Christmas Red

I found the perfect excuse to use this beautiful Charmed Cards and Crafts acrylic stamp as their current challenge is:

Anything Goes but with Red

So here it is! I've taken inspiration from the card sample shown for this particular stamp - so thank you! And its another card ticked off the order list too! I've coloured her with Promarkers and added some glitter glue. She sits on a frame made from my Nesties and I've raised her up a little with foam pads.

The paper is from Kirsty Wiseman's Patti Picklicious cd with layers from the same cardstock as the card base. I've added some thin satin ribbon in the background as a complement to the colours and the sentiment is computer generated and layered onto an offcut of the same backing card.

Better go and crack on with the other orders - no rest for the wicked!

• Backing paper: Patti Picklicious cd by Kirsty Wiseman
• Image: Charmed Cards and Crafts acrylic stamp, coloured with Promarkers and glitter glue
• Dies: Spellbinder Nestabilties
• Sentiment: Computer generated
• Everything else: My stash
  

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
  

Razzle Dazzle

It has been a while. A long while, really, since I took part in a Dottie's World Challenge (so sorry!) and well, I'll be honest as I've cheated a little this week.

The current challenge is:

Razzle Dazzle

And you would have thought with cheating I'd have got my act together sooner and entered the card! Anyway. I'd made the quite large tag with Holly in her fancy underwear some time ago for the Tag You're It Challenge and its been sat in my 'need to do something with it' box since. I noticed it last night and decided to add it to a silver card blank and enter it in the Dotties World challenge.

The red card is from my stash (its a lovely slightly textured card) as too the silver pearlescent card on which the image (pre coloured) has been layered. A little bit of glitter glue has been added to Holly's feathers with corners rounded and lightly inked. I've added two of my fimo hearts with ribbon tied through and two flowers with ribbon tied over the brad.

And this is one of those cards that I'm not going to want to send!

• All plain card: From my stash
• Image: Holly and Maddison from Charmed Cards and Crafts
• Fimo hearts: Made by me
• Everything else: 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
  

For a Teenager

It has been a while since I last managed a Dottie's World challenge so made amends with this one! Really enjoyed the challenge, plus I managed to use some of my new papers! The challenge is:

To make a card for a teenager

Oh to be a teenager again eh?! Anyway, I used a Holly in the USA download (I think this was a free image) which is pre coloured and I've just added a bit of sparkle to her hat (or rather a cack handed bit of sparkle - teach me to try and craft when its too dark and I can't be bothered putting a light on!) The image has been chalked around the edges and layered onto some lovely pearlescent gold card as to the sentiment.

The papers are DCWV Retro 6 x 6 paper stack, ribbons are from my stash and the chipboard flowers were sent to me by Enfys and are Colorbok. Quite a quick card to make once I got going - it just took me 3 nights to choose which papers to use!

• Backing papers: DCWV Retro 6 x 6 paper stack
• Image: Holly in the USA download from Charmed Cards and Crafts
• Sentiment: A 4 sided block thing from Mad About Cards
• Ribbon: From my stash
• Chipboard flowers: Colorbok sent to me by Enfys

Funky Girl

The challenge this week on Dottie's blog is a sketch:
For my card I have used one of the Holly and Madison downloads which I have coloured with watercolour pencils and have neatly cut round her too. All the backing papers are scraps from previous projects and are from Funky Daze. I've rounded and inked all the edges too with green and blue ink.



Although I've not put the three dots at the top right hand of the card (like the sketch) I thought that the dotty paper would suffice..... or not?!

Sentiment has been double stamped with blue (it didn't look strong enough on its own) and then with black ink, and it is a Studio G acrylic clear stamp. All the flowers are from Jozza, the heart embroidered button is from my recent button swop with Jacqui and the brads are Papermania. The scalloped border has been created with a Martha Stewart punch.

• Backing papers: Funky Daze from Funky Hand
• Image: Holly and Madison download from Charmed Cards and Crafts
• Flowers: From Jozza
• Heart Button: From a recent handmade button swop and from Jacqui
• Border Punch: Martha Stewart
• Sentiment: Studio G acrylic stamp
  

How To Use Denim!

Another week and another challenge on Dotties World! Now I liked this challenge as it meant I could use the freebie from the new collection - Holly and Madison's World Tour! The challenge is:

Get the feeling!!!!!

I would like to see some kind of fabric incorporated in the card or item, it could be felt, ribbon, lace, cotton etc and of course a Charmed Cards and crafts download.

The backing papers are from the recent Crafts Beautiful magazine - I downloaded them and the 4 papers printed onto 1 sheet of A4 card but I've only used two of them. To be honest, I could not resist the gaudy paisley pattern but knew that the Holly image would look good with it! The image is pre coloured and Ive inked the edges and also chalked the background to soften it a little.

And I've used some denim off cuts and stitched them to the card, slightly randomly, as you can see! The button is made by me from fimo and has seed beads stuck into it.

• Backing paper: Freebies from Crafts Beautiful
• Image: Holly freebie pre coloured
• Button: Made by me
• Brads: From my stash
• Denim: Samuel's old worn jeans
  

Blast From The Past

How time flies! This is my last card as Guest Designer for Dotties Challenge blog (sob!) I've really enjoyed the last 4 weeks and hope that I've managed to inspire you with my creations. Thanks to Louise and her team for giving me the opportunity to work alongside some very talented ladies!

Blast from the Past

I want you to look through your photos of your card creations from the past, choose one you really liked then make a new one following the exact same layout but use different papers and a different image. Put them both on your blog so we can compare them! Your original card doesn't need to have a Charmed download on but obviously your new one will need to.

So here is the card I've used for inspiration (a Friday Sketchers challenge from December) - when I made this card it really fitted together quickly which I always like but was not prepared for!

And this is what I made - of course using the new Holly and Madison downloads. I coloured this one myself as I am still trying to use up all my off cuts of backing paper (I have such a lot that I'm trying to be really good and not print off more!) but failed miserably with this as they were printed specifically to match my colour scheme. Ah well - better luck next time eh?! Backing papers are from Now That's Funky and a colour collection that I've not used before. Both were printed at B5 size as I wanted a smaller pattern.

Card edges cornered and then inked with pink and then black. The silver edge ribbon was salvaged from my recent handmade button swop (thanks Jacqui!) and the pink I had just lying around the place! The sentiment is computer generated, cornered, inked and layered onto the same backing paper.

The image has been coloured with watercolour pencils and I've added some sort of purpley pink glitter glue to the gown belt and her fluffy slippers. The hair drier has had the red glitter treatment. The image actually shows the flex of the drier but it was a bit of a challenge to cut round it, so I did without!

So there you have it! My last offering as Guest Designer for Dottie! Hope you've enjoyed my stay and go and check out the challenge for this week as there is a little reward if you enter!

• Backing papers: Now That's Funky
• Image: Holly and Madison download - coloured with watercolour pencils and glitter glue
• Ribbon: From my stash and also from Jacqui
• Sentiment: Computer generated
  

A Bit Of Stitching On A Card

Now for this weeks Dottie Challenge, set by Adele:

I want to see stitches on your work, either hand sewn or machine- the choice is yours

I've bought the new download from Dotties World this week to treat myself (well, why not?!) The collection is called 'Holly and Madison' and its a corker! Not only do you get the images for you to colour, but they all come pre coloured too! But for my downloads first outing, I have done my own colouring so I could use these papers.

Now, I've always wanted to do a bit of stitching on a card but don't quite trust myself on my ancient Singer not to get my fingers in the way (I'm a pro when it comes to fabric but don't think that paper and card would be as easy!) so I got out a darning needle and some old I think embroidery thread (its on a wooden bobbin and is a 'Bright eye' brand - if that's any use!) and away I went!

I was careful not to do too much plus the needle made larger holes than I was expecting, but I think I got the balance right. But the best bit is, I think the centre of the flower (flowers from Jozza by the way - ta!) which was part of my button swop and the colours are just perfect (thanks Jacqui!)

I've coloured the image with watercolour pencils and added a little red glitter glue on the hair bobbles, belt and flowers.

The backing papers are again part of the Mily Designs download that I don't know where it came from and I just love the colours together. All corners have been rounded and edges inked in blue.

So - go and have a look at the new downloads and at the examples on the blog as you won't be disappointed! And hope you can join in the challenge this week!

• Backing papers: Mily Designs
• Image: Holly and Madison download from Charmed Cards and Crafts, coloured with watercolour pencils
• Flowers: From Jozza
• Heart stitched linen button: From Jacqui
  
  

Dottie Challenge - Lurve!

The Dottie Challenge this week is:

LURVE

Just plain love or romance for Valentine, what you do is up to you!

And what a time I had making this card! This is actually my second attempt as I originally made a Valentines card but just was not happy with it. And as I was running out of time (and camera battery power but that's another story!) I used a pre coloured Dottie image and took inspiration from her tunic for the theme of the card.

So I've gone for a love of shopping rather than a Valentine themed card!

I've rediscovered an old favourite - The Funky One from Funky Hand, the very first cd! Both papers I printed off as B5 size as I wanted a smaller pattern, edges have been inked and rounded and the ribbon is from my stash. The green organza got a little lost amongst the patterns so I put a piece of white paper behind it. Sentiment has been stamped with a little wooden Studio G alphabet set in Whispers Chestnut.

I hope you can play along this week and I look forward to seeing what you've created! And remember to keep the camera batteries charged!

• Backing papers: The Funky One
• Image: Pre coloured Dottie
• Ribbon: From my stash
• Sentiment: Stamped in Chestnut Whispers using a Studio G wooden alphabet set
  

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
  

A Bit of News!

Just a little post to let you know that I have been chosen to be Guest Designer for February on Dotties Challenge Blog! So come back tomorrow when I will be showing what I have created for the Challenge. Now I must go and make it!

Thank you so much Louise!!

Dottie Challenge - Recipe

The Dottie Challenge this week is a recipe. And I'm useless at cooking but I think I did ok with this one! The recipe is:

1 of the downloads
1 ribbon
3 buttons
1 flower, but it has to be handmade (not a shop bought one, oh no!)
Chuck it all together and see what you come up with!

I'd had a printing fest of Dottie images over the weekend (well, I hate to waste good card so thought I'd print a few images off in one go!) and I'd been rewarded with the image of Scruff for taking part in a challenge a few weeks ago - you can't buy this image so its a special one!

Anyway, I've rounded the edges of the image with my trusty punch, (how DID I manage before?!) inked the edges of all the papers (Funky Daze by the way!), added the ribbon - should have bought much much more of it when I had the chance cos its very fantastic! And then added the buttons. The ribbon across the card is just tied where you see it as I couldn't get it to tie properly with two ends and neatly in a bow. The loose end by the buttons is just doubled back on itself. Thought it would look a bit different.

And the flower?! Made with my very wonderful Cuttlebug flower dies - 3 different flower shapes which I have pinched into shape and layered. Easy peasy!

• Backing paper: Funky Daze from Funky Hand
• Image: Scruff in the tub - special freebie from Dottie's World
• Buttons: From my stash
• Ribbon: From my stash
• Flower: Made by me with Funky Daze papers and Cuttlebug Flower die
  
  

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

Start the New Year with a Laugh!

How can I resit not to join in with this weeks Dottie challenge which asks to:

"Start the New Year with a Laugh"

I simply want to see "something funny" on your project, what you use and how you make it is up to you. Oh and of course you must use one of the Charmed downloads.

I'd already printed some Vegas George images ready to colour, but my attempt just did not look right, so I ended up printing one of the pre-coloured images instead. George has been layered onto a very shiny glittery gold star, which in turn has been layered onto a rough ripped star (edges have been lightly inked and chalked). I printed a computer generated sentiment and used 3d foam pads to give it a bit of lift. The red bead heart has red raffia pushed through and then fanned out - just something a little different! The red raffia ribbon is also across the top of the card. I've doodled around the edges of the card too. I've gold glittered the buttons on Georges' jump suit but because I didn't wait until it was dry until I took the photo, it looks a bit naff. Ah well!

• Backing paper: Pink Petticoat Doodle-icious Rainbow Collection
• Image: Pre coloured George
• Sentiment: Computer generated
• Embellishment: Made by me with heart bead and raffia
• Raffia: Tescos (Christmas parcel stuff!)

Start as I mean to go on!

Well, I might as well start the year as I mean to go on - entering plenty of challenges!! So here is the first one - its the Dottie Challenge, and the brief is:

After all the over indulgence you've most likely had over Christmas ( a few poorly tummies and heads I guess?) The theme this week is Get Well Soon .You don't have to use those words, but it has to be aimed at cheering someone up or wishing them well.

So I get to use another fab Dottie image and this time I've actually coloured it in myself! The image and sentiment have been layered onto some deep purple card - the sentiment is computer generated (my handwriting was decidedly dodgy on New Years Day!) Backing paper is Pink Petticoat, flowers are Prima Esprit with brads through the centre and the ribbon is a lovely satin lilac from my stash (the photo of it looks really weird!)

• Backing paper: Pink Petticoat
• Image: Dottie download coloured with watercolour pencils
• Flowers: Prima Esprit
• Sentiment: Computer generated
  

Graduation Tag

I think I'm becoming addicted to the Dottie Challenges! And I know that I am just about in time for this one this week - I honestly thought I wouldn't manage it in time. But I managed to get 3 hours out of 2 last night and made this and the previous post (I'd have been more productive but was distracted with watching Peter Kay and the X Factor spoof!)

So, onto the Dottie Challenge this week:

"I have to confess to being a tad tired of Christmas cards so this week I'm challenging you to make tags. Nice and easy eh? That's what I thought. The Tag doesn't have to be for Christmas.."

I used a free George download from the blog (again pre-coloured) and printed it so the image would fit nicely onto a gold shiny tag. The star is glittered and is also a pre made tag (both left over from last year!) which I have layered. The ribbon I've tied a little differently and looped the ends back under the knot. Mainly because I did cut it too long and didn't want silly tiny lengths left.... I am too honest!!

I think I'll be adding the tag to a card to go in my any occasion box - just because you never know when you might need a male graduation card at a moments notice!

• Backing papers: Pre made tags - with added Swiss Dots effect
• Image: Free download from Dottie blog
• Ribbon: From my stash (previously Blackburn market)

Texture, Ribbon & Lace

I'm really liking the Dottie and George images and am hoping I can keep up with the weekly challenges! Imagine my delight when I saw what this weeks challenge is:

I love texture and I want to see loads of it. As well as using at least one Charmed Download there must also be some ribbon and/or lace on your creations.

So here is my card. The backing paper is certainly from Funky Hand, and I think from Now That's Funky (but I could be wrong!) The image has been pre-coloured (I am such a cheat!) The flower is a lovely textural feel to it - quite velvety and soft and I found it in my stash. Ribbon is also from my stash and the fibres are from a bag of all sorts from the scrap store and I thought it all looked a bit hippyish!

Sorry there is no lace - couldn't use what I had as it was a strange shade of pink and really did not go with the colour scheme!

• Backing paper: Funky Hand
• Image: Pre coloured Dottie & George download
• Flower & Ribbon: From my stash
• Fibres: From the scrap store