Daring Card Makers Challenge - April Elemental Inspiration

It's time for a new Daring Cardmakers challenge and the theme this week, as it is the first Friday of the month, its an elemental inspiration:

You need to use at least three of the elements in your creation and colour counts as one choice.  I've used:  texture, the heart, red and white, lettering and the word love.

Good luck with the challenge!

Do-Nut Worry

Do-Nut worry!!  Mind you, I could eat this right now but as long as it doesn't have a custard filling as I can't stand cold custard..... yugh!!

Made with a pre-coloured image from Dr Digi - Coffee Time - I've added a glazed (glossy accents) swirly thing on the top plus a Swiss Dots embossed background.  And this is layered onto a kraft background.

Waxed cord from my stash and I generated the sentiment on my computer.  I'd like to enter the following:

Moo Mania:  Polkadots
Lemon Shortbread:  Anything Goes
Artistic Inspirations:  Anything Goes
A Bit More Time To Craft:  Anything Goes

Polkadoodle Challenge - Anything Goes

The current Polkadoodle challenge still has a week left to run and the theme is:

Anything Goes

I've made a number card using my own template and pretty dotty papers from Twiggy and Toots.  I've embossed it with my Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder and then added a dotted line of Dovecraft Liquid Pearls around the edges (the nozzel on the bottle is wider so I get bigger dots!)

The panels have also had the liquid pearl dot treatment (Ranger) and I've embossed with a Cuttlebug number folder and a Me To You stars folder.

The sentiment is a die cut from Clearly Besotted - I cut each word twice and layered up.  Good luck with the challenge!

I'd like to enter the following:

Crafting By Designs:  Anything Goes
The Paper Shelter:  Birthday Wishes
The Crafty Addicts:  Anything Goes / Die Cuts
Dream Valley Challenges:  Pretty In Pink
The Crazy Challenge:  Birthday

The Old Ones Are The Best

Sometimes the old ones are the best!  Valve Radio from Dr Digi, I've shaded it with a fine liner black pen and then used kraft card from my stash - embossed with Swiss Dots and then added some burlap from my stash.

The sentiment die cuts are from Clearly Besotted - the Grandad word is part of congratulations and dad - I had to do some clever cutting and gluing!  Wooden star is from my stash.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Sketch Saturday:  Sketch followed TOP 3
Hiding In My Craft Room:  Masculine
Crafting With Friends:  Anything Goes
Dragons Lair:  One For The Guys

From The Heart Stamps Sketch 124 - Inspriation

We are at the half way inspiration point for the current From The Heart Stamps sketch challenge.  I've used For Santa Birdbrain and coloured it with Promarkers.  Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder has been used along with 3 different dies to create the layered snowflake.

And here is the sketch - you can follow the sketch or add the twist or use both!

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

A Snowflakes Promise:  Anything Goes Christmas
Shopping Our Stash:  No Patterned Paper
Craft Your Passion:  Anything Goes
Eureka Stamps:  Pets and Animals
Ooh La La Challenges:  Embossing

Froche Weihnachten

** Update - I've changed the sentiment on the card after realising I'd added an extra C - I'd randomly printed two sentiments, one correctly spelt and one not and yep, guess which one I added!  Now all changed!! **

I've got a rather long list of Christmas cards on order to make this year so have made a start, and this is one of them. The sentiment is by request as it is to be sent to a German family.  I've used the August progressive challenge digi by From The Heart Stamps - Candy Cane for Snowman.

I've used Promarkers to colour plus watercolour pencils for the background; added glitter glue and glossy accents.  All the coloured card is from a really nice foolscap sized pad from Lidl (25 sheets for £2!) plus a piece of silver card from my stash.  Both pieces have been embossed with Swiss Dots.

I've added ribbon from my stash, the snowflake is a Marianne Creatables die and I've also used half pearls, again from my stash.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

From The Heart Stamps:  Progressive Monthly Challenge
Sweet Sketch Wednesday:  Sketch followed
Christmas Card Challenges:  Anything Goes
That Craft Place:  Blue
Little Claire's:  Christmas In August

So Bunny Cute!

I'm feeling quite impressed with myself as I am rather organised for Easter! I've used the cute From The Heart Stamps progressive monthly challenge digi image freebie - Easter Trio, although I've only used the bunny image and made these cute pouches which I've filled with little eggs!

I've used 3 sheets of linen effect white card (cut lengthways into two) and then embossed with my Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder, punched holes in the top to tie the ribbon through and then added a little Sizzix tag with a letter initial for the recipient (which has been glittered) and then the image.

I coloured the image with Promarkers and added glossy accents to the eyes and noses and to add to the pouch, I used foam pads for some definition.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

From The Heart Stamps:  Monthly Progressive Challenge
Double Click Skittles:  Easter, Basket or Bunny
Fresh Brewed Designs:  Bunnies
I Love Promarkers:  Easter / Spring
Mod Squad Challenge:  Easter
Creative Card Crew:  Easter Critters
Deep Ocean Challenge:  Easter / Spring

Lots o' Luck

This is one of those cards that I like to make, but don't really as it means that someone is leaving. There are going to be a few departures from where I work in March so trying to be prepared for when they happen. I've used the lovely Wee Bit and Lots O Luck digi by From The Heart Stamps.  Coloured with Promarkers and added some half pearls to the centres.

Embossed panel is a Cuttlebug folder - Swiss Dots, added some Card Candi that I found in my stash plus some ribbon I bought in bulk from ebay (well, it was cheap and lots of colours from China!)  The shaped bit down the side is made with a heart punch - nothing fancy!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Gem of a Challenge:  Clean and Simple
Suzy B's Challenge:  Embossing
Brown Sugar:  Anything Goes
Crafts 4 Eternity:  Emboss It
I Heart Card Sketches:  Sketch followed

Polkdadoodles Challenge - Inspiration Post - Tic Tac Toe

The new Polkadoodle challenge started last Friday and lasts for another week - the theme is:

Tic Tac Toe

Pop over to the challenge blog for the actual image and details of how to join in!

I've gone for something simple and used the bottom row - Embossing, Buttons and Polka Dots. I found some laser cut hearts (perfect for Valentine's Day!) in my stash when having a tidy up and teamed it with some hot red polka dot paper from Work and Play 5 - Festive Hollybobs.  Everything else is from my stash.

The embossing is a Cuttlebug folder - Swiss Dots and I've used a Nestabilities die for the shape. Good luck with the challenge!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

DL.ART:  Anything With Red

Sassy Studio Designs:  Anything Goes

Crafting Musketeers:  Hats / Valentines

Crafty Hazelnuts Patterned Paper:  Anything Goes

Snow Fun

Are you ready?!  The tree is up, the presents are wrapped (well, they will be tonight!) and the turkey is stuffed. So its time to let the dog out........  But its Snow Fun for some!

Happy Christmas to all Dr Digi fans!  I've coloured my image with Promarkers and used an offcut of card to create the base - I've lots of these which are left over from making 13.5cm Wedding invitations and I hate to throw away good card, so you'll probably be seeing more and more odd bases as I use them up!

The sentiment tag is from Polkadoodles and the ribbon from my stash.  And to keep in the winter theme, I've used my Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Card Mania:  Winter Wonderland
Get Inky:  Winter Snow
Lunagirl Challenge:  Blue Christmas
Sentimental Sundays:  Anything Goes Christmas
Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge:  Last Minute Christmas
Drunken Stampers:  Embossing

Snowglobe

Here is another of the recent Jellypark new release digi's. This one is called Snow Globe and is available to buy for only £1.25!

I've made a card base with a fancy X Cut die and used papers from my stash - the edges have been glittered and I ran the paper through my Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder too.

I've used Promarkers for colouring and added some more glitter glue to the snowflakes.  The charm is from The Bead and Button Company and I've added some ribbon and embroidery thread from my stash.  Quite a cutie isn't it?!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Just For Fun:  Anything Goes
Live and Love Crafts:  Warm or Cool Colours
365 Day Cards: Day 214 - Rounding The Corners
Creative Corner:  Polkadots
Christmas at Sweet Stampin':  Snowmen

Image:  Jellypark, coloured with Promarkers and stickles
Dies:  X Cut fancy one
Charm:  The Bead and Button Company
Embossing:  Cuttlebug Swiss Dots
Everything else:  My stash

Fungi

I get a list of cards at the start year from my cousin Claire with who the recipient is and their birthday. I've almost completed the list for the year and have just 4 left to do - this is one of them! It's for her Brother-In-Law so I've kept it quite simple and embossed the cardstock directly with Swiss Dots - the join bit where the folder didn't reach is covered with the string.

The image is from Tiddly Inks and I've coloured it with Promarkers and then added liquid pearls for the spots.  I've layered it onto some offcuts of card I found in my stash and then added the Marianne die - its supposed to be icicles but I use it for grass - underneath.

I've handwritten the sentiment on the tag which has been cut with a Sizzix die.  The good thing about the card is that it is almost flat which is good as it will be posted from Germany!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Cards In Envy:  Make Your Own Background
Tiddly Inks:  Masculine
Anything Goes Challenge:  Handmade Backgrounds
Creative Craft Challenge:  For the Fellas
Ooh La La:  Inspired by Nature

Image:  Tiddly Inks, coloured with Promarkers
Dies:  Marianne Creatables for grass, Swiss Dots embossing folder, Sizzix tags
Sentiment:  Handwritten
Everything else:  My stash

Baby Boy

Two posts in one day! Only because I forgot to blog this card yesterday as I was caught up in finishing off two special order cards for tomorrow evening and I knew I'd be out of the house and fit for not much by the time I got back tonight. Which is true!  I'm shattered and aching but it didn't rain and Samuel came first in the Cadet Honda karting class and he broke the 50 second lap barrier too!

Anyway, here is the card.  Blue cardstock from my stash along with the ribbon, button and vellum.  The vellum has been run through my Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder and layered on top is a cute mini square from Lili of the Valley which is pre-coloured.

The charm I found at the bottom of a tin (had random things in it but nothing to eat!) and the sentiment is one of the new Jellypark baby sentiments.  Button from my stash too. And because it is a baby card, lashings of stickles and liquid pearl dots!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

I Heart Sketches:  Sketch followed
Great Impressions:  Celebrations
Pan Pastels Challenge:  New Beginnings
Stamping Sensations:  Embossing and Texture
Allsorts:  True Blue
Sparkles Forum Monthly Challenge:  Monochromatic

Image:  Lili of the Valley pre-coloured square
Cardstock:  Papermill Shop online
Vellum:  My stash
Embossing:  Cuttlebug Swiss Dots
Sentiment:  Jellypark, coloured with Promarkers
Everything else:  My stash 

Jellypark Stamp Spotlight - Girl and Kitten

The Jellypark Stamp Spotlight feature is back!  And the one we are featuring is this cutie - Girl and Kitten and is available to buy right now for only £1.25! I've coloured her with Promarkers and added a few sparkles on her dress.

Kraft cardstock used and I ran the middle panel through the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder.  The spotty pink paper has had its edges distressed and its from the Just For Jen download from Funky Hand.  I had just enough of the paper left from a previous project!  And to finish I've added some embroidery thread.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Crafts 4 Eternity:  Tic Tac Toe (Pink, Use Scraps, Child Theme)
DRS Designs: Circles
Shelly's Images:  Kids
Ruby's Rainbow:  Furry Friends
The Stamping Chef:  Animal Love

Image:  Jellypark, coloured with Promarkers
Papers:  Just For Jen download from Funky Hand
Dies:  Cuttlebug embossing folder - Swiss Dots
Everything else:  My stash  

Under The Mistletoe

I'm nearing the end of completing a long list of Christmas cards and here is one that I can tick off that list!  The image is from Emma Canning - Mistletoe Moment - and I've coloured it with Promarkers and the cut out the two people so that they would fit the oval background a little better.

I've used papers from my rather bargain 12x12 Let It Snow pad (I do like these papers!) and added stickles to the sides of the card and also around the oval.  The oval has been cut from vellum and then embossed with a Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder.

The two background panels are X Cut dies.  I found the sentiment in my stash and have inked it slightly to match the colour theme.  I've also added soem stickles to the fur on the dress and boots and a tiny half pearl to the holly in her hair.

After karting this morning we had a trip to Southport (namely Matalan and Dunelm) where I treated myself (and Jacob) to a pair of really fluffy and long welly socks for when we are stood in the sub zero temps watching Samuel karting (if Jacob fancies wearing mine then he can as his feet are nearly the same size as mine and he is only 7!!) and a cook pot from Dunelm as our largest and oldest pan disintegrated when I washed it the other day!  We've had it for nearly 20 years, so I didn't think it was too bad to throw it out!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Flat Friends:  Dots and stripes
Die Cuttin' Diva's:  Sketch
Dream Valley Challenges:  Anything Goes
Chocolate, Coffee and Cards:  Stripes
Fairytale Challenge:  Embossing

Image:  Emma Canning, coloured with Promarkers
Papers:  Dovecraft Let It Snow 12x12 pad
Dies:  X Cut - both oval and fancy shape
Embossing:  Cuttlebug Swiss Dots
Everything else:  My stash 

The Bride and Groom

Here is one of three new release digi stamps from Jellypark! Isn't this a cute image! It's the Wedding Couple digi stamp and I've coloured it with Promarkers and a tiny bit of liquid pearls on her tiara and dress.

I've also dotted a line of liquid pearls around the edge of the image and card and I've embossed a strip of off cut of card with my Swiss Dots folder. The silver layered card is from my stash and the dotty one I've had for years and found it when looking for something else - it needs using and it fitted perfectly with the colours on the card!

The ribbon is also from my stash and now that I've organised the huge box into colour co-ordinated grip seal bags, I can see what I have with minimal rummaging!

Two more new release Jellypark digi's coming up!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Alphabet Challenge: Xtra Special Occasion
Bloggers Challenge: Celebrate Good Times
Card Crafters Circle: Anything Goes
If The Shoe Fits: Use Horded Stash

• Image: Jellypark, coloured with Promarkers
• Dies: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder
  
• Everything else: My stash
  

Jellypark Challenge 13 - Old Year / New Year

It's time for another Jellypark challenge and its a good one for the time of year too:

New Year / Old Year

So what ever your interpretation is then that will be good! For more details on the challenge please pop over to the Jellypark Friday challenge blog!

I've used the Bath Girl digital stamp and coloured her with Promarkers plus a little glitter glue for the bubbles. My Spellbinder Nestabilities have cut the shapes on the image and I've used my Sizzix Scallop tag combo die for the sentiments.


The card blank is from Papermania and I've run it though my Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder. The satin ribbon is from my stash and I've tied the tags with some waxed cotton cord from Meiflower. I've handwritten the sentiment with a pink gel pen.

Good luck with the challenge!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

4 Crafty Chicks: Something New
CRAFT Challenge: New Year
Cute Card Thursday: Happy New Year
Sassy Studios: Shaped Card

• Card blank: Papermania
• Image: Jellypark, coloured with Promarkers and glitter glue
• Dies: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, Spellbinder Nestabilities, Sizzix Scallop Tag combo die
• Sentiment: Handwritten
  
• Waxed Cord: Meiflower
• Everything else: My stash
  

Simples (With Green)

I had a good day yesterday of creativity despite being interrupted every few seconds by the boys. Even the littlest room in the house was not sacred!

So here is one I made yesterday. Another Wedding Acceptance card (look away now Claire - my Mum's not got it yet let alone posted it to you!!) for my cousin who gets married at the end of March. Continuing with the green theme too although I don't think the Wedding is green themed just I like this ribbon and beads!

Anyway. Kept it rather simple and did not add a sentiment. Don't have an Acceptance stamp and couldn't be bothered firing up the pc to print one. Honest. But true!

I've used D'vine Swirls embossing folder, a Sizzix layered flower die that has partly been embossed with Swiss Dots and the scalloped edge are heart punches. I've used some green organza ribbon that I bought recently (can't remember where) and some oddments of green themed beads that were another donation from Lynsey (thank you - and yes, I sifted through all the bag for these!)

Oh and a bit of inking around the edges with a badly matching green inkpad. Oh well!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Random Acts of Creativity: Sketch followed
Cooking It Up With Katie: Anything Goes
Charisma Cardz: Anything Goes
City Crafter: Winter White

• Dies: Sizzix layered flower; Cuttlebug embossing folders - D'vine Swirls and Swiss Dots
• Ribbon: My stash
• Beads: Lynsey donation
• Punch: Heart
  

Blue For A Boy

I've had quite a few freebies recently that came with craft magazines and a while ago there was a little booklet with Forever Friends decoupage and papers, so I've used one of the papers and an image plus a sentiment. I've used a nesties scallop edged circle to layer the image on, a bit of inking plus the panel is vellum and has been embossed with the Swiss Dots folder.


The Forever Friends sketch is below and I've followed it for the card. The flowers, ribbons and brads are all from my stash.
And although you can't see it, I've added a bit of glitter to the bubbles.

• Image, sentiment and backing papers: Forever Friends - freebie from a magazine
• Dies: Spellbinder Nestabilities and Swiss Dots embossing folder
• Everything else: My stash
  

Slightly Sozzled Santa

I suppose I am a bit of an impulse buyer, especially when something is a bargain as I know I will use it at some point, one day! And the Santa on this card is just this! It's a die-cut decoupage image that I bought from my local craft shop a while ago for a bargain. The bits were easy to pop out and I've layered it with foam pads.

So, as I'd actually made the image and it was simply hanging around, it needed to be used. So when I saw the Crafty Hazelnut Christmas challenge for this week - its a perfect fit! The theme is

Santa

And I've used the very lovely Jingle Belles sketch from their last challenge (I got an honourable mention - who-hoooo!) I couldn't lay my hands on any suitable backing paper so decided to weave some embossed (snowflakes and swiss dots) strips of off-cut white card as the background. The tiny fairy lights I've had for donkeys in my stash but never really used them, and I've secured them with a brad and a dab of glue. Santa does look rather sozzled!!

I'm feeling rather rough at the moment - got a cold from hell which I thought was flu on Monday but I'm still moving (just) and I'm not too bad as long as I don't start sneezing or thinking about it. And I look like Rudolf. Great.

• Image: Die cut decoupage - not got a clue of the maker
• Embossing: Cuttlebug snowflakes and swiss dot
• Fairy lights: My stash