Christmas Challenges (with sketches) #21

 It's time for our next challenge over at CCWS and we hope you're playing along with us this year and stocking up on those Christmas cards and projects. Marion has designed the sketch this time and we have an added twist of "Baby it's cold Outside". We are being sponsored by Krea Teja.

Image is from Whoopsi Daisy and is coloured with promarkers, papers are from Wild Rose Studio. Background is embossed with a Cuttlebug snowflake embossing folder. I've used my distressing tool on the embossing and the paper edges. Bow is made from seambinding on the mini Bowdabra. Card is finished with lace, buttons, stickles and sentiment from my stash.

You will have to pop over to the challenge blog to see the sketch for yourself, remember to check out the inspiration of the other DT members whilst you're there.

Challenges entered:

Dasiy Doodles Creative - any colour (except brown/black)

The Crazy Challenge - anything goes

DYSU  - distress

ABC Christmas - d for distressing

Cooking it up with Katie - 3 favourite things (snowmen, ribbon and buttons)

Jingle Belles - buttons

Winter Wonderland - glitter/bling

Allsorts - anything goes

Christmas Card Challenge - use music (not used this time)

OSAAT - use a digi

Whoopsi Daisy - spots and dots

Cards and Scrap - buttons

Stamp n Doodle - embossing

Ribbon Carousel - anything goes + ribbon

Creatalicious Challenges - all about lace

Divas by Design - spots and/or stripes

Carol x

PS Don't forget I have blog candy up for grabs!

Happy Easter

Good morning all. (Well it was morning when I started this! I've had a succession of tradesmen here since 8am, last one left at 2pm and then hubby took me out to lunch.) Hello and welcome to all my new followers, I hope you'll pop in often.

It's a bit miserable here today and the painters have both doors open for painting! Here's a card I made a few days ago.

Apart from the ribbons everything came out of my bit box including the base card which had an inky front and image (leftover from last Easter). Image is from Joanna Sheen's Cardmakers Year CD (I think!). The thin white ribbon is recycled off a garment.

Challenges entered:

Karen's Doodles - pastel + Easter

Hiding in my Craftroom - spring

Joanna Sheen's Forum M15 - green and yellow snippets

Pixie Crafty Snippets - challenge 9

Craft us Crazy - favourite colour or embellishment (ribbons)

Crafty Catz - something beginning with B (bow, basket and bonnets)

CD Sunday - recycled

Crafty Pad - recycle it

Unstampabelles - recycle/frugal

Crafty Bloggers - springtime

Squigglefly - spring is in the air

Carol x

Christmas Card Club - more than one fold

Crikey another two weeks have passed and it's time again for us Christmas Clubbers to show our wares. Lizzie picked the theme this time and she wants to see more than one fold, this is my creation.

The base card is an A5 trifold card. The pre-coloured digital image and backing papers are from Joanna Sheen's Daisy and friends CD and the image has been layered up four times. Dies are from Spellbinders. Border punch from Martha Stewart. Bows are made with the mini bowdabra using ribbons from my stash. Red lace is from Costco. White stickles finishes off the fur trim and the snowflakes.

If you'd like to join our little club get in touch with one of us (list in sidebar), it's a lot of fun and gets those Christmas cards made ahead of schedule.

Challenges entered:

Whoopsi Daisy - 3d project or card

Corrosive Challenges - another dimension

Crafty Sentiments - only 2 DPs

Digital Tuesday - make it sparkle

Crafty Creations - fancy folds

Moving along with the times - lots of layers

Winter Wonderland - glitter and bling

CHNC - ribbon and/or charm

Pile it on - fun folds

Carol x

PS Don't forget I have blog candy up for grabs!

Angels

Spent most of this week getting things straightened and cleaned behind the decorators, can't believe how much dust there was. So consequently I haven't spent much time in the craft room.

I did make this though.

Using up a leftover image from a card made recently and some offcuts out of the bit box. Finished with some lace, ribbon bow made on the mini bowdabra and a sentiment from my stash. Image is from Joanna Sheen's Vintage Christmas CD, border punch from Martha Stewart.

Challenges entered:

52 card Throwdown - angels

One Stop Craft - create own background

Totally Gorjuss - lace

Christmas Card Challenges - Christmas card

Victorine Originals - lace

Christmas Inspirations - anything goes

Pixie Crafty Snippets - challenge #8

Whimsical Wednesday - time flies

Carol x

PS Don't forget I have blog candy up for grabs!

                 

Template Thursday

This is my third post today, see posts below for my DT inspiration for Aud Sentiments and Crafty Prurple Frog.

This weeks free template from My Memories Suite,  click on the image to be taken to the download page. The templates will work in any programme so you don't need to have MMS to be able to use them.

And a sample layout can be found here.                                                                               

To receive $10 off the price of My Memories Suite V3 software copy and paste this code STMMMS57827 at checkout. You'll also receive a $10 gift certificate for the online store.

I hope you enjoy your download and would love to see how you use it. Feel free to link in a comment so I can pop over and have a look.

Carol x

Crafty Purple Frog Challenge #35 St David's Day

This is my second post today, see post below for my DT inspiration for Aud Sentiments.
We've loved seeing all your entries in our Flower Power challenge but it's time for a new at the Crafty Purple Frog and this fortnight the theme is St David's Day (use yellow and green).

I've used the just one layer of  the "Night Daffodil" decoupage for my card and one of the new Spring Florals papers.

I've used only the top layer of the decoupage for this card and printed the gorgeous backing paper from Amy's Spring Floral collection onto vellum, layered it onto white then green card. Image is mounted 3d onto yellow and green oval nesties then mounted 3d onto the card. Finished with a stamped sentiment, a bow and a flower. The vellum looks lovely irl but it's very difficult to photograph!

All decoupage and pyramage sheets are available from The Crafty Purple Frog.

Do call by the challenge blog to see the gorgeous samples from my teamies, you won't be disappointed.

Challenges entered:
Simply Create Too - add sunshine to your day
Card Makin Mamas - happy birthday
Fairy Tale - spring
Squigglefly - bright and sunny
Paper Pretties - spring
Paper Sundaes - birthday (C10)
Crafts and Me - shades of spring
Inky Impressions - bright colours
Delightful Challenges - use patterned paper

Carol x


PS Don't forget I have blog candy up for grabs!

Aud Sentiments #48 use the word happy

The current challenge over at Aud Sentiments is  to use the word Happy on your project. We're being sponsored by Ai Factory and TLC Creations. As always TLC have provided a free sentiment for you to use should you wish, you'll find this on the challenge blog. I've used an image from Ai Factory to make a birthday card.

Image is coloured with promarkers, backing paper from Joanna Sheen's new Daisy and Friends CD, dies from Spellbinders, ribbon, flower, sentiment and pearls all from my stash.

You still have a week to enter the challenge so what are you waiting for!!

Challenges entered:
Tuesday Throwdown - winter blues
Lexi's Creations - monochromatic
Crafty Catz - favourite things (dies)
Phindy's Place - bling it on
Poodles Parlour - mother's day/for a female
Totally Papercrafts - ribbons/bows
Allsorts - anything goes
CD Sunday - wings and legs
OSAAT - digi/no image
Sparkles Forum - things with wings

Paper Pretties - punches/dies
Paper Shelter - add a sentiment
Little Darlins - Pearls
Cute Card Thursday - winged things

Carol x

PS Don't forget I have blog candy up for grabs!

Crafting for all Seasons #21 Shaped Cards

Time for a new challenge at CFAS and the theme is Shaped Cards. We're being sponsored by Meljens, The Stamping Boutique and Jelly Park Stamps . I've used an image from Meljens.

Made for my football mad nephew who's allegiance changes according to whose top of the league lol. Happy birthday image from Meljens, coloured with promarkers. Football, name and number all generated on the computer. Shirt is his pressie - a £10! Ribbons and button from my stash.

Do pop over to the challenge blog to see the creations of the other Design Team girls.

Challenges entered:

Cardmad Fairy's Digi Days - not square

Wags n Whiskers - male birthday

Dream Valley Challenges - just for men

Incy Wincy - birthday

Pollycraft - ribbons and buttons

Lollipop Crafts - anything goes

Meljens - anything goes

Glitter Geeks - girls and boys

The Pixie Cottage - buttons and bows

My Mum's Craft Shop - buttons and ribbons

Carol x

PS Don't forget I have blog candy up for grabs!

Bauble Scene

The Lady Divas at Less is More have asked us to use punches and dies this week - easy enough, I've got loads of both!! I set off at lunch time on Saturday to make a card, don't know what happened but I got waylaid and only finished this tonight!

Using my Spellbinders nestie baubles, the larger one has been embossed with a Cuttlebug snowflake folder, sanded and  dusted with shimmery chalk. The smaller one was cut from pearlescent card and whilst still in the die I've stamped using a Creative Expression Stamp and DI. As the stamp was too big to fit the area I masked off the sentiment before stamping. I've used DI to create a background and used stickles on the foreground. Card is finished with a tartan bow and a rather small sentiment!

Challenges entered:

Less is More - dies and/or punches

CHNC - create a scene

Stamp with Fun - shapes

The Crazy Challenge - use a die/punch

and since all the card came from my bit box I'm popping in the playground at

 Pixie Crafty Snippets challenge #8

Carol x

PS Don't forget I have blog candy up for grabs!

Crafting When We Can #12 Big Birthdays

Time for a new challenge at CWWC and the theme is Big Birthdays. We're being sponsored by Crafty Ribbons.

This one is for my BIL who turns 50 next month. I used my Cricut to cut out the numbers and letters. The inside has been decorated to match.

• Papers: Wild Rose Studio for men (keep forgetting I have these)
• Cricut (not been used for ages)
• Punch: Martha Stewart
• Twine and buttons from my stash

Do pop over to the challenge blog to see the creations of my team mates.

Challenges entered:
Cupcake Craft - entwined
Love to Create - buttons and bows
Creative Card Crew - masculine
Tuesday Throwdown - entwined
Bunny Zoes - celebrations
Use it Tuesday - birthday
Wags n Whiskers - male birthday
4 Crafty Chicks - double downs (2 Dps, 2 small buttons, 2 numbers)
Digi Doodle Shop's Best - anything goes
DYSU - layers
Craft your Passion - recipe

Carol x

PS Don't forget I have blog candy up for grabs!

Male birthday

I really struggled to find a suitable image for my brother's birthday card this year and hope this one fits the bill!

Image and sentiment from Bugaboo coloured with promarkers and background done with DI, papers are from Raspberry Road and have been distressed with my distressing tool (image and papers being used for the first time). Finished with some ribbon from my stash.

Inside has been decorated to match.

Challenges entered:

Kaboodle Doodles - where are the boys

Simon says Stamp and Show - anything goes

Digital Tuesday - use your stash

Passion for Promarkers - distressing

Crafts and Me - distressed

Southern Girls - so distressed

Stampin for the Weekend - blues and browns

Wags n Whiskers - male birthday

Sundays with Chrissy - happy birthday

Carol x

PS Don't forget I have blog candy up for grabs!

I love you Dad

(I think!!)

Hubby and our youngest last year in Lincoln. I've used My Memories Suite again and a free template kit.

Challenges entered:

My Memories - use heartland font

Lasting Memories - love

Carol x

PS Don't forget I have blog candy up for grabs!

XOXO

Been messing about in My Memories Suite again. This was made using a free template kit (check back next Thursday for the link to download the kit for yourself).

Challenges entered:

Lollipop Crafts - non card with love

Crazy Amigo - hearts

Deep Ocean Challenge - pink and brown

Scrapfit - XOXO

Scrap it Girl - show some love

Carol x

PS Don't forget I have blog candy up for grabs!

Crafty Ann's #59 Bold and Bright

It's time for another challenge at Crafty Ann's and the theme is "Bold and Bright", so lets see lots of cheerful colours on your creations.

I've used "cone flower" image and  two different "Mottled Stone" backing papers all available from Crafty Ann's Digi Shop. Image is coloured with promarkers, fussy cut with an oval nestie and mounted onto a beaded nestie oval. Corner dies also from Spellbinders. Card is finished with a ribbon.

Do pop over to the challenge blog to see Ann and the teams creations, you won't be disappointed.

Challenges entered:

Stamps & Fun = Creativity - birthdays

Stamps R Us - anything goes

The Cheerful Stamp Pad - birthday card

Ladybug Crafts Ink - spring is in the air

One Stop Craft - hearts, flowers, ribbon

Paper Pretties - use flowers

Crafter's Cafe - pink,red and purple

I love Promarkers - nature

Carol x

PS Don't forget I have blog candy up for grabs!

Template Thursday

This weeks free template from My Memories Suite,  click on the image to be taken to the download page. The templates will work in any programme so you don't need to have MMS to be able to use them.

And a very quick layout.

                                                                                    

To receive $10 off the price of My Memories Suite V3 software copy and paste this code STMMMS57827 at checkout. You'll also receive a $10 gift certificate for the online store.

I hope you enjoy your download and would love to see how you use it. Feel free to link in a comment so I can pop over and have a look.

Carol x

PS Don't forget I have blog candy up for grabs!

I've got the Blues

No not me my card!!

I made this one just because I wanted to! 

The digital image is a pre-coloured one from Joanna Sheen's Dasiy and Friends CD which I've layered up to give dimension to the card. Backing paper is also from the CD. Border punch is from Martha Stewart, corner dies and swirls from Marianne Design and scalloped mat from Spellbinders. Ribbon, button, flower and pearls are from my stash. Bow has been tied on my new mini bowdabra.

I've really enjoyed making  a card just because I wanted to for a change - must do it more often!

Challenges entered:

House of Gilli - pearls, swirls and lace (hope my lacey borders count)

My Craft Spot - girly girl

Sew Many Cards - buttons

Inky Impressions - use punches/dies

My Mum's Craft Shop - pearls and swirls

Penny's Paper Crafty - anything goes

Paper Sundaes - sundae bar (blue and pearls)

Whoopsi Daisy - sketch

Crafter's Companion - anything goes

Marianne Design - winter blues

Scrapology Card - use layers

Emmas's Crafty Challenge - shades of blue
Card and Scrap - use buttons

Carol x

PS Don't forget I have blog candy up for grabs!

Aud Sentiments #48 use the word happy

Our next challenge over at Aud Sentiments is  to use the word Happy on your project. We're being sponsored by Ai Factory and TLC Creations. As always TLC have provided a free sentiment for you to use should you wish, you'll find this on the challenge blog.

As I'm on Team B my card won't be revealed until next Thursday, do however in the meantime pop over to see this weeks inspiration from the DT - you won't be disappointed.

Carol x

PS Don't forget I have blog candy up for grabs!

Christmas Challenges (with sketches) #20

 It's time for our next challenge over at CCWS and we hope you're playing along with us this year and stocking up on those Christmas cards and projects. Marga has designed the sketch this time and we are being sponsored by Crealies.

Image from Meljens, coloured with promarkers. Backing papers from My Minds Eye, ticket from Crafty Ann's, ribbon and gems from my stash.

You will have to pop over to the challenge blog to see the sketch for yourself, remember to check out the inspiration of the other DT members whilst you're there.

Challenges entered:

Digi Doodle Shop's Best - one for the boys

Sweet n Sassy - include a hat

Allsorts - free and easy

Di's Digi Designs - snowtime

Ditsy Craftyness - winter + snowmen

OSAAT - anything goes

Carol x

PS Don't forget I have blog candy up for grabs!

Angels

Happy Valentines Day to you all, are you all swimming in red roses and chocolate yet or is he like mine and done his usual last minute dash to see what's left in the shops!
Over on the Joanna Sheen forum the monthly challenge is to use the first JS CD you bought, my first was Vintage Christmas so I made another of my specials for this coming Christmas.

Using the largest size image on the sheet and one of the matching backing papers. Image is layered up then matted onto white card and silver mirri card, BP is also layered onto silver mirri. Die cuts are all from Spellbinders, pearls, lace and ribbon from my stash. Sentiment stamp from LOTV.

Inside has been decorated to match.

Challenges entered:

Karen's Doodles - celebrate

Oldie but Goodie - lace (sentiment stamp is over 6 mths old)

Little Darlins Challenges - favourite embellishments (ribbon, lace and pearls)

Paper Pretties - add texture

Stamp Man - texture

CHNC - angels or fairies

CD Sunday - L is for lace

Stamptacular Sunday - pearls and lace (sentiment is stamped)

Pretty Little Ribbon - anything goes

Carol x

PS Don't forget I have blog candy up for grabs!

Less is More - stripes

Good morning all, hope you've enjoyed your weekend whatever you were up to. We had a quiet one, the decorators were back yesterday preparing the lounge ceiling ready for painting next weekend. I spent my time in the craft room out of the way.

The lady divas this week are looking for stripes.........on a one layer card...............the ole grey cells have been doing overtime all weekend trying to think something up. I missed last week as my mojo went awol so didn't want to miss another. Hunting through my stamps I finally came upon this one and decided it definitely constituted a stripey onsie!!

Image is stamped in versamark and embossed with blue EP. Simply finished with some co-ordinating stripey bakers twine.

Challenges entered:

Less is More - one layer and stripes 

Sweet Stampin - clean and simple

Crafty Pad - letter B (baby, boy, blue)

House that Stamps Built - heat embossing

Crafty Cardmakers - monochrome

Carol x

PS Don't forget I have blog candy up for grabs!

Christmas Card Club - snowflakes

It was Sylvie's turn to pick the theme this time at the club and she's asked for snowflakes. I raided my bit box and came up with this.

In retrospect I wish I'd used white card instead of blue but hey ho....hindsight's great isn't it!!

All dies are from Spellbinders.Silver cord, bell charm and peel off sentiment from stash.

If you'd like to join our little club feel free to contact one of us (list in sidebar), don't forget to check out the other girls cards too.

Challenges entered:

CES - lots of layers

Hiding in my Craftroom - super scraps

Pixie Crafty Snippets - week 7

Winter Wonderland - not square or rectangle

ABC Christmas Challenge - C for charming

Cooking it with Katie - a spooled metal sentiment

Craft your Passion - anything goes no DP

Carol x

Google followers!! (for non-blogger folks)

You might have already seen this  but apparently the google followers gadget will be disappearing soon, which means all our followers will disappear too!

I don't want to lose any of you, and would love to be able to keep up with all your blogs too, so could you sign up again using the new linky on the top right of my blog please?  And also add it on your own blogs so I can come and follow you too :)

Just found out that this is for non Blogger sites.... so if you use Word Press or Typepad you will need to link to the new Linky thanks otherwise all will stay the same x

Carol x

Highland Holiday

I've spent a pleasant afternoon finishing off an interactive scrapbook album of our holiday in Perthshire two years ago. I've made the pages fairly simple to let the photos take main stage. I hope you're sitting comfortably.

Here are the individual pages if you want to take a closer look.

Don't forget to enter my surprise candy draw to celebrate my first blog birthday next month.

Carol x