Imagination Crafts "December Mid Way Inspiration"

Good morning all.

We had  a lovely night on Saturday...lots of alcohol was consumed but not by me so apart from being tired yesterday I was perfectly well! I've now got to make 41 place name tags and a table plan for Wednesday...I did volunteer for my sins!

Eek half way through December already and only 9 chocolates left to eat...where are the days  going to! Here is my second inspiration post for Imagination Crafts.

Our theme is always anything goes and the winner will receive a £40 voucher to spend in the Imagination Crafts Shop.

I've used another of the Decoupage Stamp Sets - Snowman.

Image is stamped with versamark and heat embossed with silver EP, then I've washed the background with silver aquatint, die cut and layered onto a teal mat. Image is coloured with promarkers and I've used stickles on his hat, Background is a Die'Sire Create a Card die from Crafter's Companion which I've embossed then inked with Peacock Feathers DI. Sentiment is from the stamp set. Card is finished with a few gemstones from my stash.

Challenges entered:

A Gem of a Challenge - anything Christmas

Fairytale - colour combo light blue white + ? (I've added teal)

Patties Creations - Christmas cards

Wags n Whiskers - Merry Christmas

Delightful Challenges - bundle up

Dream it Up - quick and/or cute

Fashionable Stamping - heat it up

Christmas Card Club " Non Traditional Colours"

Good morning all.

 I'm hoping it's good for me too after the hen party last night...but I'll probably still be in bed when this goes live!!

It's our final challenge at our little Christmas Card club and Margaret has set us the theme of "Non Traditional Colours".

Made in the same vein as my two winter wonderland cards earlier in the week, this is my final  special card for this year....and if something could go wrong, smudge or go askew it did!!

Sleigh scene is half a Crafty Impressions stamp, heat embossed with white detail EP. Card is then inked with various distress inks. Purple trees are a Penny black magazine freebie stamped in dusty concord DI. House and trees die is from Memory Box and I've cut it up to fit the Lawn Fawn stitched border die. Sentiment from Clearly Besotted, snowman from Crafty Impressions and snowflake was another magazine freebie. Gem from my stash.

Challenges entered:

Stamping Sensations - winter wonderland

Chocolate, Coffee and Cards - Christmas

Crafts 4 Eternity - Christmas

Art Impressions Stamps - feeling frosty

Artist Trading Post - let's celebrate

Milk Coffee - Christmas non traditional colours

ABC Christmas - for a family member (for my sister)

Craft a Scene - winter scene

Hello ATC

Good morning all.

Well my little girl is 17 today, I really don't know where the years have gone. We're taking her for a driving taster session this afternoon at a local racetrack which has been organised to raise money for Children in Need.

Several loads of washing to get through today then I'm off down home for my sister's hen party! Should be a good night but I will have to watch what I drink as I want back here by lunchtime on Sunday and wouldn't want to risk being breathalysed on the way home.

Something a "little" different to share today, an ATC.

Both the base and the topper have been covered in some adhesive fabric which gives a lovely feel to the piece. Base and topper were painted Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylics. Once dry the topper was stamped with JM05 from JOFY stamps and painted with the Eggplant acrylic. The base was stencilled with a dots stencil from Memory Box using Eggplant then stamped with JM37 from JOFY stamps. The sentiment is from Wild Rose Studio and pearl is from my stash. The topper was attached with foam tape.

Challenges entered:

The Stamping Boutique - anything but a card

House that Stamps Built - anything but a card

Inspiration Destination - anything goes

Party Time Tuesdays - anything goes

Not Just Cards - anything goes

Artistic Stampers - anything goes

One Crazy Stamper - anything goes

Shabby Chic Calendar

Good morning all.

I think we had everything weather-wise yesterday, a day to stay at home! Made a start on the tidying and cleaning ready for the Christmas tree going up.

I spoke to my Aunt and Uncle the other night and my cousin is much improved but will probably need to go through the operation again as they found a second valve which needed replaced during the first op but couldn't go ahead without his permission...the first valve will have to be replaced too so that both valves are the same!! You couldn't make it up!

A calendar to share today.

Made with a Melissa Frances kit to which I've added butterflies, small flower ribbons from my stash. Ivy die cut is a Signature die from Joanna Sheen. Border punch from Martha Stewart. Backing paper from K&Co. Calendar blank tab from Hobbycraft.

Challenges entered:

Decorate to Celebrate - anything 3D

Penny's Paper Crafty - anything but Christmas

All Crafts Challenge - anything but a card

Not Just Cards - anything goes

Sugar Creek Hollow - no cards

Winter Wonderland Mark 2

Good morning all.

Yesterday was a wasted journey...the property we were looking at had a house belonging to someone else in the middle of the land which went with it grrr. Never mind we're not in a hurry so I'm sure something right will come along eventually. I did manage to almost finish the Christmas shopping too so not altogether wasted.

Another Christmas card to share, hopefully I've only got one more to actually make. Very similar to the one I shared two days ago as I decided I really liked that one.

Scenic stamps from Crafty Impressions and sentiment from Clearly Besotted. Main image is heat embossed with white detail EP. Inking is done with some DI and a little bit of Memento around the outside to match the card. Stitched die is from Lawn Fawn, snowflake is from Memory Box and the scene dies are from the middle of a Spellbinder die.

Challenges entered:

Crafty Sentiments Design - Christmas

Die Cuttin Divas - non traditional Christmas colours (no red/green)

Holly Jolly - anything Christmas goes

Loves Rubber Stamps - Christmas/winter

Party Time Tuesdays - anything goes

Artistic Inspirations - anything goes/snow

Crafty Boots - Merry Christmas

Crafty Cardmakers - Christmas

Dream Valley Challenges - true blue

Eureka Stamps - let it snow

Sparkle N Sprinkle - anything goes with glitter, EP or flock

Stamp and Create - Christmas

Vintage Stamping Challenge - Christmas Song (Blue Christmas)

Crafting for all Seasons #92 "Anything Christmas but a Card"

Good morning all.

Going out this morning to view a property...forecast wet, windy and snow...think I'll need the winter woollies and welly boots!

Not yet heard any further news on my cousin but must try to remember to ring home today. Lora's guinea pig died of old age on Monday so there was a burial yesterday, thus ends the era of small furry pets - we've had rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs over the years. All my Christmas cards are written, a large batch went in the post yesterday, those with letters in will go today and I think the rest will all be hand delivered.

It's time for our final challenge of the year at CFAS and this time the theme is "Anything Christmas but a Card". We're  looking forward to seeing all your makes. As this is a month long challenge we have three sponsors this time Lacy Sunshine, Stitchy Bear Digi Outlet and Bugaboo who all gave the DT images to work with.

I've chosen to decorate a bag for this challenge.

I've used Scene it - Winter Friends from Bugaboo coloured with promarkers with added stickles then die cut with a Spellbinders rectangle. Papers from Bearly Mine Christmas Wishes which I've layered up digitally. Icicle and scene dies from Marianne Designs. Snowflake die from Memory Box. Sentiment from Stitchy Bear Stamps- Christmas Day Tiny Tickets. Ribbon and gems from my stash.

Do pop over to the challenge blog to see the rest of the girls inspiration, you won't be disappointed.

Challenges entered:
Scrap it Girl - wrap it up
Bearly Mine - Christmas decoration
Come and Get It - merry Christmas
CHNC Extra - anything Christmas goes
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - anything goes with patterned paper
Die Cut Divas - snow and winter holidays
A Gem of a Challenge - anything Christmas
We Do Doobadoo - get festive
Cutie Pie Challenge - anything but a card
Not Just Cards - anything goes

Winter Wonderland

Good morning all.

We had a lovely day out on Sunday, it was a long day though. I broke even on the betting stakes and eldest came home quids in so he was a happy chappie. We were both a little under par yesterday but nothing a lie in didn't cure on my part.

Hubby's Christmas card to share today, unless I don't manage to get the rest of my specials made in time to deliver them!!

Snowscene stamp is from Crafty Impressions stamped in versamark and heat embossed with white detail EP.  I've used distressed ink to shade the sky and moon. Tree dies are from Clearly Besotted and I've used the matching stamps to overstamp the coloured card with versamark and heat embossed with white detail EP. Sentiment stamp is also from Clearly Besotted. Landscape dies are from Lawn Fawn.

Challenges entered:

Craft a Scene - winter with trees

Fashionable Stamping - winter wonderland

Pile it On - anything Christmas goes

Sentimental Sunday - embossing

Stamping Sensations - winter wonderland

Dies R Us - winter wonderland

Celebrate the Wonder Tag

Good morning all.

A tag to share today.

All stamping is done with versamark and heat embossed with white detail EP. Trees and sentiment are from Penny Black a magazine freebie, skyline is from Crafty Impressions. Inks are DI and ribbon is from my stash.

Challenges entered:

Craft Stamper Take it Make it - white stamping

StampArtic - Christmas

Brown Sugar - winter

Crafts 4 Eternity - winter

Really Reasonable Ribbon - tag with ribbon or trim

Stempelsonnen - anything goes

Crafty Ribbons - mono Christmas

Crafty Creations - embossing

Creative Moments - anything goes/winter

Faux Pearl

Good morning all.

Unfortunately it's been a weekend of bad news so far...on Friday I found out my Uncle was very ill and not expected to live and that one of my cousins was critical after heart surgery. Sadly my Uncle died on Friday night, he was just a month short of his 88th birthday. Hopefully no news is good news regarding my cousin.

We're off to the races at Kelso today for the staff Christmas do, should be a good day out although there is snow forecast!

Today's share is a card for my cousin, I haven't added a sentiment yet as get well didn't seem appropriate at the moment.

I've used the faux pearl technique for the background, a spare piece from previous projects. This was inked up with various distress inks then die cut with a Spellbinders pierced rectangle...I've tried always to get a decent photo but the colours are just coming up muddy! The flower die is from Memory Box. Gems are added to finish off.

Challenges entered:

Less is More - colours

Sister Act Challenge - anything goes

Inspiration Destination - anything goes

A Little bit Crafty - anything but Christmas goes

The Sisters of Craft - anything goes

Origami Box

Good morning all.

It's a lovely morning here although it was very frosty last night, I think a quiet day at home is on the cards as we have a busy day tomorrow. Enjoy your day whatever you're doing.

Another origami box to share today.

Tutorial can be found here. Papers are from Tilda's Christmas House 12x12 pad. Dies are from Spellbinders. Flower, button and ribbon are from my stash.

Challenges entered:

In the Pink - die cuts and punches

Decorate to Celebate - anything 3D goes

Divas by Design - festive

Inspiration Destination - anything goes

Altered Eclectics - anything but a card goes

Bearly Mine - anything but a card

Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - anything with patterned paper goes

Top Tip Tuesday - buttons and bows

All Crafts Challenge - anything but a card

Not Just Cards - anything goes

Clean and Simple

Good morning all.

House work and washing on the agenda today...sorry for swearing but needs must!

A very clean and simple card to share today...think it's a little too CAS for me though!!

Snowflakes stamps are from Anita's Stamps, stamped in versamark and heat embossed with white detail EP. Brush Stroke stamp from Inkylicious stamped twice with two different distress inks.

 Sentiment stamp from Imagination Crafts also stamped with DI. Card is finished with some gems.

Finished inside with stamp from Penny Black and a corner punch from Martha Stewart.

Challenges entered:

Stamplorations - sketch

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Christmas/holidays

Artistic Stampers - anything goes

One Crazy Stamper - anything goes

Cards and More - just be blue

Sparkles Forum Christmas - blue Christmas

Fan-Tastic Tuesday - twist embossing

Just Inspirational Challenges - snowflakes

Oddball Art Stamps - any holiday

Addicted to Stamps - clean and simple

Silver and White

Good morning all.

Another quick Christmas card to share today, if a little messy!

Snowflakes dies are an old set from Spellbinders and I've coated each layer with silver metal magic and heat embossed...this was the messy bit! I've used a brad to build the snowflake. The sentiment die is from Clearly Besotted and I've cut it several times and layered it up. The vellum backing paper has been in my stash for years and I've attached it to silver mirri card with some brads.

All finished inside with a stamp form Penny Black and corner punch from Martha Stewart.

Challenges entered:

ABC Challenge - Y is for yuletide

Always Something Creative - Christmas

Craft and Smash - ice, snow, Christmas

CHNC Extra - anything Christmas  goes

Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - anything with patterned paper goes

Die Cut Divas - snow and Christmas/holidays

Seemacrafts - Christmas

The Craft Garden - Christmas

The Sisters of Craft - anything goes

Creative Inspirations - silver and white

Rudolph and his Shiny Nose

Good morning all.

A little progress was made yesterday and my card labels are all updated and printed. Still need a few more cards including about 4 specials...best get a move on then.

Sharing today the third card for the kids...at least they're now out of the way!

I keeping with the other two I've made I've just highlighted a little of the image and used glossy accents on the red. Image and sentiment are from Crafty Impressions and I've used promarkers to colour. Stitched rectangle die is from Spellbinders.

I think I probably should have coloured this one in, he looks a bit bare!!

All finished inside using a Penny Black stamp and Martha Stewart corner punch.

Challenges entered:

Crafty Sentiments Designs - anything goes

Loves Rubber Stamps - anything goes

Party Time Tuesdays - anything goes

Retarte - Christmas

Sweet Stamps - Christmas spirit

Get Creative Challenges - Christmas

Simon says Stamp Mondays - holiday card

Stamp and Create - Christmas

Through the Purple Haze - all about Christmas

Vintage Stamping Challenge - Christmas song (Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer)

Blue Christmas

Good morning all. Only 22 chocolates until Santa comes eeek!!

I need to get my Christmas cards sorted today ready to get the first batch in the post this week. Address labels need to be updated and printed and a final count made to see where I'm at!

Another of my quick Christmas cards to share today, made on Sunday night to enter a few challenges. There could be a few quick ones this week if the above doesn't go to plan lol.

Stamps and die are all from Clearly Besotted, the front trees are die cut and layered up several times to create dimension. All finished inside too.

Challenges entered:

Sunday Stamps - sketch (cased Leena's lovely card)

AAA Cards - blue Christmas

Amusing - anything goes

Sparkles Christmas Challenge - it's a blue blue Christmas

Stamping Sensations - simply Christmas

Eclectic Ellapu "Pink Team - Vintage Christmas"

Good morning all.

This is my second post today, you can find my DT inspiration for Imagination Crafts here.

My first post this morning for the Pink Team at Eclectic Ellapu where May has chosen the theme of "Vintage Christmas".

I've chosen to make a tag which took me totally out of my comfort zone....and I loved every minute of it!!

Tag base is cut from burgundy Kraft Core card stock then embossed with a Cuttlebug snowflake folder. This was then sanded to reveal the kraft core and I used my distress tool round the edges then inked with vintage photo, faded jeans and pine needles distress inks and sprayed with gold Cosmic Shimmer. Image is from Anita Stamp's stamped onto kraft card with vintage photo, layered onto the burgundy Kraft Core. The dies have all been cut from waste card then either inked with distress ink and sprayed with gold cosmic shimmer or the gold ones have been inked with versamark and I've used gold metal magic to coat them...I love how they turned out and must make more use of this stuff. I also used the metal magic around the edges. Snowflakes and ovals are all from Spellbinders, sentiment is from Tattered Lace. Lace is from Crafty Ribbons. Recycled ribbon, holly and gem are from my stash.

I love how this turned out and think I may have to use it for hubby so I can keep it afterwards.

Challenges entered:

CHNC - Santa is on his way

CHNC Extra - anything Christmas goes

Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers - vintage

Really Reasonable Ribbons - gift packaging with ribbon or trim

QKR Stampede - anything but a card

Stempelsonnen Challenge - anything goes

4 Crafty Chicks - die cuts

Artist Trading Post - recycle for Christmas

Not Just Cards - anything goes

OSAAT - anything goes with lace

Imagination Crafts December "Anything Goes"

Good morning all.

We had a dry bright day yesterday so hubby and I went out and did a little shopping, managed to cross another couple off the Christmas present list so it wasn't a wasted trip. Supposed to be going to Edinburgh today where we'll hopefully cross the rest off.

I'm delighted to be here sharing my first inspiration project for the Imagination Crafts challenge.

Our theme is always anything goes and the winner (using a product from Imagination Crafts) will receive a £40 voucher to spend in the Imagination Crafts Shop.

I've used one of the Decoupage Stamps - Candle. 

I stamped in versmark and then heat embossed with detail gold EP. I then washed the background with the gold aquatint before colouring the main image with promarkers, die cutting and layering on gold mirri card. The sentiment and smaller images are all part of the set and are also stamped in versamark and heat embossed with gold detail EP.

Layers are attached with foam tape to give the card some dimension.

Challenges entered:

CHNC Extra - anything Christmas goes

Completely Christmas - something beginning with "S" (stamp, sentiment)

Crafty Catz - anything goes

Sister Act Card Challenge - anything goes

Southern Girls - celebrations

Addicted to Stamps and More - holiday

We Doo Doobadoo - get festive

Paper Creators Crafts - all about Christmas

Addicted to Stamps - lots of layers

Christmas Card Challenges - anything goes