes
The Pink Elephant Challenge 84 - Aqua + dp and embellishment of choice

Michelle Perkett Sprout the Birthday Princess

2010-09-25T15:49:00.000+01:00

I made this card using a fab Michelle Perkett image called Sprout the Birthday Princess. You can find her at Michelle's Etsy shop or at Bunny Zoes Craft shop. There's still time to enter this week's challenge which is to use a tag/s on the Challenge blog here.

I coloured Sprout with Promarkers. The dp is My Mind's Eye - Quite Contrary, to which I've added some pink gems from stash. Other items used are a Marianne Creatables Doily die, Nestie Labels 8, Bazzill Just the Edge scalloped card coloured with a blue Promarker, and Anna Griffin ribbon. The sentiment is a digi ticket image (sorry, can't remember where from). Cardstock is Aqua blue 6 x 6" Bazzill.

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge 69 - Teenagers

Bee Crafty Challenge 39 - Furry Friends

CES Challenge 5 - Animal Antics

Ai Factory Challenge 49 - Anything Goes

Anything Goes Challenge 17 - Cute

A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge 122 - Anything Goes

Digital Tuesday Challenge 77 - It's all about the Girls (+ digi)

The Pink Elephant Challenge 84 - the colour Aqua

OSAAT Challenge 31 - Happy Birthday

Papertake Weekly Challenge - Animal Magic

Paper Cutz Challenge 60 - Critter

I'm back with I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 33

2010-09-23T18:23:00.001+01:00

A new challenge at I ♥ Promarkers started yesterday. I'm a day late with my card as we haven't long got back from Manchester after attending my FIL's funeral. It went really well, and hubby even got up to say a few words during the service. He did brilliantly, especially in front of so many people.

The last 4 months have been so hard with losing my mum, and hubby losing his dad, but I'm going to try and get back into a routine now. They'll always be in my thoughts, but as 'they' say life must go on, especially for the kids.

Onto this week's challenge at I ♥ Promarkers now. It's Challenge 33 and the theme is 'White on White'. Our sponsor is Digi Doodle Shop with the prize being a $10 certificate to spend in their online store, where you'll find so many fab images. The DT have all been given digis to work with from Digi Doodle Shop. I chose The Perfect Tree which I coloured with Promarkers, then cut out with an oval Nestie, then layered onto white Glitter card cut with a scalloped oval Nestie. I also added some Polar White Flowersoft for snow.

I decided to make an easel card. I've embossed all the white background card with a Christmas Cuttlebug embossing folder, and added some white Glitter card, punched with a Martha Stewart snowflake punch. The trees are more Glitter card cut with Cuttlebug dies. I've added a sentiment into one of them. The snowflake is also Glitter card cut with Snowflakes 2 Nesties, with a pearl brad. Lastly, I've added some gorgeous white lace from Wild Orchid Crafts to both parts of the card.

I'm entering my easel card into these challenges:

Digi Doodle Shop's Best Challenge 26 - Emboss It

Charisma Cardz Challenge 38 - Anything Goes

Colour Create Challenge 54 - All White

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge 101 - Anything Goes

Fairy Fun Friday Challenge 35 - Embossing

Stamp Something - September Digi Day Challenge

A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge 122 - Anything Goes

Polka Doodles Challenge 37 - Easel Card (can enter card into up to 9 other challenges)

Sugar Sugar!!

2010-09-16T15:27:00.001+01:00

The Sugar Bowl is looking for new DT members or 'Sweeties' to join them. This would be my perfect DT position as I have at least 15 - 20 Sugar Nellie stamps, I love them.

There's a fab sketch to follow which I decided to use to make a Christmas card.

The image I've used is Demure by Elisabeth Bell from 2009. I thought she would look really good on a Christmas card. I've coloured her with my beloved Promarkers on Bristol Board, then cut her out with a circle Nestie. She's been matted onto light green Bazzill cut with a Peony Nestie, then onto a red Bazzill circle cut with my Cricut. The white Bazzill background card has been embossed with a Sizzix Christmas snowflakes embossing folder. The red Bazzill card at the borders has been punched with a Martha Stewart snowflake punch.

The poinsettias have been cut with a Marianne Creatables die in red, and light green for the leaves. The sentiment is a stamp by Mary Hughes for Papercrafts for You. The green gems on the poinsettias and the red pom pom ribbon are from my stash. All on light green Bazzill 6 x 6" cardstock.

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 31 and 32

2010-09-16T00:02:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone. Sorry I haven't been around for a while again, we had some more bad news. Hubby's dad died suddenly last week of a heart attack! It's not even 4 months since I lost my mum yet, which has made it even worse. My poor kids have just lost 2 grandparents within 3 months of each other. The funeral's on Monday, but it's going to be quite upbeat as that's what my FIL would have wanted.

Anyway, onto this week's challenge at I ♥ Promarkers. Wynneth has drawn a fab sketch for us to follow with an optional theme of 'Rip it Up'.

Our sponsor is Simon Says Stamp, with the prize being $15 to spend in their online store. They'll even pay the p&p!!

For my DT card this week, I've used a fab Sugar Nellie stamp called Rock Idol, coloured of course with Promarkers. All edges have been inked with Walnut Stain and Aged mahogany Distress Inks. The dp is BasicGrey Boxer and Kraft, as well as Creative Imaginations cream Music sheet. All have been torn, distressed and inked with BasicGrey and Tim Holtz distressing tools. The bottom sheet has also had some Gesso added. Lastly, I added some metal distressed brads (with prongs removed). All on Kraft Bazzill 6 x 6" cardstock.

I'm entering this card into these challenges:

Gingerloft Challenge 1 - Anything Goes

The ABC Challenge - D is for distressing

The Stampman Challenge 5 - Distress

Now onto last week's I ♥ Promarkers challenge card that I wasn't able to post at the time.

Last week's challenge at I ♥ promarkers was Transport. (it's now finished, I just wasn't able to post my card at the time).

I've used a Kanban stamp from their Retro Cars set. I've coloured with Promarkers and then 3D'd the image, trying to make it look quite shabby and vintage. The sentiments are from the same stamp set, stamped with Black Soot Distress ink on Kraft Bazzill, punched with circle and scallop circle punches, and edged with Walnut Stain DI. The dp is by K & Co. including the fair sheet and tickets, which have all been distressed. I've added Glossy Accents onto the card windscreen and lights. The buttons and cord are from stash.

I'm entering this card into these challenges:

Stampin' For the Weekend Challenge 46 - Shabby or Vintage

Gingersnap Creations Challenge 70 - Punches

Cards for Men Challenge 19 - Transport

Creative Belli Blog Challenge 100 - B themed embellishments - (old and forgotten buttons)

Back to School with Michelle Perkett!

2010-09-04T14:42:00.000+01:00

Hope everyone's having a good weekend. Today I've made a little notebook for my son. He goes back to school on Monday into Year 4, which he's not looking forward to, as he thinks the work's going to be a lot harder. I'm sure he'll be fine though!

I've used the image Boy and Dog Bookplate by Michelle Perkett. You can find her fab images at her Etsy shop or at Bunny Zoes Crafts. Don't forget the challenge of Hang on to Summer is still active at Michelle Perkett Studios.

I've coloured the image with Promarkers, and then used a punch on the corners. I found a little paper pad in my stash, and made a cover with thick gold mirri card. I inked round all the edges with gold Versacolour. It was quite easy to do, just a matter of getting the measurements right.

I'm entering my little pad into these challenges:

Crazy 4 Challenges #53 - to make anything book related.

Sarah Hurley Challenge 7 - Something 3D

Incy Wincy Designs Challenge 57 - Back to School

Simple Doodles Challenge 25 - Back to School

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 30 - Myth & Magic

2010-09-01T13:30:00.000+01:00

Our challenge at I ♥ Promarkers this week is Myth & Magic chosen by our DT member Lorraine.

The prize is a £10 voucher to spend at Joanna Sheen's brilliant online store.

For my card I've used a fab digital image of a wizard (not sure where I got him from though). He's been coloured with Promarkers, with some Copic Spica Clear Glitter pen added to parts of his robe. The little dragon has been 3D'd. I've used Nesties Labels 8, then inked the edges with Distress Inks and added to dp on foam pads.

The dp is DCWV Once Upon a Time, to which I've inked the edges with Antique Linen, Tea Dye and Walnut Stain Distress Inks. I've added a corner image, which is from a Kelly Panacci stamp set, which I stamped in Stormy Sky DI, then embossed with Black Sparkle embossing powder to give a glittery effect. I've also stamped 2 birds in black Versafine which were from Wildflower Sprigs stamp set by Stampendous. The pearl swirl is by Zva Creative. All on a white 8 x 8" card.

The pictures haven't picked up how sparkly this card is, which is a shame as a lot of the effect is lost.

Please have your card entered into I ♥ Promarkers by 6pm Tuesday. Remember - no backlinking, new cards only, and don't forget to link back to the challenge blog!

I'm entering this card into these challenges:

Alota Rubber Stamps Challenge 42 - It's a Fairytale

Sir Stampalot September Challenge - All Distressed (can be combined with 5 other challenges)

A Crafty Little Place Challenge 54 - Anything Goes

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge - Glitter & Sparkle (my card is full of glitter and sparkle, it just doesn't show up well in the pics)

Bee Crafty Challenge 37 - Anything Goes

Michelle Perkett Studio Challenge 43 - Hang on to Summer Fun

2010-08-31T11:34:00.000+01:00

It's time for another challenge at Michelle Perkett Studios. This week it's Hold on to Summer Fun! Make a card with a summer theme using any Michelle Perkett image. If you don't have any of her fab images you can find them at her Etsy store and at Bunny Zoes Crafts. There are sometimes freebies at CDAC too.

The challenge winner will get a $10 to spend in Michelle's Etsy store.

For my DT card I've used Stella the Summer Storyteller coloured with Promarkers, with some Stardust Stickles added to the flowers and her hair and waistband. I've inked the edges with Distress Inks.

The dp is from a set from QVC. I've punched some green Bazzill with a Martha Stewart deep edge flower punch, and added some blue satin ribbon and a bow and gem. The gem swirl is Prima, and the flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts. I've added some Stardust Stickles to the flowers, and punched out some leaves with a Martha Stewart punch. Cardstock is green Bazzill 6 x 6". I followed a fab sketch from Crafty Calendar.

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

Allsorts Week 67 - Park Inspiration

Cupcake Craft Challenge 106 - Digital

Daisy Doodles Challenge 16 - Anything Goes (must be a digi image)

OSAAT Challenge 28 - Girlie or colour scheme

CES Challenge 1 - Anything Goes

Crafty Calendar Challenge - August - a fab sketch

My last DT card for C.R.A.F.T. - Anything Goes

2010-08-26T12:06:00.000+01:00

It's time for Challenge 65 at C.R.A.F.T. which is Milestone Birthdays/Anything Goes.

This is the last week for a few of the DT at C.R.A.F.T. including myself. The other girls leaving are Ei, Andrea and Claire. I've really enjoyed my time working with these girls as a team. We've become good friends over the months (just over a year) that C.R.A.F.T. has been going. We've all come to the point now though where we're moving in different directions.

It's not the end of C.R.A.F.T. though! The lovely Jo will be taking over, and she's got a DT call running right now.

Back to this week's challenge now. We're being sponsored by the lovely Claire of Hope Jacare Doodles with the prize being one of her lovely new stamps.

I've gone with the theme of Anything Goes. I've made a little A6 card this week, I haven't used that size card for ages. The image is Camille by Michelle Perkett. You can buy her at Michelle's Etsy shop. I've coloured her with Promarkers, adding some Copic Spica clear glitter pen to parts of the image to make her sparkle. The edges have been inked a little with Victorian Velvet Distress Ink, then cut with an oval nestie. I've mounted her on black card cut with a scalloped oval nestie. The backing paper is pink Bazzill stamped with a Fancy Pants swirl stamp with Versamark and clear embossed. Then I've inked over the top with Distress Inks, added some ribbon and a sentiment with black Versafine. All on a black A6 card blank.

Hope you can join in with my last C.R.A.F.T. Challenge.

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 29 - Charms

2010-08-25T14:51:00.001+01:00

The challenge this week at I ♥ Promarkers is to use at least 1 charm on your creation.

We're being sponsored by Digi Doodle Shop with the prize being a $10 gift certificate to spend in their online store. They have so many fab images to choose from. The DT got to pick the images we wanted to work with, and I chose Jr Bride and Groom.

I coloured the image with Promarkers, then mounted it onto cream Bazzill with silicone glue to give some dimension. It was then layered onto red Bazzill, which I had decorated in the corners with a Martha Stewart corner punch. I'm not sure of the make of the dp, but I've inked all the edges with Distress inks and matted it onto red Bazzill, then a cream 8 x 8" pearl card. I've added Stardust Stickles around all the edges of the card.

The heart is cream Bazzill decorated with red gems, and stamped with a Magnolia sentiment stamp in red Versafine.

The flowers are Magnolia and Wild Orchid Crafts, and I've used 2 different Martha Stewart leaf punches. I've added Stardust Stickles to the flowers.

The bow is red grosgrain ribbon from stash, with 2 silver heart charms hanging from it.

I've added lots of sparkle to this card which you can see so much more in real life.

I've also made a red box for the card to go in, which I'm in the middle of decorating.

I'm, entering my card into these challenges:

Wild Orchid Challenge 4 - Make it Sparkle

The Shabby Tea Room Week 24 - A little bit of metal and an inspiration photo (I took inspiration from the reds and greens in the bracelet)

Pear Tree Designs Challenge 14 - Wedding

Sir Stampalot Challenge - August - Bring on the Bling - (can be combined with up to 5 challenges)

Michelle Perkett Studio Challenge 42 - Back to School and blog hop

2010-08-24T13:30:00.000+01:00

The challenge this week at Michelle Perkett Studio is Back to School. It's the turn of Design Team B this week, and they've done a fantastic job with Michelle's images.
They're doing a blog hop where you enter the challenge with a card or project using an image by Michelle, then hop around the DTs' blogs picking up letters as you go. You work out the secret word, then go to one of Michelle Perkett's pages at PCP, SNR or CDAC and send Michelle a personal message including the word and your email addy.
Alternatively, you can just enter the challenge as there will be 2 winners - A blog hop winner and a challenge winner.
You can find Michelle's images at her Etsy shop or at Bunny Zoes Crafts Shop.

I'm entering the challenge with a pencil holder. I found a pot to which I added MME Boo to You dp. I then added some orange ribbon and dome stickers by K & Co. Mary Margaret is coloured with Promarkers, then add to the pot with foam pads.

I'm entering my pencil holder into these challenges:

One Stitch at a Time Challenge 27 - Say it with shapes
One Stop Craft Challenge 94 - Not a card
Frosted Designs - Back to school challenge
I Did It Creations Challenge 18 - Anything but a card
Sarah Hurley Challenge 5 - Anything but a card
Little Red Wagon Challenge 42 - Make an altered item
Paper Cutz Challenge 55 - Anything Goes

Bella the Baker by Michelle Perkett Studios and challenge reminder

2010-08-21T13:57:00.001+01:00

My card today has been made using a gorgeous digi image called Bella the Baker by Michelle Perkett Studios. You can find her at Michelle's Etsy shop or at Bunny Zoes Craft online store.
Don't forget the challenge at Michelle Perkett Studios - it's 'anything goes' this week, so as long as you use an MP image, you can create whatever you like!

For my card, I've followed the fab sketch at Cute Card Thursdays. Bella is coloured with Promarkers, then Glossy Accents added to the icing on the cake and the candle. The edges have been inked with Crushed Olive and Forest Moss Distress Inks. The dp is BasicGrey - Sugared, and all the layers are Bazzill dark red card, as is the 6 x 6" card. Other items used are Martha Stewart punches, red gems from stash, a Marianne Creatables die for the flowers, and Stardust Stickles have been applied to the edges of the petals and round the outside edge of the card.

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

Stamp Something August digi day Challenge - I've used a Michelle Perkett digi image.
Stampin' For the Weekend Challenge 45 - Anything Goes
The Character Cafe Feature Friday #29 - Dimensional Glaze - the cake has Glossy Accents on it.
Cute Card Thursday Challenge 126 - A sketch by Fran
OWH Stars and Stamps - Anything goes using an MP image

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge 64 - Inspiration Photo

2010-08-19T15:03:00.000+01:00

Our challenge at C.R.A.F.T. this week is an inspiration photo (below). It's up to you how you interpret it, I took it to mean pastel colours and glitter.
Our sponsor is Donnas Den of Crafts, and she's offering a fabulous prize to our winner. You'll have to pop over to C.R.A.F.T. to see what it is!

For my DT card I've used an image that was given to me, so I'm not sure what it is (if anyone knows can they please let me know) coloured with promarkers. I've added Stardust Stickles to her wings, then cut her out with a circle cutter leaving the wings overlapping. I've used a Marianne Design Creatables Designer Doily die cut with K&Co. dp, as a mat to add the image layer to. The flower is the same dp die cut again with a Marianne Creatables. I've made up 3 layers to the flower and added Stardust Stickles around the edges and a light green Prima pearl in the centre. The same K & Co dp has been used yet again at the top and base of the card (I love the way the colours fade and blend into other colours), and punched with a Martha Stewart punch. The other dp is Wild Rose Studio (I think). I've added a bow with Papermania ribbon and the sentiment is a freebie from a magazine which I've inked over with Lilac Brilliance ink. Cardstock is Bazzill pale blue 6 x 6".

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

Creative Card Crew Challenge - Sparkle and shine

Digi Doodle Shop's Best Challenge 21 - Anything Goes

Moving Along with the Times Challenge 60 - Glitter

Charisma Cardz Challenge 33 - Die Cuts

Fab 'n' Funky Challenge 36 - Flower Power (2 entries if you make your own flowers which I have)

Sentimental Sundays Challenge 16 - Ribbon or Lace (ribbon bow)

Paper Jewels Challenge 7 - Ribbon and Flowers

The Pink Elephant Challenge 80 - Ribbon and Sparkles (ribbon bow and lots of Stickles)

Crafts and Me Challenge 11 - Petals and Pearls

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge 96 - What are little girls made of

The Character Cafe Feature Friday #28 - Bright sparkle card

If the Shoe Fits Fashionista Friday #43 - Die Cuts

A Pocketful of Posies Challenge 4 - All that Glitters

Wild Orchid Challenge 3 - One for the Girls

The Crafty Pad Challenge 84 - Glitz and Glitter

Frosted Designs Recipe Challenge - I've used 1. Punch or punches, 3. Ribbon, 4. Pink, blue or purple,

5. Flowers, 10. Glitter

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 28 - At the Seaside

2010-08-18T17:50:00.001+01:00

It's time for Challenge #28 at I ♥ Promarkers and the theme this week is At the Seaside.

We're being sponsored by Simon Says Stamp and the prize is $15 to spend in their online store.

For my DT card this week I've used an image by Elizabeth O. Dulemba called Summer Reader coloured with my promarkers, then cut out. I've added Glossy Accents to her glasses. The backing paper is Kanban - Artscapes - Coastline. The beach has been embellished with Martha Stewart glass beads in copper and gold and some stuff I found similar to Flowersoft. This has been mounted onto DCWV tan card, after being punched round the page with Martha Stewart punches, then layered onto sky blue card.

All corners have been rounded using a corner punch and Fiskars scissors.

The summer embellishment was a chipboard freebie from a magazine, which I've sanded a little, and coloured over with a brownish ink. The ribbon is from a past gift I received, and I've coloured it with a pastel blue promarker, as it was originally white. It has been wound through the chipboard, then frayed at the ends, and a gem added on top.

The cardstock used is an 8 x 8" pearl card.

Please enter new work only, and link to us at I ♥ Promarkers by Wednesday. Please could you disable word verification too, it makes it easier for us to visit your blogs.

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

The ABC Challenge - B is for blue

One Stitch at a Time Challenge 26 - Pack a punch

Alphabet Challenge Blog - P is for punches

Creative Inspirations Challenge 40 - Recyle element on project - (ribbon was from a gift)

PaperPlay Challenge '10 Week 32 - Bon Voyage - (on vacation)

Craft Your Days Away Challenge 1 - Favourite things - (mine is sitting on a beach in the shade with a good book)

Totally Gorjuss Challenge 43 - Aqua

Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge - Summer