Created by hand: chalks

This week's challenge on Created by hand is to use chalks or pastels.

Everything I've used for this card is from the Laura Ashley Contemporary range - the random stamped flowers were done with versamark and chalked:

Caardvarks Becky Fleck pagemaps sketch

This is my first time of taking part in a Caardvarks challenge - a sketch provided by Becky Fleck of Pagemaps:



The papers are DCWV Pocket full of posies and the little 'Thank you' clear tag was bought from CBC:

Inchies challenges

It's a long while since I've made any inchies (in fact, I've just signed up for a swap on BF), but this past week I found two challenge sites that incorporate inchies:

Inchy by Inch - this week the theme is 'gifts' and

Small World of Inchies and Twinchies - this week's challenge is to make a collage.

So I combined the two and used them for this card:



The backgrounds are BG Scarlet's letters and I've used various epoxy stickers on foiled gold for the inchies, using sticky ribbons to make some of them look like 'gifts'.

As always, difficult to get a photo because of having to use flash - might replace if light is better in the morning.

Papertake challenge: Dawny's sketch 5 + Cuttlebug 12: sand the embossing

This is the sketch on Papertake this week:



I decided to combine this with Cuttlebug challenge 12: sand the embossing.

And, having made a few very quick cards, this one took me quite a bit longer!

As you can see, I used two different Cuttlebug embossing folders and inked them before I then sanded (have often done it the other way round, but quite like the effect of this). The strip across the bottom is DCWV pocket full of posies and the embossings are mounted on HOTP papers. The flower stamped image is a Dawn Bibby one, stamped with Brilliance pearlescent purple and embossed, as are the edges of the 'Happy Birthday' flower. The base card is a pale lilac.

My Time to Craft challenge 42: easy elegance

Having made a very quick card last night for the Dottie challenge, I seem to be into quick cards, because I've made three for the 'easy elegance' challenge on My Time to Craft.

These were made with some of the concept card range that I got from QVC - good for when you're not feeling very creative, but just want to make a couple of cards:

BubblyFunk Crafty Calendar

You will see that a new picture has been added to my sidebar - please visit the BubblyFunk Crafty Calendar blog and see the delightful calendar and monthly projects that have been designed by members of BF - such a lot of hard work has gone into producing this - thanks to all those who contributed. Please use the Just Giving link to donate to Action for ME.

The quickest card ever!

I wanted to do the challenge on Dottie's World this week - get well wishes - but time ran out. So this is the easiest, quickest card on record - a download of Dottie at work, ready coloured picture of nurse and words added - and still in time for the deadline of the challenge (I sort of promise that I'll spend more time on the next challenge!):



Dottie's downloads are terrific - if you haven't seen them yet, why not follow the link and try some for yourself - but be warned: you'll want more!

Sunday Stamper 41 + Mixed Media Monday

Following on from the last post, I used the same background and stamp for this card for Sunday Stamper and Mixed Media Monday (links as below) - both of which challenged to make something using favourite things - in this case, using alcohol inks. I used some stickles on the trees:



As is often the case, I'm not happy with the scan (and a photo looked worse) - the sky doesn't look as good as it does irl (looks somehow softer and more blended).

Sunday Postcard art

I found Sunday Postcard art today and thought I'd combine this with some stamping challenges - I ended up making one postcard and one square card, using the same background and stamp - which I'll submit for Sunday Stamper and Mixed Media Monday.

I used alcohol inks for the sky background. a mixture of denim, silver, slate and red pepper. And, of course, I've used the trees stamp again that I used earlier today, seen in a post below.

Becuase the trees were stamped on to shiny card I must have moved the stamp slightly and it became a bit blurred, but I thought that it gives a more shadowy look which might even suggest a hint of frost or snow, so I decided to keep it as it is.

Joanna Sheen January challenge: stamped background + Lots to do 1: Time

The January challenge on Joanna Sheen is to use a stamped background on a card and the new challenge on Lots to do (kindly taken over now by Hilda) is 1: Time.

I've used a couple of Debbi Moore text stamps randomly to make the background and the two images are from Miniatures 'People & Places' from craftyindividuals.



The background card is from pda.

I thought this card could be used for someone going away, either on holiday or for another reason, adding a 'bon voyage' on the insert if appropriate.

Four challenges in one!

There are so many lovely challenge blogs out there now - so much to inspire us and get the creative juices flowing - thank goodness, because today I don't really feel like doing much at all (my back is feeling as if I've ridden a horse for hours and hours and got off it and can't move - not that I've ever ridden a horse in my life!!).

Anyway, to get back to the reason for this post. I was very taken with the background provided on Art Creations Friday (found this lovely challenge site via a link from somebody else - as you do!). The brief is: 'Every friday we post a new challenge, a picture or a background. You must use that picture or background and make a atc or card, or something els you like.'

A few days ago I said I would do something for the 'trees or leaves' challenge 41 on Lots to do, so it was a lovely opportunity to use one of my favourite tree stamps, simply stamped with black versafine on to the background provided on Art Creations. This was then mounted on to a black card blank (it has an iridescent sheen to it that you can't see on the scan) and added a couple of pieces of black and gold sticky ribbon.

If you follow the link to Lots to do, you'll see that this is the last challenge, but the good news is that Hilda is taking over the challenges, so there will still be lots to do!

The other challenges I'm linking to are Wednesday stamper open theme, using at least one rubber stamp, and TGIF 66: winter time.



(As often is the case, the top of the card looks crooked, but not irl!)

Sketch and Stash Challenge Blog

I've just come across a new challenge blog - a sketch one with a twist - 'Every 2 weeks there will be a sketch to follow. You can rotate the sketch, resize the elements and add extra elements if needed.
The second part of the challenge is to use your newest stash on your card. You can use a new paper, new stamp, new embellishments etc. They can all be new or just one thing which is new, that's up to you!
When you're posting your card on your blog please let everyone know what your new item is, the make or manufacturer and a link to where you bought it from if possible!
But most importantly, HAVE FUN!!'

'To celebrate the launch of the Sketch and Stash Challenge Blog we are offering some blog candy! One lucky person will win a Willow with Umbrella stamp from Whiff of Joy. We are offering some blog candy! One lucky person will win a Willow with Umbrella stamp from Whiff of Joy.'

The first challenge is going to be on Monday 5 January, but there is an opportunity until today to win some candy by leaving a comment and linking.

Looks interesting! Why not take a look here

Forever Friends challenge + Cupcake Craft: 20 background inspired

I've visited the Forever Friends challenge blog previously, but have never done anything for it. Before Christmas I bought some FF stamps and was going to get them out for the current 'open' challenge, but in the end I used some stickers, mounted on to a piece of English Paper Company paper, the addition of a couple of chippie cupcakes, together with a PG tips coaster!

The challenge on Cupcake this time is 'background inspired' and so the 'cupcake' theme fits very well for this challenge as well.

Salt: Happy New Year

Today would normally be the launch of a new topic on Salt, but we decided to take a week's break and come back with a new challenge next Thursday 8 January at 10.00 GMT.

Meanwhile, please have a look at the recent challenges and perhaps even have a go at producing something crafty for one of them.

All of the Salt team wish you a Happy New Year. If you pop over there you'll also see that we'll be having a DT call very soon.

Happy New Year

I needed to make two thank you/New Year cards today, so I have made these for the challenges on TGIF (challenge 65: all it's new) and A Spoonful of sugar (challenge 29).

I've used various DCWV papers for both cards, some sticky ribbons and computer printed 'Happy New Year':





This is a good opportunity to wish everyone a Happy New Year.

I much appreciate those who visit my blog and it's lovely when you leave comments.

Looking forward to a new year of ever-evolving excitement in the world of crafting - there are so many lovely forums, blogs and challenges out there and plenty of inspiration.

Our Creative Corner

I've added a link to Our Creative Corner on my sidebar. They have just added three new design members to the team and are giving away some fun goodies:

'How would you like to win some fun goodies from Jacksonbelle Embellishments? To be entered to win, add our banner to you blog and leave us a link here in this post. We will announce the winner on Wednesday, January 7th.'

Crafty Creations

Over on Crafty Creations there is the offer of two lovely stamps - all you have to do is leave a comment and link to your blog. It's a lovely challenge blog - why not hop over and have a look?!

CBCC 078 It's off to work we go

New challenges have started up on CBC and the first new one has been set by Jackie is 'off to work we go': 'Your challenge today is to make something NEW with a theme of occupations.'

I suppose this is stretching it a bit, but I thought I'd use some of the Jolly Nation decoupage and background papers to make a 'riding instructor' card:



I'm hoping that at some point I'll need to send a card to someone who's mad about horses!

Spiral Whisper new previews & Comp

There is news on Spiral Whisper of some lovely new designs being prepared for launch. There is an opportunity to win some - just go over to their blog, leave a comment and put a link on your blog. Certainly worth a look - such cute images.

2 Sketches 4 You: 16 Laura's sketch + Created by hand: pattern paper + Our Creative Corner: clear thinking

Our central heating failed to come on yesterday morning - the engineer came today, but a part is needed and won't be available till next Monday at the earliest. I spent most of today waiting around for him to come, wearing lots of layers and not really being able to settle to do anything. We're now beginning to warm up - the engineer lent us a fan heater and then a friend happened to ring and, as a result of John telling him about the problem, he turned up later on our doorstep with two sizeable convector heaters, so we can now warm more than one room.

That means that I've been able to do a little crafting.

I decided to make a card using Laura's sketch on 2 Sketches 4 You:



I used alcohol inks on the back of a Ranger memory glass, ran it through my little xyron adhesive (took the little cartridge out so I could put the glass through straight) and stuck this on some patterned oil on water paper. The papers, including the flowers, are DCWV pocket full of posies.



This card is also for the challenge on Created by hand - using pattern paper.

I've just discovered that the current challenge on Our Creative Corner is 'clear thinking' - add something clear to your project - so the memory glass is perfect for this.

One Stop Craft + Sketch Saturday

On One Stop Craft challenge blog the current challenge 9 is '3 is the magic number'. I've used three patterned papers (K & Co Addison), 3 small blooms, 3 buttons (all from a PM mini embellishment kit). The ivy stamped image is Whispers and was stamped with library green and coloured with copics.

I also used sketch 26 from Sketch Saturday



as this week's challenge 31 is 'your choice' - choosing any of the SS sketches as the basis of a card.