First card this year (at last)

I don't know what happened to time, mojo and good intentions, but this is the first card I've made this year, in fact, the first card for over a week. I did make my resolution job box last week, but perhaps the least said about that the better - I finally took out the first paper a couple of days ago, got all set to do the stated job ... and then a friend turned up for a coffee and a chat and I never did get the job done - hopefully, I might do it today. I really needed to get on with this card earlier because I wanted to send it before we get towards the end of January! But now that the snow is really set in again I won't be going out to the post yet anyway.

I stamped up a few images yesterday afternoon, using a couple of new stamps I had for Christmas, but I didn't get any further than that - was looking for a sketch to motivate me ... finally, I found the one that Tamara has given for her challenge 101, which is actually for a LO, but was just right for a card to accommodate the labels I'd already prepared. So this is the LO sketch:For my card I used my lovely new Penny Black Fantasy stamp (Santa really did take notice of my list), stamped with Elzybells sugar candy pigment (I would highly recommend this) and embossed with clear detail. The words were done on my dymo letratag. The striped paper is old from a DCWV pad. I ripped the edges and stamped over them with one of my HOTP stitch stamp.

There are a few other challenges around atm that this card fits:

Pile it on 30: 'crystal clear' - I hope the detail clear EP counts!
Ann's creative nook 72: ' it's a brand new year' - use any new item (the stamp)
Fiskarettes: 'new year resolutions'
Dollies elements challenge: 'resolutions'
Crazy Amigo: 'brand new start'
Charisma cardz: 'celebrations!' (New Year)
3 clovers 45: 'celebrations!'
Dancing Pajamas TCP challenge: 'something new' - not just a 'new year' card, but using a new stamp
Papertake 32: 'new beginnings' - new year and new stamp
Lili of the valley 43: 'new year card'
PaperPlay 46: ;new beginnings' - anything for 'new' - new year card and new stamp
Rainbow lady: 'new' (card and stamp)
Cards for men 2: 'new'
Crafty Ann 5: 'new year, new inspiration'
Daring cardmakers: 'new beginnings'
Frosted designs: 'new year card'
Fussy & fancy 1: 'new'
No time to stamp? 120: 'new things'
Stamp something: 'new somethings' (new stamp)
Stampin' for the weekend: 'new beginnings
Penny Black 82: 'Happy New Year'
Secret crafter Saturday 64: 'new beginnings'
By the cute and girly: 'something new'
The craft garden January challenge: 'new'
Lucy's cards 3: 'monochromatic'
Kelly Jo: colour chef 33: monochromatic
Artful inkables think ink Tuesday 11: 'monochromatic'
Tuesday taggers: 'black and white'
Humble pie: 'black tie event' - black and white
Everybody art 72: 'favourite colour combo' - I still absolutely love just black and white together
ABC: 'L for layering'
Fab n Funky: 'make anything you want for any occasion'
Gingersnap GC37: 'chestnut theme challenge: time'
Your next stamp 7: 'embossing' (heat embossing)
Creative card crew 42: 'distressing' (torn paper edges)
Mixed media Monday: 'leftovers' - the Paper Cellar snowflakes - and also the striped DCWV paper
One stop craft 61: 'something beginning with B' - black
Sophisticat 16: 'fancy borders'
Stamping vacation: 'it's all about the theme': 'monochromatic', so my three things to compliment are the background paper, the embossed image and the borders
Created by hand: 'it's a freebie' - anything

WOYWW today?

WOYWW today? The answer is: 'not a lot'! Not much crafting activity yet this year. As you can see from the scattered bits and pieces, I inked up and embossed a few images yesterday afternoon, using a couple of my new stamps from Christmas ... but as yet nothing more has developed. You can even see the card blank, still blank, waiting to be used ... hopefully I'll feel like doing something with these later. I think just the sight of the snow must be numbing my brain and my mojo!




If you haven't yet discovered WOYWW, then why not visit Julia's blog and then you can have a nosey at everyone else's workspace.

Annoying unwanted comments

Annoyingly I've been receiving a few comments lately that are clearly spam, most of them as anonymous. I've therefore taken the step of not allowing anonymous comments to see if this stops it. I'm really sorry if this is inconvenient for anyone genuine who wishes to comment who can't - it does still include open ID as well as google accounts, so I think most people would still be able to leave comments.

What a nuisance these spammers are.

And if any spammers are reading this, I do remove your comments, so it's not worth your efforts.

Top twelve of 2009

Wishing all my visitors a

Happy New Year

Before I start this post, if you think that I've prepared all this already this morning, then I haven't - I worked on this before Christmas and scheduled it to go live today.

While blog-hopping last year I found that quite a few crafters had shown their Top Ten makes for 2008 and so, at the beginning of January last year, I did the same.

I found it quite an experience to look through my crafting for 2008 and very difficult to choose my 'top ten' because some crafting is special because of the technique involved, whereas other makes are special because of the purpose for doing them.

I decided this year that I would extend my choice to twelve items, one for each month of the year - I still found it very difficult for some months to decide what to choose.

If you click on the links, you can go to the original posts and read more about each item.

My top twelve of 2009

January 2009: I've chosen this card because I find it so calming:



February 2009: I loved this card that I gave mum for Easter - it was actually one of my pieces for our Salt faith challenge blog.


March 2009: I made quite a few notebooks - it's difficult to choose just one, but I think it has to be this one:


April 2009: these inchies were done for a swap on Bubbly Funk, using shrink plastic - something I tend to forget about and think I should use more of during 2010.


May 2009: I bought a melting pot way back and hardly ever use it. However, I got it out of the cupboard and made this piece of jewellery - something else I should do more of in 2010 (because it's at the back of the cupboard again).


June 2009: This card was a commissioned one - I just love the papers and the colours that blend together:


July 2009: This year has been difficult with John being in hospital quite a lot, the worst time being the end of June and the month of July when he was very ill and so I did very little crafting or blogging during that time. I did, however, keep up my participation in the Salt Faith Challenge blog as a member of the team and I have chosen to show two LOs that I did - they are very precious to me because they were so apt for the situation we were in at that time. So, although July is the month when I did the least crafting, I've chosen to show two examples because I just couldn't choose between them:

Salt: prayer


Salt: according to His purpose


As is the case with all the other links, if you click on them you will be able to read what I wrote at the time for these LOs.

August 2009: These were my pages in a CJ as part of a swap on Bubbly Funk - I love the overlays of acetate:




September 2009: I like the result achieve with the technique of stamping with bubblewrap that I used for the background of this card - and also purple is one of my favourite colours which helped me to decide on this card:



October 2009: This card was for Irit Shalom's Royal Challenge 1 - the idea was to include as many challenges as possible. I enjoyed making this card, although it was certainly quite a feat to achieve all the challenges. I won the prize, which you can see here.








November 2009: I've hosen this one because I love the cute image, the colouring and the glitter:

December 2009: I was asked to make a 'sweet and sassy' card for a 16th birthday - I enjoyed making this easel card and love the bright colours:



I have found it quite helpful doing this review of 2009 - it has brought back many memories, but has also reminded me of some techniques etc that I haven't tried for a while, not just in the items that I've chosen to show here, but in many of these other items that have been blogged over the months.

It's over to you

Perhaps you would like to do your own 'top twelve of 2009' - if you do I'd love you to leave me a comment with a link so that I can come and look at your choices.

And then encourage others to do the same.

New year resolution (another one!)

I've already mentioned two craft related new year resolutions. However, this one doesn't relate to craft, but I enjoyed doing some crafting in preparation for it.

There are quite a few jobs that I've often had on a list and never seem to get round to doing - sorting out photos on the computer, memory sticks, etc, putting photos on to digital photo frames (I bought two large ones ages ago, thinking that it would give John a better chance of seeing some photos, but have never set them up). There are lots of other things like this that need doing, as well as drawers to be sorted, etc, so I've used an empty tissue box:


and am going to put lots of jobs on bits of paper and every now and then (this ought to be a regular occurrence, but I don't think I can be that good!) I'll put my hand in and take out one of the pieces of paper and get on with that job.

So I covered the box with K & Co Urban Rhapsody papers, a few blooms etc and a bit of inking and distressing:







There are quite a few challenges around atm to do with new year (what a surprise!) as well as some colour ones that are covered by this little project, so I'm linking for these:

Corrosive 44: 'new years resolutions'
Stampin' sisters in Christ 19: 'new year card or project'
Dancing in Pajamas TCP challenge: 'something new'
Paperplay 46: 'new beginnings'
Rainbow lady 84: 'new'
Daring cardmakers: 'new beginnings'
Paper cutz 22: 'new year'
One powerful hour: 'resolutions'
Created by hand: 'out with the old'
No time to stamp 120: 'new things'
The play date cafe 10: 'turquoise, brown, dusty pink'
ColourQ 13: 'melon mambo, pretty in pink, tempting turquoise, chocolate chip + white (my second entry for this)
Paperminutes 94: 'colour explosion'
365 cards day 149: 'sponging' (with chalk ink)
Little red wagon 9: flowers
Pals paper arts 23: 'anything but a card'
Allsorts 32: 'anything but a card'
My time to craft 72: 'anything goes'

I also came across the Crafting pot 'five things' challenge, asking for 'five layers' - my flowers fit this.

Apron strings challenge 16 prize

What a lovely surprise when a delivery man turned up this morning with a box from the States containing my prize for challenge 16 on Apron strings - you can read about it here.



What a lovely co-ordinating selection of papers and embellishments. Thank you, Apron strings.

BF December ATCs received

Postie's been - I received my ATCs for December from the group on BF - thanks, girls, and thank you again, Ali, for hosting:

Tails of a bright Noel

For this card I've used a House Mouse stamped image 'tails of a bright Noel', so I'm linking for House Mouse challenge 29: 'winter wishes'. This is the first time I've done a card for the HM challenge blog - I didn't have any HM stamps, but Gez kindly sent me some stamped images.

The inspiration challenge for 2010 Christmas card week 4 on Sparkle creations is this picture:

I've coloured the image with copics, among which I've used the colours for this week's challenge 44 on Copic Colour: Y15 Cadmium yellow, BG05 holiday blue, E47 dark brown.

The colours given this week for ColourQ 13 are all on this card too: ' melon mambo, pretty in pink, tempting turquoise, chocolate chip + white. These are similar colours to those this week for cupcake inspiration 39 on Hope stamps eternal.

The theme currently on Sunday stamper 84 is 'I believe' - you can just about see the word 'believe' on this lovely Christmas paper, which is an offcut from last year - it has a beautiful sheen to it that you can't see on here. The paper behind it was free from a magazine. I used up another piece of ribbon that was left from a previous card (my two resolutions again: Christmas cards throughout the year and use offcuts).

Nativity

I'm making two crafting resolutions for the new year and have already started them - to make Christmas cards throughout the year and also to use up pieces of paper instead of starting new ones so much (I'm not sure that I'll keep to this one because I love new papers).

Anyway, this card is for the 'Nativity' challenge on All that scraps.

I've used a couple of pieces of paper that have been in the box since last Christmas and also a piece of ribbon left from the previous card I made earlier this evening.

The nativity scene image is a Charmed cards & crafts download from their bumper Christmas collection.

Kiss under the mistletoe

For this card I used the sketch on Pals Paper Arts 22:

The image is a Dottie download from Charmed cards & crafts bumper Christmas collection 'Christmas kiss', so I'm linking this card for this week's Dottie's world challenge: it's a girl thing' - I figured that although George is the one holding the mistletoe, Dottie is certainly doing 'a girl thing' and flirting with him.

This is also for ABC: 'K is for kissing' and for Rosie-Dee 61: 'digi sparkle' - the Dottie download is a digi and the ribbons are sparkly.

Papers are from the free pad from Cardmaking & Papercraft, plus some glittery ribbons (either Dovecraft or DCWV - can't remember which):


So that's another Christmas card!

Ballerina card

I was commissioned to make a ballerina card for a 4 year old's birthday, so I based the card on Sweet sketch Wednesday 29:

I'm also linking for Flutter by Wednesday 89, which this week is an open theme, but, of course, has to include a butterfly, fairy or angel. I know that strictly speaking this is a ballerina, but she is so sweet that I'm sure she could be mistaken for a fairy! Using a combination of lemon, pink and lilac fits today's Paperminutes 94: 'colour explosion' - to use at least three colours.

The pink and lemon hearts card is part of the Dawn Bibby cupcake kit (but I thought it was just right for this), the ballerina, the strip across the middle and the sentiment are from the 'music and dance' kit from QVC. The other bits and pieces are Jolees and unknown stickers. The pink heart gems at the top left (they look red here, but they are pink) are Poundland bling.

Birthday card for John

I know I'm not the only cardmaker that finds it difficult to get on and make a card for one of our nearest and dearest. John's birthday is on Wednesday and I didn't really want to leave it till tomorrow to make his card as we are up at Guy's again in the morning.

It's difficult to think of something different, especially when you've been making cards for years. And now, because of poor health, John has so little that he can do that it's hard to think of a 'theme' for his card. But he does still love following sport, particularly rugby (hence the card I showed the other day that I made for mum to give him) and cricket, so I thought I'd base my card around that. When making a card for John I have to bear in mind that detail is lost with him having such poor vision, so I've just used photo toppers and Craft creations papers.

This week challenge 71 on My time to craft is 'Z folds' - I haven't made this style of card for ages, so thought it would be good to use it for John's card. And another one for Little red wagon 8: 'man cards'.

So here I am, one whole day and a bit ahead of myself!! ( ... but I still haven't bought him anything yet ... think he might have to have an I.O.U.)

Snowflake and buttons

This is for a spoon full of sugar 82: ' sketchy time':

I wanted to put three buttons up in the right hand corner, but could only find two of these - I was convinced I had three of them - if I happen to find another one, I'll add it!

ColourQ 11 is 'real red, pretty in pink, certainly celery, glorious green + neutral', so I've used these colours with free papers from a magazine.

Why is it that the colours are OK irl, but not on the photo? Admittedly, it's been taken by flash this evening (might replace tomorrow if daylight is good enough).

Say Thank You with pastels

This card is for sketch 53 on Lord have mercy:

It's also for:

Lexi's creations 4: 'pastel colours'
Jacksonbelle challenge to make a project using any product from the Jacksonbelle store - my product is My mind's eye Bloom & Grow cardstock
Another for Pixie cottage 6: 'button it!'
365 cards day 244: 'you're so transparent' - use at least three different items transparent to a degree - the 'thank you' sentiment, the brad in the centre of the blooms and the buttons
There she goes 35: 'Is it spring break yet?' - make a card that features flowers
Papertake 31: 'thank you'
C.R.A.F.T. 31: 'thank you'
Magical crafts 5: 'thank you'
No time to stamp 119: 'CAS thank you'
Fiskarettes: 'keep it simple'

Hidden Happy Christmas

This card is for Posh designs sketch 4 with a twist: 'color combinations~white and blue (other color with this is ok but it needs to be mainly the two colors listed) and journaling card/tag':


This is also for Little paper shop: 'Ring in the New Year' Color Challenge - Navy Blue, Light Blue and Silver - my silver is on the rims of the brads; also for Creative Belli 81: 'tags' and, as there's a tag on the card I hope it counts for the current Totally Gorjuss challenge, which now allows us to enter cards without using Gorjuss stamps.

And Crafty creations 47 is 'happy holidays' - a fairly open theme this time.

The papers are BG marrakech and the brads are DCWV.

The hidden journaling is on the back of the tag, which can be swung out from beneath the rims of the brads:

Make a wreath

This card is for 365 day 296: 'make a wreath' - 'Create a wreath on your card...but there's a catch (of course!). It doesn't count if you use a stamp of a wreath or patterned paper with wreaths on it. Get creative with this, and don't feel it has to be any kind of traditional wreath.'

I used some of the lovely prima gems that I got as part of my November prize from Quixotic and also some of the beautiful leaves that came in my package from Gez (seen here).


Making another Christmas card continues my new year resolution to make Christmas cards throughout the year (I'm doing quite well, because we haven't even reached new year yet!) - and 'new year resolutions' is the theme for Corrosive 44, so it's right for that.

Rudolph's got a bright new bell!

This card is for Mojo Monday sketch 118:

and also for RosieDee 60: 'Rudolph's got a bright new bell!' - I apologise that on this scan it looks as if Rudolph has got a green bell, but irl it's gold! Papers were free with Cardmaking and Papercraft magazine, so it's a quick and easy card (although a bit fiddly to cut out the reindeer and sleigh).