The Paper Girls Guest Designer - Black and White

A while back I won one of The Paper Girls challenges and was asked to be a Guest Designer for a future challenge!  Well, that challenge is here and the theme is

Black and White

I've used a Sizzix die which is really lovely to use and cuts great!  The white card is linen effect and I've added a black panel behind to show off the detail.  Half pearls are from my stash and I've handwritten the sentiment.

Thank you to the Paper Girls for asking me to be a GD!  I'd like to enter the following:

Artistic Inspirations:  Anything Goes with Option of Flowers
Dream Valley Challenges:  Things With Wings
AAA Challenges:  CAS and Die Cuts
Dragonfly Dreams:  Flowers
CAS on Friday:  Dies

Daring Cardmakers Guest Designer - Up In The Air

Almost my last week as Guest Designer over at the Daring Cardmakers Challenge. And the theme for this week's challenge is:

Up In The Air

I've used a random sheet of printed paper I found in my stash (I have a feeling it is from Funky Hand and probably one of the early cd's) along with a great From The Heart Stamps image and sentiment (I shaped it to look like a cloud) - Super Birdbrain which I've coloured with Promarkers.

The clouds have been cut with a Memory Box die and from scrap card and the cityscape scene is a Clearly Besotted die.

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

4 Crafty Chicks:  Punches or Dies
Southern Girls:  Die Cuts
Double D Challenges:  Things That Fly
Watercolour Wednesday:  Anything Goes Masculine

Daring Cardmakers Guest Designer - Green and A Glimmer of Gold

Time for another new challenge at Daring Cardmakers and I'm the Guest Designer for March. Good theme this week which is:

Green and A Glimmer of Gold

Just in time for St Patrick's day!  I've cut a frame with my X Cut dies and then added a very thin veneer of gold around the edge.  The image is a From The Heart Stamps - Wee Bit and Lots O Luck set and I've coloured it with Promarkers.

The half pearls are from my stash.

I'd like to enter the following:

Cute Card Thursday:  Celebrations
Through The Purple Haze:  Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp:  Bit O Green
The Crafty Addicts:  Clean and Simple
Colour Throwdown:  Green, Black and Gold

Daring Card Makers Guest Designer - Rough With The Smooth

Time for a new Daring Card Makers Challenge!  I'm the Guest Designer for March and the theme for this week:

Take The Rough With the Smooth

After having The Big Clear Out before Christmas, I found some coloured card blanks that I'd forgotten I had so I've used one of the purple ones for this card and have run it though an A4 Sizzix dotty embossing folder which has taken away some of the surface of the card which I quite like!

Before I embossed, I added a line around the edge with a silver gel pen (I think it 'contains' the elements within the card).  The big number 7 is one of my own templates, again, added a silver gel pen line around the edge before embossing with a From Me To You star folder.

I've added X Cut star die cuts using some left over silver card and some spotty stuff I found in my stash.  The sentiment has been cut with Clearly Besotted dies again with some shiny silver card.  Good luck with the challenge!

I'd like to enter the following:

Craft Rocket Challenge:  No Patterned Paper
Little Miss Muffet Challenge:  Anything Goes
Seize The Birthday:  Anything Goes
Through The Purple Haze:  Anything Goes

Daring Card Makers Guest Designer - Inspiration Photo

There is a new challenge over at Daring Card Makers and I'm also the Guest Designer for March!  Rather pleased to be asked to do another month!  As it's the first challenge of the month, there is an inspiration photo that at least 3 elements needs to be incorporated into your creation.

I've gone for stripes, black and white, kraft colour and circles.  So more than 3 achieved!  I had A Big Tidy Up and Clear Out just before Christmas and found I had a rather large 12x12 paper pack that has only had light use - Papermania Clare Curd Signature range.  So the stripy paper has come from that plus kraft card from my stash and an offcut of white card.

The card candi is also from my stash (found also during the tidy up) plus half pearls.  I made the sentiment myself (rather pleased with it too!) on Pic Monkey - saved it as a jpeg so it can be used again.  I used an X Cut square die to cut out the sentiment and then freehand layered it.

The inspiration photo is below.

Good luck with the challenge - lots of inspiration on the blog - amazing to see all the different interpretations!  I'd like to enter the following:

Crafty Girls:  Anything Goes
Cute Card Thursday:  Anything Goes
Star Stampz:  Make It Monochrome
Through The Purple Haze:  Male Colours
Crafting By Designs:  Anything Goes

Daring Card Makers Guest Designer - Tear It Up

Another new challenge over at Daring Card Makers and the theme for the week is:

Tear It Up

I've used a free chalkboard stamp I found on the internet and have carefully torn the edges.  The patterned paper is a no longer available Funky Hand creation and are left overs from making wordbooks and I've layered it onto some more torn card.

I've made the bunting and added the bakers twine bows plus half pearls are from my stash.  Good luck with the challenge!  I'd like to enter the following:

Crafts and Me:  Anything Goes
Creatalicious Challenges:  Anything Goes Plus Twine
Sweet Stampers:  Add A Sentiment
Crafty Girls:  Anything Goes
The Crafty Addicts:  Anything Goes

Daring Card Makers Guest Designer - Mirror, Mirror

It's my second challenge over at Daring Card Makers as February's Guest Designer.  And the theme is:

Mirror Mirror

This Dr Digi image was the first thing I thought of - here is Bath Time Deirdery in all her splendor, coloured with Promarkers.  Papers are from my stash and I've made it look like wallpaper.  Floor boards made with an off cut of white card and I've added the boards with Promarkers, ink and a black fine liner pen.

The mirror has been made with a piece of silver mirror card and added to a wooden frame.

Hope you can join in the challenge - lots of inspiration on the blog!

I'd like to enter the following:

Crafty Girls:  Anything Goes
Creative Knockouts:  Flower Power
Moving Along With The Times:  Ring O'Roses
The Crafty Addicts:  Anything Goes

Daring Cardmakers Guest Designer - Photo Inspiration

I'm really pleased and honoured to be asked to be the Daring Card Makers Guest Designer for February!

The first challenge of February is a Photo Inspiration and you're asked to pick at least 3 design elements from it.  The photo is:

And I've used, the clock, key and also the fancy filigree on the clock plus the cogs.  Backing papers are from the now retired Funky Hand download - Steam Funk, with a Birdcage die from The Works which I've cut from kraft card.  Charms and waxed cord are from my stash and I've used a Spellbinders die for the main shape which again has been cut from kraft card with Steam Funk printed over it.

The flowers are made from offcuts of paper and have been scrunched up before layering - the die is from Polkadoodles - Flowers 2 and I've topped it off with Card Candi.

Good luck with the challenge and see you again next week!

I'd like to enter the following:

Crafting With An Attitude:  Anything Goes
DL.ART Challenge:  Anything Goes
Creative Moments:  Anything Goes
Inspiration Destination:  Anything Goes
The Crafty Addicts:  Anything Goes

Guest Designer - Crafting By Designs

I was selected a few months ago to be a Guest Designer for Crafting By Designs and the challenge theme is:

Button Up!

I've used a cute baking set from Jellypark (sadly no longer available), coloured with Promarkers and I've used Tea and Bickies papers from Dr Digi (set of 5 for just £1!)  I've added a Sizzix balloon die cut, stamped the sentiment and added wire to attach it to the back of the card.

The fork and spoon charms are from my stash along with the buttons - had fun trying to find similar sizes and colours in the rather large jars I keep them in!  Good luck with the challenge!

I'd like to enter the following:

Passion for Promarkers:  Die Cuts / Punches
Crafting From The Heart:  Anything Goes
Crafty Cardmakers:  For A Special Woman
House of Cards:  Shaped Cards

Deedee's Digi's - September Guest Designer - Week 5

This is my final week as Guest Designer for Deedee's Digi's and I just had to add a Christmas card to the collection!  These Merry and Bright penguins are so cute and fun - coloured with Promarkers plus a little glitter glue and glossy accents on the fairy lights.

I've kept the card simple so the image shows itself off - layered onto black and red card to make it pop, along with the sentiment, I've just added some glitter glue and half pearls for extra detail.

The card blank has been made from an offcut of card from making a square card blank previously - I save all these offcuts just for cards like these!

I've really enjoyed my month being Guest Designer for Deedee's Digi's and for their generosity.  If you're not familiar with Deedee's Digi's, check out the store as there is bound to be something for you in there!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

A Snowflake's Promise:  Christmas / Winter Theme
Artistic Inspirations:  Anything Goes
Crafty Cardmakers:  Make It Sparkle
Christmas Card Challenges:  Anything Goes
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge:  Stick It Down

Deedee's Digi's - September Guest Designer - Week 4

I really do like this digi set from Deedee's - this is week 4 of my September Guest Designer stint and just had to include the Cow Are You digi set!  Coloured with Promarkers plus watercolour pencils for the background and some of the foreground plus I've used the cow print paper from the digi pack along with some hot pink ribbon I had in my stash and a cute flower charm.

Added some pink half pearls to finish it all off.  To give the image some more depth, I added it to the card with foam pads.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Crafting For All Seasons:  Layer It Up
Moo Mania:  Favourite Colour Combination
The Paper Shelter:  Birthday with a Sentiment
Natalie and Amy's Challenge:  Charming

Deedee's Digi's - September Guest Designer - Progressive Stamp of the Month Reminder

The progressive monthly stamp challenge at Deedee's Digi's is still live for September - the digi set is Leaf Your Cares Behind and I've taken the sentiment digi and combined it with some of the leaves (selected them and printed multiple times) from a different digi from the same set.

The pencil is part of the High School Daze set.  I cut the sentiment digi with a fancy Spellbinders die and then wrapped some twine around the card blank before attaching with foam pads for depth.  The leaves have also been attached with foam pads and I've added three half pearls from my stash.

The challenge is open until the end of the month and if you play along, you'll receive the next months' digi for free!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Creative Knockouts:  Happy Fall Y'All
Crafting Musketeers:  Autumnal Colours
Creative Corner:  Shades of Autumn

Deedee's Digi's - September Guest Designer - Week 2

It's my second slot for the September Guest Designer for Deedee's Digis and this week I've used the Stitchy Stars digi pack.  This card is for my youngest son, Jacob, as he was 10 at the weekend.

I've printed two of the papers - one slightly smaller than the other and distressed the edges to give a shabby chic feel.  Also printed two of the stars, again, one smaller than the other and layered them with foam pads.



The waxed cord (a bargain buy from ebay!) has been wrapped around the star and also the centre of the card plus I've added a little boy silver charm (again from ebay!) and die cut silver numbers.  To finish off the card I've added some black half pearls and hand written the sentiment.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Cardz 4 Guys:  3 of Something - 3 black pearls
Paperminutes:  All About Children
Tuesday Throwdown:  Anything Goes
Incy Wincy Designs:  For the Boyz
Unstampabelles:  Boyz Will Be Boyz

Deedee's Digi's - September Guest Designer - Week 1

A month or two ago I won a Deedee's Digi Challenge and was asked to be the September Guest Designer!  So this is the first post for week one - 4 more weeks to follow.

I've used the Grillin' and Chillin' digi set; I've printed one of the sentiments onto kraft cardstock and then used a Spellbinders die to cut it out.  I've then layered it onto the card blank with foam pads, added the waxed jute string and a bronze fish charm.  I've also coloured the ketchup and mustard bottles from the set and added them.

A bit of faux stitching around the edges after inking them and some black half pearls and my card is complete.  This is a great set with loads of images - both coloured and non coloured and ten sentiments!  And it's only $3 which is approx £1.75 so you get loads for your money!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Crafting By Designs:  Anything Goes
Creative Moments:  Anything Goes / Use A Sentiment
Ruby's Rainbow:  It's A Man's World
Deep Ocean Challenge:  For The Boys
Crafty Cardmakers:  No Printed Paper
Robyn's Fetish:  Square Cards Only

Crafting Musketeers Guest Designer - Anything Goes

A while ago I won a challenge over at Crafting Musketeers and I was asked if I wanted to be a Guest Designer for a future challenge.  Well, that future challenge is here and the theme is:

Anything Goes

The sponsor is Crafty Ribbons and I used the 35mm fuchsia satin ribbon to tie around the top of the treat jar and to make a nice big bow!  The jar was for a stall at the school Summer Fair - fill it with treats (this one has jelly beans and lollies in (plus a mini bag of haribo's to stop it all from jiggling around!)) and it could be decorated.

So I used off-cuts from Funky Daze cd from Funky Hand - varying sizes of a circle die used, some stuck directly onto the glass with glossy accents and some added with foam pads for extra depth.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

2 Creative Chicks:  Anything Goes No Cards
Crafty Time:  Die Cuts or Punches
Digi Galore:  Summery / Bright
Recycle, Re purpose and Reinvent:  Anything Goes
Sugar and Betty:  Anything Goes

CRAFT Challenge - May Guest Designer - Blog Hop!

Happy Birthday To Us

Happy Birthday To Us

Happy Birthday Dear CRAFT Challenge

Happy Birthday To Us!

Can you believe it? CRAFT Challenge is already 6 years old. Originally started by Tracy from Just Tracy Crafts and with a DT mostly recruited from Trimcraft forum members (Hence the term CRAFT Challenge, which stood for Crafters Residing Are Friendly Trimmies. Or if you wished alternative meaning of Can't Remember A Flipping Thing) on the 4^th of May 2009.

We have now grown to be a large team of Design Team Members from all around the world, supplemented with lots of Guest Designers who join us for a month at a time.

We have always welcomed all kinds of craft, not just paper craft (unless specifically stated so in the challenge at the time) and are happy to have such a large group of faithful followers.  So, how are we going to celebrate this milestone?

Well, how else can we celebrate than to have our yearly Blogaversary Blog Hop?  We all feature one of our sponsors for this blog hop on our blogs and I have the honour of featuring and offering a prize from the following sponsor. You can win this prize by adding your name to Inlinkz at the end of this post. I would love to see your comments as well.

The prize to be won is 2 images

from Doctor Digi House of Stamps.

How can you get to win any of the prizes provided by our sponsors?

That is easy! Just follow the route on our blog hop (you can also find that in our side banner), Our Blog Hop lasts for the duration of this challenge, which means a closing time of Wednesday 6pm GMT on 20 May 2015.

And here are our little rules for this challenge/blog hop:

What can you win on our challenge blog? The winner of the winning sentence wins the special pack by Trimgym's Digital Stamps and Images.

You should have come here from Shona's blog and as you can see your next stop is CRAFT Challenge Blog. The start and finish of this blog hop are at CRAFT Challenge Blog.

And here is my project as Guest Designer for this week, hope you like it. I have used 'Cake and Candles' by Doctor Digi House of Stamps.

And now for our Blog Hop route:

CRAFT Challenge Blog (start of the hop)

Abby

Aunty Sue

Brenda

Helen

Iona

Jo

Maggie

Marlene

Monica

Myrna

Shona

ME (you are here now)

CRAFT Challenge Blog (end of the hop)

And here is my letter to be collected:

Your next stop is CRAFT Challenge Blog. Enjoy the rest of your hop! Don't forget to add your name to Inlinkz below to be in with a chance of winning the prize on my blog.

CRAFT Challenge - May Guest Designer - Sketch

I was lucky enough a while ago to win a CRAFT challenge and part of the prize was to join the team as a Guest Designer for May, so here is my first challenge with them!

It's a sketch to follow and for full details pop over to the CRAFT challenge blog.

The sponsor I was assigned for the challenge was Sunflowerfields and the image I've used is called Strawberry Muffin.  I've coloured it with Promarkers and found a perfect offcut of patterned paper in my stash.  Everything else is also from my stash.

I hope you can join in with the challenge!  I'd like to enter the following:

Doubleclick Skittles:  For Mum or Girl
I Love Promarkers:  Anything Goes
Penny's Paper Crafty:  Anything Goes
Ruby's Rainbow:  Anything Goes

From The Heart Stamps - Sketch #76

Here is the new sketch over at From The Heart Stamps - the challenge is open for two weeks and you must use a FTHS image and follow the sketch - the twist element is entirely upto you if you want to add it!

I've used Fishing Birdbrain and coloured it with Promarkers. The papers are Echo Park - Summerdays. I'm trying to use up all the offcuts of card I get when making a square card from an A4 sheet and I've managed to use one here - thats why some elements of the card fall off the edge!

Half pearls, embroidery thread and charm are all from my stash. Good luck with the challenge!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Kraftin' Kimmie: Outdoor Activities
Speedy Fox and Friends: Feathers
Animal Friends: Summer
Alphabet Challenge: M for Men

From The Heart Stamps Sketch #75

As you'll probably know from my previous post, I'm one of two Guest Designers during August and September over on From The Heart Stamps! I was already a big fan of the digis so its a bit like Christmas - getting to play with my favourite toys!

The current challenge is a fab sketch and it has a twist - to use buttons. Normally, the sketch challenges last just a week but during the summer its a fortnight, so here I am with some extra inspiration - and here is the sketch:

I've used Sick Chick, colkoured using Promarkers and papers from Echo Park - Splash; the buttons are from my rather extensive collection. I treated myself to a We R Memory Keepers stitch tool from Amazon a few weeks ago - I'd bought one of the heads for £1 in Hobbycraft (partly becuase it was a bargain!) and needed the actual tool. I used the needle that came with it and in hindsight I should have used one of my own finer ones as it was a bit clunky.

Half pearls and embroidery thread from my stash - the sentiment comes with the digi - perfect! Good luck with the challenge - please make sure you only use FTHS but if you join in, you'll be emailed a code to use off your next purchase in the store and its worth $1 and you can combine them so you get a free stamp!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Crafting When We Can: Bright Colours
Hobbycuz: Buttons Galore
Pile It On: Stitching
A Little Bit Crafty: Sew what?
Live and Love Crafts: Stitching

From The Heart Stamps - August Blog Hop!

I'm so pleased to have been asked to be a Guest Designer over at From The Heart Stamps for August and September! I've been joining in with the weekly sketch challenge and also the monthly progressive challenge for some time and I love using Faith's stamps, so you can imagine how pleased I was when I was asked!

At the start of each month their is a blog hop which showcases the fantastic work of the Design Team and this is the first hop I'm joining in with. Our theme this month is “Summer and Sunshine”.

As you hop along, please leave a comment on each entry. One random commenter will be selected on each blog to win an image of their choice from the FTHS store. And additionally, one commenter on the From the Heart Stamps blog will be selected to win a $15 gift voucher to the store!

If you have arrived from Joanna (who is the other Guest Designer for August and September!), you are in the right place, if not why start on the From the Heart Stamps blog, so you don’t miss anything.

Here is my creation:

I've used Tropical Chick digi stamp, coloured with Promarkers and I've used a scalloped Nesties die for the base. The sentiment is part of the digi set as well.

Now head over to Angela and see what they have created. Thanks for hopping with us today! And don't forget to leave a comment! The hop will end on Monday 4 August at 6am, EST. Winners will be posted on the From the Heart Stamps Blog on Wednesday 6 August. Good luck!