Delightful Sketches & Challenges Buttons & Bling

It's time for a new challenge at Delightful Sketches and Challenges, and for this fortnight, it's a theme challenge of 'Buttons and Bling'.

We're being sponsored by the fab Simon Says Stamp, with the prize being  $20 to spend in their store.

For my card, I've used Queen of Hearts Bonnie, which is available at the Digital Delights store. I've cut a heart aperture in a red A5 card, then added some self adhesive red glitter paper to the background. I've then added a couple of yellow swirls cut on the Cricut, and some buttons. The Queen has been coloured with promarkers, with some red Stickles added to the hearts on her dress, and gold to her crown. I've added some jump rings to dangle her from the top of the card. The heart at the top is a button covered with the red glitter paper. The yellow heart is cut with a Nestie, with yellow Stickles round the edge, then I've attached 3 mini playing cards to it that have been inked round the edges in red, with foam pads for dimension. In the other corner are 3 red heart gems, which I've added onto the top of 3 larger hearts punched out from card that has been inked and stamped with text. Lastly, I've stamped swirls over the card with Versamark and embossed with clear embossing powder. It's very different to my usual square cards, and I had fun experimenting.

I'm entering this card into these challenges:

S2G Twisted Thursday #50 - Anything Goes

The ABC Challenge - R is for Red

Oh Alice Chapter 6 - Fine print

Totally Gorjuss Challenge 23 - Hearts

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 8

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 8 is a sketch with a twist of adding swirls/flourishes.

Our sponsor this week is Sharon from Willow Designs, and the prize is a CD with some of her designs, and a pack of Promarkers.

As from next week our challenges are changing slightly. We're going to have a sketch every other week, and a theme on the weeks inbetween.

For my card this week i've used 'Alfie Flying High', which is one of the images from the CD. He's coloured with promarkers snd I've inked the edges with Distress inks, then cut with a Labels Nestie. The green bp is a freebie from a magazine, and the small squares, punched with a square scallop punch is from the DCWV Spring Stack. Both ribbons are from a local craft shop. The butterflies have been punched out with an MS butterfly stamp and punch set, using some yelloow scrap paper, then partly coloured with a green promarker, and Stardust Stickles added. The flourish is by Prima, and the gems from stash.

I'm entering my card into these challenges:

Digital Tuesday Challenge 52 - Scrap It - (butterflies are punched from scrap paper)

The Pink Elephant Challenge Challenge 60 - Pastels

Magical Crafts Challenge 11 - Spring or Easter

Everybody Art Challenge 84 - Spring

Papertake Weekly Challenge - Open

Little Red Wagon Challenge 22 - Spring

Crafty Creations Challenge 61 - Anything Goes

Fab 'n' Funky Challenge 17 - Spring is in the Air

Crafts and Me Challenge 1 - Fairies or Wings

April Showers.......

April Showers bring May Flowers.

I've followed a fab sketch at Tuesday Morning Sketches for this card. It's an 8 x 8" card for a change, embossed with dots. The image of the boy and girl is from Digital Two For Tuesday, and the flower is a stamp, both coloured with promarkers. The swirl stamps are Heidi Grace, buttons HOTP, ribbon is Anna Griffin and dp is MME.

This card was made for these challenges:

Tuesday Morning Sketches #38 - fab sketch

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge 17 - Spring

The ABC Challenge - Q is for quotation

Fab 'n' Funky Challenge 16 - It's all in the technique - (colouring with my promarkers)

S2G Twisted Thursday #49 - Spring with buttons

Charisma Cardz #12 - Spring

Paper Garden Projects Birthday Challenge 4 - Embossing - (sentiment is heat embossed plus dots are dry embossed)

Colour Create Challenge 41 - Your choice of pastels plus optional extra of Spring

Susie's Sassy Designs Challenge 11 - Spring garden

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge 42 - Easter

At C.R.A.F.T. this week the challenge is to make an Easter project. The prize is your choice of 6 promarkers from Craft Obsessions, one of my favourite online stores.

For my Easter card I've used Easter Egg Briley by Digital Delights, coloured with promarkers and matted and layered onto card, die cut with plain and scalloped oval nesties. The Easter egg dp is DCWV Spring matstack, cut into squares with a punch then matted on pink Bazzill, which was cut with deckle/scallop scissors. The green bp is Hidden Hues from QVC. If you look closely, you can see that it is embossed. The pink daisy is by Martha Stewart and the other flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts, another one of my favourite online stores. The button is HOTP and ribbon from stash. All on 6 x 6" pink Bazzill cardstock.

I'm entering this card into these challenges:

Ann's Creative Nook GCA#82 - Easter

Everybody Art Challenge 83 - Easter

Stamp with Fun Challenge 51 - Easter

The Crazy Challenge - Easter

Incy Wincy Designs Challenge 35 - Easter/Spring

Lexi's Creations Challenge 10 - Easter

Quirky Crafts Challenge 24 - Flowers

Magical Crafts Challenge 11 - Easter/Spring

Our Creative Corner Challenge - Easter

Totally Gorjuss Challenge 22 - Ribbon

Paper Garden Projects Challenge 3 - Easter/Spring

Stamping for the Weekend Challenge 35 - Easter

I Love Digi Challenge 3 - Easter

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 7 Sketch

For Challenge 7 at I ♥ Promarkers we have a sketch for you to follow, as well as a twist of adding spots/dots on your project. Please remember to link back to the I ♥ Promarkers Challenge blog to be entered in the draw. You must use promarkers and follow the sketch and twist as well.

We are being sponsored this week by Simon Says Stamp, with the prize being $15 to spend in their fab online store.

For my card I've used an image by Michelle Perkett coloured with promarkers and 3D'd. I've added Stardust Stickles to her wings (unfortunately it made the ink run a little). The spotty dp is K&Co and the orange/peach dp is from stash, punched with an MS punch. I've added some orange dp as a mat cut with a hexagonal nestie  I've coloured the glass gems with a promarker to get them the right shade. The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts. Sentiment is stamped with black Versafine. I've sprayed the whole card (except the image) with silver glitter spray by Crafters Companion, although you can't see it too well in the pic. Irl it looks very sparkly. The base card is blue 6 x 6" Bazzill.

I'm entering this card into a few challenges:

Flutter By Wednesday #102 - an open challenge with a butterfly, fairy or angel on your creation.

Digital Tuesday Challenge 51 - Spring

Creative Card Crew Challenge 46 - Going Dotty

Artful Inkables Challenge 16 - Birthday card in celebration of AI's birthday

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge 17 - Spring

Cute Daisy May Challenge - Fairies

Allsorts Challenge Week 44 - Spring

Challenge Up Your Life #16 - Flowers

One Stop Craft Challenge 72 - Let it Shine

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge 75 - Spring

Crafty Catz Challenge 24 - Spring

Frosted Designs - Spring

Prairie Fairy Week 11 - Compliments -(blue and orange)

Simon Says Challenge - Spring with some glimmer

Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge - Birthday

S2G Challenges Twisted Thursday - Spring using pastels

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge 42 Nursery Rhymes

Onto my last post of the day. We have a new challenge at C.R.A.F.T. This week we want to see your creations to do with the theme of nursery rhymes. Our sponsor is Gina from Your Special Delivery who is offering some digi images to the winner. Some of the DT have also worked with one of her fab images.

For my card, I've used Humpty Dumpty, a digi image from Digital Delights, coloured with promarkers and yellow Stickles, and sat on his wall. I've followed the fab sketch at Passion For Promarkers. Papers are BasicGrey Origins, matted onto brown Bazzill, with all the corners rounded with a punch. I've inked the edges with distress inks, and pierced holes with a Tim Holtz ruler and a pokey tool, which I've joined up with a pen to look like stitching (at least I hope it does). The sentiment is from HOTP, ribbon is recycled from another card, and the gems are by Martha Stewart, coloured with Henna promarkers. All on brown 6 x 6" Bazzill cardstock.

I'm entering this card into a few challenges:
Charisma Cardz Challenge 11 - Something for the Kids
Pixie Dust Studio Challenge 14 - The power of 3 - (there are 3 square gems)
Gingersnap Creations Challenge 44 - Birthday Greeting
Artful Inkables Challenge 16 - Birthday card in celebration of AI's birthday
Digital Tuesday Challenge 50 - Green
Passion For Promarkers Week 43 - Sketch
Fussy and Fancy Challenge 6 - Green
Our Creative Corner - Colour Challenge of yellow, pink, green and brown (the other colours can be seen clearly, apart from the pink - it's in his cheeks, and mouth)
Raise The Bar Challenge 8 - Go green - (lots of green on the card plus the ribbon is recycled)
Simple Doodles Challenge 13 - Show a little green
Simon Says Challenge - A splash of green
Creative Craft World - Promarkers

Delightful Sketches and Challenges new Sketch #17 and new Digital delights release

Hi everyone, it's time for a new release at Digital Delights. The Design Team have all made cards with the new release images for this fortnight's challenge at Delightful Sketches.

For my card I've used one of the international sets - the boy set from Holland. This set is available here from today.I've coloured the boy and house with promarkers. The flag is different colours of Bazzill. The white strips have been punched with an MS punch, all on red 6 x 6" Bazzill cardstock. Lastly, I added 3 white buttons in the top corner, and the Dutch sentiment 'Hoi'.

Our fab sponsor for this challenge is Stamp Happens.

The prize is:

Class Kit Includes:

• Love Bandit Collection Papers

• Double Dot Papers

• Exclusive Transparency

• Assorted Ribbon and Buttons

• Full Page Color Instruction Sheet

• 6x6" Page Inserts

I'm entering this card into these challenges:

Quirky Crafts Challenge 23 - Buttons

Crazy 4 Challenges #28 - Masculine cards

Creative Card World Challenge - Promarkers

Crafty Catz Challenge #23 - Something for the Boys

Dare U 2 Digi Stamp Challenge 33 - No patterned paper

The Townscrapper (Humble Pie Stamps) - 3 buttons

Guest Designer for AiFactory Challenge 28

As I was the winner of Challenge 26 at AiFactory, Angie asked me if I'd like to be a Guest Designer for her challenge this week. Of course I agreed. She sent me this lovely little digi of a pirate and his treasure chest to use.

The challenge is to make a scene, plus to not use any ribbon. It is not a requirement to use AiF stamps in your projects, but if you have them it would be nice to see them. There is a freebie section here, with lots of fab images. If you're uploading to any online galleries, then please use keyword AIF028. Please have your entries uploaded by midnight EST next Wednesday.

For my card I've coloured the pirate and his treasure chest with promarkers, and added them to some sandy coloured card to represent the beach. I've added some pics of starfish and shells, and some gems for treasure. I found a picture of a pirate ship from a kids' colouring page online, which I've coloured and added to the background. The backing papers are HOTP, with the top blue bp being put through the Cuttlebug with a retro circles folder. I've added a black border along the centre, punched with an MS punch. The 'Ahoy Captain' was a freebie from a mag, and 'Arrr.....Matey'  a free digi (not sure where from). I've finished the card with 3 black buttons in the corner.

I'm entering this card into these challenges:

Cards for Men Challenge 6 - Happy Birthday
Saturday Spotlight HP22 - So slick - there is Glossy Accents on the sea although you can't see it in the pic.

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 6

This week's challenge at I ♥ Promarkers is a sketch with a twist - we'd like you to make your own backing paper. You can emboss, stamp, heat emboss, just make sure there's no dps.

This challenge is sponsored by LETRASET and the prize is a pack of ProMarkers. Please remember, to be entered into the prize draw, you must follow the sketch and theme, and also provide a link back to us, from your blog.

For my card this week I've used a new stamp from Penny Black. The backing paper is made with a Cuttlebug folder, on white Core'dinations card, and sanded to show the purple core. The lilac card is Core'dinations Gemstone card, as is the strip at the base which is punched with an MS deep edged flower punch. I've distressed and inked all the edges of the paper and cardstock with a Heidi Grace distressing tool,
and added some gorgeous new flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts, and leaves punched with an MS branch punch. There's also an MS butterfly punched and stamped, and 4 lilac gemstones by K & Co. All on 6 x 6" white Bazzill cardstock.

Challenges I'm entering this card into:

Fab 'n' Funky Challenge 15 - use something new - (new PB stamp, flowers, MS punch, Core'dinations card)
Papertake Weekly Challenge - Lilac and Lemon - (mainly lilac, but the bird is lemon)
Crafty Cardmakers Challenge 16 - A Feminine celebration
Die Cut Dreams Challenge 39 - Pack a punch - use at least 2 punches - (I've used 3 MS punches)
Ooh La La Creations Challenge 49 - Anything Goes
Pollycraft Challenge 36 - Sparkly Things - (There's CC silver glitter spray and Stickles on the flowers, 4 gems, and sparkly lilac card)
Pile It On Challenge 10 - Pastel Colours
Rosie D's Challenge 66 - Think Spring
Penny Black Challenge Week 92 - Spring Colours
Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge 74 - Anything Goes
The Pink Elephant Challenge 58 - Spring
Totally Gorjuss Challenge 21 - Sweet
Paper Cutz Challenge 32 - Anything Goes
Cute Card Thursday Challenge 103 - Celebrations
Your Next Stamp Challenge 12 - Distressing
Crafty Calendar Challenge 6 - Flower Power - (optional extra of pastel colours)
By The Cute and Girly March Challenge - Spring is in the Air
Paper Jewels Challenge 2 - Inspiration Challenge - choose a piece of jewellery from Gotta Have Bling and design a card or project based on that. I've picked Pretty in Pink and Purple which is here.

You've got till March 24th to apply to be on the I ♥ Promarkers design team for anyone who is interested. Go here for the details.

Inside my Craft Shed

I meant to post these pics ages ago, but never got round to it. I posted the shed being built, so it's time I showed the inside. I have to say that it's not as tidy as it was in these pics now, especially as I've added a Cricut, more cutters and score boards, and lots of other bits and pieces since.
Most of the furniture is recycled. The 2 main desks were bought on ebay , one was 99p and the other £4, and they are both so solid. The desks with the plastic trays in were given to me by my son's school, so I just had to buy the trays. The large bookcase was from a closing down sale at £17. The daylight lamp was also a bargain from ebay at £10, as was the grey metal cabinet on the desk. Some of the storage is from Ikea. The jars storing the flowers were £1 each from Tescos. The cooler/heater and de-humidifier were both in sales. The only thing that was full price was the chair.
I love my little shed, and best of all knowing where everything is without having to go through piles of stuff to find what you want. I still need to find a good way of organising all my clear stamps and nesties though. I don't think the walls are going to stay clear for too much longer either, I think I need a few more shelves!

Digital Delights in Wonderland and Freebie Friday!

Today sees the release of Digital Delights in Wonderland. If you like Alice in Wonderland, then you are going to love these images by Wendy at Digital Delights. As a little taster, you can grab the Cheshire Cat as our Freebie Friday for this month on our pages at SNR Card Universe or Papercraft Planet.

C.R.A.F.T Challenge 40 - Mothers Day/Flowers

The challenge this week at C.R.A.F.T. is to make a Mothers Day card or flowery card or both!

The prize is some handmade flower embellishments and a gorgeous Stamping Bella stamp.

I've used an A5 card for a change. The image is Embrace by Penny Black, coloured with Promarkers, and some Stickles added to the flowers and butterfly. It's then been cut with an oval nestie, and matted on a scalloped oval nestie shape in blue pearl card. I've added a sheet of matching pearl blue card behind the chevrons, and some blue gems. I've cut 2 pieces of pearl white card, which I've run through the Cuttlebug with a circles folder, and added it either side of the chevrons. The letters 'MUM' have been coloured with Versacolour blue lagoon ink. The blue ribbon is by Fancy Pants, which I've wrapped round the pearl card and tied in a bow.

Hope you can join us at C.R.A.F.T. this week. Entries to be in by 8pm Wednesday. new work only please.

Challenges I'm entering this card into:

Magical Crafts Challenge 9 - Something for Mum

Ai Factory Challenge 26 - 'B' - blue, bow, bling

Tellens Place Challenge 8 - Bling it on (I've used lots of gems and stickles)

Simon Says - Mothers Day/Girly

My Time to Craft Challenge 81 - Just for Mum

Crafty Catz Challenge 21 - fancy edge and ribbon (chevrons are fancy)

Cupcake Challenge 80 - Round and round - circles (lots of circles in the embossing)

Tuesday Morning Sketches Challenge 35 - (I've turned the sketch upside down)

Allsorts Challenge Week 41 - Mothers Day

Crazy 4 Challenges Challenge 26 - 3 different textures (embossing, ribbon, gems, chevrons - I've listed 4 incase one doesn't count)

Saturday Spotlight Challenge 20 - Clean it up

Fussy and Fancy Challenge 5 - Movies (the elephant made me think of Dumbo!)

Totally Gorjuss Challenge 19 - It's for you Mum!

Delightful Sketches and Challenges - Kids !

We have a challenge today at Delightful Sketches and Challenges with the theme of 'kids'. Interpret this how you like. Our sponsor this week is the Simon Says Stamp Company who are generously offering a $20 spend in their store.

I've made a 3D card using the lovely Lara Ladybug and sentiment from Digital Delights, coloured with Promarkers. The card is made with 2 sheets of 5 x 7" card. The background card is stamped with some flowers in Pine Needles Distress ink, and coloured in part with a red promarker, on top of green masked fields and blue masked sky using a Big and Juicy ink pad. I've added a little pop out of a flower with a ladybird. The ladybird stickers are by Martha Stewart. The front panel has been cut out with an oval nestie and inked with a few shades of Distress inks. I've added a couple of stamped images from Personal Impressions in Pine needles Distress ink, and some more ladybirds, and then the lovely Lara Ladybug and sentiment. The base flower is cut with my Cricut, and the top flower is Bazzill, fastened with a black gem brad from Dovecraft.. The 2 cards are scored at half inch and 1 inch, and glued together with the pop out between the 2. The ladybirds are glittered and I've also added some Stickles to the hearts on Lara Ladybug. I had so much fun making this card, especially as I love ladybirds, and Lara is so cute. You can get her from here.

I'm entering this card into a few challenges:

Twisted Thursday Challenge Twist - use green

Pixie Dust Studio Challenge 11 - 3D creation

Pals Paper Arts Challenge 32 - Spring

Cute Card Thursday Challenge 102 - Lucky green

Inky Impressions Challenge 31 - green

Gingersnap Creations Challenge 44 - Birthday

Creative Card Crew Challenge - It's a celebration

Digital Tuesday Challenge 48 - Scallops - (oval scallop nestie and cricut scallop flower)

Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge 56 - Scallops - (as above)

Passion For Promarkers Week 41 - Back to Nature

Lexi's Creations Challenge 8 - Anything goes

Pollycraft Challenge 35 - Distressing (used lots of distress inks)

The Pink Elephant Challenge 56 - add green

Paper Jewels Challenge 1 - Cute and Girly

Pile It On Challenge 8 - Lucky Me (I've used lots of green)

Quirky Crafts Challenge 22 - Cute

Practical Scrappers - use chalks or inks

I'll be back soon with my DT card for the new C.R.A.F.T. Challenge which this week is Mothers Day/Flowers.

I ♥ Promarkers Challenge 4

I just wanted to say thanks to those of you who have sent messages and supported me over the last few days while I've been ill, it really helped to cheer me up. I might need you all again next week after my 2 visits to hospital.

This week's challenge at I ♥ Promarkers is to make a different shaped card. We are being sponsored by The Cutting Cafe, who very kindly sent us some downloadable templates to use. The design team have each used a different shape.
I've used the frame card shape on some extra thick patterned card from stash, with a mat cut with my Cricut. The image is a freebie from Phindy's Place, which I've coloured with my promarkers, then added glossy accents on the icing, cut out and used foam pads for more dimension to add to the mat. The sentiment is stamped with cranberry Adirondack. I added promarkers straight to stamp for the strawberry.

We're looking for 2 new design team members at I ♥ Promarkers, so if you love colouring with your pms, and want to be on a DT pop over to our challenge blog for the details on how to apply.

Challenges I'm entering with this card:

1. Fab 'n' Funky Challenge 13 - a different shaped card
2. Peachy Keen Stamps Challenge 23 - green and yellow somewhere, a 3 dimensional element, a stamped image.
3. Hope Stamps Eternal Cupcake Inspiration Challenge 48 - an inspiration pic.
4. Polkadoodles Week 8 Challenge - Shaped card
5. Kaboodle Doodles Challenge 25 - Fancy folds