Polkadoodles Challenge - Anything Goes or Christmas Male

It's time for a new Polkdoodles challenge and the theme is

Anything Goes

The DT were challenged to make a Christmas card for a male.  This is such a lovely image to use for those men in your life - this is Hollybobs Santa and I've coloured him with Promarkers plus glitter glue on the fur of his suit.  I've layered the image with some red card I had in my stash along with the backing paper from Snowtime Christmas 6x6 paper pack.  I have a thing for buying wooden tree decorations so I can use them on my cards - this was from a set I got from Tesco's (in the January sales, obviously!) probably 6 years ago!

Good luck with the challenge!

Colour Crazy Challenge - Week 46 - Sponsored by Dr Digi

Welcome to another Colour Crazy Challenge!  This week we are sponsored by Dr Digi and the theme, as always is

Anything Goes

I've used Naughty or Nice, coloured with Promarkers and layered it onto a paper from Snowtime Christmas 6x6 pack from Polkadoodles.  The wooden tree is from my stash along with the ribbon - both are from Tesco's a few years ago.

I've added two names to the 'nice list'!  Good luck with the challenge!  I'd like to enter the following:

Crafting With Friends:  Anything Goes
CRAFT:  Christmas
Crafty Sentiments:  Christmas
The Holly and The Ivy:  Christmas
Incy Wincy:  Christmas

Crimbo Crackers Challenge 132 - Recycling

Time for a new Crimbo Crackers challenge and the theme for the fortnight is:

Recycling

I've taken two panels from a box of tissues (is it just me who looks out for stuff that can be reused afterwards?!) and then layered them onto some silver card and then onto red card before adding to the card blank.

The ribbon is from my stash - I have a feeling it is from Tesco a number of years ago, and the wooden snowflakes are from Sainsburys.

Nice and quick to make!  Good luck with the challenge!

I'd like to enter the following:

Crafty Girls:  Anything Goes
Cute Card Thursday:  Anything Goes
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge:  Anything Goes
Sparkles Christmas Challenge:  Snowflakes

Crimbo Crackers Challenge 78 - Bears

Time for a new Crimbo Crackers challenge!  The theme for the fortnight is:

Bears

I've used a cute topper from Lily of The Valley, layered it onto some gold card and then papers from my stash.  The ribbon and wooden star are actually from Tesco and I've had them some time in my stash!  I've added glitter around the edges of the card and also image for some delicate sparkle.

Good luck with the challenge - the rules can be found on the blog.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

ABC Christmas Challenge:  Glitter
Crafting By Designs:  Get Ready For Christmas
Crafty Gals Corner:  Any Holiday
Clear It Out:  Anything Goes

Simply Create Too Challenge 41 Midway Extra - Christmas In July

The posts are going to come thick and fast this morning - this is the first of three!  We are at the midway point of the current Simply Create Too challenge which means that there is just under a week of the challenge left and the theme is:

Christmas In July

And it can't be done without Santa!  And this Santa is courtesy of Dr Digi!  I've coloured the Naughty or Nice digi with Promarkers and then the background with watercolour pencils.  Papers are from DCWV Christmas Wishes 6x6 stack which, to be honest, I've had for a number of years so its about time I used some of it up!

The star is wooden and was a different colour before I covered it with an offcut of paper!  I bought a load of the little packs from Tesco last year - 10 for £1 which is not bad!  I also had some left from a previous year which I bought in the January sale!

Some stickles around the edges of the star and image and its complete!  Good luck with the Simply Create Too challenge and Santa can be yours for just £2 in the Dr Digi store!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Papercrafting Journey:  Christmas in July
Creative Belli:  Stars
Fab n Funky:  Christmas In July
Inky Impressions:  Christmas In July
Crafty Sentiments:  Christmas In July
LEJ Designs:  Christmas In July

Image:  Dr Digi, coloured with Promarkers
Papers:  DCWV Christmas Wishes 6x6 paper stack
Star:  Tesco 2012 and 2011 Tree Decorations
Everything else:  My stash

Crimbo Crackers Challenge 37 - No Stamped Images

It's time for another Crimbo Crackers challenge and the theme this fortnight is:

No Stamped Images

If you want more details about the chalelnge, please pop over to Crimbo Crackers!

I've used a felt Christmas Tree decoration that I bought from Tesco in the same - just snipped off the ribbon loop on his body!

The printed papers are from Prima 6x6 North Country Collection and I've used an X Cut fancy die for the shapes plus brown card from my stash.  I've had the paper pad for quite some time and it is really pretty - so that probably explains why I have so much of it left!

The thin chocolate brown organza ribbon is also from my stash and I've added some doodling around the edges of the card and die cut.

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

ABC Christmas Challenge:  Bingo (Ribbon, Animal, Die Cuts)

Going Grey With Scrap Creations:  Favourite Embellishment (Christmas decorations in the sale that I can use on my cards!)

Use It Tuesdays:  Die Cuts / Punches and Horded Supplies (paper pad I've had for ages along with the ribbon)

Ohh La La Creations:  Four Legged Friends (I know he only has 2 but in real life there are 4!)

Use Your Stuff:  Four Legged Friends

Papers:  Prima 6x6 North Country pad

Embellishment:  Tesco's Christmas Tree decoration

Dies:  X Cut fancy die

Everything else:  My stash

Crimbo Crackers Challenge 30 - Wooden

It's time for another Crimbo Crackers challenge! And the theme I've set for this fortnight is

Wooden

I'm also joined by a Guest Designer who was a previous challenge winner so please pop over to Crimbo Crackers to have a look at what she's made!

I've used a kraft card blank which I've layered some red and white dotty paper (Polkadoodles Britannia download) and then more kraft card.  I've used a Nesties die for the layering shapes and I simply cut around a dark brown card layer for a thinner look.

The wooden bit is the reindeer which was a Tesco's tree decoration for the last few years - I bought a few packs of these (and other shapes!) 10 for £1 is a bargain!

I've added some flat backed pearls (they were not supposed to be that close together but I dabbed the glossy accents too close to each other!) and some bakers twine.  Oh, and some faux stitching too.

Good luck with the challenge!  For more details pop to Crimbo Crackers!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Christmas at Sweet Stamps:  Anything Goes
365 Day Cards:  Day 278 - Pick A Pattern - Polkadots
Deep Ocean Challenge:  Christmas
Die Cuttin' Diva's:  Holiday Spirit


Printed papers:  Polkadoodles, Britannia download
Decoration: Tesco
Dies:  Spellbinder Nestabilities
Eveything else:  My stash

Scraps and Christmas Bling

I've had a rummage through some of my stash whilst I've been off with the boys (mainly to keep me from going mad as I can't think straight!) and I found a box of very glittery and sparkly Christmas tree decorations that I bought in the January sales last year at Tesco. I had a rummage through my papers too as trying really hard to use up what I've already got printed (cos I have LOADS!) and found these papers from Funky Hand - Funky Christmas Time download.

The main backing paper is actually printed on vellum and I used my mega thin double sided tape to stick it down (bought from Dunelm for 99p a roll!) and then added a faux running stitch around the edge just in case it showed through.

I'm pretty pleased with how this turned out - quick to make and extra points to me for recycling and using up stash!! I love using Christmas tree decorations on my cards and I actively seek out what the shops have and then make notes as to what is where so I can target my favourites in the sales!!

I'd like to enter the following challenges:

Card Positioning Systems: 5th Anniversary - Day 13
Christmas Inspirations: Anything Goes
Desert Island Crafters - Challenge 25: 2 or more patterned papers; green; sparkle / bling; stitching
Little Darlings: Favourite Embellishment (cheap Christmas decorations!!)
Digital Tuesday: Use Your Stash
52 Christmas Card Throwdown: Colour Challenge - Gold, Green and Red

• Papers: Funky Christmas Time download from Funky Hand
• Embellishment: Tesco Christmas decoration
  

Quick and Cute!

A quick card just making it in time for the ABC Christmas challenge! The theme this fortnight was F for Freebie supplied by The Stamp Fairy which had to be used with the sketch below, and here is my card:

I've coloured the image with Promarkers plus a little glitter glue on his hat and then cut it all out and added it to the front of the card with foam pads. The ribbon is from Tesco and all the backing papers I found in my box of off-cuts, which I am trying to use up! And to finish, a bit of inking, some doodling and some card candy!

Told you it was a quick card!

• Image: Freebie for the challenge from The Stamp Fairy, coloured with Promarkers
• Papers: From my stash
• Ribbon: Tesco
  

And More Decorations!

At risk of saying that I've made another Christmas card with more Christmas tree decoration, well, I have and here it is! Over on Jingle Belles Rock this week, the challenge is a double one as it uses the sketch from Sketchy Thursday, so one card equals two challenges!


And Sketchy Thursday is one challenge I'd not come across before.... Fatal as you know I'll be back as I do like sketches! Anyway, I've used some very lovely felt off white card as my card base, added a 4.5x6.5 sheet of sparkly card (Dovecraft Noel cardstock) - another of the bargains I bought in the January sales! The tree decoration is from Tesco's (on the 3 for 2 offer so I bought 3 different packs - seemed rude not to!) and the organza burgundy ribbon is from my stash. I've added a few gems to the top of the card. For closure. Cos it needed it.

So there you have it. I need to get out more and stop using Christmas tree decorations on my cards. Is it just me who gets excited when in a shop and realising that the decorations are flat and light enough to be added to cards? Ah, it is just me. Ah well!

• Backing paper: Dovecraft 4.5x6.5 Noel pack
• Embellishment: Tesco's Christmas tree decoration
• Everything else: My stash
  

More Decorations

At risk of seeming like I only use Christmas decorations as card embellishments, here is another card made with yes more Christmas tree decorations! This very glittery snowflake was bought from Tescos when the decorations were on a 3 for 2 offer! I've snipped off the prong (do snowflakes have these?!) which had the loop attached and then simply glued it to the backing papers.


The papers are from Mad About Cards and are part of a traditional Christmas download. I've inked the edges and layered the word panel onto some gold card. The ribbon is from the Scrap Store that I found in my stash. The layout follows the sketch from the ABC Christmas challenge and the theme is Clean and Simple.

• Backing papers: Mad About Cards download, traditional collection
• Embellishment: Christmas tree decoration from Tesco
• Ribbon: Scrap Store

White Mum and Dad at Christmas

I found another Christmas challenge blog! Well, to be more exact, the blog found me (thank you for the link!) And as I am generally a one-challenge-one-card kinda gal, I've had a look through the photos of cards that I have not yet blogged, and came across this one which was made for Christmas 2010.

The Christmas challenge blog is Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge and the very first challenge is:

Anything Goes (Christmas Only)

This is a wordbook made from the lengths of A4 white card which have been embossed with the Cuttlebug snowflake folder. The letters have been printed using Wordart and the pearlescent snowflakes and seed beads are from my stash.

The ribbon is from Tesco's 2010 Christmas range and the silver (looks black in the photo!) snowflake is from Matalan's 2009 Christmas range. I do like a bargain in the sales especially when I can use them on cards!

This is a big wordbook which won't fit a normal DL envelope but you can get wordbook sized envelopes from Funky Hand!

At this rate with all the Christmas challenge sites, I will be well and truly ready for Christmas! And probably by August!

• Card: PaperMill Shop
• Letters: Word Art in Word
• Dies: Cuttlebug snowflakes embossing die
• Ribbon: Tesco's
• Snowflake: Matalan
• Everything else: My stash
  

Polkadoodle Challenge Week 16 - Monochromatic

Another Friday already? Where did the week go! Because it is Friday it is another Polkadoodle challenge and this week the theme has been set by the lovely Nettie, who has asked for:

Monochromatic

Which simply is shades of one colour. Now I've made these windmills which if you look closely are all shades of one colour, I've just made them in four different colours!


The papers have been printed double sided and I've used a windmill template to cut the shapes out. And the papers are from the brand new cd from Polkadoodles - All Around and Everywhere - which is launched today at 10am on Create and Craft (so you'll get to see these windmills!)

The windmills were pretty easy to make especially as the large brads holds them together.

And to keep the balance (they had a tendency to twist round) so you see the front, I've glued a button to the reverse of the windmill which also hides the stick a little too. Notice that the glue wasn't dry when I took the photo!

Hope you are able to join in with our challenge - the deadline is Sunday 2 May at 12noon GMT and you can enter your Polkadoodle creation into 9 other challenges. If you are unable to meet these 'rules' then we cannot consider your entry for a top three blinkie or as a winner of the challenge.

Good luck!

• All paperbased items: All Around and Everywhere from Polkadoodles
• Everything else: My stash (Tesco for the kebab sticks!)
  

Get Funky Challenge 7 - Love Crafting

Ah, can it really be February already?! Where did January go?! Well, to be honest its good news for crafters because it is a new Get Funky challenge!

Anice is setting the challenge for February and it is:

Love Crafting

So, interpret this how you want - make something you can be proud of or for that special someone! The only rule is that you use a Funky Hand product in your creation and that you link back to the challenge blog by 28 February to be in with a chance of winning a £20 voucher to spend on Funky Hand products!! Ah, that was 2 rules, but easy ones eh?!

You may have seen these flowers before if you saw the launch of Dreams Come True in January on Create and Craft / Ideal World! I made them as show samples for Anice to promote her brand new and very wonderful (don't take my word for it - buy it and try it!) cd Dreams Come True. It is like no other papercrafting cd and you can create your own word books, change the letters and the colour too! Plus fantastic colour collections and digi stamps that you can enlarge to A4 without any quality loss!

These flowers were really easy to make - I printed on both sides of the card (I used 160gm) and then drew one large circle two smaller ones the same size and then two more slightly smaller but the same size and then finally one even smaller - 6 circles in total.

I randomly cut snips out of the edges then cut about 1cm into the centre of the circle. I feathered the edges by rolling the card so that it looks more like petals.

The largest was for the centre of the flower then I layered the top and then added the other two underneath so they sort of look like chrysanthemums.

The flower stems are barbecue sticks from Tescos - I hunted high and low for these during the summer and then found them after the barbecue season had ended! Typical! I've added a wooden bead to the top of the stick and also underneath the flower to finish it off (plus no sharp ends in the centre of the flower!)

These really were easy to make but look so effective! And they never need watering, deadheading - just a bit of dusting or blowing with the hairdrier!

Good luck with the challenge for this month and the Design Team can't wait to see what you've created! You have until 28 February to enter!

• All paperbased items: Dreams Come True
• Sticks: Tesco barbecue sticks
• Beads: Scrap Store ages ago!
  

Almost Wrong Way Up

Now, I have a confession to make. I'd bought a pack of two of the felt reindeer you see below and I thought it looked a little strange and couldn't work out why. But didn't really think anything of it. I glued the button eye on and added the bell to a jump ring and tied it around his neck.

I'd cut and inked the squares of paper from 'A Wonderful Christmas Time' 6x6 pad from Papermania (wisely using up some scraps).

And then I turned the reindeer over to glue it before adding it to the card and I then realised I'd had it the wrong way up! I'd been looking at the antlers thinking they were his 4 legs!!

I did have a giggle when I realised!

Anyway, I've made this for the ABC Christmas challenge which currently is:

B for Bells

And the added twist of a bit of glitter. Which, I've just about added down the sides of the red paper. And yes, that is the paper curling over as I added too much!

• Backing papers: A Wonderful Christmas Time 6x6 pad from Papermania
• Reindeer: Parcel decoration from Tescos
• Bells, Buttons and Glitter glue: My stash
  
  

Polkadoodle Challenge 31 - Free Theme

And it is Friday again, so time for another Polkadoodle Challenge! This week will be lasting until 28 December at 12noon GMT as we appreciate that things get a little busy this time of year, so this is the last challenge of 2009!

Nikky has asked the Design Team to make anything they like but to use the new cd Back To Nature. For my sample I've made these circle flowers - the printed templates are on the cd and you simply click and print which sizes and colours you want! I also printed on the reverse as I don't like seeing white card!

I've used the largest size, the next one down and the one down from that too - there are smaller ones but I didn't use them. For the larger flowers I've inked the edges once I'd cut them out. The flowers are made by pulling in the centre and attaching 3d foam pads at regular intervals where the two sides will meet.

Wooden beads hold the flower in place on the sticks (yes they are BBQ skewers from Tesco!) and also between the flower heads. Silver crafting wire has been curled and pops out of the top of the bead.

I glued the beads and wire in place otherwise it was all a little too delicate! For those eagle-eyed of you, these were part of the tv show where Nikky launched the cd - I made them especially for the show!

Really easy and quick to make once all the elements are cut out and there are lots of other colours on the cd too.

Remember you have until Sunday 28 December 2009 at 12noon GMT to enter this challenge and good luck!!

• Paper elements: Back to Nature cd from Polkadoodles
• Everything else: My stash
  

Big Flower To Say Good Luck

I've managed to make a few challenges this week, although admittedly, right upto the deadlines! Anyway, here is the first one! Mojo Monday has a sketch - a nice easy one! I wanted to make a good luck card for the Head Teacher at Samuel's school as she is leaving at Christmas, so this sketch was ideal!

The papers are just so right for this as the little flourish in the corner looked perfect! Papers are Papermania Simply Elegant 6 x 6 pack. The flower I bought from Tescos in the summer - I think they were £1 for two flower heads. So I bought the maroon ones and the teal too. Wish I had bought more now. Typical!


The sentiment is from Papermania and I've stamped it with black Whispers ink and then dabbed chestnut Whispers around the edges and centre.

Lets hope she likes it (and the flower doesn't fall off!)

• Backing paper: Papermania Simply Elegant 6 x 6 paper pack
• Sentiment: Papermania stamped with black and chestnut whispers
• Flower: From Tescos
  
  

Simple

Now this is going to be a really simple card based upon the current Card Positioning sketch below! I've used a 6 x 4 card blank, rounded the edges after adding the vintage feel backing paper (downloaded from Mad About Cards) and also inked them with Whispers Chestnut ink then added liquid pearls to the larger snowflake centres.

The slightly burgundy organza ribbon I found in my stash (I think I have just about everything in my ribbon bag and box!) then added a smaller panel cut from the same paper and then the little wooden reindeer.

The reindeer is from a pack of 10 for £1 at Tesco's - what a find eh?! I had to carefully trim the hanging string but you'd never know! And such a quick and easy card to make and one that I enjoyed as its not at all fussy and I think could just be one of the mass ones that I need to do!!

• Backing papers: Vintage Christmas download collection from Mad About Cards
• Ink: Whispers Chestnut
• Ribbon: My stash
• Embellishment: Tesco's
  

An Earthy Notebook

The Charisma Cardz challenge this week is a good one! And something that I always think, hmmm, I'll do that one day, but never do, but this time, I have!

The challenge is:

Alter It! (Not a card)

So I bought this little notebook from Tesco's (I didn't like the look of the ring bound ones and I wanted it a bit sturdy, plus the green spine fitted in with what I had in mind!) And then I covered it with brown packing paper!

I've used a Martha Stewart punch on the side and threaded jute string through the smaller holes (had to put some sellotape on the ends cos it kept fraying!) I forgot to take photos of the inside, but it is all neatly folded and square!


The scrap of lined paper is from a lovely little notebook I found (in Tesco's) ages ago and then I've layered some green card over the top, cornered the corners and inked it, and then added the image. This has also been cornered and inked and I've also chalked it too to give it a little bit of a weathered and earthy look. I platted the twine to pass through the top of the paper - again a bit more interest and I like tactile things!

And this is the back. Nice and plain! I've inked and chalked the edges too.

Can you see the little bits of glitter on the flower centres? The image is from a new cd due to be launched by Nikky on 21 July on Create and Craft - the cd is called Candy Doodles and it is just fab! Some nice surprises in it - my favourite has to be the decoupage cake!

• Image: From Candy Doodles cd soon to be released!
• Everything else: From my stash
• Notebook: Tesco's