Daring Card Makers - Bingo!

It's time for a new Daring Card Makers challenge and this week we are playing bingo!

Just pick a line and let us know what you've gone for!

I've gone for Clean and Simple / Thread or Twine / Gems.  I've scored a line around the edge of the card and used Sundae from Dr Digi, which I've coloured with Promarkers and added to the card base with foam pads.  

I dug out my trusty box of gems and added some to the top of the sundae and also at the bottom of the card, hand wrote the sentiment and added some bakers twine to add to my card.

Good luck with the challenge!

Imagine That:  Anything Goes
Seize The Birthday:  Anything Goes
Time Out Challenges:  One Layer and Two Embellishments (gems and twine)
Simon Says Wednesday:  No Designer Paper

Polkadoodle Challenge 32 - In The Garden

There is a new challenge over at Polkadoodles and the theme for the week is:

In The Garden

I've gone for a monochrome theme as I really like the mono peacock that is contained within the Tail Feather download bundle - the download contains papers, images and all manner of goodness!

I've printed the image directly onto some lovely linen effect white card and then layered it onto black then added it to the card blank which is also linen effect white card. Added some tiny gems here and there and then the black fancy ribbon bow at the top.

It didn't take me long at all to make and I think it makes for a rather striking card! Good luck with the challenge - for more inspiration and our rules, please pop over to the Challenge blog!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Really Reasonable Ribbon: Things With Wings
The Cupboard Trilogy: Monochrome
4 Crafty Chicks: Black and White
Crafty Ribbons: Anything Goes With Ribbon

Image:  Tail Feather download from Polkadoodle
Everything else:  My stash 

Spring Blossom

This is a card I made last week and its taken me this long to blog it - internet issues and being too busy have got in the way (I've just had a week and a bit off work and I'm still too busy!!)

Anyway, as I was making it, I thought it would be perfect for my Mum for Mothers Day however the card I made her last year used the same card base. Do you think she'll remember?!

The image is A Day For Daisies freebie and I've also coloured it to fit in with their challenge colour inspiration. I've used Promarkers and layered it onto some rather shocking pink card and added liquid pearl dots around the edge (shape cut by using a Nesties for a template) and also liquid pearl dots around the edge of the card.

I've tied some sparkly thread around the ribbon bow and then added some gems. A really pretty image to colour and I'm sure I'll be using it again!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

A Day For Daisies: Colour Inspiration
Crafts and Me: Shades of Spring
The Sisterhood of Crafters: Use a Digi
The Cats Pajamas: Colour Combo
Paper Play: For A Mother or other Female Relative
Paper Pretties: Spring

• Image: A Day For Daisies freebie, coloured with Promarkers
• Dies for a template: Spellbinder Nestabilities
  
• Everything else: My stash
  

Wedding RSVP (again)

Hopefully this will be the final Wedding Acceptance that I will need to make and it's in the same colour theme as the previous two - a dark burgundy. I've used two of my Nestie dies for the layering plus a die cut that I found in my stash which I know I've had for a long, long time and I've added some gems to the 'holes' in the horseshoe.


The Sketch and Stash theme is an open one and I've picked sketch 16 from the files:

I've added two clear heart gems under the horseshoe plus the sentiment is computer generated. I've dotted a fine line around the edge of the card with a silver gel pen. So quite quick and easy to make!

• Dies: Spellbinder Nestabilities plus die cut horseshoe (don't know where from)
• Sentiment: Computer generated
  
• Everything else: My stash
  

Simple and Quick!

These cards were made in a few hours from start to finish and to be honest, I think it took me longer to choose the ribbon than to make them!

They fit the criteria for the Christmas All Year Around Challenge for November which is to create 5 cards with:

Trees and Ribbon

I've used the free embossing folder of a tree from a recent Docrafts magazine, added gems to match the backing and ribbon and layered the image onto coloured card (I think Bazzil Basics).

The ribbon has then been tied around the card and finished with a bow at the bottom. You can't quite see it, but I've used some sparkly clear (bit of a contradiction but it is!) glitter glue on the stars on the tops of the trees.

Nice and simple and quick cards! Great for batch making!

• Embossing folder: Freebie from Docrafts magazine
• Card: Bazzill Basics
• Ribbon: My stash
• Gems: My stash
  

V for Vertical

The ABC Christmas challenge is

V for Vertical

And I chose one of the two sketches on offer (the more simple one!) The image that I've used is a little tongue in cheek, as I wonder if she will stay vertical after many of those cocktails?!

The image is from Bugaboo and has been coloured with Promarkers. The red and green card is from my stash - I was going to use some patterned paper but it just didn't look right plus I got slightly sidetracked when watching Murder She Wrote.....

I'd coloured two images in so decided to flip the colours in the second card. The gems are from the Pound shop - 4 different sizes on a sheet!

I've layered the image onto black card and added some inking and doodling, and that is it! Although the two cards took me an entire episode of Murder She Wrote to make!!

• Image: Bugaboo, coloured with Promarkers
• Card: My stash
• Gems: Poundshop
  

Polkadoodle Challenge 34 - Sketch with 3 Colours

Good morning! It's Friday again so it's time for another Polkadoodle Challenge! If you've not already entered (and why not?!) you still have a little bit of time to enter the fantastic Aquamarker competition over on the challenge blog - this one ends on 31 August.

For this week, Nikky gave us a sketch to work with and only to use three colours. You have until Sunday 5 September at 12noon GMT to enter and three colours is easy!

I've used the ponisettias from Creative Christmas - I printed two of the A5 sheets and one of the A6 and layered up the flowers and slightly curling the edges as I did it. I've used backing paper from the same cd too and made the mistake of making my card blank first before I realised how big the flowers were going to be! Hence the rather large and over the edge look!

And because of the small card size, I ran out of room to add the greeting, so went with ribbon and a blingy star instead! Don't look too close as you'll be able to see the glue under the gems - I've completely run out of time this week - I just don't know where it's all gone, so I was a little last minute for this challenge!

Good luck in entering - you have until Sunday 5 September at 12noon GMT.

• All paper based elements: Paper Boutique Vol 2 - Creative Christmas
• Everything else: My stash
  

A Make Do Round

I was sent some scalloped edged card blanks a while ago by Enfys, however I wanted a purple one to match the Lily Boo image I coloured. Why I don't find the papers / card first and then colour the images I will never know. And will never learn!

So, I've traced round an existing one so its a little wobbly in places. The Lily Boo Too challenge this month is

Anything Goes

The purple card is from my stash, along with the ribbon and the gems. I've gone around the edges of the scallops with a white gel pen to provide a contrast.

The image is Lily Boo from Circle Girls and I've coloured it with Promarkers plus a little glitter glue. And no sentiment as it would spoil the balance of the card!

• Card blank: Created using another blank
• Image: Lily Boo, coloured with Promarkers and glitter glue
• Everything else: My stash

Simple Doodles

I found another challenge blog whilst hopping - Simple Doodles which is a digi image site that asks for one of their images to be used in the challenges but there are loads of freebies so it's not a problem!

Their current challenge is:

It's a Celebration!

I found this stack of presents as a freebie download which I have coloured in using felt tips then layered onto some plain blue card and then attached via 3d foam pads to the backing paper.

The backing papers are from Sugar Birdies from Polkadoodles and I've only added inking around the edges and the line of faux black stitching. The gems are from my stash and the jute string from my kitchen drawer. The sentiment is an Anita's stamp.

• Backing papers: Sugar Birdies from polkadoodles.co.uk">Polkadoodles
• Image: Simple Doodles freebie coloured with felt tips
• Sentiment: Anita's stamp
• Everything else: My stash
  
  

Anniversary Celebration

Charisma Cardz are celebrating their first Birthday and along with the challenge this week they have a blog hop!! I've entered the blog hop (who wouldn't?!) and their challenge this week is:

Celebrations!

I've used the brand new cd from Polkadoodles - which hasn't actually been released yet - just a perk of being on the DT!! It has it's release on Sunday on Create and Craft with more details in my sidebar.

The printed discs and the sentiment are from the cd Love, Marriage and More with the gems and lightly embossed red card from my stash.

This is a fantastic cd especially if you like strong patterns and lots of swirls and attention to detail - it is aimed at Weddings and Anniversaries etc but is very versatile and can be used for virtually any occasion!

Happy First Birthday Charisma Cardz!

• Printed papers and sentiment: Love, Marriage and More from Polkadoodles
• Everything else: My stash
  

As Promised

As promised here is the full completed album of Donna and Danny's Wedding.

Eeek! Just realised that Mr Blogger has kindly flipped some of my photos - why??!! You'll just have to tilt your head to view those. Sorry!

• Papers: Printed - My Minds Eye 12 x 12 double sided 'Bella Bella', Plain - Bazzill Basics
• Everything else: From my stash as left overs from making the Wedding Stationery
  
  

Three From One

The current Forever Friends challenge is this following sketch:And I made three cards based upon it! The Forever Friends elements were on offer when I went to The Range last week - 3 for 2 and to pad out my Christmas box I decided to get two packs of the decoupage ready made stickers and a pack of the pre-embossed cards.


Jacob actually chose the images and I think he's made a good choice! I've added a dotted gold border around the edges of the card after rounding them, added the same border around the centre square and then basically used parts of the pack on the front of the cards.

I've still got some bits left over and if I'm careful, I can probably make some tags to go with the cards. The ribbons and additional gems are all from my stash.

I did buy some of these elements packs earlier in the year when on holiday (they were on offer in the Paper Mill shop that I just happened to visit!) so I must dig them out and use them as they really are quite cute!

• Embossed card and embellishments: Forever Friends Elements pack
• Sentiments: Forever Friends Elements pack
• Ribbon and gems: My stash
  
  

I Have Used It!

It's not often I manage a Basic Grey challenge generally because I own hardly any BG stuff, however, I did purchase two lovely 12 x 12 sheets very recently and have cut into one to make this card!

The current Basic Grey challenge is to use the photo below for inspiration and I have gone with the colour scheme:

I've rounded all edges and have layered the printed paper onto some Bazzill Basics, stitched around the edges, quite randomly (if you look closely) with my NEW little sewing machine which I've not quite got to grips with plus its hard enough with two boys as an audience asking why I am stitching paper...


Organza ribbon is from my stash and I've added little white gems to the centres of the flowers cos it just needed a bit of bling!

• Papers: Basic Grey and Bazzill Basics
• Ribbon and gems: From my stash
  

Three For The Price of One!

When I first saw the sketch on Carol's Fun Challenge blog I didn't know what to do with it and to be honest I was in awe of her wonderful sample and didn't think I'd do the sketch justice.


However, a weekend free of the boys and all that time to craft, I had a rethink and got out all my Christmas stash and I made these three in just over 2 hours, which is a record for me as it normally takes me about 3 hours to make one!

The blue one has papers from Mad About Cards, the word is actually a tree decoration, ribbon is from my stash and I've used a Martha Stewart punch.

The next one I've used Papermania 'Wonderful Christmas Time' 6 x 6 papers along with red raffia, gems from my stash and a fantastic chipboard embellishment from the Poundshop last year. Another Martha Stewart punch - double scallops I think it's called.

And finally, the three gold snowflakes are actually parcel fasteners which I bought in the January sales from Marks & Spencer - anything that sparkles or looks vaguely Christmassy in the sales will always come in for cardmaking! Papers again are from Mad About Cards and the ribbon was a bargain buy - its more like fabric than ribbon and I bought a full spool of it for £1!

So there you go - I'm really quite pleased with my efforts! Needless to say the peace and quiet of the weekend is shattered as the boys are back and I now have to fit the crafting in around them and the day job!

• Backing papers: Mad About Cards downloads and Papermania 'Wonderful Christmas Time' 6 x 6 pad
• Embellishments: Sparkly Joy - Sainsbury's Christmas decoration, Chipboard Joy - Poundshop, Gold Snowflakes - Marks & Spencers
• Punches: Both Martha Stewart
• Everything else: My stash

A Different Wedding

The current Sketch and Stash challenge is the following sketch:

I have actually completed two layouts of the sketch - one on each side of this acetate album but I cannot show the other side, as no matter how many times I faff with the picture and re-upload it, Mr Blogger insists on putting it on it's side. And it looks daft, so I'm not showing it!

The Wedding showed is the second one we went to during the summer (there were 3 Weddings in 6 weeks!) and this is Donna and Danny.

I've used my very new My Minds Eye 'Bella, Bella, Bella' 12 x 12 papers which have been layered onto part of a 12 x 12 sheet of Rayher dark brown card. The gem hearts and chocolate brown ribbon are left overs from when I made Donna and Danny's Wedding Stationery.

The flowers and pearl brad are from my stash. I've used a Papermania acrylic or acetate album.

Watch out for more layouts from this Wedding - coming up very soon!

• Papers used: My Minds Eye 'Bella, Bella, Bella' 12 x12 double sided and Rayher brown 12 x12 paper
• Everything else: My stash
  
  

Tutorial - Make Your Own Flowers - part 2

Here is part 2 of a tutorial on how to make your own flowers!

Again I used the Candy Doodles cd and printed the backing papers on both sides of 100gsm glossy paper. You will also need a compass, scissors and pencil. Other embellishments and ink are optional. The flowers took around 30 minutes to make in total.

Firstly, I printed on two sheets of A4 - both sides were used and I printed at A5 setting.


I then cut 4 different sized circles from the paper.

And then roughly ripped 4 more different sized circles from the paper (I used a compass as a guide to the shape).

From the first set of circles, I made a small cut around the edge, creating a fringe.

For the second set of circles, I followed the same method, but used the ripping technique.

I then inked all the edges.

Next, I layered all the roughly torn circles to create a flower, fluffing out the petals. I then layered all the neatly cut circles.

I added seed beads to the centre of one flower and mixed flat back gems to the other, although you could add what ever you wanted.

And finally!! Yes I did have a bit of a roll making these flowers! Again, using Candy Doodles, I printed the black and white polka dots on one side and the pale pink on the reverse of another sheet of A4 100gsm glossy paper.

I then cut two sets of 5 different sized circles by using a compass (I simply guessed the sizes rather than measuring - its easier and quicker!)

Randomly, I cut a 'v' shape all around the edges of each circle - this creates petals.

I then gently curled back each petal on each flower to create a 3d effect.

The flowers were layered alternating between black / white and pink to create two full flowers.

The centres then had a pale pink button added and I threaded a very thin strip of off cut paper through the centre holes and tied it.

This was then added to the center of the flower.

And that's it - really simple and quick to make! Here are all the flowers I made through the two tutorials

Hope you enjoyed them!