Black and white mystic

One sweet challenge for January is 'black and white'. Having had a package of loads of  Sweet Pea Stamps come through the post a couple of days ago I thought I had no excuse but to take part (well, I already had quite a few that I could have used anyway).

Here is the package I received - a grab bag of Sweet Pea stamps that only worked out at slightly over £1.00 a stamp, even accounting for international shipping - bargain!

So I used 'mysic' by Rachel Anderson, colouring with a combination of copics and spectrum noir pens. I also used a metallic silver pen for the moon and for touches to the wings. I used a double sided paper ' Wbony & Alabaster' Breakfast at Tiffany's by Black Market Paper Society, on to a black A5 landscape card that was cut away on the right front to reveal the inside, with the image half overlapping.  I put strips of Tim Holtz tissue tape down the left and right sides.The swirly netting flowers with pearls were from Poundland and the small shiny ones are prima spacers.

Difficult to get a photo that clearly shows the silvery wings:

I made this card for no other reason than the sheer pleasure of making it - and I enjoyed doing so.

This is also for:

Sunday stamper 289: dream
Fussy & fancy 105: monochromatic
LiaStampz 56: monochrome
Country view crafts January: monochromatic
Winter wonderland: monochrome
Emerald faeries 51: things with wings
Bunny Zoe December: wings
Whoopsi Daisy: make it girly
Sweet stampin: girly but no pink
Crafting from the heart 4: anything goes/use pearls or buttons
Open-minded crafting 1: use new toys
Pink gem 110: something new
Sugar creek hollow 77: something new
Inky impressions 141: something new
Try it on Tuesday: in with the new
The sisterhood of crafters: out with the old, in with the new - use new product
The house that stamps built DCC11: new to you
A creative romance: something new
Shelly: out with the old, in with the new
Great impressions January: use something new
Allways something creative 66: something new
The rubber buggy 15: anything goes
Little blue button January
One crazy stamper January: anything goes
Lacy sunshine 24: anything goes
Stamps & fun = creativity 184: anything goes
Challenges 4 everybody 37: anything goes
Inky chicks 20: anything goes
Loves rubber stamps 85: anything goes
Nutcrafters 59: anything goes
Stampotique 129: anything goes
Stamping dragon: anything goes
Wags n whiskers 120: anything goes
Penny's 159: anything goes
Crafty boots: anything goes
Papertake: anything goes
Sister act 39
Crafting by designs January: anything goes
Make it Monday 173

Suzy Bee's Bloomin' challenge 11: cute and sweet

This is my design card for Suzy Bee's Bloomin' challenge 11: cute and sweet, which is being sponsored by Limited Runs. Please click on the challenge link and see the lovely crafting of the rest of the team and join in with your own cute and sweet creations.

For my card I've used Limited Runs 'cinnamonswirl'. Papers and other elements are left overs from a Kanban Dawn Bibby cupcake kit bought some years ago. The gold 'birthday wishes' circle is from Craftwork cards.

Colours of Cupcake inspirations 242:

This is also for:

Facebook A card a day
Order of the opus gluei 173: left overs
Crafty creations 254: something to drink
Stempelsonne 106: hot drinks on cold days
Melonheadz friends: birthdays
Crafting by designs: birthdays
MilkCoffee: celebrations
Scribble and scrap 9: always anything goes
Artistic inspirations 73: anything goes
Crafter's cafe blog 45:anything goes
Creative fingers 19: anything goes
Stamping dragon: anything goes
Wags n whiskers 120: anything goes
Polka doodles 2: anything goes
Penny's 159: anything goes
4 krafty girlz 9: anything goes
My heart pieces: anything goes
Glitter n sparkle 66: anything goes
Crafty boots: anything goes
Fan-tastic Tuesday 17: anything goes
Papertake: anything goes
Sister act 39
Crafting by designs January: anything goes
DL.ART January
Make it Monday 173

CHNC challenge 159: winter weather

This is my design card for CHNC challenge 159: winter weather. When we think of winter weather we tend to think of snow, but you might think otherwise - please click on the challenge link and join in with your own version of winter weather.

My card is made with card, topper and elements from Hunkydory, including an offcut piece from another card that I've used down the lefthand side.

This is also for:

The 12 days of Christmas card link up
Pixie's snippets 106
CRAFT 241: Christmas
Cute card Thursday 303: cold & frosty
Challenges and candies 25: favourite season (only for cardmaking - not in reality!)
Christmas card challenges 6: no colouring
ABC Christmas: A for anything Christmas
Winter wonderland: monochrome
Love to create 97: blue with bling (winter)
Catch the bug: winter wonderland
Simon says Monday: blues
Emergency January: cold: blue or a snowflake
Oozak 29: anything goes/blue tones
613 avenue create 53: anything goes
Polka doodles 2: anything goes
Penny's 159: anything goes
My heart pieces: anything goes
Glitter n sparkle 66: anything goes
Crafty boots: anything goes
Fan-tastic Tuesday 17: anything goes
Papertake: anything goes
Sister act 39
Crafting by designs January: anything goes
Make it Monday 173

Thinking of you at this time

Another simple card made with some paper from a pack similar to the one that I'm giving as a prize to the randomly chosen winner of my Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper January challenge. This is a new challenge blog that I've started - please click on the link and find out what it's all about and join in. I had to smile when I saw that today's challenge for Delightful is: use patterned paper.

The Inca stamp by Lyn Lockwood was inked with memento rich cocoa bean. The textured fabric flowers with sparkly centres were from Poundland.

This is also for:

Facebook A card a day
Cuttin and stampin 14-1: non Christmas
Little red wagon 219: all purpose card
Pile it on 1: just because
Digi sketch: say it with flowers
Card and scrap 67: use flowers
4 krafty girlz 9: anything goes
My heart pieces: anything goes
Crafters cafe blog 45: anything goes
Word art Wednesday 114: anything goes
Glitter n sparkle 66: anything goes
Artistic inspirations 73: anything goes
Crafty boots: anything goes
Lexi 107: anything goes
The paper nest dolls: anything goes
Fan-tastic Tuesday 17: anything goes
Inky chicks 20: anything goes
Papertake: anything goes
Through the craftroom door: anything goes
Sister act 38
Crafting by designs January: anything goes
DL.ART January
Make it Monday 173

You're in my prayers

A simple card made with some paper from a pack similar to the one that I'm giving as a prize to the randomly chosen winner of my Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper January challenge. This is a new challenge blog that I've started - please click on the link and find out what it's all about and join in.

I inked the Whipper Snapper Designs sentiment stamp and the Penny Black 'sparklers' with memento rich cocoa bean.

This is also for:

Facebook A card a day
Top tip Tuesday: clean and simple
Cuttin and stampin 14-1: non Christmas
Little red wagon 219: all purpose card
Pile it on 1: just because
Crafters cafe blog 45: anything goes
Penny's 159: anything goes
Word art Wednesday 114: anything goes
613 avenue create 53: anything goes
Glitter n sparkle 66: anything goes
Scribble and scrap 9: anything goes
Artistic inspirations 73: anything goes
Crafty boots: anything goes
Lexi 107: anything goes
The paper nest dolls: anything goes
Fan-tastic Tuesday 17: anything goes
Inky chicks 20: anything goes
Papertake: anything goes
Through the craftroom door: anything goes
Sister act 38
Crafting by designs January: anything goes
DL.ART January
Make it Monday 173

Christmas bear

This is a shaped card blank that I've had for ages and a topper and other bits from Hunkydory. One of the simple cards I made just before Christmas when I was running out of time!

Colours for Bearly mine 118:

This is for:

Christmas card challenges week 6: no colouring
ABC Christmas: A for anything Christmas
Crafty cardmakers 107: bear with me
Winter wonderland: teddy bears
Flourishes 253: shaped card
Craftin desert divas 22: winter
Love to create 97: blue with bling (winter)
Creative creations: anything goes
Emergency crafters January: cold - blue

Get well soon

I made this card for a design team slot, but got the wrong date, but didn't really mind because I need to make cards all the time. It so happened that John needed a card to send to one of his bowls club members and he asked if he could use this - so I made it at just the right time in the end!

The image is 'rainy day bears - rain, rain' by Bugaboo Stamps - adding the sentiment and matting on to a card blank that had been run through my eBosser with an Embossalicious 'clouds' 6 x 6 folder which I brushed with stormy sky distress ink. This is the first time I've used this embossing folder, so  this is for:

Paper makeup digi makeover 122: use something new
Great impressions January: use something new
Crafty sentiments: new
Come and get it: something new
Red carpet studio 60: use something new
Try it on Tuesday: in with the new
Simon says Wednesday: something new
A creative romance: something new
Open-minded crafting: use new toys or new techniques
Shelly's terrifically thrilling: out with the old, in with the new
Allways something creative 66: something new

The insert says 'Get well soon'.

This is for:

Facebook A card a day
Pile it on 1: just because
4 crafty chicks 175: get well
Winter wonderland: teddy bears
Creative craft cottage 13: quote me
Make my Monday: embossing
Ladybug: keep it clean and simple
Top tip Tuesday: clean and simple
Catch the bug January: anything goes
Robyn's fetish 193: use a digi
Polka doodles digi choosday: anything goes
Inky impressions 140: anything goes
613 avenue create 53: anything goes
Glitter n sparkle 66: anything goes
Scribble and scrap 9: anything goes
Artistic inspirations 73: anything goes
Crafty boots: anything goes
Lexi 107: anything goes
The paper nest dolls: anything goes
Fan-tastic Tuesday 17: anything goes
Inky chicks 20: anything goes
Papertake: anything goes
Through the craftroom door: anything goes
CRAFT 240: anything goes
The crafting cafe January: anything goes
Flat friends 16: anything goes
Challenges 4 everybody 37: anything goes
V's sweet 19: anything goes
Kort o mania 99: anything goes
LEJ 85: anything goes
Sister act 38
Crafting by designs January: anything goes
DL.ART January
Make it Monday 173

The cheerful stamp pad challenge 77: use some ribbon

For my design card for the Cheerful stamp pad challenge 77: 'use ribbon' that starts today I have made a  digital creation, including the ribbon down the left hand side 'secured' with heart brads. Everything used is from the 'birthday cupcake digital scrapbooking kit' that I bought from Sweet Stamps, who are sponsoring this challenge. Please click on the link for challenge 77 and see the lovely crafting of the rest of the team and, hopefully, join in the challenge - you have two weeks to do so.

This is also for:

Facebook A card a day
Creative inspirations 246: celebration
Crafty sentiments: birthdays
Charisma cardz: birthdays
Lothian crafts 30: birthday for a female
Natalie and Amy 16: one for the girlies
Digitally sweet 69: anything goes
ABC: C is for colourful

The Glory of Christmas challenge 24: the three kings

This is my design card for The Glory of Christmas challenge 24 that starts today. Please click on the link to see the creations of others in the team - and please join in with our challenge.

The background of my card is a piece of Hunkydory card, with a scrap strip across the bottom. The 'with love' sentiment is one that I've had for ages (it is more purple in real life and matches perfectly with the rest of the card). The picture of the wise men was upcycled from a card received. So I'm showing this on my CHNC challenge 158 which is asking for cards to use something that is upcycled, re-purposed or something that was free. Please have a look at that challenge and join in if you can.

This is also for:

The 12 days of Christmas card link up
Facebook A card a day
Facebook Sunday's with Santa week 1: anything goes
Fairytale 84: recycling
Ruby's rainbow 69: it's Christmas

Let's craft and create 85: let's celebrate
Country view January: monochromatic
Christmas card challenges 6: no colouring

Sister act 38
Crafting by designs January: anything goes
DL.ART January

Anything goes for the Christmas Card Club challenge

Sylvie has chosen 'anything goes' to ease the Christmas Card Club ladies into the New Year (thank you, Sylvie). I've chosen to make another card using upcycled pieces from a Christmas card received and a couple of items from Christmas crackers. If you'd like to know about the Christmas Card Club please get in touch and I'll point you in the right direction.

The background card is Hunkydory. The middle square with the foiled and glittery big snowflakes was from a Christmas card we received (too good to put into the paper recycling box), which I matted on to a piece of silver mirror card. The two white trees with silver foiling were from the fronts of two Christmas crackers.

So this is another card for my own CHNC challenge 158 - click on the link, please, to learn more about this and join in with your own creation.

This is also for:

The 12 days of Christmas card link up
Fairytale 84: recycling
Ruby's rainbow 69: it's Christmas

Whoopsi Daisy: show us celebrations
Let's craft and create 85: let's celebrate
Country view January: monochromatic
Blloggers challenge: flourishes
Christmas card challenges 6: no colouring

Kaboodle 204: anything goes
The pink elephant 231: anything goes
Sister act 38
Crafting by designs January: anything goes
Make it Monday 172

Suzy Bee's bloomin' challenge 10: anything goes

This is my design team card for Suzy Bee's blooming' challenge 10: anything goes. This challenge is being sponsored by Broken Box Stock, who kindly supplied the 'tree of life' image that I've used. I coloured this digitally using Microsoft Paint (seem to have taken to doing this recently). I added the text before printing out and mounted on to some magazine freebie paper.

The paper on the left is some that I've had for ages on to which I put the strip of 'diamonds' from Poundland and some bunting and a strip of  DCWV ribbon.

For this photo for Crazy 4 challenges 217:

As I've covered the card blank with patterned paper, I'm showing this for my own Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge for January - please click on the link and join in the fun to use up some of your patterned paper (I know that we all have loads of it that hasn't been touched yet) - and there's a prize for a randomly chosen winner.

This is also for:

Facebook A card a day
Crealicious 58: 2014 wishes
Card mania 37: happy new year
Crazy challenge 161: celebrate the new year
Take a word: new year
Fan-tastic Tuesday 16: happy new year
Polka doodles digi choosday 11: happy new year
Jo's scrap shack funday: new year
Drunken stampers bonus challenge: new year's day
PumpkinSpice 53: something 2014
A gem of a challenge 110: something new

Whoopsi Daisy: show us celebrations
Let's craft and create 85: let's celebrate
Di's digi designs: time to celebrate
Crafty calendar January: let's celebrate
Brown sugar 75: use ribbon or twine
Totally gorjuss 217: ribbon
Hobby house January: ribbons
Catch the bug January: anything goes
Allsorts 240: free & easy
Cards galore 1: anything goes

Kaboodle 204: anything goes
The pink elephant 231: anything goes
Sister act 38
Crafting by designs January: anything goes
DL.ART January
Make it Monday 172

Second card for CHNC challenge 158

My second card for CHNC challenge 158 was made using images and a tree from one card received which were matted on to another upcycled card, matted on to mirror card:

This is also for:

The 12 days of Christmas card link up
Fairytale 84: recycling
Lunagirl: vintage winter
Crafts4eternity R157: very vintage
Natalia and Amy 16: one for the girlies
Christmas card challenges 5: anything goes
Ruby's rainbow 69: it's Christmas

Whoopsi Daisy: show us celebrations
Let's craft and create 85: let's celebrate
My time to craft 229: music or movie influenced - The Great Gatsby
Allsorts 240: free & easy
Cardmakin mamas 78: anything goes
Crafty hands 5: anything goes
Polka doodles 1: anything goes
Simply create too 52: anything goes
2 creative chicks 10: anything goes
Cards galore 1: anything goes

Kaboodle 204: anything goes
The pink elephant 231: anything goes
Sister act 38
Crafting by designs January: anything goes
Make it Monday 172

CHNC challenge 158: upcycle, re-purpose or use a freebie

It's already the second week this year for a Craftyhazelnut's Christmas challenge and for CHNC challenge 158 I'm asking to see cards that use something that's been upcycled, re-purposed or something that was free - this could even be something that has been received, perhaps as a swap or a Christmas present.

My first card was made from a lovely sparkly Christmas card received, which I matted on to silver mirror card before matting on to a white DL card blank. The image with the quote was kindly supplied by  Robyn'sFetish Digital Stamps And More (one of today's sponsors) - I coloured the bricks digitally using Microsoft Paint - this was then matted on to silver mirror card:

This is also for:

The 12 days of Christmas card link up
Fairytale 84: recycling
Christmas card challenges 5: anything goes
Ruby's rainbow 69: it's Christmas

Whoopsi Daisy: show us celebrations
Let's craft and create 85: let's celebrate
Cardmakin mamas 78: anything goes
Crafty hands 5: anything goes
Polka doodles 1: anything goes
Simply create too 52: anything goes
2 creative chicks 10: anything goes
Crafty boots: snow and sparkles
Creative craft cottage 13: quote me
Allsorts 240: free & easy
Cards galore 1: anything goes

Kaboodle 204: anything goes
The pink elephant 231: anything goes
Sister act 38
Crafting by designs January: anything goes
Make it Monday 172

The sweet pea stampers 'anything goes' challenge

This is my design card for The Sweet pea stampers 'anything goes' challenge that starts today - you have a couple of weeks to enter. Please click on the link and see the beautiful creations of the rest of the team. And don't forget - there's always a prize to be won.

I've used the Peace fairie digital image by Karen Middleton and coloured it digitally in Microsoft Paint. I used a lemon card blank, cutting off the front a bit on the right so that the pleated card showed the edge of the inside. The stitched pleated card was some that arrived today and I couldn't resist using it. The green flower ribbon has been in my box for some months. The silk flowers from from Create and Craft and the spotty washi tape from Paperchase.

This is also for:

Natalia and Amy 16: one for the girlies
Wordplay Saturday December: fairy or angel
Emerald faeries 51: things with wings
Bunny Zoe December: wings
Card and scrap 67: use flowers
DRS 103: seeing spots
Craft your passion 194: something new - the pleated card edging
Going grey with Scrap-creations: something new - the pleated card edging
Simon says Wednesday: something new - the pleated card edging
A creative romance: something new- the pleated card edging
Allways something creative 66: something new - the pleated card edging
Crafty hands 5: anything goes
Polka doodles 1: anything goes
Simply create too 52: anything goes
2 creative chicks 10: anything goes

Paper makeup digi makeover 121: anything goes
Polka doodles choosday: anything goes
Cards galore 1: anything goes

PumpkinSpice 52: anything goes
Kaboodle 204: anything goes
The pink elephant 231: anything goes
Sister act 38
Crafting by designs January: anything goes
Make it Monday 172

Third card for CCAYR January 2014 challenge

So this is my third design card for the challenge using Hunkydory supplies and the lovely image which is part of the snowman set. The image is matted on to an offcut of another piece of Hunkydory card. For details of the CCAYR challenge for January please see my previous post.

This is an A5 card.

This is also for:

The 12 days of Christmas card link up
Pixie's snippets 105
Order of the opus gluei 173: leftovers
Christmas card challenges 5: anything goes
Ruby's rainbow 69: it's Christmas

Whoopsi Daisy: show us celebrations
Cutie pie 60: cute with only snowmen allowed
Scrap-cards 56: snowman
Let's craft and create 85: let's celebrate
Cute card Thursday 302: banish the blues
Paper makeup digi makeover 121: anything goes
Polka doodles choosday: anything goes
Inky impressions 140: anything goes
Cards galore 1: anything goes
Lisa B designs January: anything goes

PumpkinSpice 52: anything goes
Kaboodle 204: anything goes
The pink elephant 231: anything goes
Sister act 38
Crafting by designs January: anything goes
Make it Monday 172

Second card for CCAYR January 2014 challenge

This is my second design card for CCAYR January 2014 challenge. This is being sponsored by Beccy's place.

As I said in the previous post, we were supplied with a digi to work with for our cards (the one that I've used), but when I visited Beccy's Place I loved her images so much that I ended up buying quite a few. I recommend you have a look there.

So my second design card for the challenge uses Hunkydory supplies and an offcut of striped Kanban card, an offcut of embossed silver mirror that was made with an Embossalicious folder run through my eBosser and, of course the image which is part of the snowman set. This is a large landscape card card down the middle of the front with the image overlapping. The image is matted on to another piece of embossed mirror card (an offcut from an earlier piece that had been run through the eBosser).

This is also for:

The 12 days of Christmas card link up
Pixie's snippets 105
Order of the opus gluei 173: leftovers
Christmas card challenges 5: anything goes
Ruby's rainbow 69: it's Christmas
Di's digi designs: anything Christmas

Whoopsi Daisy: show us celebrations
Cutie pie 60: cute with only snowmen allowed
Scrap-cards 56: snowman
Let's craft and create 85: let's celebrate
Cute card Thursday 302: banish the blues
The squirrel and the fox 60: anything goes
Paper makeup digi makeover 121: anything goes
Polka doodles choosday: anything goes
Inky impressions 140: anything goes
Cards galore 1: anything goes
Lisa B designs January: anything goes
Kreativeinkauf 10: anything goes

PumpkinSpice 52: anything goes
Kaboodle 204: anything goes
The pink elephant 231: anything goes
Sister act 38
Crafting by designs January: anything goes
Make it Monday 172

Christmas cards all year round January 2014 challenge

This is my first design card for CCAYR January 2014 challenge. This is being sponsored by Beccy's place.

We were supplied with a digi to work with for our cards (the one that I've used), but when I visited Beccy's Place I loved her images so much that I ended up buying quite a few. I recommend you have a look there.

So my first design card for the challenge uses Hunkydory supplies, a Craftwork cards sentiment circle, some Papermania flowers and brads and, of course the image which is part of the snowman set. The matted image layers were cut with nestie labels dies.

This is also for:

Facebook A card a day
The 12 days of Christmas card link up
Christmas card challenges 5: anything goes
Ruby's rainbow 69: it's Christmas
Di's digi designs: anything Christmas
Stampin with the dragon: last minute Christmas
The paper shelter: Christmas challenge - anything goes
Cute card Thursday 302: banish the blues
Cutie pie 60: cute with only snowmen allowed
Scrap-cards 56: snowman

Whoopsi Daisy: show us celebrations
Let's craft and create 85: let's celebrate
One stitch at a time 194: anything goes
The squirrel and the fox 60: anything goes
Paper makeup digi makeover 121: anything goes
Through the craftroom door: anything goes
Melonheadz friends: anything goes
Dgistamps4Joy 82: anything goes
Polka doodles choosday: anything goes
Stempelsonne 105: anything goes
Inky impressions 140: anything goes
Cards galore 1: anything goes
Lisa B designs January: anything goes
Kreativeinkauf 10: anything goes

PumpkinSpice 52: anything goes
Kaboodle 204: anything goes
The pink elephant 231: anything goes
Sister act 38
Crafting by designs January: anything goes
DL.ART January
Make it Monday 172

Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge

Today sees the start of my new blog - Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - please click on the link to find out what it's all about and join in the fun.

This is my card for the challenge, using some similar papers to those that are shown as the prize for the randomly chosen winner. The anita sentiment stamp was inked with stazon cactus green. Ribbons from Hobby craft and the circles with roses are Papermania (I've had these for ages).

This is also for:

Craft your passion 194: soomething new - launching a new challenge blog
Going grey with Scrap-creations: something new - launching a new challenge blog
Sweet stamps 149: something new - launching a new challenge blog
Little red wagon 218: new beginnings  - launching a new challenge blog
Simon says Wednesday challenge: something new - launching a new challenge blog
Chocolate, coffee & cards 55: new beginnings - launching a new challenge blog
Crafts4eternity 156: something new - launching a new challenge blog
Totally gorjuss 216: new - launching a new challenge blog
Heck of a challenge January: new - launching a new challenge blog
Just for fun January: new - launching a new challenge blog
Just inspirational January: new beginnings - launching a new challenge blog
Allways something creative 66: something new - launching a new challenge blog
Loves rubber stamps 84: new year resolution - to use more or my stacks of patterned papers, which is why I'm starting the new challenge blog

Whoopsi Daisy: show us celebrations
Let's craft and create 85: let's celebrate
Blogges challenge: celebrations
Sentimental Sundays 187: pick from favourite challenge - I've chosen 170: happy birthday
Crafty sentiments: birthdays
Really reasonable ribbon 86: pink & ribbon
Polka doodles 51: anything goes

PumpkinSpice 52: anything goes
Kaboodle 204: anything goes
The pink elephant 231: anything goes
A gem of a challenge 109: anything goes
Crafts and me 143: anything goes
Sister act 38
Make it Monday 172

CHNC challenge extra for January

Happy New Year

A new year - and, as it's the first day of a new month, that means there's a new challenge for January on my CHNC Christmas extra blog. I am so excited today to share with you all the wonderful creations of the new Design Team - please go over to CHNC challenge extra for January and see what they have made and, hopefully, join in the challenge. As always, this is sponsored by Bugaboo Stamps.

For my card I used 'Santa' from mini set - Christmas blocks kindly supplied by Bugaboo - this was coloured with copics and spectrum noir pens with the addition of some crystal ice stickles on the white parts of Santa's hat and his cuffs.

My card is DL size. The image is backed with a piece of Hunkydory card and the 'with love' sentiment is one that I've had for ages - it is actually more lime green than it looks here.

This is also for:

The 12 days of Christmas card link up

Facebook A card a day
Catch the bug December: favourite Christmas song: Santa Claus is coming to town
Christmas card challenges 5: anything goes
Top tip Tuesday 117: Christmas
Ruby's rainbow 69: it's Christmas
Left of center 21: Christmas
Happy campers 25: Christmas
Creative moments 33: anything goes - Christmas
Di's digi designs: anything Christmas
Stampin with the dragon: last minute Christmas
Digi haven: 'tis the colours of the season
Let's craft and create 85: let's celebrate
My heart pieces: can you digi it
Stempelsonne 105: anything goes
Inky impressions 140: anything goes
Digistamps4Joy 82: anything goes
Polka doodles digi choosday: anything goes
Paper makeup digi makeover 121: anything goes
One stitch at a time 194: anything goes
Creative craft challenges 26: anything goes
PumpkinSpice 52: anything goes
Kaboodle 204: anything goes
Hobbycutz 30: anything goes
The pink elephant 231: anything goes
Alphabet: W for whatever you wish
A gem of a challenge 109: anything goes
Crafts and me 143: anything goes
Sister act 38
Make it Monday 172

My top twelve creations of 2013

Wishing all my visitors a

Happy New Year

While blog-hopping a few years ago I found that some crafters had shown their Top Ten makes for the year and so, at the beginning of January each year, I've done the same, except I changed my choices to twelve, one for each month of the year and that's what I'm doing again this year.

Update: Catered crop are asking us to show our favourites from 2013, so this post is now being linked there:

If you click on the links, you can go to the original posts and read more about each item. The items shown aren't just my favourites, but are reminders of various techniques and things I enjoy doing. It was so difficult to choose just twelve, but here goes:

My top twelve of 2013

January 2013: Pink inspiration - I love tinkering around on the computer with pictures, so this was digitally created:

February 2013: Doily easel card - I love crafting with purple and lilac colours and I love making easel cards, hence this choice:

March 2013: Orange script - I've chosen this card to remind myself that I ought to use orange more often - a colour that I don't usually use very much. And I like the texture created by the script embossing folder as well as the simple layering of the flowers - the kind of card that is useful for any occasion:

April 2013: Congratulations - I love the simplicity of this card - it's suitable for a wedding, an anniversary, even a special one, such as a golden:

May 2013: Card for our anniversary - this has been chosen because it was for a special person on our anniversary, but I like the design too:

June 2013: Burgundy and ivory - this is a reminder to use some of the simple elements of the past that tend to get forgotten, like corrugated card. It makes a nice backdrop for the flowers with the simple striped brads and the stamp is a perfect one for saying just the right thing at a difficult time:

July 2013: Folded Christmas tree card - I belong to a Christmas card club where a group of us take it in turns to challenge everyone with a different theme every fortnight. Karen set us the challenge to make a card that included a tea bag/origami folded topper - something I didn't usually do, so it was a challenge indeed! I found this Youtube link and created this card. This is a reminder to use similar techniques again:

August 2013: the Sweet Pea stampers fantasy challenge - I was delighted to be asked to join the Sweet Pea stampers Design Team earlier in the year. This card was for their 'fantasy' challenge. I love it because of the colours, the textures and, of course, the lovely Jasmine mermaid digi by Elaine Cox:

September 2013: Vintage hat - I've chosen this card because I love the textures, the colours, the papers ... and the super image - this was a Design Team card for the Cheerful Stamp Pad:

October 2013: Let's stencil  - this is another design card for the Cheerful Stamp Pad, using stencils and my gelli plate with acrylic paints and then stamping:

November 2013: Just a note -  I've chosen this card because I love the colour combo - and I used one of my favourite Penny Black stamps, 'sparklers' 

December 2013: Snow - no review of the year would be complete without a Christmas card - regular visitors will know that I make a lot of Christmas cards and have two of my own challenge blogs CHNC challenge blog   and CHNC challenge extra blog - and I'm also on Design Teams for other Christmas challenges, including the Glory of Christmas, where this card was shown. I've chosen it because I love the landscape design and also the use of dry and wet embossing with the lovely IndigoBlue stamp:

I have found it quite helpful doing this review of 2013 - it has brought back many memories, but has also reminded me of some techniques etc that I haven't tried for a while, not just in the items that I've chosen to show here, but in many other items that have been blogged over the months.

Hobbyhome and Everybody art 259 are asking us to share our favourite card of 2013 - so I think that would have to be the one I've shown for September.

It's over to you

Perhaps you would like to do your own 'top twelve of 2013' - if you do I'd love you to add to the linky at the bottom ,and perhaps leave me a comment, so that I can come and look at your choices.

And then please encourage others to do the same.