Joining the design team at The Christmas Challenge

Yay! I was asked if I would like to join the design team at The Christmas Challenge (they have just changed their name - used to be Lizzy's & Tamesis Christmas challenge).

My first card as part of the team is up on the blog here together with a welcome.

I've already shown this card here - but at that time I couldn't say that I had joined the design team because it wasn't 'official' then.

It would be lovely if you could go and have a look and enter challenge 10: Christmas music inspiration.

My card, of course, was inspired by the song made famous by Bing Crosby: 'I'm dreaming of a white Christmas'.

Oh deer ... not again!

I promise this is the last of the deer (well, for now, anyway - lol!). This one is mounted on to an 8 x 8 card because it's a large heart - the inner heart panel has been raised with 3D foam, although it doesn't look like it here. Once again, all supplies are from last year's Hunkydory kit (there's still lots of it left, but I don't think there are any more deer - phew!)

This is for:

Crimbo crackers 44: you've had it how long? (too long! bought it June last year)
Fab 'n' funky 176: animals
Challenges 4 everybody 23: anything goes
There she goes 212: anything goes
Sister act 12: anything goes
DL.ART June: anything goes
Inspire me Fridays 108
52 card pickup 2.25

Deer, deer ...

... it's another one! Not only am I trying to use some of the Hunkydory Christmas kit from last year, but I'm trying to use up bits that were left over from yesterday's cards, so this is another one with a deer, using an offcut from a previous card for the background and other bits and pieces.

This will be my second entry into the playground at Pixie's crafty snippets week 78 - just had to wipe the raindrops off the seat of the swing from the recent shower! It's just as well Di has put a limit of three entries, otherwise I think she would have a lot from me this week because I intend to keep using up the bits (that's the intention ... whether it actually happens is a different matter - lol!).

This is also for:

Crimbo crackers 44: you've had it how long? (too long! bought it June last year)
Fab 'n' funky 176: animals
Challenges 4 everybody 23: anything goes
There she goes 212: anything goes
Sister act 12: anything goes
DL.ART June: anything goes
Inspire me Fridays 108
52 card pickup 2.25

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas ...

... well, I'm not actually, but it's the song that this card made me think of. I made it from the remains of a piece of Hunkydory card and topper and sentiment left over from the 'snow-capped village' set. Made a DL card for a change( well, the truth is that the piece of card wouldn't have fitted anywhere else - lol!).

This was inspired by the photo given for Christmas card challenges week 30:

This is also for:

Pixie's crafty snippets week 78
Crimbo crackers 44: you've had it how long? (too long! bought it June last year)
Dare to be sassy 182: clean and simple
Alphabet: J for jiffy (CAS)
Pile it on 25: vintage or shabby chic
Christmas cards all year round June: vintage Christmas
One stitch at a time 169: not square
Challenges 4 everybody 23: anything goes
There she goes 212: anything goes
Sister act 12: anything goes
DL.ART June: anything goes
Inspire me Fridays 108
52 card pickup 2.25

Just for you, deer

Another 'deer' card using up some more of the Hunkydory kit from last year (I still haven't made much of a dent in the kit despite making quite a few cards today).

The deer on the right is raised up with 3D foam. The top heart sentiment says 'just for you' and the bottom one 'merry Christmas'.

This is for:

Fab 'n' funky 176: animals
Crimbo crackers 44: you've had it how long? (too long! bought it June last year)
There she goes 212: anything goes
Sister act 12: anything goes
613 avenue create 24: anything goes
DL.ART June: anything goes
Paper playtime 12: anything goes
Make it Monday 145
Inspire me Fridays 108
52 card pickup 2.25

Deer me ...

... this card was made from the left over elements from 'my deer friend' plus other pieces of Hunkydory card.

It's for Atlantic hearts sketch 8:

I used 3D foam to raise up the deer, the sentiment and the strip on the right to give some dimension to the card.

This is also for:

Dare to be sassy 182: clean and simple
Alphabet: J for jiffy (CAS)
Fab 'n' funky 176: animals
Crimbo crackers 44: you've had it how long? (too long! bought it June last year)
There she goes 212: anything goes
Sister act 12: anything goes
613 avenue create 24: anything goes
DL.ART June: anything goes
Paper playtime 12: anything goes
Make it Monday 145
Inspire me Fridays 108
52 card pickup 2.25

My deer friend

This card is based on Sam's sketch 161 on Sunday sketch and stamp (I've tweaked it a bit):

Once again, I've used part of my old Hunkydory kit, 'my deer friend' elements, as well as some offcuts of other Hunkydory card. There's quite a lot of silver foiling that doesn't show up on the photo - I had to avoid getting glare from it.

This is also for:

Fab 'n' funky 176: animals
Corrosive 176: animal antics
Crimbo crackers 44: you've had it how long? (too long! bought it June last year)
There she goes 212: anything goes
Sister act 12: anything goes
613 avenue create 24: anything goes
DL.ART June: anything goes
Paper playtime 12: anything goes
Make it Monday 145
Inspire me Fridays 108
52 card pickup 2.25

Frosty's friends

The elements used for this are Hunkydory Frosty's friends.

This is based on the sketch  168 for Sketchy colors:

I'm not happy with this because one of the pieces is not parallel with the others (I tried to unstick it, but the ATG gun makes too good a job of adhesion) - I added the little tree etc to try and disguise it, but I think it's done the opposite and emphasises it - think this might have to go in the bin!

This is also for:

Pink by design: red, white and blue
Squigglefly 2413: red, white and blue
Craftin desert divas 8: red, white and blue
Going grey with scrap-creations: patriotic: red, white and blue
Fab 'n' funky 176: animals
Corrosive 176: animal antics
Victorine 61: in the garden with animals
Crimbo crackers 44: you've had it how long? (too long! bought it June last year)
There she goes 212: anything goes
Sister act 12: anything goes
613 avenue create 24: anything goes
DL.ART June: anything goes
Paper playtime 12: anything goes
Make it Monday 145
Inspire me Fridays 108
52 card pickup 2.25

Pink Christmas

Another card using part of the Hunkydory Christmas kit I bought last year (determined not to start on this year's kit till at least the bulk of last year's is used). So I've used elements from various parts of the kit for this card adding a piece of sticky ribbon from stash.

This is based on the sketch for Pile it on 24:

This is also for:

The ribbon girls June colour challenge: pinks
Crimbo crackers 44: you've had it how long? (too long! bought it June last year)
There she goes 212: anything goes
Sister act 12: anything goes
613 avenue create 24: anything goes
DL.ART June: anything goes
Paper playtime 12: anything goes
Make it Monday 145
Inspire me Fridays 108
52 card pickup 2.25

Snow scene

When I made the previous card I realised that I've had a Hunkydory Christmas kit since June last year and this year's has been delivered today - so it's time to get serious and use up some of last year's (I have been using some, but not enough). When I have card sales to raise money for Tearfund some people prefer this type of card rather than a stamped image one - I think they think it looks more like a 'proper' card. I would much prefer making cards with stamping etc, but I make all sorts or different tastes and tbh kits like this help to make some quick cards.

So this is 'snow-capped village' decoupage mounted on to a piece of Hunkydory card with the appropriate sentiment.

This is for:

Crimbo crackers 44: you've had it how long? (too long! bought it June last year)
Festive Friday 11: element challenge: includes a  tree
There she goes 212: anything goes
Sister act 12: anything goes
613 avenue create 24: anything goes
DL.ART June: anything goes
Paper playtime 12: anything goes
Make it Monday 145
Inspire me Fridays 108
52 card pickup 2.25

Nutcracker forest

'Nutcracker forest' is the name of the Hunkydory topper etc that I used for this card. I based in on Merry Monday 67 on Always playing with paper:

This is also for:

Crimbo crackers 44: you've had it how long? (too long! bought it June last year)
Digi sketch: Christmas in June
Festive Friday 11: element challenge: includes a  tree
Country view crafts 4: die cuts
Facebook Sunday's with Santa week 25: die cuts
Let's craft and create 72: shape
There she goes 212: anything goes
Sister act 12: anything goes
613 avenue create 24: anything goes
DL.ART June: anything goes
Paper playtime 12: anything goes
Make it Monday 145
Inspire me Fridays 108
52 card pickup 2.25

Blossom and bunting

This is for Monday lunchtime sketch 268 on Technostamper:

 Papers were fee with a magazine, the bunting is from American Crafts Flutterbys 5th and frolic, the sentiment is a Creata textured rub on, and the twine from Joanna Sheen. The 'cherry blossom' stamp by Lindsay Mason was inked with memento rich cocoa.

This is also for:

Addicted to stamps 58: pennant
Use your stuff 88: flag it (using up papers and garland I've had for quite some time)
Delightful: raise the banner
Amusing challenge (stamped blessings): ribbon or twine
Creative stamp friends 79: birthday
Fairytale 70: happy birthday
A and T 25: happy birhtday
Totally Gorjuss 189: happy birthday
Oldie but a goodie: stitching (on the bunting; stamp is much older than six months)
Inky impressions 113: anything goes
Timbro scrap mania 73: free theme
There she goes 212: anything goes
Sister act 12: anything goes
613 avenue create 24: anything goes
DL.ART June: anything goes
Paper playtime 12: anything goes
Make it Monday 145
Inspire me Fridays 108
52 card pickup 2.25

More Christmas greenery

Another card for my CHNC challenge 130, again using stamps from the Merry Kiss-mas set kindly supplied by CAS-ual Fridays.

The background paper is from the Holly Hobbie Christmas joy collection. The image and sentiment were matted on to offcuts of green mirror card, a few gems added and a little copic colouring on the holly on the image.

The card is based on the Catch the bug sketch 138:

This is also for:

Digi sketch: Christmas in June
Alphabet: J for jiffy (CAS)
Dare to be sassy Thursdays 182: clean and simple
Crafting by designs: anything goes + twist: show your season - winter, Christmas
Inky impressions 113: anything goes
Stampin with the dragon: anything goes
Timbro scrap mania 73: free theme
Crafty catz 188: pick and mix - anything goes
Eureka 44: anything goes
Pollycraft 1: anything goes
There she goes 212: anything goes
Sister act 12: anything goes
613 avenue create 24: anything goes
DL.ART June: anything goes
Paper playtime 12: anything goes
Make it Monday 145
Inspire me Fridays 108
52 card pickup 2.25

CHNC 130: Christmas greenery

My first card for my CHNC 130 that starts this morning uses stamps from the Merry Kiss-mas set kindly supplied by CAS-ual Fridays - they are one of the three sponsors giving prizes for this challenge - please click here to see the challenge and join in with your own cards showing some Christmas greenery.

The background paper is some that came free with a magazine and the spotted piece is from my Christmas offcuts box. The image and sentiment were mounted on to offcuts of green mirror card. The flowers are from Craftime - I eased out the silver glitter centres and replaced with the brads.

I used the sketch for Christmas card challenges week 29:

This is also for:

Facebook A card a day
Digi sketch: Christmas in June
Frosted designs fabulous Friday: polka dots
The squirrel and the fox 46: use something metal (brads)
Creative card crew 38: metal
Alphabet: J for jiffy (CAS)
Dare to be sassy Thursdays 182: clean and simple
Crafting by designs: anything goes + twist: show your season - winter, Christmas
Inky impressions 113: anything goes
Stampin' for the weekend: anything goes
Stampin with the dragon: anything goes
Timbro scrap mania 73: free theme
Crafty catz 188: pick and mix - anything goes
Eureka 44: anything goes
Pollycraft 1: anything goes
There she goes 212: anything goes
Sister act 12: anything goes
613 avenue create 24: anything goes
DL.ART June: anything goes
Paper playtime 12: anything goes
Make it Monday 145
Inspire me Fridays 108
52 card pickup 2.25

Simply clearly besotted

This is another card for the new challenge Clearly besotted 1: anything goes, using one of their stamps from the building blocks set.

I used the fired brick distress ink pad direct to the card and then stamped the Clearly besotted stamp on top of this, inking once again with fired brick. I inked the Hobby craft sentiment in the same way and added a flower from Poundland.

This is also for:

One layer Wednesday 145: spice girls - colour of hot chilli powder
Divas by design: distressing
Dare to be sassy 182: clean and simple
Alphabet: J for jiffy (CAS)
Little red wagon 190: cardstock capers (no patterned paper)
Inky impressions 113: anything goes
Timbro scrap mania 73: free theme
There she goes 212: anything goes
Sister act 12: anything goes
613 avenue create 24: anything goes
DL.ART June: anything goes
Paper playtime 12: anything goes
Make it Monday 145
Inspire me Fridays 108
52 card pickup 2.25

Wise men

This is based on the sketch this week on Come and get it:

I've used a digital image that I found with some other free Bible images, printed and mounted on to black card. The background paper is an offcut saved from a 12 x 12 My Mind's Eye Andrea Victoria black damask paper. The piece at the bottom if Basic Grey pyrus and the glittered strip was from Poundland, plus a miscellaneous sentiment.

I made this for Lizzy's & Tamesis Christmas 9: animals from the Christmas story. I am excited to say that as a winner of one of their challenges recently I've been invited to join their design team till the end of the year! More about that when I join them for my first challenge.

This is also for:

Corrosive 176: animal antics
Fab 'n' funky 176: animals
Bizy Becs June: monochromatic plus 1 other colour

Time for tea

Another card using Hunkydory 'china dresser  and baking day' supplies, similar to the card I showed yesterday. Once again the lower part of the picture has been decoupaged.

This is for:

Facebook A card a day
Allsorts 211: time for tea
A little bit crafty June: something sweet
Bloggers challenge: birthday
A and T 25: happy birthday
Pollycraft 1: anything goes
De creatieve Zebra 24: anything goes
There she goes 212: anything goes
Sister act 11: anything goes
613 avenue create 24: anything goes
DL.ART June: anything goes
Paper playtime 12: anything goes
Make it Monday 145
Inspire me Fridays 107
52 card pickup 2.24

In stitches

For this card I cut  the shape with a nestie die using an offcut of tutti frutti paper that I've had for ages and ages. I inked the 'swirling wings' stamp by Lindsay Mason with versamark and heat embossed with gold detail. I then swiped roughly around the edges with versamark and heat embossed. I didn't have a long enough piece of stitched ribbon, so I used two small pieces as the shape was going to go over the middle. The flowers are a mix of Dovecraft cupcake boutique and Poundland.

The flowers and butterfly were inspired by the photo for Addicted to stamps and more 50:

This is for:

Pixie's crafty snippets week 77
Card crafters circle 79: in stitches
Fun with shapes and more 136: seams/stitching
Cards in envy 6: stitched up (the flowers are flat enough for ordinary post)
Oldie but a goodies: stitching (stamp is much older than six months)
Bearly mine 91: flowers galore
Crafty ribbons 49: flowers galore
Ladybug: flowers and ribbon
Stamp-n-doodle: use your favourite embellishment - flowers and ribbons

Eat, drink and be merry

This card uses elements from a Hunkydory kit called 'china dresser and baking day'.  Having put the piece of card with the bottom border on to my card blank, I found that the topper would have looked really silly matted on top of it, so I cut into the plates etc so that I could slot in the topper. It was quite hard work because I had to cut right through the card blank as well as this was already stuck. I've had to stick a piece of card inside to cover up the cut area, but it worked out OK in the end - just a bit of fuss that I could have prevented if I'd thought more clearly in the first place. The top shelf on the topper has been decoupaged with three layers, although it doesn't show here.

This is for:

Allsorts 211: time for tea
DRS 74: eat, drink and be merry
Nutcrafters 45: food and/or drink
Bloggers challenge: birthday
A and T 25: happy birthday
There she goes 212: anything goes
Sister act 11: anything goes
613 avenue create 24: anything goes
DL.ART June: anything goes
Paper playtime 12: anything goes
Make it Monday 145
Inspire me Fridays 107
52 card pickup 2.24

Simple birthday wishes

This is based on the sketch for CAS(E) this sketch 32:

It's also another entry for 10 minute craft dash 20:

This card took me 8.5 minutes.

I used offcuts of the Basic Grey 'out of print' papers used for the previous card, another piece of the ribbon and some Dovecrafts cupcake boutique flowers with small glittered ones from Poundland.

This is also for:

Pixie's crafty snippets week 77

Ten minute card

This is for 10 minute craft dash 20:

I just managed to keep to the ten minute timescale by a whisker - but I did have to renew the tape reel in my ATG tape gun which was an unexpectedly hold up.

Papers are Basic Grey out of print, ribbon from stash, pyramaged flower pictures are Hunkydory from the Flutterbye kit that came free with a magazine - raised up with 3D foam. The distressed ovals were torn around perspex templates (these really come in handy). The pink panel on the left is from my scraps box (originally part of another Hunkydory kit).

Excuse the glare on the photo - the light isn't as good now as it was earlier, so it was a flash photo.

This is also for:

Divas by design: distressing
ABC challenges: P for pretty in pink