Jellypark Challenge - Stars Shining Brightly

Today is being a rather busy day for blog posts! But this is the last one of the day!! If you're looking for the Funky Ink blog hop then its underneath! And Simply Create Too is beneath that!

It's a new challenge at Jellypark plus there are also two new digi releases too but those will be blogged over the weekend (3 posts in one day is enough for anyone!!) but if you can't wait to see them, have a look at the Jellypark blog - some wonderful designs from the girls!!

The theme this fortnight is:

Stars Shining Brightly

And I've gone literal and made a star shaped card.  The template is my own (basically, a star shape and then add a fold (taking care not to fold one of the points) and then trim where it meets the other side!  The papers I found in my stash although I have a feeling they are from a Polkadoodle cd and I've added stickles to the edges.

The image is part of the set drawn for the recent Papercraft Essentials magazine and it's available in the shop to buy for only £1.25!  Boy Playing With Train has been coloured with Promarkers and layered onto the card with foam pads.  The banner is a Sizzix die cut and I've handwritten the sentiment, shaded it with Promarkers and then added stickles around the edges.

And finally added a string of tiny little lights!  I find that glossy accents are the best at sticking things like this as they dry clear and quick too!!

Good luck with the challenge and pop back over the weekend to see the two new release stamps and what I've made with them!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Charisma Cardz:  Christmas - No Red, Green or Gold (only a titchy bit - is that ok?!)
Pixie Dust Studio:  Winter Holiday 
Divas By Design:  Glitter and Sparkle 
For Fun Challenges:  Christmas With Sparkle 
I Love Promarkers:  Anything Goes 
Ruby's Rainbow:  Shaped Cards 

Image:  Jellypark, coloured with Promarkers
Template:  My own
Papers:  Suspect it's Polkadoodles
Dies:  Sizzix banner
Everything else:  My stash 

Funky Hand and Tiddly Inks Blog Hop!

I hope you are sitting comfortably!!  And welcome to my little part of the very first Funky Hand and Tiddly Inks blog hop!!!  This is where the creative talents of Anice and Christy come together along with both Design Teams and we can show you just how well the papers and digi images complement each other!

We were all lucky enough to work with a Tiddly Inks image (although I have a fair few to be going on with!) and of course some of the fab Funky Hand paper!  For my sample I went a bit plain and simple on the outside because I just love the image and I didn't want her being overshadowed by pretty papers!

So I've used Minnie's Lights and printed her directly onto the card blank then coloured her with Promarkers and added stickles to the lights (making them sparkly!) and glossy accents to her glasses.  The sentiment stamp (slightly wonky despite it being clear acrylic!) is a Studio G 99p set which I do use quite a lot!

So if you're wondering where the Funky Hand papers are - look no further!  I've done a first for me and decorated the inside of the card!!!  The photo shows it on it's side - the plain panel is the bit you'd write on.  Papers are from the Christmas Tree download which is part of the Oh Come All Ye Crafters collection.  I've printed them as A5 - so two to a sheet of paper so that the pattern was not too large.

Apologies if the photo overhangs the side bar - it was a bit titchy as 'large'!

So, back to the blog hop!!  You'll need to start at Anice so that you don't miss anyone on the hop - miss one of us and you'll miss out on being in to win one of two fab prizes!  But if you've landed on my blog from Leah then you're on the right track - hope you left her a comment?!  Don't forget to leave me a comment before you hop over to Lou Mac who you'll need to leave a comment for too!

Right, I think that's it!!  You'll need to be quick with the hop - you have until 12am CST on December 3 to get your comments on our posts!!!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

For Fun Challenges:  Christmas Sparkle
I Love Promarkers:  Anything Goes 
Paper Pretties:  Girly Card 
Paper Shelter:  Christmas 
Whimsy Inspirations:  Traditional Christmas Colours 
Crafty Sentiments:  Red, White and Green 

Image:  Tiddly Inks, coloured with Promarkers, Stickles and Glossy Accents
Papers:  Funky Hand, Christmas Tree download
Sentiment:  Studio G acrylic stamp  

Simply Create Too Challenge 27 Midway Extra - Give Thanks

We're at the Midway part of our Simply Create Too Challenge and its also our First Birthday!!  And to celebrate we are having a little online party and have some fab blog candy up for grabs!  There are three parts to being in it to win it, so pop over to Simply Create Too to find out more!!

The theme for the last week is:

Give Thanks

And I'm lucky enough to be part of the very fab Funky Hand Design Team and I asked Anice if she would consider a prize for our First Birthday and she said yes!  So there is also a Funky Hand download of the winners choice, and I've used a download too to make this funky word book:

I've used the Retro Fun wordbook download, printed the letters off that I wanted onto some 220gsm card, cut them out and then arranged them like pages in a book.  Glittered around the edges of the letters and added some funky ribbon tied in funky bows and two beads from a rather pretty (but very cheap) bracelet from the Poundshop!

The cards look really effective but are pretty quick to make - probably about 45 mins in total plus drying time for the glitter.  Not bad eh?!  In the download you get the full A to Z alphabet plus numbers 0 to 9 plus 7 matching A4 sized papers! I use the A4 papers on the reverse of the letters so it all looks 'finished'.

Good luck with the challenge and don't forget to answer our questions over on Simply Create Too!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Craft Us Crazy:  Give Thanks
Crafty Ribbons:  Use At Least Two Ribbons
Do You Stack Up:  Thanks
Milk, Coffee, Stamps:  Thankful
Paper Play:  Pink, Green and Cream
Crafts and Me:  Ribbon or Trim
Diva's By Design:  Glitter and Sparkle

Wordbook:  Retro Fun wordbook download from Funky Hand
Ribbons:  My stash
Beads:  Poundshop

Number 9

I know that this is not a card so strictly I shouldn't be adding it to A Card A Day blog list, but it is something I've created!!  And I'm determined to blog every day in November and December, just so I know that I CAN do it!!!

Samuel won his 9th trophy of the year on Sunday at Daytona Manchester in the Cadet Inkart Championship.  He finished 3rd in the final race and therefore ended up on the podium and got a trophy!  There are 11 rounds across the Championship and November was the final round.  And he's come 2nd overall in the Championship too and he will be presented with the 2nd place trophy just before Christmas!

So here he is with his trophy - second from the right (the bigger boys are the Juniors!) 

 
He's the youngest on the photo by at least 2 years (he's only just turned 9) and he's the highest placed rookie in the Cadet Championship - 18 months ago he'd never even sat in a kart let alone competed!!

If you want to know a bit more about what he's doing and how he's doing along with Jacob, have a look at their karting blog! 

I promised him when he got his first trophy back in February that if he got 10 I'd buy a cabinet......... guess who's eating her words now?!!  Me and my big mouth!

Dude Time Doodles 28 November New Releases and Blog Hop

The time has come for the very last Dude Time Doodle New Release (cue sad music) and as its New Release Time we celebrate with a Blog Hop.  So please pop round the team to say your final goodbyes to us as a DT although no doubt you'll come across us somewhere in blog land again!

I've used Tree Topping Tim and coloured him with Promarkers - he will be available in the store to buy real soon so make sure you do because after 15th December, the doors will close and you won't be able to get him!

If you've arrived at me from The Dude Time Doodles Blog then you are on the right track although there is no start or finish point - just as long as you work your way through each of the blogs and leave us a comment at each point then you'll be in with a chance of winning! After you have left me a comment, pop over to Dawn.

I've used a freebie paper from The Clip Art Fairy and layered my image and sentiment (Studio G acrylic stamp) onto some random red card I found in my stash.  The star is actually a chipboard tree ornament I bought from Tesco last year - 10 for £1 and because the pattern didn't match, I covered it in some more offcut paper and then inked the edges.

Good luck with the hop and thank you to Dude Time Doodles, Boni, Anne and Tammy for all the help, support, laughs and giggles behind the scenes!  I'm following all the DT so I keep in touch!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:


Party Time Tuesdays:  Anything Goes
ABC Challenges:  Anything Goes
Cards For Men:  Merry Christmas


Image:  Dude Time Doodles, coloured with Promarkers
Paper:  The Clip Art Fairy freebie
Sentiment:  Studio G acrylic stamp
Star:  Tesco Christmas tree ornament, covered with red card and inked

MMMmmmmm! Gingerbread!

Although I'm not a huge biscuit and cake fan (although have been known to demolish almost a full box of French Fancies just prior to giving birth!) I am rather partial to Sainsbury's Jam Doughnuts and also Gingerbread men!!

So you can imagine my quandry when making this:

All the papers are from Here Comes Christmas cd from Polkadoodles and I've used a fancy X Cut die for the top part of the bag then layered the sentiment topper over the top.  The ribbon is from my stash and I've used a card cello bag for the gingerbread men.

Really quick and easy to make.  And the other two gingerbread men that came in the pack got eaten!  By the boys too.......!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Crazy Amigo Challenge:  Gifts
Crafty Boots:  Anything Goes
Digi Makeover:  Christmas
Lexi's Creations:  Christmas
Ooh La La:  Spots and Dots
Stamping Sensations:  Traditional Christmas

All papers:  Here Comes Christmas cd from Polkadoodles
Gingerbread men:  Sainsbury's (and long gone!)
Everything else:  My stash

Fetch A Sketch Challenge 38

It's time for a new Fetch A Sketch challenge!  And here is the sketch for this fortnight:

We are sponsored by My Creative Classroom who are offering a lucky winner a place in an online class!

We've also got a Guest Designer for the challenge too, but you'll have to pop over to Fetch A Sketch to see who it is!

I've kept my card quite simple and I've managed to use up another of the Christmas tree decorations that I seem to have collected (you can never have enough pretty sparkly things that are intended for Christmas decorations but would look even better on cards!), although I have a feeling that these were generously donated by Lynsey!

I've glittered the edge of my card base and then added an acetate panel that I'd embossed with a snowflake Cuttlebug folder after cutting it out with an X Cut fancy die.  Bit of a nightmare to get it to stick to the card blank but I was determined it was going to.  And it did!

I've added the peel off sentiment - I know!  But it was the best thing I had as stamping looked terrible and actually, I think the peel off doesn't look too bad!  Just have to think of how to use the other million that I have hehehe!  Anyway, the sentiment has been added to an offcut of vellum.

Good luck with the challenge!

I'd like to enter the following:

Eclectic Ellapu:  Celebration with Sparkle
The Crafty Pad:  Add Some Glitter
Allsorts:  Bring On The Bling
Unstampabelles:  Monochromatic
Less Is More:  Glitz and Glamour

Christmas Tree decoration:  Donated by Lynsey
Dies:  Cuttlebug snowflakes embossing folder, X Cut fancy die
Everything else:  My stash

Santi Beaches

As you may have noticed on my Dude Time Doodle post from earlier in the week, Dude Time Doodles is closing its doors on the 15 December.  I've been with the Design Team since the first challenge and have loved the wackiness that is Dude Time Doodles and the support given from the rest of the team.

So here is one of my favourite Dude Time Doodle images - Santi Beaches:

He's one cool Santa!  Papers and tag are from Here Comes Christmas cd from Polkadoodles and I've added some layered snowflakes cut with Marianne Creatables dies.  The red felt snowflakes are actually ribbon (sort of) and I bought it from Marks and Spencers a few weeks ago when me and the boys were having a breakfast treat in the cafe!

So if you want to stock up on Dude Time Doodle images you better be quick as the 15 December will be here before you know it!

Oh, and Samuel won his 9th trophy of the season earlier today!  He came third in the November Cadet Inkart Championship at Daytona Manchester.  And with the points he collected during the heats and final, it places him firmly in second place overall in the Championship!  Not bad for his first year kart racing!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Hiding In My Craft Room:  Christmas
Little Claire's Designs:  Christmas
Paper Creator:  Christmas
Marianne's Design Diva's:  Gentlemans Hour
Sparkles Forum:  Christmas is Coming

Papers and sentiment:  Here Comes Christmas cd from Polkadoodles
Dies:  Marianne Creatables
Red snowflake:  Marks and Spencers
Everything else:  My stash

Nephew

I've been busy making baby cards recently - one of my cousins was due (and arrived early!) but we didn't know if it was to be a boy or girl so I made a variety of each and some in lemon and cream too!  And a good friend was about to become an Aunty to a little boy (and he arrived early too!) so here is the card I made from her:

And yes, its a wordbook!  I've used papers from The Clip Art Fairy - Beautiful Baby Boy papers but the Printables Store has closed so I don't know if the papers are still available.  I've made the letters in word and then cut them out, layered onto some plain paper from the download and then layered again onto the 'pages'.  I've glittered around each letter - I actually print the letters in a colour similar to the papers so its not too visible, but enough so I can see where I'm cutting!

I've added some ribbon, embroidery thread and a little silver charm from my stash.  Some of the stars on the letters (the darker ones) have had glossy accents applied over the top to give it a bit more texture.

Jacob's football team lost again this morning - 8-4 despite leading at the start 2-0.  He was in goal for the whole match and made some cracking saves (despite letting 8 in!  Although one was an own goal from one of our mid-fielders) and was named Man of the Match by our Coach!

Samuel has the final Inkart Round tomorrow morning at Daytona Manchester.  He's currently in second place in the Cadet Championship and hopefully a decent finish tomorrow will ensure that placing.  It's all go in our house!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Ladybug Crafts:  Monochrome
Daring Cardmakers:  Twinkle Twinkle
Fussy and Fancy:  Feeling Blue
Dutch Dare:  Fancy Folds
Little Red Wagon:  Boy oh Boy

Papers:  The Clip Art Fairy (think they are retired)
Letters:  Wordart
Everything else:  My stash

Polkadoodle Challenge 47 - Any Die Will Do!

Welcome to another Polkadoodle Challenge!  The theme this week is:

Any Die Will Do

I've used my Marianne Creatables Poinsettia die for the first time and also, I'm ashamed to say, used silicone glue for the first time too!  I usually use foam pads but thought I'd give silicone ago as I'm tired of gunking up my good scissors and having to keep cleaning them!  Just so lazy!

I've covered my circular base card with a paper from Here Comes Christmas cd and also cut out some of the tiny Poinsettia flowers and then layered them onto the Sizzix Scallop tags - I've handwritten the sentiments.

I've added a touch of glitter glue to the corners of the flowers - the red card that I've used I've had for ages and it's been that long I can't remember where I got it from!  I've made the leaves out of green card and then cut up one of the flower shapes.  The centres of the flowers have a little gold gem added and the ribbons are from my stash.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Crafty Creations:  Christmas Is Coming
Ruby's Rainbow:  Shaped Cards
Whimsy Inspirations:  Traditional Christmas Colours
Shopping Our Stash:  Leaf or Leaves
Ooh La La:  Someone Special
CD Sunday:  Layer It Up

Papers:  Polkadoodles - Here Comes Christmas cd
Dies:  Marianne Creatables - Ponisettia, Sizzix Scallop Tags
Everything else:  My stash

Crimbo Crackers Challenge 29 - Anything Goes

It's time for a new Crimbo Crackers challenge and the theme for this fortnight is a nice and easy one:

Anything Goes

As long as its Christmas or Festive related!  I've got a Guest Designer joining me for the challenge who was a previous challenge winner, so please pop over to Crimbo Crackers and then to her blog to say hello!

I've no sponsor for the challenge but I'm offering two lucky entrants the chance to be future Guest Designers and its struck me that I need to design a GD badge for the blog too - will have to coax the boys into the Santa hats again!

I've made a wordbook from the new Funky Hand download - Stylish Tree wordbook which is part of the Oh Come All Ye Crafters collection.  Although it looks a little complicated it really isn't!  Each of the large letters are printed onto A4 card (I print on a base paper on the reverse too) and then cut them out!  The edges of the letters have been glittered with gold glitter glue, I've added Sizzix Roundabout die cut letters (and glittered these) and then the ribbon (to hold the join bits) and some die cuts.

I've used a Marianne Creatables Poinsettia die from Cuddly Buddly, layering it up with silicone glue (I am so rubbish at keeping up with trends as this was the first time I've used silicone glue!!) plus a bit of glitter to the centre and edges of the petals.  I've also added a swirly Marianne Creatables die too behind it.

The ribbons are from my stash - the gold one I bought a few years ago in the January sales from B&Q - Jacob helped me pick out the bargain ribbon bundles!

Good luck with the challenge!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Craft Room Challenge:  Punches and Die Cuts
Holly Jolly Christmas:  3 R's - Red, Ric Rac and Ribbon (and really glittery!)
Try It On Tuesday:  Christmas Sparkle
The Paper Girls: Christmas
Paper Creator:  All About Christmas

Papers:  Stylish Tree wordbook download from Funky Hand
Dies:  Sizzix Roundabout alphabet, Marianne Creatables Poinsettia and Swirly leaf
Everything else:  My stash 

Dude Time Doodles Challenge - Holidays

It's time for the very last Dude Time Doodles challenge - the doors are closing on the 15 December and we have a final new release hop next Wednesday - 28 November. Then after that, Dude Time Doodles are no more.  I've been with the team since the first challenge way back in October 2010 and I've totally enjoyed my time with the team.

I shall miss the Dude and Dudettes and the images - but I'll still be able to use the ones I have so not all is lost!

So, our last challenge is:

Holidays

And here is my typical Christmas scene with Kris Jingle who has been coloured with Promarkers plus stickles.  The papers are from Funky Hand and are part of the Oh Come All Ye Crafters Collection - Stylish Tree download.  I've made the card so that the image opens out.

The sentiment is from a stamp set that I'm ashamed to say I've had for a few years and this is the first time it's been inked up!  The snowflake is a Marianne Creatables die and I've added some funky Christmas lights as extra decoration.  The letters have been cut with my Sizzix Girls are Weird alphabet set.

A bit of faux stitching and some gold glitter glue and the card is complete!

Please show your appreciation for the rest of the Design Team - they can be found on my sidebar or on the main challenge blog - we've had a blast and we hope you have too!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Try It On Tuesday's:  Christmas Sparkle
Cards For Men:  Merry Christmas
Ooh La La:  Someone Special
Gingerloft:  Touch of Gold
The Crafty Pad:  Christmas


Image:  Dude Time Doodles, coloured with Promarkers
Papers:  Funky Hand - Stylish Tree download
Sentiment:  Old Stamp set
Dies:  Marianne Creatables; Sizzix Girls are Weird alphabet
Everything else:  My stash  

Pink Gift Cards

I do like making these little gift cards - they are quick to make and means I can use up some of my stash at the same time!

I've used one of the Oh Come All Ye Crafters paper collections from Funky Hand - Santa Baby - and I've printed on both sides of the card before folding and scoring it into the card holder.

I've added a line around the edges with a pink gel pen, tied some ribbon and then added two different (you can only see one!) chunky chipboard stickers which are layered and glitter!  I've had them in my stash for ages!  I bought quite a few different packs from the poundshop a few years ago as they are really good quality and only a pound a pack!!

I've added a panel to write on which is an offcut of card.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

365 Day Cards:  Day 264 - Ravishing Ribbon
Loves Rubber Stamps:  Use Ribbon
Tuesday Alchemy:  Anything But A Card
Hooked on Crafts:  Christmas but no red or green
Paper Pretties:  Anything But A Card
Totally Stampalicious:  Non Traditional Christmas Colours


Papers:  Santa Baby download from Funky Hand
Chipboard stickers:  Poundshop
Everything else:  My stash 

Quick Thanks

A quick post from me tonight - trying to multi task and failing miserably!!

This is a rather cute and quick digi from Jellypark - which was a freebie from some time ago.  I've coloured it with Promarkers plus glitter glue and layered it onto some thicker card before adding the ribbon.

It's a large tag!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Creative Inspirations Paint:  Thank You
Scrappy Frogs:  Give Thanks
Crazy For Challenges:  Tags
My Sheri Crafts:  Give Thanks
Totally Gorjuss:  Plain and Simple
Dilly Beans:  Thanks

Image:  Jellypark, coloured with Promarkers
Ribbon:  My stash

Rose Rabbit

And here is the second of the two new release digi stamps from Jellypark this fortnight!  This one is called Rose Bunny and what a cutie she is!  I've coloured her and the bunting (part of a set) with Promarkers and added some embroidery thread that perfectly matched part of the backing paper from my stash.  And yes, I do have a lot of embroidery thread!  All from the Scrap Store!

I've cut the cute rabbit out carefully and added her to the X Cut oval die with foam pads.  All papers are from Funky Hand Colour Me Happy cd and all are offcuts which were languishing in my shoe box of bits!

A bit of inking around the edges plus some faux stitiching and the card is complete!

We've had another jam packed day karting today; Samuel had another outdoor race and out of a field of 17 drivers he was placed 9th on the grid for the final after 2 heats.  His grid starts are pretty good and he got up into 3rd place for a few laps until he got pushed onto the grass by another driver although Samuel kept control and stayed on the track (well, grass until he got back on properly!) but had lost a few places due to it.  He ended up finishing 11th in the end so we were really pleased with him!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

One Stitch At A Time:  Use A Digi
Send A Smile 4 Kids:  Anything Goes
Stamping With The Dragon:  So Cute
Happy Campers:  Bright Colours
My Heart Pieces:  Anything Cute

Images:  Jellypark, coloured with Promarkers
Dies:  X Cut
Papers:  Funky Hand, Colour Me Happy cd
Everything else:  My stash

Clearly 40!

Here is the first of two new digi releases this fortnight from Jellypark - this one is called 40 Numeral with Roses - real catchy title eh?!  But a stunning digi stamp!  I've made this card for a colleague at work who turns 40 in March - yes I do like to be organised!!  Although I've used it as a birthday number, it can be used for a Wedding Anniversary too.

I've coloured the digi with Promarkers then cut them both out and layered onto a acetate card and the papers I've used are from The Clip Art Fairy which is part of a kit.

I've used an X Cut die for the background layer (its on the inside of the card) and a Martha Stewart punch for the frill bit at the top.  Ribbons and embroidery thread are from my stash.  Once I'd decided what I was going to make with the digi, it was fairly quick to execute!

Jacob's football team lost 9-4 today but they played really well and were 3-2 up at half time.  Samuel had a good practice day karting - hope it continues with his race tomorrow!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Pattie's Creations:  Birthday
Stampin' With The Dragon:  Cute
In The Pink:  Punches / Dies
Created With Love: Birthday with a Number
Crazy Challenge:  Decorate the Inside of the Card


Image:  Jellypark, coloured with Promarkers
Dies:  X Cut
Everything Else:  My stash

Jellypark Challenge - I'm Hungry!

It's time for a new Jellypark challenge and its a good one this fortnight!  The theme is:

I'm Hungry!

A phrase used quite a lot by Samuel who has a large appetite and is quite an adventurous eater (just no bananas or baked beans - with him on those two!!)

Before I start, I apologise for the terrible photos, but I can explain!  Samuel made these chocolate buns with my Dad last weekend and we got these four to bring home.  But when I got home it was dark and realising that the buns probably wouldn't make it to the morning without being eaten, I had to take the photos in the kitchen with the spotlight things we have.

I've used some items from the Pink Fairy Party Printables range from Jellypark - the cupcake wrappers and also the toppers.  The toppers I've layered onto a scallop die cut (the toppers have been cut with a round die too) and glittered around the edges.  I added a cocktail stick to the back and used glossy accents to stick it in place as it dries a lot nicer than glue!

The cupcake wrappers are really easy to make - print and then cut out!  I used double sided tape to stick the ends together as I didn't want any wobbly bits from wet glue showing.

And the buns actually tasted a lot better than they looked!  The scalloped die cuts are offcuts of card blanks so I've been good and recycled!

There are three other sets of Party Printables plus invitations, bunting, hats and thank you notes!  Everything you need for a party!!  Personally, the Pirate set is my favourite!!

Good luck with the challenge!  More Jellypark goodness will follow tomorrow and Sunday!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Penny's Paper Crafty:  Anything Goes
Celebrate The Occasion:  Birthday and Use A Cupcake
The Stamping Boutique:  Food
{PIN}spirational Challenges:  Inspiration Photo
Love To Create:  Fancy Edges
The Crafty Pad:  Cake

Party Printables:  Jellypark
Dies:  Spellbinder Nestabilies Scalloped Circle and Circle 
Cakes:  Long gone!

Thanks

I can't find if I've blogged these cards before, I have a feeling I've not as the photos were uncropped and unfaffed with as I've just found them on my pc.  These were made before the school summer holidays and were thank you cards for 5 of Jacob's teachers (I had strict instructions as to who they were for!)

A simple Nesties die cut through the centre with the image on the inside.  It's a Fred She Said image which I printed onto the same linen effect white card, coloured with Aquamarkers and then cut out with the same Nesties die and then carefully added it to the inside of the card so it all matched up.

I inked around the edge of the die cut shape with a black inkpad and stamped the sentiment which was a magazine freebie directly onto the front of the card.  Some thin red organza ribbon and they are complete!

At least I have a good few months before I need to start thinking about what to make for the end of the school year!

I'm determined to keep up with the Card A Day blogging and I've set myself the target of all of November and December too!  Eeek!  Hence the rather non seasonal cards I've just found photos of!  Normal service will be resumed tomorrow with a Jellypark filled weekend!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Crafting for All Seasons:  Thank You Cards
Creative Belli:  Harvest / Fruit
Digi Stamps For Joy:  Giving Thanks
For Fun Challenges:  Give Thanks
Papercraft Star:  A Thank You
Simon Says Stamp:  Thank You
Digital Tuesday Challenge:  Thankfulness

Image:  Fred She Said, coloured with Aquamarkers
Dies:  Spellbinder Nestabilities
Sentiment:  Magazine freebie
Everything else:  My stash

It's A Girl!

Well, my cousin Jane's baby arrived last Tuesday - three weeks early!  My Mum was convinced it was going to be a boy (don't ask!) but I hedged my bets and made three of these baby wordbooks - a pink one, a blue one and an ivory one.  Just in case!  This is actually the card my Mum picked to send - mine is still in progress!!  My excuse is that I was waiting to see what it would be! Anyway, Olivia Isla was 6 pound 1 (the same weight as Samuel when he arrived, 5 days overdue!)

I honestly can't remember where the papers come from, but I've printed them so they are digital!  I made the letters in Word Art and then cut them out, layered and added onto the pages.  I've also added glitter glue around the letters.

Ribbon is from my stash along with the princess charm and the embroidery thread is from the Scrap Store.  Just need to get a move on and finish the card from us now!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Through The Craftroom Door:  Anything Goes
Tuesday Alchemy:  Anything Goes
Forever Friends:  Use Ribbon
House of Gilli:  Celebration
Unstampabelles:  Monochromatic
Whoopsi Daisy Challenge:  Pastels

Papers:  Unknown
Embroidery Thread:  Scrap Store
Everything Else:  My stash 

Christmas Stocking

Now what was you thinking with that title?!  Here is a card!! It's part of a Christmas card order and sometimes I just don't know what to make for kids especially when they are not really kids but young adults.  And male!  And this is one of a set of 4 for 4 brothers!

It's my own template and the papers are from Funky Hand - Stylish Tree download which is part of the Oh Come All Ye Crafters Christmas Collection.  There is also a wordbook download for those who like wordbooks (and I am one of them!) and if you buy the two collections together you get it for a reduced price!  So not only do you get some fab papers, a full alphabet wordbook collection, you also get to save money to spend on more stash!  And the paper download on its own is only £2.49!

The tag is a Sizzix tag with Sizzix Girls are Weird letters which have been glittered somewhat plus a layered Marianne Createables snowflake die to hold it in place.

I've glittered around the edge of the card with some trusty deep red glitter glue and added some card candy here and there.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Crafty Sentiments:  Christmas
LEJ Designs:  Seasons Greetings
Cards For Men:  Anything Goes
Crafty Cardmakers:  More Than 1 Punch or Die Cut
The Pink Elephant:  Die Cuts and Punches


Template:  Mine
Papers:  Funky Hand, Stylish Tree download
Dies:  Marianne Creatables (snowflake), Sizzix Girls are Weird (letters), Sizzix tag
Everything else:  My stash 

Fetch A Sketch Challenge 37

It's time for a new Fetch A Sketch challenge and this fortnight Lou has provided the sketch, and what a fab one it is!  And quite similar to the last sketch!

We have a returning sponsor - Funky Hand, and Anice is offering the winner of this challenge a download of their choice!  Thanks Anice!

I've used one of the fab new download from Funky Hand for my card - Is It Christmas - which is part of the Oh Come All Ye Crafters collection and it just goes to show that Christmas papers are not just for Christmas! 

The plain papers I've used as the background and then added one of the spotty papers on the lower half, added some faux stitching, a bit of inking and some ribbons from my stash plus two different shades of purple of half pearls (I surprised myself with what I found!) and the card is done!

It's a really lovely sketch to use and I'm sure I'll be using it again for some Christmas cards I need to make and inspiration has just struck me as I type this post!

Good luck with the challenge - hope you can join in and for more details, pop over to Fetch A Sketch!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Robyns Fetish:  Anything Goes
Scrappers Delights:  Anything Goes
Stampin' For The Weekend:  All Stitched Up
Paper Crafting Journey:  Anything Goes


All papers:  Is It Christmas download from Funky Hand
Everything else:  My stash

Under The Mistletoe

I'm nearing the end of completing a long list of Christmas cards and here is one that I can tick off that list!  The image is from Emma Canning - Mistletoe Moment - and I've coloured it with Promarkers and the cut out the two people so that they would fit the oval background a little better.

I've used papers from my rather bargain 12x12 Let It Snow pad (I do like these papers!) and added stickles to the sides of the card and also around the oval.  The oval has been cut from vellum and then embossed with a Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder.

The two background panels are X Cut dies.  I found the sentiment in my stash and have inked it slightly to match the colour theme.  I've also added soem stickles to the fur on the dress and boots and a tiny half pearl to the holly in her hair.

After karting this morning we had a trip to Southport (namely Matalan and Dunelm) where I treated myself (and Jacob) to a pair of really fluffy and long welly socks for when we are stood in the sub zero temps watching Samuel karting (if Jacob fancies wearing mine then he can as his feet are nearly the same size as mine and he is only 7!!) and a cook pot from Dunelm as our largest and oldest pan disintegrated when I washed it the other day!  We've had it for nearly 20 years, so I didn't think it was too bad to throw it out!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Flat Friends:  Dots and stripes
Die Cuttin' Diva's:  Sketch
Dream Valley Challenges:  Anything Goes
Chocolate, Coffee and Cards:  Stripes
Fairytale Challenge:  Embossing

Image:  Emma Canning, coloured with Promarkers
Papers:  Dovecraft Let It Snow 12x12 pad
Dies:  X Cut - both oval and fancy shape
Embossing:  Cuttlebug Swiss Dots
Everything else:  My stash 

Quick 40

This will be a rather quick post as I'm feeling a bit ropey and once again, its been a hectic day!  The card I am sharing (and being part of A Card A Day group - I'm hoping (everything crossed) that I can do all of November and December!!) today is a very quick make and a bargain too!

It's a Ready to Print Square Card kit from The Clip Art Fairy and it was a bargain at 15p!!  But be quick the closing down sale is only on until the end of November.  I've printed it directly onto my linen effect white card (The Papermill), added the sentiment and did a bit of glittering (around the edge of the card and also the number) with some stickles and added three pearls to balance the card.

I've had the pearls for absolute ages and actually forgot I had them as was looking for something else at the time!  So that was a nice surprise!

And another nice surprise for today was that Jacob's football team won their first match of the season this morning!  They've moved indoors (yeah - no more muddy fields and sub-zero temps on a Saturday morning!) and onto astro turf which they train on so they are more used to it.  They won either 9-2 or 10-2 - we're not sure as we were that chuffed they won!!  It's been a long time coming as they are a really good gelled team that pass to each other and have two good goalies (one being Jacob who also plays in defense).

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

365 Day Cards:  Day 253 - Thrift Thursday
Lady Anne's Challenges:  Sentiment
Crafty Catz:  Anything Goes
Pattie's Creations:  Birthday
Raise The Bar:  Birthday
Totally Papercrafts:  Cute and Girly


Card Kit:  The Clip Art Fairy
Dies:  Spellbinder Nestabilities
Pearls:  My stash  

Polkadoodle Challenge 45 - Christmas Invitations

There is lots going on over at Polkadoodles this week! And we've gone truly International with the Design Team - 11 new ladies from across the world have joined us!  To say hello, pop over to Polkadoodles!

This week the challenge is:

Christmas Invitations

I've kept it nice and simple which is great if you need to make a batch of cards in a hurry for those inpromptu parties!  I've used Pip the Penguin topper from Magical Winter Vol 1 cd - printed him out, layered onto red card and then added to the card blank.

I've glittered around the edge of the image and also on the sign - really quick to make!  Hope you can join in the challenge - for more details please go to Polkadoodles and you can see the rest of the teams inspiration too!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Ruby's Rainbow:  Birds
Tanda Stamps:  Anything Christmas
Crafty Bloggers Network:  Christmas


Image:  Polkadoodles, Magical Winter Vol 1 cd
Everything else:  My stash

Simply Create Too Challenge 26 - Use Your Stash!

It's time for another Simply Create Too challenge and the theme this fortnight is:

To Use Your Stash! 

I've used a fab kit from The Clip Art Fairy (hurry - there is a half price sale on until the end of November!) and I've used the 'general' baby elements, printed what I needed onto an off white card, cut it all out and then layered it up!

The half pearl and ribbon are from my stash and I've added glitter glue here and there.  This card I made for my cousin Claire (helllooooo!) who now lives in Germany so she can send it to one of our other cousins who is due to have a baby in a few weeks, however the baby arrived on Tuesday!!

These kits are really good for when you don't want to be colouring and fancy sitting in front of the telly and doing some cutting out!

Good luck with the challenge and don't forget to have a look at the rest of the Design Team's creations!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

My Heart Pieces: Anything Cute
Crafty Creations:  No Flowers
Diva's By Design:  Cute
Penny's Paper Crafty:  Lots of Layers
Stamp and Doodle:  Use A Digi

Kit:  The Clip Art Fairy
Everything else:  My stash

Crimbo Crackers Challenge 28 - Snowmen

It's time for another Crimbo Crackers challenge! And no pink in sight this week either! The challenge theme for this fortnight is:

Snowmen (or Snowladies!)

Crimbo Crackers is sponsored by Ladybug Crafts Ink and a lucky entrant will win a £10 gift certificate to spend online!

I've been lucky enough to use a digi from Ladybug Crafts Ink and here it is - its called Let It Snow and I've coloured it with Promarkers and stickles.  I've used papers from Polkadoodles Here Comes Christmas cd and added some faux stitching around the edges.

The largest snowflake has been cut with a Marianne Creatables die and the smaller ones are actually a really posh parcel string from Marks and Spencers!  I've added half pearls to the centres.  I'll be waiting for the January sales to buy some more of the snowflake stuff plus some other bits that I have my eye on for crafting, so don't be going in the Blackburn store and buying all the stock!!

Good luck with the challenge!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Passion For Promarkers:  In The Garden
Sweet Stamps:  Christmas
Crafty Bloggers Network:  Christmas Anything Goes
Whoopsi Daisy Challenge:  Christmas
Quirky Crafts:  Lots of Layers and Let It Snow


Image:  Ladybug Crafts Ink, coloured with Promarkers and stickles
Papers:  Polkadoodles, Here Comes Christmas cd
Dies:  Marianne Creatables snowflake
Small Snowflake Trim:  Marks and Spencers
Everything else:  My stash