Yee Haw!

Well, howdy!! Do you like my little Woody character? I've made him from various Sizzix dies and he has real jeans too! He's available to buy (along with a lot of other characters from my website). I've added his lasso with some garden twine. The lettering I bought ages ago on ebay so I'm not sure what die was used to cut them.

All the papers are from A Work In Progress by Vicki and its an old kit and retired by now (sorry!) All I've added is a bit of inking and a faux running stitch around the outside - the papers do it all for me!I've used the current Sketch and Stash Challenge for inspiration (above) as the papers and embellishment I've had for ages!

I'd also like to enter my card into the following challenges:

Cards For Men: Wild West
Charisma Cardz: It's In The Stars
Papercrafting Journey: For Him
Crafty Creations: Boyz to Men

• Papers: From Vicki, A Work In Progress
• Woody embellishment: My website - www.tiptoptoppers.co.uk
• Everything else: My stash
  

I Need A Cuppa!

Here's another card I've made with the new Tea's Up download from Funky Hand! A great collection of papers and toppers and three different coloured mini alphas too!

Everything you see on the card with the exceptions to the dots is from the download. I've followed the Sketch and Stash sketch - the new stuff is the download and the old is the splodgy dots as its ancient Anita's 3d paint! Hence the dodgy splodges!


I'd like to enter my card into the following challenges:

Bows and Berries: Thank You / Appreciation
Wee Memories: Party Time (Tea Party!)
Aud Sentiments: Food / Drink Theme

• All paperbased items: Tea's Up download from Funky Hand
• 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
  

Welly Owls

How cute are these little owls peeking out of the pink wellies?! They are a pre coloured digi topper from the new Polkadoodle cd A Double Sprinkle of Kraft and its a colaboration between Nikky and Sharon Armstrong who has drawn the little owls! I've made the card for the Sketch and Stash challenge and all the elements are from the Double Sprinkles of Craft cd including the tiny sentiment topper (I wrote the sentiment). I've added some doodling and inking around the edges plus some twine but the papers, image and sentiment topper are all from the cd! Oh, and I've used my Nesties too. Watch out for the launch of the cd on Create and Craft in the very near future!

• All paperbased elements: A Double Sprinkle of Kraft from Polkadoodles


• Image and sentiment topper: A Double Sprinkle of Kraft


• Everything else: My stash

Cider Monster

A quick card made in for an order and the recipient happens to be one of my cousins who likes his cider!! I've used the Sketch and Stash challenge for the layout inspiration:


And made this card using a freebie Pollycraft image that I have changed slightly - rubbed out the 'beer' word on the t-shirt and added cider instead. He's been coloured with Promarkers and I've used papers from Funky Hand - Funky Daze cd - Son Day collection. I just never tire of using these papers for male cards (thank you Anice!)

I decided to go with random pointy bits at the bottom of the card rather than scallops as its more manly! The sentiment stamp is from Our Betty - Your Special Day stamp set, again from Funky Hand. Brads are from my stash. A bit of inking and edge doodling and its all complete!

• Backing papers: Funky Daze from Funky Hand
• Image: Pollycraft freebie coloured with Promarkers
• Sentiment: Our Betty Your Special Day stamp set from Funky Hand
• Everything else: My stash
  

Last Christmas Card (I Hope!)

A great simple sketch for a last minute card that I was asked to make. I've used the Sketch and Stash sketch and have made this:

The papers are DCWV Christmas Wishes 6x6 stack - the ribbon hides the join! I've inked the edges and then added a fine black line border also. The image is from Bugaboo which I've coloured with Promarkers and its layered onto off cuts of card.

The ribbon is from my stash and its one that I've had for ages but have only used once before, and I've had to tie a fancy bow as it was quite wide and wouldn't do what I wanted it to do! The sentiment I found along with the button.

Hopefully that will be the last Christmas card for this year - all mine have been written and sent and now just need to finish the Christmas present shopping. I'm sure I've lost a week somewhere!

• Papers: DCWV Christmas Wishes 6x6 stack
• Image: Bugaboo, coloured with Promarkers
• Everything else: My stash
  

Mighty Boosh Birthday

A fab sketch over on Sketch and Stash Challenge this fortnight, and get me - how quick off the mark am I?!!


I have been asked to make a Birthday card with a particular theme in mind - for a teenager who is a big fan of The Mighty Boosh. Okay. Fortunately, I had this digi image from Bugaboo which had not get graced the printer and card. I coloured it with Promarkers and then used foam pads to give it a bit of depth on the front of the card.

The black and white star backing paper is from Funky Hand's Salt and Pepper download which I really should use more as it is fantastic for teenager cards - quite grungy but nice!

And my research lead me to all the photos from The Mighty Boosh which I added as another layer behind the image. The sentiment is computer generated - I think the typeface is Chiller.

A bit of inking and doodling around the edges and the card is complete. Hope the recipient is suitably impressed!

• Backing paper: Salt and Pepper download from Funky Hand, Mighty Boosh wallpaper from a google search
• Image: Bugaboo, coloured with Promarkers
• Sentiment: Computer generated
  

All Round!

The lovely Enfys a while ago sent me some shaped cards that she had cut and because I've hardly used them, I thought this sketch from the current Sketch and Stash challenge would be perfect!


The decoupage fairy image is from a die cut sheet with another image on and it only cost £1! I think it is Kaban but I'm not sure but I thought the little fairies were really sweet and I sometimes struggle with girly cards so this made it all so much easier!

I've added gems around the edge of the card and tied some lilac ribbon into a number of bows across the folded edge of the card.

Although you can't see it too well, I've added dabs of glitter here and there on the fairy and the gift.

The backing paper is from Polkadoodles - Candy Doodles cd and I've cut two circles the same size, inked the edges and then snipped triangles from the top layer so I can fluff up the edges. Thought it added a bit more interest!

• Card blank: Cut by Enfys for me
• Backing papers: Candy Doodles from Polkadoodles
• Image: Not sure - I think Kaban
• Everything else: My stash
  

Sad But Cute!

The current Sketch and Stash challenge is this sketch:

I've used my brand new image as part of the 50/50 Digital Stamping Group from Lil Diva Stamps which I've coloured with watercolour pencils and have added some splashes of glitter glue for rain drops. All backing papers are from Dreams Come True from Funky Hand plus some card candy and ribbon from my stash.

Shame the duck is looking so sad as its a really bright card!

• Backing papers: Dreams Come True from Funky Hand
• Image: Lil Diva Stamps, coloured with watercolour pencils
• Card Candy: Craftwork Cards
• Everything else: My stash
  

Yee Haw!!

A great sketch for the current Sketch and Stash challenge:
And here is my interpretation! The wood effect backing paper and circles and stars are from a freebie digi scrapbooking kit by Kelly-Jo's Scraps - there are some wonderful elements too so you'll probably be seeing more of this kit in the future! The letters are from my stash - I bought them ages and ages ago from ebay and it's about time I started using them!

Woody is one of my creations and can be bought from my website. He's largely made from Sizzix die cuts with a few of my own custom creations and he wears real jeans! The silver star is from my stash.

I do like this card and I think it's one I'm not going to want to part with!

• Backing papers: Kelly-Jo Scraps
• Lettering and Star: My stash
• Woody: Made by me and available to buy from my website
  
  

Birthday Girl

Here is a frosty coloured card perfect for a snowy and frosty day!! The sketch over on Sketch and Stash is this:
And I've made this card for a little girl who is 2 today. The papers are from Candy Doodles cd from Polkadoodles which I've just inked the edges. The flowers, buttons and ribbons are all from my stash (the polka dotted one was generously donated by Lynsey a while ago - from her new pj's too!)
The image is on its first outing - its a digi image from Beary Dust Designs and is called Honey - I won the digi image a while ago on a challenge. She has been coloured with watercolour pencils and a little chalking on the face.

And the funny thing is, she actually looks like the Birthday girl, Grace!

• Backing papers: Candy Doodles cd from Polkadoodles
• Image: Honey digi image from Beary Dust Designs
• Everything else: My stash
  

A Christmas Noel

And another challenge I've just about managed in time! I have been asked to make a traditional Christmas card for a Grandma (I've not added the wording yet as I'm not sure where it will go!) and decided that this was the sketch to follow from Sketch and Stash!

I've used a tree decoration that I bought from Sainsbury's last year, layered it onto burgundy card, rounded and inked the edges and the backing paper is the Vintage Christmas download from Mad About Cards.

The burgundy organza ribbon is new and I've used it double to create a wider border on the card. All the ends have been tied together to form a bow at the bottom.


I quite like the simplicity of this!

• Backing papers: Vintage Download from Mad About Cards
• Embellishment: From my stash
• Ribbon: Local craft shop
  
  

Happy Snow!

Be prepared for quite a few Christmas cards over the next few days - I've had a bit of a run this weekend in making them - so be warned! The current Sketch and Stash challenge is:

The image I used was destined for another card but it just wouldn't come together properly so that idea was shelved! I've coloured it with watercolour paints and added a little glitter glue.

The snowflake backing paper is from a Crafters Companion cd I found lurking in the back of a drawer and I don't think I'd ever looked at it before as it was a freebie on a magazine! The dark blue card and tissue interleaving paper are from my stash along with the ribbon. The large and smaller brads are a new purchase and are Papermania.

Another card to go with my growing pile of Christmas cards!

• Printed backing paper: Crafters Companion
• Image: Penny Black coloured with watercolour paints and a little glitter glue
• Everything else: My stash
• Brads: Papermania
  
  

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
  
  

A Slightly Scuffed Wallace and Gromit

The current Sketch and Stash challenge is:

And I've used the selection of Wallace and Gromit items in this months Let's Make Cards. As a rule I don't buy these type of magazines as the kits can be a little ropey, but I do struggle to make male cards and I do like Wallace and Gromit, so I made an exception and bought the magazine.

The backing papers are DCWV Retro 6 x 6 pad and the chocolate brown satin ribbon is left over from the Wedding Stationery that I made during the summer. And the three chipboard elements are from the magazine kit.

Now I'm actually quite impressed with the quality of the kit and there are loads of chipboard elements and other bits (the card blanks are a little dodgy but I can use them for layering) however, this was soured when I looked closer at one of the chipboard sheets and noticed a fairly large printing flaw:

Not in one but two places on the sheet, rendering two of the images unusable. Now, I'm not generally one to complain, but on this occasion I am doing. I'm going to send an email to the editor to point out my displeasure and when I get a response I'll share it with you!

But, despite this, great little kit!

• Backing papers: DCWV Retro 6 x 6 stack
• Chipboard elements: Wallace and Gromit kit from Let's Make Cards
• Ribbon: From my stash
  
  

Vintage Dad

I always have a bit of a panic when deciding what to use for the Sketch and Stash challenge! This one was no exception as I was going to use a number of different things (all recent purchases in a very very fab sale!) but it sort of didn't happen. Don't know why either!

Anyway, this is the current Sketch and Stash challenge:
I've used (only for the second time!) the freebie download papers Vintage Dad from Tinker and Co - I actually printed the backing paper to almost the size I needed so very little cut off! The shirt is also part of the download bundle and I simply cut it out, layered it onto some chocolate brown pearlescent card and then antique gold and stuck it to fit the sketch.

The ribbon is a new purchase! Card candy from Craftwork Cards and the sentiment is from the Stampin' Men set from Clare Curd Signature Range.

At least I still have plenty of untouched stash to play with on a future challenge!!

• Backing paper and shirt: Freebie download - Vintage Dad from Tinker and Co
• Sentiment: Stampin' Men set - Clare Curd Signature Range
• Card Candy: Craftwork Cards
• Ribbon: From my stash (but can't remember where from!)
• Other Card: From my stash
  
  

Wedding Anniversary

The Sketch and Stash current challenge is this sketch:

And I have made a Wedding Anniversary card for a customer - it is actually a 10th Anniversary, which is tin or aluminum so I've gone with the silver pearlescent vellum to represent tin! I've used my slightly neglected Cuttlebug embossing folders - swiss dots and the swirls one and I've used my brand new Nesties! I have used them on a card earlier in the week, but this was my first play with them! I just don't blog my cards in the order of making! The ribbon is also new and was perfect for the card! The vellum is long neglected stash - I bought it a few years ago along with some gold as it was really cheap!


Anyway, the little people have been recreated from a photograph of the bride and groom 10 years ago and I've actually used a piece of real veil on the bride!


Most of the clothes have been hand cut - I've not used a die for many of them, or where I have, the cut part from Sizzix dies have been adapted to suit my needs. The champagne glass is confetti and I've added various seed beads to the brides head dress and gown.

The sentiment has been computer generated and I've used a nesties die to cut and emboss it.

• Dies: Sizzix and Spellbinder Nestabilities
• Embossing Folders: Cuttlebug
• Sentiment: Computer generated
  
  
  

Introducing Jack

The current Sketch and Stash challenge is the following sketch:

And I've used my brand new Polkadoodle Candy Doodles cd which has not even been released yet but because I am part of the Design Team, we get to play before anyone else! All paper based elements are from the cd - the ribbon is from my stash. The cd has its premier on Create and Craft / Ideal World on Tuesday 21 July - more details are in my sidebar.


I've even bought some new felt tips (yes felt tips!) to colour in the image! I saw some half priced brush felt tips in Tesco's - £1.25 for 30 so I had to buy! Because they are not the fancy Copics they don't actually blend, but as I'd not really harshly coloured the image, I could go over it with watercolour pencils. And I added a bit of white gel pen for highlights.


I think the felt tips have worked really well! The backing papers, image, sentiment and paper button are from different elements on the new cd and all co-ordinate really nicely! Jack is the friend of Polly Polkadoodle and he looks as mischievous as Polly!

• All paper elements including image: Candy Doodles cd soon to be released
• Image: Candy Doodles, coloured with felt tips and watercolour pencils
• Ribbon: From my stash
  
  
  

Making a Cake

The current Sketch and Stash Challenge is:



And this is what I made. I also flipped the sketch around so it would fit the image. The papers are from a newish purchase but this is the first time I've used them and the decoupage Forever Friends image is also new. If I'd have looked closer at the decoupage pack, I'd have noticed that there was a sheet of matching paper which I could have used so that the card looked a bit more subtle rather than the very-pink-in-your-face-card that it turned out to be!

Sentiment is also from the decoupage pack and I wrapped some silver thread around the pink ribbon on the side, everything else is from my stash.

• Backing papers: Papermania 12 x 12 (will add it on when I've had a look)
• Image & Sentiment: Forever Friend Decoupage pack
• Everything else: From my stash
  
  
  

Soft Greens and Blues

It feels like ages since I took part in the Sketch and Stash challenges! This week is a lovely sketch and I found the perfect image in my stash to use!

The image was sent to me by my Funky Hand DT mate Kath. I've coloured it with watercolour paints and then watercolour pencils to add a bit of depth. All the papers are from Tinker & Co which I won a few weeks ago as part of the monthly challenge.

I've re-found my Martha Stewart punch and the ribbon I discovered in my stash and it matches perfectly! Edges have been lightly inked with a blue and then a very faded black inkpad.

The flowers have been cut using Cuttlebug flowers die and all the card candy is from Craftwork Cards. I was going to add a sentiment but can't really fit it anywhere, so it will just have to be as it is!

• Backing papers: Tinker & Co
• Image: Penny Black from Kath, coloured with watercolour paints and pencils
• Punch: Martha Stewart
• Ribbon: From my stash
• Card Candy: Craftwork Cards