CHNC challenge extra for July

Can you believe that we are now nearer to Christmas 2014 than last Christmas - it just doesn't seem possible that it's July already, but it is ... and wise crafters are getting on with Christmas creations while this can be done at a leisurely paced compared to nearer the end of the year. I hope that you will be able to join in with your Christmas designs. So, please click on the link for CHNC challenge extra for July and get those Christmas crafting supplies out and link your entries. And please click on the challenge link to see the lovely designs of the rest of the team.

For my design card I used Little penguin winter - winter bench, kindly supplied by the sponsor, Bugaboo Stamps. I coloured this digitally, and matted on to torn ovals - papers from my offcuts box. The corner pieces were created with a Spellbinders die.

I'm also showing this card for my Patterned Paper July challenge - please click on the link and join in if you can.

This is also for:

The 12 months of Christmas card link up
My time to craft 252: Christmas in June
Fab n funky 222: Christmas
Deep ocean 81: add a sentiment
Pile it on 26: outdoor fun
Papertake: anything goes

Cheerful stamp pad challenge 89: weekend activities, week 2

This is my design card for the Cheerful stamp pad challenge 89 week 2, where the theme is 'weekend activities'. Please click on the link to see the lovely crafting of the rest of the challenge and join in with your entry here.

For my card I used the BB Kakes 'stitcher fae' image, kindly supplied by Stitchy Bear's Digi Outlet, the sponsor of the challenge. I coloured this with spectrum noir pens, adding Art Institute glitter to her wings. I cut out the image using a Spellbinder marvellous squares die, brushing the edges with peacock feathers distress ink. The main background paper is an old piece of Daisy Bucket and the torn strip is from American Crafts 'amy tangerine' plus one paper pad that I recently bought with a prize voucher. The added 3D embellishments were from an Express Yourself DIY pack.

Creative Blog Hop

I was delighted when a dear crafting friend, Gezzy B tagged me in the Blog Hop. It's my turn today to tag people and join the hop.

The idea is to pass on the joy of creativity and share who we are inspired by.

Here are the answers to the questions I was asked:

1. What am I working on?

I mainly make cards, although I occasionally make scrapbook LOs and other papercrafting items. I am fortunate enough to be on eight different Design Teams, so I'm constantly kept busy with preparing my designs for these. I also run three challenge blogs of my own. As well as making cards for my own use, I sell to raise money for charity so making all my design cards helps add nicely to the stock needed.

A while ago now I promised myself that I would reorganise my craft supplies, having invested in some more storage ... I still need to do much of this.

2. How does my work differ from others in my genre?

I don't have a particular style, but my designs were originally prompted by what I knew would sell, trying to cater for all sorts of taste. The more design work I've taken on, the more variety that has crept into my cardmaking. It's hard for me to tell how much more work differs from others.

3. Why do I write/create what I do?

I'm not in the best of health and I find that crafting helps pain become more bearable. As I've already said, I sell to raise money for charity, which is one of the reasons that I create and, of course, for the design challenge blogs that I belong to.

If I'm honest I would love to be able to spend more time creating just for the sake of it, but time hardly ever permits this ... perhaps one day!

4. How does your writing/creating process work?

I'm not much of a planner when it comes to crafting - I tend to start something and see how it evolves. Of course, there are certain constraints when creating for design teams as there is usually a theme, or following a sketch or colour combo etc

Sometimes I like to sit down with my gelli plate, masks and acrylic paints and just see what happens - I then build up some backgrounds that can be used for future projects, combining with stamping, embossing etc.

I am delighted to tag three lovely craftings that inspire me in so many different ways.

1.  Asha Martins

I've got to know Asha through the Christmas Card Club that I belong to. Just like me, Asha loves to make Christmas cards throughout the year. She is a very talented designer, who contributes so much to the teams she is on, inspiring by so much attention to detail as well as her spark of creativity that always seems to 'hit the spot'.

Asha writes:

'I live in a little village by the sea in Portugal with a supportive husband, 3 dogs and a black kitty. I started crafting and blogging in the autumn of 2011 and haven't looked back since... seriously, my early work is that hideous! My style is eclectic with plenty of stitching. I am a meticulous methodical perfectionist by day and a creative spirited foodie by night.'
2.  Rachel Taylor

Rachel is a 'teamie' on three design teams that I belong to, as well as crafting for a few more teams. Rachel has a variety of styles that she uses to good effect, not only in cardmaking, but in making gifts etc and in sharing her talents in tutorials.

She writes:

'I have been married for 27 years and have 2 grown up children I love all types of crafting I like running blossom cards and hand made gifts which I do from home I also teach classes and sell at craft fairs and do demos and craft parties. I have done one tutorial video at the moment but hope to do more I like to make shaped cards and I love stamping and working with digi stamps I like to do real hand stitching on my cards I am a crafter first and a house wife second lol just love to craft. Crafting is in my bones my motto is keep calm and craft on.'

3.  Helen Nile

I'm fortunate to have Helen on the DT for my Christmas cards extra challenge blog and also on the Glory of Christmas. Helen is a very busy crafter and never fails to inspire with her clean lines and eye for style, as well as flawless colouring. I love her work and was so glad when she became part of my team, giving me the opportunity to know her better.

Helen writes:

I live on the Wirral in the north west of Britain and work as an Activities Coordinator for Abbeyfield which is a charity providing services to the elderly. My job involves organising activities, outings etc for a residential home and two sheltered houses. I love card making and teach weekend workshops for Little Claire. My favourite technique is stamping and I love my Promarkers! My style is very much clean and simple and I love cute as well as floral.''

I do hope that you will visit these lovely ladies' blogs and be inspired by their creativity and talent. Please visit them next Monday when they will be choosing their own inspirational crafters to tag as the Creative Blog Hop continues.