DT Posting - Corrosive Challenges - #73 - Cartoon Time

Good morning and welcome to Sunday - with a not-so-welcome look ahead to Monday LOL!  This week on Corrosive Challenges we are using cartoons on our projects.  I've used a Stella cartoon from Bugaboo Stamps - don't you just love Stella and her attitude to life!  Stella is coloured with Copics and some Glossy Accents for her spectacles.  DP is Basic Grey, scraps from various different 6x6 pads, I've used a Cuttlebug folder on a blue bit.  The scrolls are cut with a punch and I've used a Marthas Stewart punch on the pink DP, with organza ribbon tied round it too. 

I've followed the sketch from the Create4Fun Challenge and the colourscheme is from One Stop Craft Challenge, who have the theme of pink, blue, green and a hint of red flowers and bling!  OK I think I've got that covered).  I'm also entering my card for Stamp Something's digital challenge. 

Summertime and the living is easy

Earlier this week I got an email from Little Claire stamps about their sale; I was lucky enough to get this Martha Stewart Grass punch for a very good price.  As I had new stash it seemed a good idea to enter this week's Sketch and Stash Challenge.   I was a bit stumped by the sketch, until I decided to use my design twice, cutting out as two circles, one smaller than the other and popped up on silicon glue. 

I used a flower design from Isabella's Sketchbook.  Isabella's Sketchbook Challenge this week is get punchy and I've used my new punch as well as a leaf punch on my card.  DP is Basic Grey Green at Heart, image is coloured with Copics and a bit of Stickles.  I've added Stickles to my flower and the sentiment is from Elusive Images.  I'm also entering my card for the Summer Days Challenge at the Allsorts Challenge Blog and the Summer Holidays theme at Secret Crafter Challenge.  

Bellariffic Friday meets Totally Papercrafts Recipe

I'm not too sure how to enter Emily's Bellariffic Friday, the sketch was published last week.  Anyhow, here's a card for it it it's not too late:).   I used the Charlotte Ketto stamp that I bought at Craft Barn, coloured with Copics.  The blue DP is a K&K from a big box and the strips are a My Minds Eye magazine freebie.  I added some little gems and a ribbon for Charlotte's hair, which makes the card fit Totally Papercraft's Recipe Challenge of 1 image, 2 DPs, 1 ribbon, 3 embellishments.  Isn't she gorgeous?

Phindy's Friday Challenge #14 - got the blues

Good morning!  It's Friday morning and the end of another week - but nearly the start of the weekend - hooray!  Of course, Friday means it's also time for another Phindy's Place Friday Challenge and this week we have the blues.  Blue is my favourite colour, whether it's denim, aqua, pastel, navy and we'd like you to use some blue in your project this week.

I've chosen the adorable and elegant Contentment image from Phindy's Place for my card, you can also buy an African American version of this image from Phindy.

My image is coloured with Copics and I've put a picture style frame around it before adding it to my card.  My card is based on the Card Patterns' Challenge sketch this week and as it it quite a patchwork card I've added some "quilting" stitches to it.  Dare U2 Digistamp has Stitching as its challenge this week,  so I'm also entering their challenge.  DP is Papermania, the threads across the card are hand-dyed from my stash, I've used tiny jeweller's tags for the "boy" sentiment.    Hope you like my card, so be sure to go and look at the amazing cards that the DT has made. 

Just a note...

When I got home from holiday a few new stamps from Stampinbella were waiting for me; this typewriter is one of them.  Comes with several sentiments, saw a sample card made with it at the Craft Barn weekend and couldn't resist!  One Stop Craft Challenge has a monochromatic theme this week and this very simple card fits their challenge.  I've coloured with Copics, edged with Distress Inks, and added some white faux stitching around the black square, which was just too plain:).  The DP is a from new Basic Grey pad that I bought at Craft Barn.  What do you think of the stamp?  It just looks so useful to me, had to get it...

The Definitive Elizabeth Bell Blog Candy - don't miss this one!

Elizabeth Bell has AMAZING candy on offer - check out her blog.  Here is what she has to say:

Up for one lucky winner is the “Definitive Blog Candy Give Away”, which has the following stamps from the rubber stamp companies that you and I love!:

Belles ‘n Whistles - SEVEN beautiful pre-cut clear, genuine Photopolymer stamps - The Forever Young Collection: A Child’s Prayer, Merry-Go!, Clowning Around, Eden with Teddy, Fairy Play, Little Eden, Princess Tales and Sweet Dreams (just so you know, these gorgeous stamps are flying off the shelves fast and one is already out of stock! So the lucky winner will be very lucky to get these! :)

Whiff of Joy - TWO Stamp Kits featuring uncut, beautifully mounted stamps: Scheherazade (1001 Nights) with 7 stamps and beautiful sentiments created by the very talented Katharina Frei AND Aladin (1001 Nights) with 7 stamps and more beautiful sentiments created by Katharina Frei, owner of Whiff of Joy Stamps

SCACD - TWO full uncut, unmounted sheets of yummy stamps! Sampler Edition #4 containing 7 stamps, and my latest release through SCACD, Sampler Edition #5 containing 7 more delightful stamps

In total, there are THIRTY-SIX stamps including wonderful sentiments from Whiff of Joy!

Happy Birthday Cupcake

Back to work today, that was a shock to the system:).  I put this card together with an already coloured image this evening, it felt good to get back into the craft room.  The card uses Papertake Challenge's sketch, Dawn's sketches are a favourite of mine.  It is also for the House Mouse Challenge, which is to make a birthday card, as they are celebrating America, their DT member's, birthday.

I edged the card with Distress Inks and used some Stickles on the icing as well.  The sentiment with the cupcakes is from Elusive Images, I've added some colour with Copics to the cakes as well as more Stickles.  The DP is My Mind's Eye, a freebie with a magazine, and I've used a Martha Stewart punch along the bottom.

 I was lucky enough to win the House Mouse Challenge a couple of weeks ago, with a generous prize of a HM stamp from Simon Says.  "Are we there yet?" came in the post today, isn't it adorable?  Thank you to Simon Says and the House Mouse Challenge team.

DT - Corrosive Challenge #72 - Sketch Time

This week at Corrosive Challenges we have a simple sketch to follow.  I've made a card using DP called So Sophie, by My Minds Eye in rich purples and golds - looks better in real life than in the picture - sorry.  I've stamped Elusive Images Wild Meadow flowers onto the notepad background DP and gold embossed some highlights, using an embossing pen to match the embossed sentiment, which is Papermania.


I've used lots of layers and matting for my card, so I'm entering it for Paper Sundae's layering challenge.

We got home from holiday late last night after a wonderful, relaxing week.  But why is that that, after seven hours of driving on French roads, where the speed limit is adhered to, the traffic keeps in the RH lane unless it's overtaking, the M25 STILL has bottlenecks and jams even at nearly 11pm... welcome back to Blighty LOL!  I'll bore you with some photos when I get the chance...

DT Posting - Phindy's Place Challenge #13 - embossing

This week at Phindy's Place we're challenging you to use embossing on your card: dry or heat embossed, it's up to you so long as you use a Phindy's Place image.  This totally adorable image is called Birdie, she is one of a series called Summer Cuties and you can buy her here.  I'm also entering Birdie for the following challenges:  Cute Card Thursday's School's out for Summer ,  Flutter By Wednesday's open theme (sentiment is a butterfly) and for Charisma Cardz Watch the Birdie.   I've coloured her with Copics and edged the image with Distress Inks while it was still in a scalloped Nestie.  The embossing is done with a Cuttlebug folder and the DP is a Christmas Basic Grey (!) called Eskimo Kisses.  The sentiment is from Craftwork Cards and the ribbon is from stash.

1st DT Posting - Cooking it up with Katie

Good Morning!  My first DT posting for the Cooking it up With Katie Challenge is a bright and summery one, using an image from this week's sponsor, Meljen Designs.  Your challenge is to use the following three "ingredients" as you cook up your card:

 Use something yellow
Use a sketch from any current challenge
Add some stitching, real or faux

Ive coloured with Copics, Stickles and Glossy Accents, using two images to get lots of dimension, I popped up my leaf and flower with silicon glue.  The DP is Papermania, I used my Martha Stewart hydrangea punch down the side of the stripe.  I Cuttlebugged the cardstock, stitched round the image, the sentiment and the embossed card.  The sentiment is a freebie from TLCCreations. 

Oh, the sketch that I worked with is from the Friday Sketchers Challenge.

DT News - Cooking it up with Katie DT

Bonjour!  We are on holiday in the beautiful Vendee area of France, we have internet access but I'm trying to stay offline as much as possible - not really a holiday if I spend my time in front of the screen:).

I have some exciting news to share:  I am very excited to have been picked as part of the DT for Cooking it up with Katie.  The challenges are great fun and a little different, with their set of "ingredients".  I hope you'll join me on Wednesday to see my first card for the Team

DT Posting - Corrosive Challenge - Christmas TmeB

I know, you've seen this image before and you'll see it plenty more times before Christmas LOL! The Corrosive Challenge this week aims to get you started with your projects and cards for Christmas, you know how it goes, all of a sudden it's upon us and then there's the shame of having shop-bought cards because we ran out of time!

My favourite image, ever, is the Fjord horses pulling a sled, you can buy it here from Phindy's Place. I've coloured in traditional colours, no glitter or Flowersoft snow for once. The sentiment is from Craftwork Cards and the DPs are both Basic Grey - one Wassail and one Eskimo Kisses.
I'm entering my card for Fussy & Fancy's Christmas in July Challenge and Dareu2Digitamp's Great Outdoors Challenge.

DT Post - Phindy's Place Friday Challenge #12 - Red, white & blue

It's Friday and it's time for another Phindy's Place Challenge! This week we're looking forward to the 4th July celebrations with a red, white and blue theme. I based my card on the Sketch Saturday Challenge.
This week's Papertake Challenge is to include some stitching in your project. Instead of stitching around the layers of cardstock, as I often do, I've stitched over the ropes and tassels on the hot air balloon. I really like the effect, which took just a few minutes to stitch. Unfortunately I had to stop and start lots of times so it took me about 5 times as long again to sew the ends in!

The adorable image is called Up and Away! You can buy it here. The DP is Stampin' Up, I made the flowers from the cardstock. The ribbon came from my blogging friend Viv and the card candy is from Craftwork Cards.

Let the sun shine

I should be getting ready for my holiday, but I couldn't resist making a quick card with Birdie, an image from a new Phindy's Place series. She is so quick to colour and looks adorable! I've used a fun sketch from Card Patterns Challenge for my layout and the background is a check from Basic Grey's Kioshi collection as this week's Simon Says Challenge is "check it out". I'm entering Copic Creation's Challenge which is Birds, but I have to say that having seen the DT's work, which has almost a photographic quality, my little birdie is a bit, umm, inadequate :). A new challenge for me: Sir Stampalot's Challenge is lazy, hazy days of summer.

Coloured with Copics, ric-rac and Prima flowers added.

A good book has no ending

This is a lovely image by Mo Manning, what could be better on a sunny day than a good book to read and a quilt to lie on? I based my card layout on Mercy's great sketch from Crazy4Challenges and my colour scheme on One Stop Craft Challenge, which wants to see pink and brown projects this week. DP2 has an Anything Goes Challenge (using Mo's images) and Paper Sundaes' Challenge is a birthday card.

My image is coloured with Copics and edged with Distress Ink, cut with a deckle edged Nestie and mounted onto pearlescent card. The DPs are Basic Grey Capella and I've used a Martha Stewart doliy edge punch. Sentiment is from Craftwork Cards and ribbon is from stash.

Off on an adventure

A levels finished yesterday and today older DS headed to join his friends in Lisbon for a month in Europe with a rail card... Looking a bit apprehensive here, they will all have a great time I'm sure:)

Until Further Notice...

I've come across a new-to-me digiblog called Create with TLC,that specialises in sentiments, with many generous freebies. As soon as I saw this sentiment I knew it was right for a card for a friend who has been gravely ill after heart surgery, I just needed to find the right image to go with it. You might think it's not really a "get well" type sentiment and it isn't. Frank's surgery did not go as planned and he has spent many weeks completely out of it, in intensive care and in limbo as it was uncertain whether he would recover at all. Thanks to email, we've had almost daily updates on his situation and at last, things are going the right way. He has moved hospitals to one only an hour from his home and, fingers crossed, he will be making his escape soon:). He is alive, each day another tube or drip or drain is removed and I think he is celebrating being able to continue getting older:).

Card is fairly simple: I used a Rachelle Ann Miller stamp that I bought second hand, shamefully never used (by me) until today. Image coloured with copics, edged with Distress Inks, cut with a Nellie Snellen frame and mounted on a Nestie shape. The paper is Prima, I saw it and fell for it big time, the reverse is yummy too. Twill tape is from stash. The image is straight, it is the pattern on the card that is an irregular pattern:).

I'm entering the Simon Says "You gotta have friends" challenge and the Spoonful of Sugar Animal Crackers challenge with this card.

Berry Simple

I needed a quick Thank You card and, as I'd coloured this beautiful strawberry image I decided to use it and add some computer generated text. The main image is from Isabella's Sketchbook, love it! The tiny strawberries, leaves and flourishes are tiny tapestry stamps on wooden dowel, that were all the rage a couple of years back. Main image coloured with Copics, sponged with Distress Inks, Glossy Accents added to those juicy berries.

This card is for the following challenges:
Digital Tuesday - Summertime
Crafty Cardmakers - Inky Fingers
Isabellas' Challenge - Summer Fun
Secret Crafter - Strawberries & Cream

DT - Corrosive Challenge #70- flowers galore

I'm late with my DT posting for Corrosive Challenges, been fighting with an eye infection for the last few days:(. The Challenge this week is to use lots of flowers on your project. I've been playing with my Tim Holtz Tattered Florals die, I love that it cuts fabric and I simply layered up 4 different fabrics and cut. Voila! I based my card on the CPS sketch for this week, which worked well with my flowers and also my gorgeous Iris stamp that was part of my blog candy from Elusive Images. The colouring on it wasn't perfect thanks to my eye infection, but lots of lovely Distress Ink round the edges covers a multitude of sins:). I edged the image with Brilliance reinker silver ink on a sponge, but I was a bit heavy handed and it hadn't dried overnight! I now have silver ink on all kinds of surfaces... The sentiment is also from Elusive Images, another theme plate this time. The DP is My Mind's Eye. The scale between the big flowers and the delicate iris isn't quite right, but hey, it's summertime:)

Happy Birthday Mr B

Here's a card I finished yesterday, having inked the image a week ago, it's a birthday card for an old reprobate friend who at the age of 81 is planning to spend his weekend at a motorbike sprint and has a garage full of vintage bikes.

The image was a RAK from my blogging friend Debby, sorry I can't find the name of the stamping company. It's black embossed and I used Distress Inks sponged to give it a glow. The paper is My Mind's Eye - they have a few ranges with just the perfect stripes to go with everything. Maybe it's a hangover from my quilting, but I do love to use stripes, especially for a man's card:). The sentiment is Elusive Images, embossed in Copper rather than gold, brads are from my stash. And that's it. Nothing more to add to it because it's a man card :).

I based my card on a beautiful, simple sketch at Truly Scrumptious, that to me works perfectly for a masculine card. As you can see, I didn't take up their optional strawberry & cream theme :), and I'm also entering for Charizma Cardz "one for the boys" challenge.

Happy Birthday Mr B!