Polkadoodle Challenge - Flourishes and Swirls

We're at the half way point of the current Polkadoodle challenge which is:

Flourishes and Swirls

I've used Winnie Fruit Punch for my shaped card - I layered the image onto the topper using a graphics programme (I did the same with the sentiment).  I've added a line of liquid pearl dots around the edges of the card, a little bit of glitter plus some half pearls and the card is complete.  Really quick and easy to make!

Good luck with the challenge!  I'd like to enter the following:

Crafty Girls:  Anything Goes
Cute Card Thursday:  No Patterned Papers
DRS Designs:  The Word 'Day'
Sasayaki Glitter Challenge:  Shaped Cards
Seize The Birthday:  Anything Goes
Paper Shelter:  Pearls

Simple Butterflies

Sometimes I see a challenge sketch and I just know exactly what I'm going to use for it!  I found the CASE This Sketch challenge and came up with this:

I've used white linen card with an extra panel on the front for more depth, ribbon is from my stash and the sentiment and butterflies are FTHS - Time To Bloom.  I've lightly shaded the butterflies with grey Promarkers and then added some half pearls to finish.  I do like the look of this card!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

CASE This Sketch:  Sketch followed
Fresh Brewed Designs:  Anything Goes
The Paper Shelter:  Pearls
The Crafty Addicts:  Anything Goes / Use Ribbon

Recycled and Birthday Tags

Time for more inspiration over on Facebook with Dr Digi!  I've made some tags with Birthday Sentiment Sheet 01.  I've printed two sentiments onto some recycled kraft card - I added a faux running stitch around the edges with a black fine liner pen.

I shaded the letters on the bottom tag and added X Cut star die cuts from the reverse of the Graze box I recycled.  I found some black dewdrops in my stash and added them - they are still blokeish!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Crafty Sentiments Designs:  Birthday
Shopping Our Stash:  Think Ink (shaded the lettering in the bottom tag)
Always Playing With Paper:  Masculine
Crafting When We Can:  Birthday
Use Your Stuff:  Use Scraps

From The Heart Stamps Sketch 149

It's time for a new FTHS sketch with a twist challenge!  I've used Birdbrain Balloon, coloured with Promarkers and cut him out with a fancy frame X Cut die.  I've also used an X Cut die for the stars.  Papers are from Funky Hand - Boys and Girls download however all Funky Hand products are now no longer available as Anice closed the store last year.

A little bit of faux stitching with a black fine liner pen and the card is complete!

The sketch along with the twist is below - you can use either the sketch or the twist or both but you must use a FTHS in your creation.

Good luck!  I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Always Playing With Paper:  Masculine
Dream Valley Challenges:  All Creatures Great and Small
Our Crafty Corner:  Anything Goes
Crafting When We Can:  Birthday
One Stitch At A Time:  Anything Goes With Wings

Hot Pink

A quick card made with white linen cardstock.  I've layered a smaller panel onto the card base and added dotted liquid pearls around the edge.  The fancy edged circle die is a Spellbinders and the butterfly base and die are both Memory Box.

I coloured the top layered butterfly with Promarkers and the hot pink ribbon is from my stash.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Becca B Challenge Blog:  Curvalicious
Digi Stamps 4 Joy:  Anything Goes plus Butterflies
Sweet Stampin':  Pink and Girly
A Beautiful Mess:  Anything Goes
Freshly Made Sketches:  Sketch followed

From The Heart Stamps - Stamp of the Month - April

The Stamp of the Month for April from FTHS - Time To Bloom is really quite versatile!  I've gone for just one of the elements - the butterfly and I've used some grey Promarkers for a little shading.

I've simply cut out the image and layered it onto an X Cut square with foam pads, which in turn has been layered onto a fancy Spellbinders die cut with foam pads.  And that has also been layered onto the white linen effect card with foam pads.

The sentiment is part of the set and I printed it onto the card before I used the X Cut die.

Remember, if you have not entered before, buy the image in the store, use it in a project, link it up before the end of the month and you will receive the next months image for free!  What's not to like?!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Brown Sugar:  Anything Goes
Creative Corner Challenges:  Words
Morgan's Art World:  Monochrome
Fab n Funky:  Winged Things
Stampin' Royalty:  Butterflies

Crimbo Crackers Challenge 105 - Snowmen

Time for a new Crimbo Crackers challenge and the theme is:

Snowmen

I've used a cute From The Heart Stamps image - Snowman Hugs which I've coloured in Promarkers and made a shaker card.  Ribbon is from Tesco and the wooden snowflake and charm are from my stash.

Good luck with the challenge - the link up is open until 12 noon on 4 May.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

CRAFT:  Christmas
ABC Christmas Challenge:  H is for Hat
Crafting By Designs:  Get Ready For Christmas
Craftin' Desert Divas:  Shakers

Power Up!

Here's a shaped Birthday card made with Dr Digi Invader Dots papers along with one of the Techy Sentiment Sheet 01 and the image is High Score Hugh - all from Dr Digi.  Image and sentiment coloured with Promarkers.

And that's about it!  Template is my own.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Crafting With An Attitude:  Anything Goes
Crafty Sentiments:  Anything Goes
Through The Craft Room Door:  Anything Goes
Cards In Envy:  Birthday Cards

From The Heart Stamps - Sketch 148

Time for a new From The Heart Sketch with a twist challenge!  I've used Love You Mouse and coloured him with Promarkers plus a tiny bit of glitter glue on the petals (you can't really see it but it is there!)

I found the stripy paper in my stash - it was a weird shape but I cut it and it looks just fine layered onto lilac and then deep purple card.  I think it is Echo Park but could be mistaken.

The ribbon is from my stash - recycled from a jumper and the charm is from my rather extensive collection.  The sketch is below along with the twist.

You can use either the sketch or the twist or combine the two together - which ever suits you but please remember that you must use a FTHS stamp!

I'd like to enter the following challenge:

Aurora Wings Challenge:  Say It With Flowers
Critters and Creatures:  Anything Goes
Not Just Cards:  Anything Goes
613 Avenue Create:  Recycled (ribbon)

Go To The Beach

This is the fourth and final 'page' of the Retirement Card I made for a work colleague.  This one features Deirdery's Day Off who I've coloured with Promarkers, cut out and then added her in front of a beach scene I found on google.  I've made it look like Deirdery has attached it to her wall.

Wallpaper is Bloomin' 70s backing papers (I'm sure my parents had something similar when I was growing up!) and the lettering is Sizzix - Round-a-Bout for the large letters and Girls Are Weird for the smaller ones - both cut from silver card.

Skirting board made from an offcut of white card and the floor boards I've recycled part of a Graze box and added lines and inked it for a more aged look.

I'd like to enter the following:

Cards Und More:  Fantasy
Creative Card Crew:  Die Cuts
Tuesday Throwdown:  Use Your Die Cuts
Melonheadz Friends:  Girly
Ooh La La:  Words
Use Your Stuff:  Kraft

From The Heart Stamps Sketch 147

Welcome to another From The Heart Sketch challenge with a twist!  I've used the wonderful Feel Better Birdbrain image and coloured it with Promarkers; the sentiment comes with the image.  I've used papers from Funky Hand - Funky Daze cd which is now no longer available and I've used ribbon, waxed thread and half pearls from my stash.

You can follow either the sketch or the twist (or both!) but don't forget that you must use a FTHS stamp in your creation.  Each entry that meets the requirements will receive a $1 voucher for the store that can be used individually or combine to buy a free stamp!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Crafty Boots:  Use A Sentiment
Critters and Creatures:  Anything Goes
Incy Wincy Designs:  Favourite Colouring Medium
Lawnscaping:  Beautiful Florals
CD Sunday:  Get Well Soon

Polkadoodle Challenge - Floral Frenzy

It's time for a new Polkadoodle challenge and the theme for the fortnight is:

Floral Frenzy

I've used the very lovely Winnie Fruit Punch cd - I added one of the sentiments to the front of the topper using Pic Monkey (which made life really easy!), enlarged it then printed onto thick white card.  I printed two sheets of flowers (I individually copied them as I wanted just two different types) then cut them out, added them around the edges, finishing the card off with half pearls and liquid pearls around the edge.

Really nice and easy to make!  Plus there are lots of toppers to choose from so if you're after making a batch of quick and easy cards then the cd is perfect!

Good luck with the challenge - pop over to the blog for more floral frenzy inspiration!

I'd like to enter the following:

Jade's Sparkling Butterflies:  Anything Goes

Aud Sentiments:  Birthday

Crafting With An Attitude:  Anything Goes

Sasayaki Glitter Challenge:  Shaped Cards

Star Stampz Challenge:  Flowers, Flowers, Flowers

Crimbo Crackers Challenge 104 - Embossing

Time for a new Crimbo Crackers challenge and the theme for the fortnight is:

Embossing

I've used a cute little image by From The Heart Stamps - Jingle Bell Birdbrain and coloured it with Promarkers.  I've used two Spellbinder dies to cut and layer the image.  The embossing comes from a Cuttlebug folder and I used an off cut of card to emboss.

Half pearls are from my stash and I've finished the image off with glitter glue around the edge and also on the fur of the hat.  Good luck with the challenge!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

52 Christmas Card Throwdown:  Sketch followed
Christmas at Sweet Stamping:  Cute Christmas
Crafting For All Seasons:  Die Cuts / Punches
A Snowflakes Promise:  Anything Goes

New Home

I like it when a card comes together so easily! I found the pre coloured topper from Lily of the Valley in my stash (ok, I tell a lie as I knew where it was all the time as I've got a stack of these images!) and then managed to find some random bits of card in my stash that went with the colour scheme.

The ribbon has been recycled from my cousins Wedding stationery from a few years ago - we made them well as the bow has survived!

Half pearls and charm from my stash.  I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Crazy 4 Challenges:  Sketch followed
Fresh Brewed Designs:  Ribbon or Twine
Crafty Sentiments Designs:  Lace or Pearls
Going Grey With Scrap Creations:  Going Green

Take Time To Relax

This is the third installment of the Retirement Card I made for a work colleague - I've used Bath Time Deirdery from Dr Digi for the image and coloured her with Promarkers plus a little glitter glue and glossy accents.

The wallpaper is Bloomin' 70s papers and I've used Sizzix Roundabout letter dies and Girls are Weird cut from silver card.  The floorboards have been made with recycled kraft card.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Cards Und More:  Kraft Cardstock
Creative Card Crew:  Die Cuts
Lemon Shortbread:  Anything Goes
ABC Challenge:  E is for Anything Goes

From The Heart Stamps Sketch 146

Time for a new sketch with a twist challenge at From The Heart Stamps!  I've used A Little Something image along with one of the sentiments that comes with the set.  I've used some random papers I found in my stash (fortunately they co-ordinated quite well!) and added some half pearls to finish.

You can follow either the sketch or the twist (or both!) but don't forget that you must use a FTHS stamp in your creation.  Each entry that meets the requirements will receive a $1 voucher for the store that can be used individually or combine to buy a free stamp!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Allsorts:  Humour
Sisterhood of the Snarky Stampers:  J is for Joke
Alphabet Challenge:  C is for Cats
Crafting With Friends: Anything Goes
QKR Stampede:  Something Funny

From The Heart Stamps Blog Hop - Sweet Treats!

Welcome to the April From The Heart Stamps Blog Hop!  We've moved the start of the hop to a Monday and it will end at 6am EST on Sunday 10 April.

As you hop through each of the DT, don't forget to leave a comment to be in with a chance of being selected to win an image of your choice from the store.

There is a little twist this month - as you hop through, count up the number of sequins used on each creation.  When you've hopped all the way through email Faith faith@fromtheheartstamps.com with your answer and the winner will receive $15 to spend in the store!

I've used Full of Beans Birdbrain, coloured with Promarkers and then layered onto a panel of Funky Hand papers - Keep in Touch download (retired).  The sentiment comes with the stamp and that's also been layered.

I've used an offcut of card left over from making square cards for the base - I have a fair few of these strips hanging around so I'd better use them!  I've finished off with a fine liner black pen faux running stitch around the edge of the image and sentiment.

Good luck with the hop!  If you've arrived at me from Michelle then you are on the right track!  Don't forget to leave me a comment before you hop back to the blog.  The winner of each blog comment and the overall winner will be posted on the blog on Wednesday 13 April.

Blue and White

I've been asked a few times recently for sympathy cards so I'm trying to make some clean and simple cards that would work.

I found the blue felt butterfly die cut in my stash, layered it onto a white linen effect card circle cut with a spellbinder die and then again layered onto a panel of the same card, embossed with a Cuttlebug folder.  The ribbon and pearls are from my stash (I didn't realise I had the pearls - I found them in an old tin whilst looking for something else!)

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Pals Paper Arts:  Sketch followed
Glitter and Sparkle:  Punches / Dies
My Sheri Crafts:  Thinking of You
Fussy and Fancy:  Pastel Colours

Kitchens

I've coloured up a Bugaboo image with Promarkers plus a little glitter glue and used papers from Funky Hand - Funky Little Christmas download (no longer available).  I can resonate with the sentiment!

Black card, ribbon and embellishments are all from my stash.  Great sketch from Paper Play Sketches to follow and for inspiration.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Paper Play Sketches:  Sketch followed
A Beautiful Mess:  Anything Goes
Brown Sugar:  Anything Goes
QKR Stampede:  Something Funny
Simply Papercraft:  Anything Goes

Polkadoodle Challenge - Cream and Sugar

Time for a new Polkadoodle challenge and the theme for the fortnight is:

Cream and Sugar

I've used an image and papers from Twiggy and Toots - I printed one of the pre-coloured images directly onto some linen effect white card and then cut it out with a fancy Spellbinder die.  I've lightly distressed the edges of the papers and added a handwritten Sizzix cut tag along with half pearls, charm and ribbons from my stash.

Good luck with the challenge!  I'd like to enter the following:

Jade's Sparkling Butterflies:  Anything Goes
4 Crafty Chicks:  Anything Goes
Aud Sentiments:  Birthday
Crafty Girls:  Anything Goes
Crafting For All Seasons:  Die Cuts / Punches