Secret Crafter Saturday challenge 1 and Stamp Something for a friend

I came across the new blog Secret Crafter Saturday challenge. Their first challenge is this sketch:



I used a flecked shiny card and just added the curved stripy card, 'friend' and some Poundland bling, plus the pearlescent oval stamped and masked, using a Dawn Bibby stamp and versamark with detail white embossing:



I'll look back there tomorrow and see what their new challenge is.

These challenges are a good way of building up stocks.

This is a double challenge - it also fits the Stamp Something for a friend challenge.

Lili of the valley Thursday challenge 3: Enchantment

This is the challenge this week on Lili of the valley: 'We are thinking of Fairies, Dragons, Unicorns, Witches etc, but we are sure you will come up with lots of ideas that we haven't even thought of...and don't forget you are not restricted to Lili of the Valley products or just stamping, be as adventurous as you like.'

The papers I've used are The English Paper Company Airy Fairy and the flowers are die cut from DCWV pocket full of posies. The stamp is one that I got free with a magazine and has been stamped on to one of the Airy Fairy papers with Brilliance pearlescent crimson. The paper has a slight lemon look to it, so it matches the main background:

Sketch Saturday 19 DT week

I came across Sketch Saturday and thought I'd have a go at this week's sketch:



I used Sakura glaze pens on an acetate that I've had for ages (from a Dawn Bibby kit) and most of the layered papers are again from Vanessa Arbuthnott, the ribbon across the bottom is Dovecraft and I don't know where the other bits and pieces came from.

As is often the case, the photo doesn't show the colours as they are irl - on here they look as if they clash more than they do.

Tanda teaser 67: let your shoes shine!

This week on Tanda, Sue has set the teaser to feature shoes.

This shoe stamp is one of my favourites by My Sentiments Exactly. The stripy piece of paper that I've stamped with the HB and Celebrate are English Paper Company Vanessa Arbuthnott, but I've no idea what the main background is or the background of the shoe because they were among papers I received in a swap. All stamping was done with Brilliance pearlescent poppy and heat embossed with clear detail (looks glossier irl than on the photo):



You can see what Sue did and join in on the Tanda blog.

Annivesary Card

I don't often double up on challenges and dares, but I needed to make an anniversary card and thought I'd go for the modern approach and therefore was drawn to Lisa's October challenge 1 on JB 'on the straight and narrow': 'Make a LO or card please using blocks, squares, grids or and lines.'



It was only after I'd nearly finished the card that I realised that it fits so well into today's dare on DCM 'gotta wear shades' set by Lythan. So, I hope I'm forgiven that this is a double dare card. And I hope it's bright enough, Lythan!

I used Dream Street Papers hugs-n-kisses 'hugs', 'airmail' and 'care package' - some wonderful papers that I got in a BF kit.

CBC challenge 067: let's hear it for the boys

Joanne has set this challenge on CBC: 'For today's challenge, we'd like you to bring out your masculine side! Whether it's a card, an altered notebook, pen pot, picture frame or choccie wrapper, let's see what you can dream up for the men and boys in your life.'

I love any excuse to make a card that involves the seaside, so I thought this would be appropriate for this challenge. The pebbly beach strip at the bottom is British Beach by Park Lane Papers. The script background and the Waves acetate was part of a seaside package I bought ages ago that seems to keep providing me with different cards and LOs. The sailing picture underneath the acetate was from an old card (recycling is good, isn't it?) and the anchor was a chipboard one that I sprayed with Adirondack stream color wash and then coated with glossy accents.

Thereby hangs a tale - never use color wash without wearing gloves - I got lots of it over my hands and had a hard job to get it off - tried Stazon cleaner, alcohol blending solution, etc. etc. and finally resorted to a vanish washing tablet - followed by plenty of cream! Anyway, I think it was worth it, because I achieved what I wanted with the anchor!