Polkadoodle Challenge 22 - Stash Box Stamps & Secret Message

Welcome to another Polkadoodle challenge! Due to problems with Internet Explorer and Blogger last week (and this!) and not being able to leave comments, the blog hop with candy which was due to end on Sunday has been extended for another week! So to be in with a chance to win some great prizes, click HERE to be taken to the Polkadoodle blog where you need to start. My post from last week can be found HERE which is where comments need to be left to be in with a chance to win my Polkadoodle candy! Good luck!

This week the Design Team are challenged to use Polkadoodle products alongside their stash hence the Stashbox Stamp challenge! Our challenge to you is to add:

Something Secret

This could be a reveal message or a hidden element - something that will be a surprise to the recipient!

I've used the A5 DIY toolbox template from Paper Boutique Vol 3. I cut all the elements out and layered them up (you get front and back for the tools) plus I've added a pre-coloured Handyman George image from Charmed Cards and Crafts.

And my reveal message is:

Good luck with the challenge! It is open until 12noon GMT on Sunday 12 June.

My creation also fits the following challenges:

Lexi's Creations: Father's Day / Man's Card

Karen's Doodles: Father's Day

Sweet Stamps: Masculine

Simon Says: Father's Day / For A Male

Scrapbook Sisters: Male

• Toolbox kit: Paper Boutique Vol 3


• Image: Charmed Cards and Crafts
  

Gardening Pocket

The Dotties World challenge this week is to use your:

Favourite Charmed Download

And I decided to use the Gardening George (he's not actually my very favourite as there are lots to choose from, but he comes in the top 5!) and to make a gift card.

I've used a sheet of 12x12 vellum by Papermania which I've folded to make two pockets - excuse the old train tickets but I didn't have anything else to put in - but at least you can see where the pockets are!

I've added brass eyelets and jute string for a more manly touch. The image was pre-coloured but I've added extra colour for the sky and then layered it onto colour co-ordinating card from my stash.

I think I might make more of these as they are pretty quick, and probably some Christmas themed ones too!

• Image: Charmed Cards and Crafts - Gardening George pre-coloured but with extra Promarker colour
• Vellum: Papermania
• Everything else: My stash
  

Summer Bookmarks

The Dotties World challenge is one with a twist! The theme is:

That Summer Feeling

But to make something different to what you would normally make. I've been thinking about making more bookmarks, so this was an ideal opportunity!

I've used three different collections of Charmed images to make the bookmarks and coloured them all with Promarkers.

Around the edges of three of them, I've dotted a fine black line, but all have been inked with a colour and then black too.

The reverse papers are from Funky Daze from Funky Hand - I printed them off at A5 size for a smaller pattern, used a prit stick to add the two sides together and then laminated them.

All five bookmarks used one sheet of laminating plastic and then I cut round them to give a better shape (as they went in the laminator not quite straight!)

Because the images are quite small, they were quick to colour. Not sure which one is my favourite as I like them all!

• Backing papers: Funky Daze from Funky Hand
• Images: All Charmed Cards and Crafts downloads, coloured with Promarkers then laminated
  

Elvis Rocks

It's been a while since I've entered a Dotties World challenge and I very nearly didn't enter this one either. That is until my cousin reminded me that she still needed a 40th Birthday Card for an Elvis fan.......

The Dotties World challenge this week is:

Fathers Day / Male Card

Because time was not on my side, I used the pre coloured Las Vegas George, cut him out leaving a thin white border. I've added 3d gold paint dots to his costume and also around the edge of the card.

The card shape is one of my own templates which is pretty easy to use and cut out. I've added paper from The Big One - Clare Curd Signature collection as all the colours matched and for once I didn't have to go hunting for a certain paper that I think I've seen somewhere in my stash...


The numbers have been cut from gold card using my Sizzix Round-a-Bout alphabet set, and again, I've dotted the gold 3d paint around the edges.

A fairly quick card to make, which was fortunate! If I don't write it down, I forget!!

• Backing paper: The Big One - Clare Curd Signature Range
  
• Image: Pre coloured Las Vegas George from Charmed Cards and Crafts
  
• Dies: Sizzix Round-a-Bout Alphabet
• Everything else: My stash
  

A Tricky One

What card can you make for a 21st Birthday male? Obviously monsters, trucks and boys toys are not quite right (although boys never grow up - right?!) So was quite pleased with my little self when I found this digi image of Mikey in my files - from Charmed Cards and Crafts. Bit of a cheat really as he was pre-coloured, although I've darkened his hair to look like the recipient.

I've combined it with the current Digital Tuesday sketch which is:

And I've used papers - physical ones - from Funky Hand called Funky Fellas. Buttons are from my stash and the jute twine is from my kitchen drawer.

The sentiment is computer generated and I've doodled a border around the edge

• Backing papers: Funky Fellas 8x8 paper pack from Funky Hand
• Image: Mikey pre coloured from Charmed Cards and Crafts
• Sentiment: Computer generated
• Everything else: My stash / kitchen drawer
  

Funky Christmas Card

Another wonderful sketch this week from Papertake Weekly - I avoid the messy and busy sketches that can be found on various challenge blogs as I do like the simple ones - says a lot about me eh?!

I'd been asked to make a funky Christmas card for a 21 year old so the image of Maddison was perfect and I think it looks a bit Christmassy! It's a pre coloured image (saving time!) which has been layered onto pearlescent red card from my stash and some lovely ribbed green card that I've had for absolutely ages.

The printed backing paper is DCWV The Christmas Multistack 6 x 6 which I have inked. The holly and berries (look closely and you will see that the glitter glue is still wet!) are Sizzix die cuts.

The sentiment is computer generated and the red organza ribbon is from my stash. Not quite followed the sketch but all the elements are there. And some!

• Printed backing paper: DCWV The Christmas Multistack 6 x 6
• Plain papers: My stash
• Image: Maddison from Charmed Cards and Crafts
• Sentiment: Computer generated
• Dies: Sizzix Holly and Berries
• Ribbon: From my stash
  
  

Teenager Christmas

I've combined a commissioned card with this weeks Dotties World Challenge which is:

Boy Oh Boy

I did, of course have to make a purchase especially and I bought the Mikey downloads. And of course they will be useful in the future too!

I used the wrapped up image and all the backing papers are from Funky Hand - Blue Christmas Download - I've just used the backing papers rather than the word book itself. I've rounded edges, inked them with blue and then brown ink and around the edges (although you can't see it) I've used a silver gel pen and dotted.

The sentiment is computer generated, the ribbon I found in my stash and the star charm is a recent ebay purchase. I think making male teenager Christmas cards is now going to be a lot easier!

• Backing papers: Blue Christmas download from Funky Hand
• Image: Mikey digital download - pre coloured
• Sentiment: Computer generated
• Ribbon & Charm: From my stash
  

Howdie

Another autumnal card, this time for Dottie's World Challenge which asks for:

Autumn / Fall Colours

I've used a pre coloured Holly in the USA image which I've chalked and then inked. The papers are DCWV Retro Stack 6 x 6 which I have inked the edges (where you can see it!) with Chestnut Whispers ink.

The lovely, lovely ribbon is from my stash (49p for a big bundle from Blackburn Market a while ago) and the button is from my stash. For those with good eyesight, you will be able to see that it is a Tesco button!

That's about it folks - been a tad under the weather this week - a horrible bug that has really drained me and limited my crafting way too much. Hope to be back on track very soon!

• Backing papers: DCWV Retro Stack 6 x 6 papers
• Image: Holly in the USA precoloured
• Everything else: My stash
  

Help! Mummy!!

I had been very good and not bought any new stash for quite some time. Until this week that is. And I blame Dottie's World Challenge blog for it. Oh yes I do! Their challenge this week is:

Halloween-ish

And I clicked on the link to their download shop and saw the Halloween stuff... and well, I just had to buy (but got some freebies too along the way!)

So, after a shaky start and not really knowing what I was going to make, I had a little eureka moment and went on a mission. Well, not me really, the husband did for some bandages.

And I made this!

I covered the card blank with black card and dabbed silver ink around the edges and across the card. I then embossed some torn squares and then inked them before adding to the card. The orange ribbon is from my stash as I thought the card needed a bit of colour.

I used the mummy image from the download, enlarged it and then cut it out and then added the bandages. It's attached to the card with a piece of acetate so it boings around. And in the top corner I've added my last fimo spider!

• Image: Halloween download from Charmed Cards and Crafts
• Embossing: Cuttlebug folder
• Spider: Made with fimo by me
• Everything else: My stash

Going Round In Circles

Well, I do feel like I have been going round in circles this week - had a lot on and didn't think I'd manage this challenge. Well I have, I am pleased to say!

For Dotties World this week, the challenge is:

Going Round In Circles

I've used a pre coloured Dottie in the bath and I've added seed beads for extra bubbles. The circle sentiment is a template from the Cutting Cafe as I recently won a Winter Wonderland challenge and I picked that template along with two other as my winnings!

The backing papers are a freebie collection from The Creative Cottage and I thought that the colours worked perfectly with Dottie in the bath.

The chocolate satin ribbon is from my stash, and I've added tiny dots around the edge of the large circle and also the edges of the card.

So it is all quite dotty and circular!

• Backing papers: The Creative Cottage
• Round Happy Birthday Template: The Cutting Cafe
• Image: Dottie, pre coloured
• Everything else: My stash
  

Charmed I'm Sure!

It's been a while again since I've entered a Dotties World challenge and because I found a number of charms in my stash, I thought this challenge would be perfect as it is:

Charmed I'm Sure!

I've used a pre coloured Dottie image (to save a bit of time as I think I've managed to loose some somewhere this week) and the colours from this particular collection from Funky Daze matched it perfectly!

The little charm was given to me by Nikky (fanks!) and goes really well with the image. You'll have to excuse the slightly out of focus charm in the picture below - but at least the organza ribbon is in focus eh?!

So there you go - a quick and easy card!

• Backing papers: Funky Daze by Funky Hand
• Image: Dottie pre coloured from Charmed Cards and Crafts
• Charm: Colorbok
• Ribbon: From my stash

Christmas in June

It's been a while - too long really - since I joined in with a challenge on Dotties World! This week it is:

Christmas in June!

To save some time I've used a pre-coloured image and cut it out as a circle but not cutting through the image! Backing papers are from Papermania - A Wonderful Christmas Time 6 x 6. The red ones I've have torn rather than cut and have dotted gold gel pen around the edges. The tiny letters are from the Patti Picklicious cd, maroon ribbon from my stash, and card candy too. If you are thinking that the layout looks familiar, its loosely based upon a recent Cupcakes Challenge sketch!

• Backing papers: Papermaina - A Wonderful Christmas Time 6 x 6 stack
• Image: Charmed Cards and Crafts
• Sentiment: Patti Picklicious cd
• Card Candy: From Craftwork Cards
• Ribbon: From my stash
  

Top Blokes

Inspirational Sketches is a new challenge blog for me - I actually found it before I went on holiday but didn't have the time before to enter but have managed it now! This week is the following sketch:

Which I have flipped round to create two gardening themed Fathers Day cards as I've had two requests from Nursery for them. Both cards use a George at Work download from Charmed Cards and Crafts and all the papers are from Funky Daze - the Son Day collection.

I've inked all the edges with chestnut Whispers ink and the image I've chalked the whiteness of the card to take the starkness of it away. And the stamped sentiment is from the Clare Curd Stamping For Him collection.

Quite simple and quick to make and they went down a storm at Nursery! I really enjoyed this sketch - nice and simple but effective!

• Backing papers: Son Day collection from Funky Daze cd
• Images: George at Work download from Charmed Cards and Crafts
• Sentiment: Stamping for Him collection by Clare Curd
  
  
  

Fancy Folds and Fathers

Now, these cards are probably not quite right for the Dare U 2 Digi Stamp Challenge for this week as it asks for

Ribbons

But, in my defense, twine can be classed as bloke ribbon, right?!

Anyway, the top card has been made for my Dad for Fathers Day and the bottom one I've made for my cousin Claire for her Dad (he is a gardener, so quite apt!) and I've filled it with some plant labels and some garden wire. My Dad is getting a small bar of chocolate in his and a gift card, when I get round to getting it!

I've followed the tutorial in a recent Papercraft Inspirations magazine which was written by the very inspiring Enfys and even I managed to follow the instructions (I have been known to make it up as I go along despite having guidance!) Basically its a sheet of 12 x 12 paper, cut down to 11 x 11 and then folded and cut quite expertly and although you can't see it - there is a bit that folds out at the back, in the way of a traditional card does.

The twine has been added through eyelets and actually serve the purpose of holding the pockets together - I've glued the right hand side one. The images - George at Work - are downloads from Charmed Cards and Crafts and I've layered them onto dark blue card. Lettering is Cuttlebug Baby Face alphabet die cuts.

• Card Stock: Can't remember it's name!
• Image: Charmed Cards and Crafts
• Sentiment: Cuttlebug Baby Face alphabet
  
  

Feeling Green in a Sketch

I decided to combine two challenges in one with this card although the actual sketch I have interpreted slightly differently to how it initially looks:

The sketch is this weeks Friday Sketchers challenge, and the colour scheme, set by Jozza is from Daring Card Makers which is:

The dare is feeling green. I want to see lots of green on your cards in any shade you like

The image is from Charmed Cards and Crafts and is the new Holly and Madison download and this one has been printed as pre-coloured (well, I thought the dress matched the papers perfectly!) I've lightly glittered her red bag (mainly because that is the only coloured glitter glue that I have which does not blob everywhere!) The backing papers are from It's Funky Too which I found in my off cut box - I am trying to use up all my odds and ends as much as I can without printing new papers each time.

The layered flowers I have cut using the Cuttlebug flowers die and are mulberry paper, which, surprisingly, I had in the right shade! I've doodled around the edges of the card and backing papers and also the flowers.

Sentiment is a Studio G acrylic bargain stamp stamped with Sugarloaf Green Whispers ink.

• Backing papers: It's Funky Too from Funky Hand
• Image: Holly and Madison download from Charmed Cards and Crafts
• Dies: Cuttlebug flowers
• Sentiment: Studio G acrylic stamp
  
  

Dottie Challenge - Spring is Nearly Here!

My first contribution to Dottie's World Challenge as joint Guest Designer for February!

The brief is:

Spring is nearly here......so I want to see shades of yellow & green

Now, I know what you are thinking - where are the shades of yellow? Well, I'm blaming the very poor daylight for not showing the true colours! And if you still don't believe me, I've used the Monday Morning collection from Funky Daze - so you can check the colour-ways! I'm quite impressed with myself with the blue on Dottie's dress following through on the backing papers!

I've rounded and inked all the edges (dark green Whispers ink), neatly cut Dottie out and added 3d foam pads behind her so she stands out a little. A little more than she already is! The ribbon is from a recent generous donation from Enfys and the flowers are from a recent stash swop with Jozza. Thanks ladies!! The brads are from my stash.

Check back this time next week to see what the weekly challenge is - hope you can join us!

• Backing paper: Monday Morning collection from Funky Daze
• Image: Dottie
• Ribbon: From Enfys
• Flowers: From Jozza
• Brads: From my stash
  

Birthday Bubbles with Scruff!

The Secret Crafter challenge this week is another recipe:

1, 2, 3

1 image

2 papers

3 embellishments

And I've used the same image of Scruff again (cos it is fab!) - and it was pre-coloured - saving time and giving me the inspiration for the backing paper colours! The backing papers were also a freebie and were part of the Mily Designs download, which I still cannot remember where I got them from - aren't the colours just fantastic?! All edges have been inked in black and I've rounded the edges.

The sentiment was handwritten but was supposed to be computer generated but the thing would not play nicely and work so the handwriting it had to be! The three embellishments bit of the recipe are covered by the fab flower (thanks Jozza!) and the two Queen & Co holder things and the pearlescent brads.

Sorry that the main image is at a slight angle - it is straight in real life, honest!

• Backing papers: Don't know but the download said Mily Designs
• Image: Scruff
• Flower: From Jozza
• Other Bits: Queen & Co pink things and Dovecraft pearl brads
  
  

Wearing Purple!

The second Sketch and Stash challenge (a sketch challenge to use new or rediscovered stash) is:
And I made this:

The backing papers I have not got a clue where they came from. They were a download from somewhere which caught my eye (free!) and the file has saved as Mily Designs. You will be seeing more papers from this download as the papers are fab! The image is a special freebie from Dotties World (I did a challenge and as a reward I got the free image!) and the stamp is on loan from Lynsey in preparation for a stamping frenzy that I will be embarking on!

Edges have been inked (yes that worn out tiny black inkpad still has life in it!) and I've hand drawn the frame around the main backing paper. The sentiment has been dotted and I've handwritten the word 'more' on the sentiment.

You'll be seeing more of Dottie this week as she's on most of my challenges - I cannot resist!!

• Backing paper:
• Image: Dottie (pre coloured)
• Sentiment: My Sentiments Exactly (on loan from Lynsey)
• Flower: Prima Esprit
• Brads: From my stash (originally from Jozza)
  
  

Doctors Orders Number 9.....

You need to think creativity for this one! The challenge this week on Tag - You're It is:

Numbers

I had a little think about this one. I really need to make a get well / recover quick card for my Dad as he is due to have a knee replacement op on 11 February and I wanted to be a little organised for it. So, I had a Dottie printing extravaganza and printed this little image out (along with others!) I had to google the bingo lingo to make sure I was right, and so the tag was born!

I made up the shape of the tag myself (basically the blue star card was an off-cut and I was determined that I was going to use it up!) - I used a roll of sellotape for the shaped bit at the top. I layered it onto some dark blue card to give it an edge. The ribbon was from a very generous Enfys (how can you give away that much ribbon??!!) The sentiments are stamped with blue Whispers ink (with black residue - opps not cleaned the stamps too well eh?!) and I've used my little wooden Studio G alphabet stamp set. And the number 9 is cut with the Sizzix Round-a-Bout Alphabet set.

Do you think my Dad will see the funny side of it?! She looks a bit like the Catherine Tate character doesn't she?! Lets hope he's dosed up on numerous painkillers if he gets a nurse like that!

• Backing papers: Funky Daze
• Image: Dottie (Pre coloured cos I am lazy bones!)
• Ribbon: Kindly donated by Enfys
• Sentiment: Studio G mini wooden alphabet set
• Dies: Sizzix Round-a-Bout alphabet die set
  

Pure & Simple

The Dottie Challenge this week is:

...I want your creations to be PURE & SIMPLE! No patterned papers, just clean, fresh and simple.

I'd already coloured the Vegas George image last week as I was going to use it on that challenge, but it just did not look right. So, not wanting to waste my efforts, I've used it this week!

I embossed a separate piece of cardstock with the D'vine swirls Cuttlebug folder and inked the edges. The stamped heart is one of three freebie stamps with this months Papercraft Inspirations and I went out and bought 2 red themed Whispers stamps as I could not stamp hearts with anything other than red could I?! Any excuse eh?!

The sentiment has been stamped with a mini wooden Studio G alphabet set and George has been lightly glittered in places too, although the photo does not show it too well.

• Image: Vegas George
• Sentiment: Studio G alphabet stamp, heart stamp is a freebie from Papercraft Inspirations mag
• Embossing: Cuttlebug D'vine swirls