Sadly, another sympathy card

It's a sad fact that sympathy cards are quite often in demand. I have a couple of boxes of cards at church and needed to take some more last week, so I have a few to show.

This one uses a pre coloured card blank stamped with Penny black sparlers (still one of my favourite stamps) and the sentiment stamp from Hobbycraft, both inked with memento cottage ivy.

This is for:

Totally gorjuss 256: sympathy
That's crafty: keep it simple
Pink gem 129: clean and simple
Anything goes with a twist 1: anything goes
Little tangles 46: anything goes
Dare to be sassy Thursdays 249: anything goes
The pink elephant 270: anything goes
Sister act 77
My craft creations: anything goes
Crafting by designs: October anything goes

Suzy Bee's Bloomin' challenge 49: get well

For my design card for today's Suzy Bee's Bloomin' challenge 49: get well, I've used Stitchy Bears boo boo bear image - Stitchy Bears are kindly sponsoring the challenge. Please click on the challenge link to see the lovely crafting of the rest of the team. We'd love you to join in the challenge.

I mounted a torn piece of sentiment paper on to a kraft card blank, edging this with some washi tape. The image was coloured with spectrum noir pens and then torn using a perspex oval template, and another for the torn mat.

This is also for:

Stitchy Bears FB October challenge
Sentimental Sundays 226: use kraft cardstock
LiaStampz 74: distressed + kraft
Left of center 48: three or more layers
The cutie pie 7: all the threes (balloons)
Through the craftroom door: anything goes
Crafting at the weekend 6: anything goes
Crafty girls 28: anything goes
Sisters of craft October: anything goes
Anything goes with a twist 1: anything goes
Little tangles 46: anything goes
Dare to be sassy Thursdays 249: anything goes
The pink elephant 270: anything goes
Sister act 77
My craft creations: anything goes
Crafting by designs: October anything goes
DL.ART October linky

With sympathy

For this clean and simple sympathy card I used a ready made shaped card blank on to which I stamped with two stamps repeatedly from a Tattered angels set, in addtion to the sentiment stamp from Hobbycraft. They were all inked with memento cottage ivy.

This is for:

Totally gorjuss 256: sympathy
That's crafty: keep it simple
Pink gem 129: clean and simple
The sailing pineapple launch party challenge 2:  monochromatic
Pause dream enjoy 20: shaped cards
Polka doodles 40: anything but square
AnMaCreatief 37: special form
Soartful October: leaves
Anything goes with a twist 1: anything goes
Little tangles 46: anything goes
Dare to be sassy Thursdays 249: anything goes
The pink elephant 270: anything goes
Sister act 77
My craft creations: anything goes
Crafting by designs: October anything goes

Polar bear, penguin and present for CHNC challenge 197

This is my second card for CHNC challenge 197 with three things beginning with P. Papers are from my Christmas offcuts box. The stickers are Express Yourself DIY.

This is also for:

Pixie's snippets week 144
The 12 months of Christmas card link up
Christmas card challenges week 44: anything goes
Top tip Tuesday: non-traditional Christmas
Jingle belles: at least three different patterned papers
We do doobadoo 16: Christmas
Crafts 4 eternity R196: 3 of the same letter
Left of center 48: three or more layers
Mark's finest papers speedy fox and friends 232: brown
Craft for the craic 9: something suitable for a child
Sparkles Christmas 45: for a child
Try it on Tuesday (Tuesday taggers): animals
Hobbybook: include an animal
Crafty girls 28: anything goes
Anything goes with a twist 1: anything goes
Little tangles 46: anything goes
Dare to be sassy Thursdays 249: anything goes
The pink elephant 270: anything goes
Sister act 77
My craft creations: anything goes
Crafting by designs: October anything goes

CHNC challenge 197: anything beginning with P

For CHNC challenge 197 I'm asking you to include anything beginning with P. For my first card I've inked the lovely Penny Black caroling penguins with memento tuxedo black and coloured with spectrums. Background paper is Echo park very merry Christmas and the torn piece with Christmas trees is My Mind's eye 12 days of Christmas, using a piece of the other side of this double sided paper to mat the image. Why has the photo made the sentiment oval look different than it is in real life?

This is also for:

The 12 months of Christmas card link up
Christmas card challenges week 44: anything goes
Jingle belles: at least three different patterned papers
We do doobadoo 16: Christmas
Left of center 48: three or more layers
Try it on Tuesday (Tuesday taggers): animals
Hobbybook: include an animal
The cutie pie 7: all the threes
One crazy stamper October: halloween or Christmas
Through the craftroom door: anything goes
Crafting at the weekend 6: anything goes
Crafty girls 28: anything goes
Sisters of craft October: anything goes
Anything goes with a twist 1: anything goes
Little tangles 46: anything goes
Dare to be sassy Thursdays 249: anything goes
The pink elephant 270: anything goes
Sister act 77
My craft creations: anything goes
Crafting by designs: October anything goes

Completely Christmas 32: use a tag

This is my design card for today's Completely Christmas challenge 32: use a tag. Please click on the link to see the lovely crafting of the rest of the team and we would love you to join in our challenge.

The tag I've used on my card had been in my Christmas box for some years, waiting to be used - lol! The background paper is from My Mind's Eye 12 days of Christmas and other papers are from my Christmas offcuts box, including the paper used to punch the snowflakes.

This is also for:

Pixie's snippets week 144
Winter wonderland: red and blue
The 12 months of Christmas card link up
Christmas card challenges week 44: anything goes
Freshly brewed October: tags
Through the purple haze: use a tag in any shape or form
Top tip Tuesday: non-traditional Christmas
Holly jolly Christmas: anything goes Christmas
Jingle belles: at least three different patterned papers

WOYWW 278

Well, today's been a busy day - I intended to do something for WOYWW 278 much earlier today, but this is now my first opportunity.

You can see some Christmas things that need to be sorted and tidied, having had the goodies out when I was making cards for the challenge blog deadlines. You can also see a few things that are out ready for making a few more necessary cards.

A couple of weeks ago I said I would tidy up some of my unmounted stamps, so some progress has been made with the clear acrylic ones:

Earlier today I blogged a few cards for the start of some challenges - if you wish to you can scroll down to see these, including the new Buckwells Crafty Challenge blog - I am privileged to be part of the team for this new venture. I was pleased with the card I created for this, so thought I'd also include it here - I used the Lavinia stamps that you can see in the front of the box above, making a background with gelli plate, masks and acrylic paints:

Off now to have a look at what everyone else has been doing for WOYWW 278, including, of course, Julia, the queen on WOYWW - and if you still don't know what I'm talking about, please click the link, find out and join in the fun and the snooping!!

Oh ... and thanks for all the visits and comments last week - much appreciated.

2nd design card for CCAYR October

This is my second design card for CCAYR October challenge: embellish it! Please click on the link to see the lovely crafting of the rest of the team and join in our challenge.

The background paper is from a Papermania set bought a couple of years ago, with some more of that lovely red and white ribbon with trees and reindeer, some buttons and some layered poinsettias from Hobbycraft. Central is the lovely thick felt reindeer (no, I don't mean he is daft - thick - I mean he is quite chunky - lol!).

This is also for:

The 12 months of Christmas card link up
Christmas card challenges week 44: anything goes
Take a word: buttons and bows
Crafty ribbons 103: anything goes with buttons n ribbons
Scrapping4fun 26: bows and buttons
Try it on Tuesday: animals
Hobbybook: include an animal
Catered crop: seeing red
Sisters of craft October: anything goes
The pink elephant 270: anything goes
Sister act 76
My craft creations: anything goes
Crafting by designs: October anything goes

Christmas cards all year round October challenge

This is my first design card for CCAYR October challenge: embellish it! Please click on the link to see the lovely crafting of the rest of the team and join in our challenge.

This is a large A5 card blank opening tent style. I've embellished with the lovely tree and reindeer ribbon, strips of gems, epoxy hearts and those lovely tag robins dressed up as reindeer!

This is also for:

The 12 months of Christmas card link up
Christmas card challenges week 44: anything goes
Country view October: sparkle & shine
Art impressions 145: holiday sparkle
Sisters of craft October: anything goes
The pink elephant 270: anything goes
Sister act 76
My craft creations: anything goes
Crafting by designs: October anything goes

Buckwells Crafty challenge 1 October

What an exciting day this is - the start of monthly challenges on Buckwells Crafty challenge blog. 

Our first challenge for the month of October - please click on the link to see the delightful crafting of the rest of the design team and we would love you to join in (rules are on the right sidebar) - there is a prize of some gorgeous ribbons from Buckwell Craft Supplies.

You could win your self some gorgeous Organza and Satin Ribbon from Buckwell Craft Supplies Shop..

 Ribbons can be found HERE

and check out all the other crafty goodies that's in the Shop. As its the first Challenge over at the Shop from 8am Friday 3 October through to Midnight Sunday 5 October its going to be FREE DELIVERY..

For my 8 x 8 design card I used red, white and purple metallic acrylic paint with three different masks from Clarity Stamps with my gelli plate, having first scrunched some paper and dabbed on a layer of purple first.

The gorgeous ribbons are, of course, from Buckwell Craft Supplies (please go and have a look - you will be spoiled for choice ... and lots of other goodies too). I then stamped using Lavinia stamps inked with stazon black, adding some lavender stickles glitter glue, also dabbing the centres of the flowers from Hobbycraft.



I'm entering this for Create something catchy 8: one card, one stampset (I used 6 difference stamps from the set), which requires the stampset to be shown:

This is also for:

Lavinia stamps September: add some ribbon
The sailing pineapple 18: my favourite things (gelli plate, paints, masks, stamping, ribbons, flowers)
Stamping sensations September: things with wings
Sparkles 60: things with wings
Emerald faeries 60: things with wings
Fairytale stamper 45: flowers/ribbon
Eclectic ellapu: flowers
Crazy challenge 181: for a special lady
Fantasy stampers 20: here come the girls
Paradise of stamps 3: girly
Di's digi designs: girly
Deep ocean 87: at least one flower
Red rubber inspirationals 139: stay focused on stamping - anything goes
Scrappers delights 32: anything goes or no design paper (made my own background)
Southern girls: girly/shabby chic
Creatalicious 67: flower power
Country view October: sparkle & shine
Incy wincy: something old, something new - masks, gelli plate and acrylics are old - ribbons and stamps are new - and new challenge blog!!
Nutcrafters 78: something new - new stamps not used before and new challenge blog!!
Stamps & fun = creativity 218: favourite colour - purple/lilac with anything!
Craft-Dee Bowz October: anything goes and include a handmade bow
Amusing challenges (stamped blessings): anything goes
Crafting with dragonflies 36: anything goes
Whimsy 76: anything goes
Crafting at the weekend 6: anything goes
613 avenue create 91: anything goes
Scribble and scrap 28: anything goes
Crafting from the heart 38: anything goes
Sisters of craft October: anything goes
The pink elephant 270: anything goes
Card and scrap 82: everything is allowed
Let's craft and create 96: anything goes
Sister act 76
My craft creations: anything goes
Crafting by designs: October anything goes

Another card for Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper October challenge

This is my second card for my Craftyhazelnut's Paper October challenge - please click on the link to see what it's all about and, hopefully, use your patterned papers to join in the challenge. There is a lovely prize to be won:

a Dovecraft curiosity corner 6" x 6" designer paper pack

72 sheet pack - 6 sheets of 12 designs

Once again I used a piece of the Dovecraft curiosity paper, simply adding a variety of garden stickers (they look much better in real life because the silver and gold don't really show up here) and a sentiment.

This is also for:

A creative romance: in the garden

Order of the opus gluei 192: birthdays

Crafty catz 248: birthday celebration

The pink elephant 270: anything goes
Card and scrap 82: everything is allowed
Let's craft and create 96: anything goes
Sister act 76
My craft creations: anything goes
Crafting by designs: October anything goes

Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper October challenge

This is my first card for my Craftyhazelnut's Paper October challenge - please click on the link to see what it's all about and, hopefully, use your patterned papers to join in the challenge. There is a lovely prize to be won:

a Dovecraft curiosity corner 6" x 6" designer paper pack

72 sheet pack - 6 sheets of 12 designs

So I used some of the paper for this card and the next (from a different pack, of course - bought one to use and one to give away). I layered two doilies on to which I put a decoupaged Docrafts 'Daisy' cut out and a gold foiled Craftwork cards circle sentiment.

This is also for:

The sisterhood of crafters: lots of layers

Try it on Tuesday: animals

Wags n whiskers 138: with our furry friends

Order of the opus gluei 192: birthdays

Crafty catz 248: birthday celebration

The pink elephant 270: anything goes
Card and scrap 82: everything is allowed
Let's craft and create 96: anything goes
Sister act 76
My craft creations: anything goes
Crafting by designs: October anything goes

CHNC challenge extra for October 2014

It's quite frightening how the weeks go by so quickly and we are now entering October - with only twelve weeks to Christmas Eve!! Can you believe it?! If you haven't yet started making your Christmas time, now is the time to do so, as those weeks will go very quickly.

So this is my design card for my CHNC challenge extra for October. As is always the case, the challenge is being sponsored by Bugaboo Stamps who kindly supplied the steps Christmas image that I've used, colouring it digitally in Paint, with the sentiments added digitally.

Papers are from my Christmas offcuts box, poinsettias from Hobbycraft.

This is also for:

The 12 months of Christmas card link up
Christmas card challenges week 44: anything goes
Merry Monday 128: polka dots and/or stripes
Glitter n sparkle 104: use some flowers
One stitch at a time 220: anything goes with a flower
Deep ocean 87: at least one flower
Winter wonderland: layer it up
Creative moments 52: anything goes/use 3 layers
The pink elephant 270: anything goes
Card and scrap 82: everything is allowed
Let's craft and create 96: anything goes
Sister act 76
My craft creations: anything goes
Crafting by designs: October anything goes

Fan-tastic Tuesday challenge 55

This is my design card for Fan-tastic Tuesday challenge 55: anything goes with camera or spotlighting. Please click on the link to see the lovely crafting of the rest of the team and join in our challenge.

I used 'basket of apples' by Sparkle n Sprinkle, sponsors of the challenge, creating a circle to spotlight and colouring there with spectrum noir pens.

This is also for the photo inspiration given for Catch the bug October photo inspiration challenge:

Also Just us girls 260 photo challenge:

This is also for:

Time out 15: stamping with the optional twist of apples
Going grey with Scrap-creations: fall
Little red wagon 256: anything fall themed
Paper pretties 329: halloween/fall
The house that stamps built DCC924: fall
Aloha Friday 33: fall colours
Frosted designs: fall
Eclectic paperie ePlay September: fall
Jellypark friends: autumn/fall
Craft for the craic 8: something with circles on it.
613 avenue create 91: anything goes
Scribble and scrap 28: anything goes
Crafting from the heart 38: anything goes
The pink elephant 270: anything goes
Card and scrap 82: everything is allowed
Let's craft and create 96: anything goes
Sister act 76
My craft creations: anything goes
DL.ART September: anything goes

Cheerful stamp pad challenge 96

This is my design card for today's Cheerful stamp pad challenge 96 for the next fortnight - please click the link to see the lovely crafting of the rest of the team - and we would love you to join in our challenge, which, once again, is sponsored by Stitchy Bear Stamps.

I printed and coloured the image kindly supplied from the Stitchy Bear Alipeeps Art Kostume Kidz character set, tearing around the edges to mount on to the black paper, which had been printed with the white saying, the ship and treasure chest, all of which had been added digitally. Everything was then mounted on to a black card blank.

This is also for:

We do doobadoo 15: something masculine
Top tip Tuesday: kids
Miriam's crafting 16: kids
Allways something creative 83: children
Country view crafts September: nautical
Scrappers delights 32: anything goes or no design paper
613 avenue create 91: anything goes
Scribble and scrap 28: anything goes
Crafting from the heart 38: anything goes
The pink elephant 270: anything goes
Ruby's rainbow 88: anything goes
Card and scrap 82: everything is allowed
Let's craft and create 96: anything goes
Sister act 76
My craft creations: anything goes
DL.ART September: anything goes

The glory of Christmas challenge 43: fireplace/fire/chimney

This is my design card for The Glory of Christmas challenge 43: fireplace/fire/chimney. Please click on the link to see the lovely crafting of the rest of the team and we would love to see your entries for the challenge which will last for the next fortnight.

For my design card I've used a large A5 tent opening card blank on to which I've matted some Papaermania Christmas snowflake vellum held top and bottom with some reindeer washi tape. The image of Santa about to go down the chimney is an old Kanban one which has an acetate overlay printed with the same picture which gives a bit of depth to the picture. The acetate is secured in place with the brads. I had to take the picture at an angle otherwise there was glare on the acetate.

This is also for:

The 12 months of Christmas card link up
My perfect life festive 48 week 38
Christmas card challenges week 44: anything goes
ABC Christmas: S for something festive
Woodware UK: Christmas is coming
Fab n funky 230: Christmas
Crafting by designs: get ready for Christmas
Alphabet: Q for quadruple - 4 of anything (brads)
The male room 19: use metal (brads)
CRAFT 278: use metal (brads)
Dare to be sassy 248: metalogy (brads)
Winter wonderland: layer it up
Creative moments 52: anything goes/use 3 layers
Craft your passion 232: I can see clearly now - acetate and vellum
Simon says Wednesday challenge: anything goes
Ruby's rainbow 88: anything goes
Card and scrap 82: everything is allowed
Let's craft and create 96: anything goes
Sister act 76
DL.ART September: anything goes

CHNC challenge 196: make it colourful

Saturday has come round again with its usual speed, so it's time for CHNC challenge 196: make it colourful.

For this I've made two similar cards, using a Bugaboo image coloured with spectrum noir pens. Background papers and the torn pieces are from My Mind's Eye 12 days of Christmas paper pad.

 I made two cards so that I could enter them for Sarn's Rudolph Day

These are also for:

The 12 months of Christmas card link up
ABC Christmas: S for something festive
Woodware UK: Christmas is coming
Fab n funky 230: Christmas
Pineapple party time challenge: Christmas
Crafting by designs: get ready for Christmas
Winter wonderland: layer it up
Creative moments 52: anything goes/use 3 layers
Time out: double the joy - 2 cards, using 2 patterned papers on each, using two images
Through the craftroom door: anything goes
Creative fingers 50: anything goes
Simon says Wednesday challenge: anything goes
Inky impressions 178: anything goes
Incy wincy: anything goes
Ruby's rainbow 88: anything goes
Crafty boots: anything goes
My crafty creations: anything goes
Card and scrap 82: everything is allowed
Let's craft and create 96: anything goes
Sister act 76
DL.ART September: anything goes

Suzy Bee's Bloomin' challenge 48

This is my design card for Suzy Bee's Bloomin' challenge 48: anything goes with a splash of red. Please click on the link to see the lovely crafting of the rest of the team and join in our challenge.

I used Paper Pretties 'warm winter wishes' (kindly supplied by PP who are sponsoring), coloured with spectrum noir pens, having cut around the circular image with a scalloped edged nestie run through my cuttlebug. I think I went a bit overboard with the red considering that we were asked to use 'a splash of red', but, hey ho ... you don't have to include so much red if you don't want to.

The background paper is Echo Park 'very merry Christmas' with a Craftwork card sentiment circle.

This is also for:

The 12 months of Christmas card link up
ABC Christmas: S for something festive
Woodware UK: Christmas is coming
Fab n funky 230: Christmas
Crafting by designs: get ready for Christmas
Crafty sentiments: Christmas in September
Cute card Thursday 340: dies and punches
Cuttlebug mania: anything die cut
Fussy & fancy 123: main colour red
Simon says Wednesday challenge: anything goes
Inky impressions 178: anything goes
Incy wincy: anything goes
Ruby's rainbow 88: anything goes
Crafty boots: anything goes
My crafty creations: anything goes
Card and scrap 82: everything is allowed
Let's craft and create 96: anything goes
Sister act 76

Completely Christmas challenge 31

This is my design card for Completely Christmas 31, where 'anything goes' as long as it's Christmas. Please click on the link to see the lovely crafting of the rest of the team and we would love you to join in the challenge.

I decided to use a large tag shaped card (I have a few of these that have been neglected for a long time). I had already identified a piece of paper I wanted to go behind my Sparkle n Sprinkle 'snow family' by Beccy Muir image (Sparkle n Sprinkle are sponsoring the challenge) ... and I found that even though the Forever Friends paper was 8 x 8 it wasn't quite long enough for the card blank, so I had to chop off the bottom and round the corners and some tricky cutting around the top of the card, which I then brushed with stormy sky distress ink, using this on the image panel as well.

This is also for:

The 12 months of Christmas card link up
Alphabet: Q for quadruple - four snow people
ABC Christmas: S for something festive
Woodware UK: Christmas is coming
Fab n funky 230: Christmas
Crafting by designs: get ready for Christmas
Art impressions 145: holiday sparkle
Crafters cafe 83: shaped cards
Robyn's fetish 230: use a die cut of punch (snowflakes)
Cute card Thursday 340: dies and punches
Creative fingers 50: anything goes
Simon says Wednesday challenge: anything goes
Inky impressions 178: anything goes
Incy wincy: anything goes
Ruby's rainbow 88: anything goes
Crafty boots: anything goes
My crafty creations: anything goes
Card and scrap 82: everything is allowed
Let's craft and create 96: anything goes
Sister act 76

Buckwells Crafty challenges

I was so excited and privileged to be asked to be on the design team for Buckwells Crafty challenge. The design team are introducing themselves today, so please click on the link and start to get to know them and find out about the monthly challenges that will start on 1 October.

Lozzy has started the challenge blog, having launched her online shop Buckwell Craft Supplies. Please have a look there and I think you will be tempted to buy some of the very reasonably priced goodies that Lozzy is selling.

I've had fun today making my first design card ready for the challenge launch on 1 October, but, of course, I can't show anything now ... but I might just hint that ribbon might be involved.

Hope to see you at Buckwells Crafty challenge.

Tear it to pieces

'Tear it to pieces' is the theme for today's new challenge on the Sweet pea stampers blog. Please click on the link to see the amazing designs of the rest of the team and we would love you to get tearing and join in our challenge.

This is my design card using Joanne Schempp's Mercedes stamp, inked with memento tuxedo black and coloured with spectrum noir pens. I then tore round the image and distressed with salty ocean DI. The two papers used underneath were from my scraps box - I tore the edges and added a piece of ribbon to the striped BG cupcake snippet.

This is also for:

Pixie's snippets week 143
Moving along with the times: 3-2-1 recipe - 1 image, 2 papers, 3 colours (turquoise, green, yellow)
Stamplorations September: stamps & markers
Crafty catz 248: birthday celebration
Order of the opus gluei 192: birthdays
Stampavie and more 221: birthdays
Ecelctic ellapu: lady's birthday
3 girl jam September: birthday time (with ribbon)
Little Claire 49: a birthday card
Digistamps4Joy 100: celebrations
Simply create too 71: it's a special occasion
Eureka 107: vintage or distressed
My time to craft 259: fantasy (mermaid)
Red rubber inspirationals 139: stay focused on stamping - anything goes
Creative moments 52: anything goes/use 3 layers
The sisterhood of crafters: lots of layers
Brown sugar 113: anything goes
Art by Miran 15: anything goes
Paradise of stamps 2: anything goes
Simon says Wednesday challenge: anything goes
Inky impressions 178: anything goes
Inky chicks 38: anything goes
Through the craftroom door: anything goes
Treasured times 25: anything goes
Crafting from the heart 37: anything goes
Incy wincy: anything goes
Ruby's rainbow 88: anything goes
Crafty boots: anything goes
My crafty creations: anything goes
Card and scrap 82: everything is allowed
Let's craft and create 96: anything goes
Sister act 76
DL.ART September: anything goes