Fa La La

Hello.
I am doing the happy crafter's dance today 💃
I have finally cracked SNOW    :o)

I am totally useless at splatter. I have watched endless videos of people doing it, but I just can't get the hang of it myself. But now I have the perfect work around.
When my card was finished, I placed a 'snowfall' stencil over the top, and used a white gel pen through the holes.  Perfect, random snow! 
Don't tell me you've all been doing this for ages :o)

Challenge

Double D Challenges 

I took inspiration from the pale blue colour palette, the snow, and the knitted gloves
(using an embossing folder to give that knit pattern on the bear's jumper)

Playing just for fun, as an international entry 💙

• spellbinders - festive friends
• rangers distress ink - tumbled glass
• pretty pink posh - snowfall stencil
• stickles glitter
• sentiment stamp - catslife press
• copics / white gel pen / hobbycraft embossing folder knit pattern
  
  

 

If in doubt add some sparkle.

I can't imagine I will ever tire of sequins.

Despite the fact that I end up covered in glue, whilst they ping all over the place -

I love them.

So, here's my entry for the CAS on Sunday Chalenge - Sequins Celebration.

 I used a little, round, balloon die to cut the 'bauble' into my card panel - 

added the line with a black pen, attached a die cut bow and stamped the sentiment.

Normally, I attach my sequins with glue, but here I put strips of DS tape onto my base card

and stuck the sequins to that. I'm not sure how secure they will be like that - 

but they seem stuck on pretty good for now.

 

Supplies.

Balloon Die, Bow Stamp & Die - Clearly Besotted 'Make A Wish'

Sentiment - Catslife Press.    Sequins.

Je t'aime

I am NOT an inky person.

My cards consist mainly of stamping in Memento Black and colouring with Copics.

So, it's high time I stepped out into the scary world of coloured inks

and inky techniques.

Here's my first attempt at emboss resist

 I kinda like it, but to a neat and orderly Virgo like me it's going to take some getting used to.

I stamped my hearts in white ink and heat embossed them with white embossing powder.

Then I used pieces of sponge to apply a couple of different shades of ink.

Finally, I stamped my sentiment and added a couple of gems.

I can't say I've caught the inky bug yet, but I'll definitely try this technique again.

Challenges.
Less Is More - One Layer (Hearts)
Simon Says - Emboss it

Heart Stamp - Catslife Press.   White Ink - Ink It Up.    Embossing Powder - Personal Impressions.
Coloured Inks - Memento Dew Drops 'Angel Pink' and 'Rose Bud'.
Sentiment Stamp - Penny Black 'J'aime Paris'.    Gems.

Winter Nights and Fairy Lights

Hello everyone...

I've been busy working on handmade Christmas prezzies (top secret stuff)

but I finally found some time to make a card.

I used my new Christmas lights die, from Memory Box.

I have to say, when I ordered this die, 

I didn't realise just how tiny the lights would be.

The lights are cut from white paper and  coloured with Copics.

I drew the 'wire' with a glitter pen

 (it's much more sparkly than the photo shows)

and then I spent an infuriating amount of time, 

trying to pick up and glue the tiny lights on.

Challenges.
Less Is More - dark background with a splash of colour.
Simon Says - Keep It Clean & Simple
Allsorts - Christmas Cheer
Papertake - Anything Goes (optional Christmas theme)

Black card.   Sakura gelly roll pen, 'clear star'   Memory Box Christmas lights die.   Copics
Sentiment stamp, Catslife Press stamped in Memento 'moonlight white'

Festive Friends

I don't want to gloat, but most of my Christmas cards are now in the hands of the postie :-)
I just have a couple more to make - hopefully!!

Here's one that made it to my 'production line'.
I was on the look out for a 'family' style stamp and thought this cutie from Sugar Nellie was just perfect. 
It's coloured with Copics and sprinkled with my fabourite Glamour Dust.

 You can't really make it out on the main picture, but you can see below that there is a piece of fine net on the card base, 
just to add a little texture.
I had the devil of a job sticking everything onto it!!

Challenges
One Stop Craft - Christmas Friends
Winter Wonderland - Red & Blue
PaperPlay - Christmas is Coming
Moving Along With the Times - Clean & Simple
Charisma Cardz - Christmas
**NEW**   Christmas at Sweet Stamping - Anything Goes

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Have your elf a merry little Christmas

I got the dreaded 'reds' out today.
It doesn't matter how careful I am with them, I still find they bleed a little, 
but they are so much fun to use. 
I felt like a kid again - trying to keep in the lines :-)

I think I got so used to not having my DPs, when they were boxed away, that I've forgotten how to use them.
I tried this card with just about every Christmas paper I have, and nothing seemed to look right. 
My brain is stuck in CAS mode!!!

This is one of my new, cute Elf images from Make it Crafty... just perfect for 'boy' cards.
I can't wait to use the others - watch this space :-)

Challenges.
Cute Card Thursday - Sketch
C.R.A.F.T. - Inspired by a Film - this has to be Elf
Winter Wonderland - One for the Boys. Must have an image of a boy/man. Hope this boy elf is OK :-)
Paper Shelter - Fairies and Elves
Creative Inspirations - Reds for Remembrance
Sweet Stampin' -  Anything Goes

Teenage Genius

Cathy has set a fabulous challenge for us at Totally Papercrafts this week.

Pop over to the blog and check out the inspirational picture. You can choose to take the picture itself as your inspiration, or the colours in it.

I went for the colours...

I LOVE this 'genius' and thought it would be perfect for my Nephew's 18th Birthday. I coloured him with Copics and mounted him onto blue card so that he would stand out more.
It's hard to tell from the photos, but the scalloped rectangle, the sentiment and the '18' are all popped up on foam tape to add some depth.

Challenges

Allsorts - Anything Goes

Simon Says - 3 Different Papers

Moving Along With The Times - Lots of Layers


Supplies.
Stamp - Tiddly Inks, I'm with Genius - coloured with Copics.
DP - Pink Petticoat   Sentiment Stamp - Catslife Press.
18 stamp - Wild Rose Studios  Ribbon from my stash.

Accordion File Purse

Are you snowed in??   

It looks like most of the UK has had snowfall this weekend.

And, it seems, that the white stuff has gone metric. 

The news tells me we have had 6cm here - that's 2.36 inches in old money!!! :-)

I finally got round to making something other than a card - this cute little accordion file purse.

Maria Bell has shared her brilliant, step by step tutorial here - give it a try - it's really not as difficult as it looks.

I used white card for the main body of the purse and lilac for the 'accordion' pieces and the matting on the little cards.
The purse itself measure approx 6"(length) x 4"(height) x 3"(depth)  and closes with a velcro dot.

I made 4 cards (2 of each design) to go inside the file - 3" x 3" fits very comfortably.
I kept them quite plain, so that they could be used as notes, thankyous, etc.


It took me ages to decide on the sentiment for the front of the file. I wanted something that would suit any occasion and finally settled on this 'just for you' die cut.
  

To finish off I added a little 'hand made' stamp on the back.

Sorry about the rubbish photos. As you can see, I tried every angle and every surface to try and get a decent shot!

Challenges.

Aud Sentiments -  Anything BUT a Card, with a Sentiment.

Allsorts - Free & Easy

Do You Stack Up? - Anything Goes

Crafty Sentiments - Punches and/or Dies

Little Claire's - Anything BUT a Card

Supplies.

White and Lilac Card.    DP is DoCrafts V & A Hanoverian

Sentiment from Craftwork Cards.  Spellbinders Fancy Tags 3 Die and Lacey Circles

Martha Stewart Lace Doily Punch.   Catslife Press 'Hand Made' Stamp.

3 x 3 Blank Cards.   Xcut Butterfly Punch.  Papermania 'Tweet' Bird Stamp.

Ribbon and pearls from my stash.

He's making a list and checking it twice.

We have a fabulous challenge for you at Totally Papercrafts this week -

something you can really get creative with.

The very talented Victoria has chosen the theme

Victorian

I admit - I was stumped when I first saw this theme, but my teamies helped me out and I also browsed the web.
The Victorians had such an eclectic style that there is something there to suit everyone -  so, I can't wait to see your cards.

I went for a distressed, lace and pearls look.

My Santa came from the Graphics Fairy, I just printed him out in sepia tones.

I used a distressing tool on the edges of my DPs and some gold ink.

I sprinkled glamour dust around the image and on the little die-cut snowflakes. I used gold ink on the Catslife Press stamp and added a few pearls in the corner.

I took a deep breath and cut into my favourite, brown, velvet ribbon - added a pearl slider and stuck it on top of some cream lace.

I really had fun making this card - and all the different textures and glitter look way better IRL - cross my heart. :-))

For more inspiration check out the stunning work of my fellow teamies, on the challenge blog.

This week's sponsor is Meljen's Designs with a fabulous prize of 4 digi images.

Challenges -

Crafty Calendar - Winter Wardrobe. 

Do You Stack Up - Song Inspired. The song I'm going for is 'Santa Claus Is Coming To Town'

Samuel Taylors - Nov. Challenge - Christmas Cards. This month's prize is a super Martha Stewart Snowflake Punch.

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'Bear' ing Gifts

Hello peeps, how are you all?

Have you got your sparklers ready for tomorrow night?

No fireworks for us I'm afraid - apart from the fact that last time we let dh arrange some, he came home with industrial sized bangers that nearly set the whole street on fire - poor Suzie turns into a nervous wreck at the slightest sound.

It's a new callenge at Totally Papercrafts today. 

Our lovely boss lady Cathy  (*grovel *grovel *curtsey *curtsey )

is our host this week and the theme is

Stitch it!!

We'd like to see some real OR faux stitching on your card/project.

We also have 4 new amazing ladies joining us this week.
3 new DT members and  our Spotlight GDT. So please pop over and say hello to them.

I am cracking on with my Christmas cards and I used a LOTV teddy stamp here. He's coloured with Copics and a sprinkling of glamour dust.

I used a zig-zag stitch around my DPs and  I even managed to run some plain, white ribbon through the machine

I bought some Marianne snowflake dies recently and I've been having trouble getting the DP out of them. Someone suggested putting a piece of greaseproof paper between the die and my DP - so I tried it. It worked a treat. It also gave me some  delicate,  greaseproof paper snowflakes, that look really pretty with a dab of glamour dust.

Pop along to the challenge blog to see the amazing work from my teamies and the fab prize from this week's sponsor Die Cut Dreams.

Challenges -

Really Reasonable Ribbons - Christmas

St Lukes Charity Cards - Christmas

Do You Stack Up - Teal

Crafty Ribbons - Bingo (Glitter/Punches or dies/Lace) For the lace I used a Martha Stewart Lace Doily Punch - hope that qualifies.

Supplies.
LOTV Stamp.    Catslife Press Stamp.  DP Prima, North Country.
Martha Stewart Border Punch.  Marianne Snowflake Dies.   Glamour Dust.
White Grosgrain Ribbon.

Have Your Elf A Merry Little Christmas

How is everyone's Christmas card pile coming along?

PLEASE don't tell me you haven't started one yet - I will get stressed out for you!! lol***

Our Totally Papercrafts challenge this week is...

                Glitter it!

Sorry about the rubbish photo - the flash has washed the colours out a little.

Our sponsor this week is the fabulous Sassy Studios - I love their digis -  and they kindly sent me this cute Santa's Helper to play with.

She's coloured with Copics, some fine green glitter and white opal Liquid Pearls.

Please check out the gorgeous, glittery creations from my TPC teamies

and I hope you find time to glitter something up this week :-)

Challenges - 

Party Time - Anything Goes
Simon Says - Anything Goes

Paper Shelter - Anything Goes

Supplies -

 6 x 6 On the Edge Card Blank from Crafty Emma's

Digi Stamp - Santa's helper from Sassy Studios

Copics / Green Glitter / Liquid Pearls.

DP - Echo Park, Merry Christmas Kit. (The holly and lights were stickers from the kit)

Twine and bell from my stash.

Merry Christmas Stamp - Catslife Press.

Gingerbread basket

A nip and a punch - the first of the month!!!
Wow! Here we are in October already, (although you wouldn't think it with this warm weather we are having) and we have another challenge for you at the CES Challenge Blog.

Our lovely host this week is Shell  
and she has chosen the theme Totally Gorgeous - Pretty Girls


A good excuse to get out all your pretty, girly papers and embellies.

I'm not really a girly girl, but I did my best. 

I made a simple box from card and used a large, doorplate die to cut the shapes, that I stuck to the front and back. I covered the basket with First Edition, Festive Treats DP from Crafty Emma's.

It's hard to make out from these photos, but the little gingerbread hearts are all glittery.

The handle is a piece of card, punched on both sides, with a strip of the DP down the middle and finished off with a little satin bow.

I decorated the front with some pretty blooms, dew drops, card candi, sheer ribbon, swirls and a Catslife Press stamp.

Tilda is paper-pieced, coloured with Copics and sprinkled with Glamour Dust.
I didn't have time to make some real gingerbread men, so, just for fun, I cut a paper one using my Slice machine, inked the edges and added black gems for his eyes and buttons :-)

I thought afterwards, I should have cut a little gingerbread man from the DP and replaced Tilda's cupcake with it - next time!!!

Don't forget to check out the awesome work of my fellow teamies - they have outdone themselves this week -we are also having a little change to the prize this time and the winner will get one Whiff Of Joy Stamp from Crafty Emma's
There's also a great SALE on right now - so head over there and grab yourself a bargain..

Challenges - 

Party Time Tuesdays - Anything Goes

The Paper Shelter - For the Girls

Simon Says - Anything Goes. - they are trying for 1000 entires this week!This is my second entry.

Ta Very Muchly

At CES this week , our lovely challenge host, Donna, would like you to

Raise Your Glasses

we want to see your drink related card/projects.

Ahhhh drink - another of my favourite subjects :-) 

Actually I'm a total lightweight - not like my girls, who can drink any guy they know under the table - glad that their expensive University education wasn't wasted!! ;-)

I have gone for a little wine and chocolate thank you set.

 I just LOVE this Prima, Printery paper and I had to take a deep breath before I cut into it. Even then, I really didn't want to cover it up too much, so for my card I used a patchwork design.

Emma has some gorgeous papers in store right now - but be quick - they are selling out FAST!

I used a Letraset Fineliner pen to add some faux stitching and distressed the edges with black chalk.

 

The Prima flowers and card candy centres were sprinkled with Glamour Dust.

I stamped the 'Thanks' onto a piece of cream card, cut it into a ribbon shape at one end and added a couple of black pearls.
 

The treat holder was made following Christina Fischer's tutorial at Splitcoaststampers

I kept this pretty plain too - using my nesties to create a frame for the 'just for you' stamp, adding a little more glamour dust, some ribbon and a fancy corner.

 

I know it's back to school week for a lot of you, so hopefully you will have a little time to join in the challenge.

Don't forget you could win a £10 voucher (excl p&p) to spend at Crafty Emma's.

Check out Emma's MASSIVE CLEARANCE SALE  - UP TO 80% OFF

and grab yourself a bargain.

Challenge - 

Die Cut Dreams - make a gift box/bag.

Supplies -

DP - Prima Printery. Prima Blooms. Card Candy. Glamour Dust.

Black Pearls. Ribbon.   Sizzix Corner Die 'Architectrual Accents'

'Thanks' stamp Wild Rose Studios.

'Just for you' stamp Catslife Press.

Winter Tea Lights

Hello crafters, time for another Totally Papercrafts Challenge

and this week our theme is

Christmas in August

Just perfect for adding to that Christmas pile 
and if you haven't started your Christmas cards yet,
I don't want to panic you, but there are only 18 weeks til the big day! Eek!!

I made this little tea light gift.

I started with a 144mm x 144mm card blank and scored it 20mm from the centre score line. When folded this leaves one side longer than the other, so I just trimmed off the excess length to make them equal.

I decorated the front of the card with the cute Penny Black, Mademoiselle Noel stamp and a Christmas DP from last year K & Co, Peppermint Twist.

Remembering to place a piece of ribbon between the mat black card and the card blank.

The 'winter' stamp is stamped in silver and embossed.

I made a little box to fit my four tea lights. 

To create the 'window' I cut out a piece from the lid with a label nestie and covered it, on the inside, with a piece cut from a clear plastic bag.

When I went to cover the base in my red DP, the only piece I had left, had a little flower shaped punch cut into it,

this meant I had to place my box to one side, but I think it looks ok.

Remember again, if you're making this, to put a piece of ribbon between the mat card (black in my case) and the card blank itself.
 

Here's a close up of that image - coloured with Copics and with some added sparkle to her 'fur' trim.

It doesn't really show up well, but it's there!

The little doggy was cut from a label that was in the DP pack.

I hope you will join our challenge this week and don't forget to check out the fabulous work of the DT.

Challenges.

Make it Monday - Linky Party
Penny Black at Allsorts - August Challenge Free & Easy

Aud Sentiments - Anything Goes
Craft Us Crazy - Anything Goes

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Supplies used.

Penny Black Stamp - Medemoiselle Noel, coloured with Copics and Crystal glitter.

DP - K & Co Peppermint Twist.

Catslife Press Stamp 'winter', 'just for you' stamp and twine available at Crafty Emmas

Snowflake punch and stickles glitter

Ribbon and card candy from my stash.

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Water, water, everywhere

Oh, be gentle with me girls... it's my first time hosting the challenge at CES and I have chosen the theme...

Water it!

At this time of year we think of beach scenes and boating, but, with the weather we've had up here in Yorkshire, umbrellas and wellies might be more appropriate!  :-)

I got to play with these gorgeous Echo Park, Country Drive papers, from Crafty Emma's.

I cut out some wave shapes and used foam pads to attach them, then coloured my Cool Cat with Copics and nestled him amongst the waves.

Something makes me think that this cat is a guy! I know - he's got flowery flip-flops on, but I think he's borrowed those, 'cos the ground is too hot for his delicate little feet!!!

I added some glossy accents to his sunglasses and the ice in his drink.

I covered a piece of card with Bakers Twine and added the Catslife Press stamp - both available from Crafty Emma's. - and attached it around his paw, as though it was a little kite. Oh, and the little birdy is cut from the DP.

Here's a picture to show you the layers better.

I know it's a busy time of year, but it would be great if you could find time to enter the challenge this week.

(I don't want them booting me out if we get no entries!)

and don't forget you could win a £10 voucher to spend at Crafty Emma's Store (p & p not inc)

Challenges - 

Stamp Something - August Digi Day
and a challenge that's new to me - (check it out if you haven't seen it) -

Crafting For All Seasons - Beach/Ocean

I would also like to enter this card for the St Luke's Charity Cards Challenge
and thank you to Jenny for pointing me in the direction of this great challenge and fund raising blog. I will post this card off to you, and I'm sure I can find some others to go with it. :-)

Supplies -

from Crafty Emma's -  6 x 6 Card Blank,    Bakers Twine

Echo Park, Country Drive DP

Catslife Press Stamp
Plus...    Cool Cat digi stamp from Hambo Stamps
Papermania Shimmer Dots (on the waves)
Button from my stash.

Feeling the Blues

It's time for a new challenge over at CES, and our lovely host Vicky, has chosen the theme...

Feeling The Blues.

We don't just want a little bit of blue, 

we want to see blue used as your main colour.

I went for a Christmas card - ice blue and a dab of sparkle always looks good to me!   I coloured my image with Copics, added a little stickles glitter and popped her up on foam pads.

I finally got round to buying some embossing powder, so I stamped my 'Merry Christmas' in blue and embossed it with clear powder.

I tried this piercing technique
around the paper edges,
it's the first time I've done it, so it's not very neat,
but I kind of like the way it looks.

I hope you'll join in the challenge this week - don't forget you have the chance to win a £10 voucher to spend at Crafty Emma's Store (not inc. P&P) and she has some lovely new papers available to pre-order right now.

Challenges -

Fussy & Fancy - Christmas In July

Crafty Creations - Christmas In July

Supplies from Crafty Emma's

6 x 6 Card Blank,  

Catslife Press Stamp    

Pearls

Pearl Ribbon Slider

plus... DP - Free in Simply Homemade Magazine.

Digi Stamp - Sassy Studios, Baby It's Cold Outside

Glossy Accents, Stickles Glitter, Ribbon,

'Wish' - Making Memories Velvet Sayings.