Hubby's 60th

Have you all recovered from Christmas yet? And are you all ready to welcome the New Year? It's busy enough at this time of year with all the festivities but we also have a few birthdays in our family. It is my husband's turn today. It's his 60th and this is the 'super 60' card I made for him.

I used linen card for the front and hand drew and cut out the '60' leaving a border all around. I scored a flap on the side of the linen card and attached it to an 8"x 8" card blank.

The paper behind the cut out page is from Graphic 45's Artisan Style pad and has been matted on to black card.

I printed the 'Super' and the sentiment on the computer and matted them on to black card.

The gorgeous image is from JadeDragonne (see below) and is called 1920's Flapper. I coloured her with Copics and cut her out before fixing her to the card.
I finished the card with some randomly placed pearls in red, black and gold.
We are off to Cardiff with friends for a few days to celebrate hubby's birthday and the New Year. I hope you have something nice and fun planned.
I wish you all a happy, healthy and wealthy 2016! Enjoy your celebrations everyone and I'll see you next year.
JadeDragonne is a talented artist who very generously shares her fabulous artwork. It is free to use as long as you abide by her rules. Please visit her Deviant Art or Facebook page for her copywrite message and be respectful of her wishes.

Helga Frost Birthday

Just a quickie today as I know we are all busy with the last minute preparations for Christmas but I wanted to show you this card.
Today is my brother's birthday.  Every year I make him a card featuring a sexy lady and this is the card I have made for him this year.

I started with an 8"x 8" Kraft card base. I created the paper in MCS by adding the sentiment  'Time is the wisest counsellor of all'  to a patterned paper from the Tinkering with Steampunk CD.

I was lucky enough to win a Top Three spot at Kenny K earlier this year and this is the image I chose as my prize. Her name is Helga Frost. I just love her Steampunk look. I coloured her with Copics and framed her with Kraft card.

The clock die is from Marianne and the cogs are a Memory Box corner die. I have cut some cogs apart to dot around the card.
Finally,
I would like to wish you all a very festive and joyful Merry Christmas xx 

I have entered this card in the following challenges:
http://kennykskraftykrew.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/challlenge-209-anything-goes.html Top 3
http://karleighsuechallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/challenge-7-anything-goes-with-optional.html
http://thesistersofcraft.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/sisters-of-craft-december-anything-goes.html x

Kajsan's Birds

A very big THANK YOU to everyone who sent me Happy Birthday wishes for yesterday. I had a lovely day with family and friends, a fabulous lunch out and lots of gorgeous presents.  I also managed to finish my Christmas shopping yesterday. Yay! Now just to wrap the pile of presents. That will have to wait until tomorrow as I'm heading to Bournemouth for an overnight visit with my brother today.

First, I'd like to show you some cards I made with some fabulous freebie bird digi images from Kajsans Scrapblog. She also has a store where there are more gorgeous images to purchase.

I thought the adorable birds would look wonderful as robins so, that's how I coloured them. I used my Copics to do this and piped on some white acrylic paint for snow.

The papers are  from LOTV and a pad that a lovely American friend sent me as a gift. The music die-cut is from Memory Box.

I die-cut the skates twice with an Amy Design die I purchased from Oyster Stamps. I cut away some of the red skates and stuck the two together. 

The poinsettias have been cut with a Marianne die and I finished the cards with some red gems and sentiments made with a Docrafts stamp and die.

It was my birthday yesterday and it's my brother's on Christmas Eve so we shall be going out for dinner tonight as a joint celebration and a well earned break from all the festive build up. I hope you all find some time to relax during this busy period too.

I'll be back on Thursday to show you the birthday card I have made for my brother.

Kit & Clowder Christmas Swap

It's the weekend before Christmas and it's going to be a busy one for me.
I have another Christmas card that was sent to Australia to show, but not a snowflake in sight today.

One of the Facebook groups I belong to held a Christmas swap this month and my partner lives in Australia. This is the card I made for her.

All the layers are Heartfelt Creations and Papermania papers matted onto Kraft card. I tattered the edges and used Antique Linen Distress Ink before arranging them so they would fit in an 8"x 8" envelope. I then added a strip of lace.

The image is one of my favourites. It's Conie Fong's Angel of Christmas Stars. I coloured her with my Copics before cutting her out and mounting her on gold card.

The poinsettias and ferns were made with Marianne dies. I coloured the ferns with Copics and added DecoArt Snow Writer to the flowers.

The bow is seam binding that I coloured with Copics before tying up with a piece of string. I finished the card with a few gold gems.

This is the wonderful card I received in return from my swap partner. Thank you Melinda, it's gorgeous.
Have a good weekend everyone.

I've entered my card in the following challenges:

http://artbymiranchallenge.blogspot.ca/2015/12/challenge-47-anything-goes.html Top 3
http://brownsugarchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/challenge-177-anything-goes.html x
http://simplypapercraftsforalloccassions.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/challenge-20.html x
http://thatscraftychallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/anything-goes-challenge.html x

Snowflakes in Australia

Time just seems to be rushing by, I hope you are all more organised than I am. I can't believe that Christmas is so close and I haven't shown many of  the cards I've made this year. 

Here is a card that I made for a lovely lady in Australia. In the northern hemisphere we associate Christmas with snow and frosty weather but in Australia it's Summer. I thought I'd send my friend some snow so she wouldn't feel left out.

I matted and layered ivory card and a paper from First Edition Silent Night before adding a strip of ivory satin ribbon.

The snowflakes are a mix of Spellbinder and Marianne dies. I used Salty Ocean and Antique Linen Distress Inks to colour them and added plenty of Shabby Blue Frantage for sparkle.

I covered the wooden frame with Frantage and added a banner that I'd stamped with a Docrafts sentiment. The card was finished with some icy blue gems.

I'm pleased to say that the snow made it safely to the other side of the world.

Now, back to those Christmas preparations for me. Have a lovely day whatever you're up to.

I've entered this card in the following challenges:

http://2craftygirlschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/challenge-8.html x
http://craftygalscornerchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/challenge-50-anything-goes.html x
http://inspirationdestinationchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/ag-no-64.html x
http://bunnyzoescrafts.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/novemberdecember-challenge-sparkle.html

A Layered Christmas

I can't believe how quickly this month is rolling by. Everything seems to be geared up for just the one day but we also have five family birthdays this month so there is extra crafting and shopping to do. I hope you are all up to date with your preparations. I'm still chasing my tail trying to get everything ready in time, but, just to prove that I have been crafting I have a card to show today.

This is a card I made for a crafty American friend. She has received it now so I can show it.

I cut panels of plain card in decreasing sizes and layered them up. I tattered the edges with scissors and spread them out to make a card that fits in an 8"x 8" envelope. The papers are from Heartfelt Creations and Papermania. 

I added hessian ribbon, lace and green wired ribbon across the front of the card. This adorable little girl is IMG392  from Sherri Baldy. I coloured her with my Copics and cut round her before mounting on foam pads.

I used Marianne dies for the poinsettias and ferns and a Memory Box die for the bells. I tied more of the wired ribbon in a bow and finished the card with some gold gems. I'm pleased to say that the card was well received.
I'd better get back to my preparations now but I'll be back to show more of my recent crafting soon.
I've entered this card in the following challenges:
http://scrapbookstampsocietychallengeblog.blogspot.nl/2015/12/challenge-81-anything-goes-option.html DT Winner
http://meetatthescrapperscorner.blogspot.co.nz/2015/12/1st-of-december-my-besties-meet-at.html DT Favourite
http://worldwideopendesignteamchallenge.blogspot.com.au/2015/12/1st-december-2015-world-wide-open.html x

Kraftyhands December 2015 Challenge

Today is the start of the December challenge at Kraftyhands. This month's theme is

"One Die Christmas Card"

This challenge is just for fun. You don't need to use Kraftyhands products on your creation but it would be nice if you did. A full set of the rules are on the blog.

I have made this 7"x 7" card for your inspiration.

I've used papers from the 12 Days of Christmas CD, a turquoise snowflake paper for the background and a yellow text paper to create the snowflake. I printed both papers onto linen card for texture and added a strip of lace and some large ric-rac across the front of the card.

I used just the one die, it's  Joy! Crafts die 6002/0149, but I used it four times to cut the 'arms' of the snowflake. I then assembled them with foam pads onto the card front. I decorated it with half pearls.

The sentiment is also from the CD. There are lots of gorgeous folklore inspired Christmas images and papers on the CD and it's currently on sale in the Kraftyhands shop for £7.50. That's half price!!
Please visit the  Kraftyhands Challenge Blog for a full set of the challenge rules and to view the inspirational creations from my talented team mates. Remember to be a follower of the challenge blog to qualify for entry.

I've entered this card in the following challenges:
http://craftycalendarchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/let-it-snow-with-crafty-calendar.html x
http://www.2creativechicks.com/2015/12/2-creative-chicks-showcase-5-top-chick.html x
http://crafterscafeblogchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/crafters-cafe-challenge-138-use-diecuts.html x
http://craftyhazelnutspatternedpaper.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/craftyhazelnuts-patterned-paper.html x
http://sparklesforumchristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/challenge-59-die-cuts-for-christmas.html x

Creative Artiste Mixed Media Challenge #9

It's the first Friday of December and the start of a new challenge at Creative Artiste We are a challenge blog for everyone who likes to mix their media. As long as you use more than one medium on your creation we'd love to see you enter the challenge. This is a month long challenge so you have time to create projects and enter up to three times. A full list of the rules is on the challenge blog. Thank you to everyone who entered Challenge #8 for November. The winner has been announced  on the blog.

Our theme this month is everyone's favourite
"Anything Goes"
and our sponsor for this month is FoilPlay.

Should the winner be from outside of the UK an alternative prize will be awarded.

I chose to make two tag cards to inspire you this month. Of course, I chose a Christmas theme as it's that time of year.

Both cards were hand cut from an A3 sheet of plain card into a landscape tag shape and then coloured with Pan Pastels. I made a stencil of dots using my X-cut punch tool and used that all over the card fronts with some texture paste, adding glitter before it dried.

I randomly stamped small snowflakes over the tags, Frantaged them and then added a matted and layered panel of paper to the center of the cards. The images and sentiments are all from the Wellington at Christmas range by Docrafts. The bobble trim is also from Docrafts.

The snowflakes were made using SB, Marianne and X-cut dies and the tree dies are from Sue Wilson. All got the Frantage treatment. I punched a hole in the front of the tags and threaded through a couple of ribbons before tying in a bow. I finished by dipping the end of a pencil in white acrylic paint and dabbing extra snowfall over the cards.

Now please visit the Creative Artiste Challenge Blog to see the wonderful projects created by my talented team mates including the new DT members. Remember to have fun and enter your "Anything Goes" mixed media creations in the challenge.

I've entered these joint projects into the following challenges:

http://abitmoretimetocraft.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/a-bit-more-time-to-craft-challenge-9.html x
http://sparklesforumchristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/challenge-59-die-cuts-for-christmas.html x
http://frillyandfunkie.blogspot.ca/2015/12/tis-season.html x
http://mixedmediaworld.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/mmw9-anything-goes.html x
http://asnowflakespromise.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/challenge-11.html x

Crafts Galore Encore December 2015

It's been ages since I've blogged. I hope you are all keeping well. I can't believe it's the first of December already!! Being away from home completely changed my routine and my regular life had to be put on hold. I've been back home for a few days now and I'm frantically trying to catch up with Christmas cards and present shopping. Who needs sleep anyway?

 It's time for a new challenge on the Crafts Galore Encore Challenge Blog. Thank you to everyone who joined in last month's challenge. The winners are on the challenge blog 'winner's page'. This is a month long challenge and you can enter up to three times. A full list of rules are on the challenge blog.

Our theme this month is everyone's favourite
"Anything Goes"
Our fabulous sponsor for this month is Beccy's Place.

Some of the team were allowed to choose an image from Beccy's shop and I was one of the lucky ones. This is the card I made.

I scruffed the edges of a piece of plain card and coloured it with blue Pan Pastels before matting it onto an 8"x 8"  card blank. The sky paper is from the Wellington at Christmas range by Docrafts and the snowflake paper is by LOTV from the Frosty Christmas paper pad.

I couldn't resist this super sweet image - pun intended. It's called Gingerbread House and I coloured it with Copics before cutting it out and adding glitter to the snow. It's mounted on the card with foam pads.

The little gingerbread man is a Docrafts stamp. He was also coloured with my Copics. The trees were created with Sue Wilson's Winter Tree Festive Collection dies. The fences are a Marianne die to which I added some white acrylic paint.
I finished the card with some gems.
Now please visit the Crafts Galore Encore challenge blog to see the fabulous cards from my wonderfully talented team mates. We look forward to seeing your projects this December.
I wish you all a happy and peaceful Christmastime.

I've entered this card into the following challenges:
http://juliaspirichallengeblog.blogspot.com.es/2015/11/challenge-07-altered-art.html x
http://bunnyzoescrafts.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/novemberdecember-challenge-sparkle.html
http://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/challenge-88.html DT Favourite
http://inspirationdestinationchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/AG-NO-61.html x
http://artbymiranchallenge.blogspot.ca/2015/11/challenge-46-anything-goes.html x
http://artisticinspirationschallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/challenge-146.html x
http://christmascardchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/christmas-card-challenges-52-anything.html x
http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/chnc-challenge-extra-for-december-2015.html x

Kraftyhands November 2015 Challenge

Happy weekend everyone. Today is the start of the November challenge at Kraftyhands. This month's theme is

"Need for Speed"

This challenge is just for fun. You don't need to use Kraftyhands products on your creation but it would be nice if you did. A full set of the rules are on the blog.

I have made this 6"x 6" card for your inspiration.

I used one of the Card Making Sets on the Equestrian Events CD Collection for the background and gorgeous image on this card. It takes me back to the days when I was fit enough to gallop along beaches on my horse. There is nothing like the sense of speed and freedom.
I used blue card for the matting layers and added a strip of lace. The image was printed twice and overlapped. The sentiment is also from the CD.

I embellished the card with Marianne starfish and shell die-cuts to match the background paper.

Please visit the  Kraftyhands Challenge Blog for a full set of the challenge rules and to view the inspirational creations from my talented team mates. Remember to be a follower of the challenge blog to qualify for entry.

I've entered this card in the following challenges:

Creative Artiste Mixed Media Challenge #8

It's the first Friday of November and the start of a new challenge at Creative Artiste We are a challenge blog for everyone who likes to mix their media. As long as you use more than one media on your project we'd love to see you enter the challenge. This is a month long challenge so you have time to create projects and enter up to three times. A full list of the rules is on the challenge blog. Thank you to everyone who entered Challenge #7 for October. The winner has been announced  on the blog.

Our theme this month is
"Anything Goes"
with an option of
"Traditional Christmas Colours"
(Red, Green and Gold)
We are sponsored this month by Lacy Sunshine
who are offering three digis to the winner.

The design team were given a choice of images to work with for this challenge and I made this hanging Christmas decoration with my choice.

I used the Sheena Douglass Holly Stamp from her Paint Fusion range on two different green cards and cut sections and individual leaves out. I die-cut a ring in gold card using scalloped dies and used that as a base for the wreath. The banner was printed on the computer.

The digi image I used is called Joy to the World and I coloured her in with Copics and then cut her out.

I added clear embossing powder and gold frantage to some of the holly leaves.

I finished the wreath with a gold bow and some red gems as berries. I attached thick twine to the back of the wreath to hang it with.

Now please visit the Creative Artiste Challenge Blog to see the wonderful projects created by my talented team mates for more inspiration.  Remember to have fun and enter your "Anything Goes-Traditional Christmas Colours" creations in the challenge.

I've entered this project into the following challenges:

http://craftingwithanattitude.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/challenge-9.html Top 3
http://crafty-girls-creations.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/challenge-8.html x
http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/chnc-challenge-extra-for-november-2015.html x
http://sparklesforumchristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/challenge-59-christmas-decorations.html x
http://christmasblogchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/angels.html x

Crafts Galore Encore November 2015 Challenge

It's now the first of November and time for a new challenge on the Crafts Galore Encore Challenge Blog. Thank you to everyone who joined in last month's challenge. The winners are on the challenge blog 'winner's page'. This is a month long challenge and you can enter up to three times. A full list of rules are on the challenge blog.

Our theme this month is
"Use a Stamp or Digi Image"
somewhere on your project.
This month we are being sponsored by
Art By Miran

Our design team were given a choice of some of Miran's lovely images to work with. This is the card I made with my choice.

I used Kraft card for the matting layers on an 8"x 8" card base. The papers are from LOTV's Frosty Christmas art pad. I tucked a doily and a strip of lace in between a couple of layers and added lots of snowflake die-cuts that I'd sprinkled with Shabby Blue Frantage.

The image from Art by Miran that I chose is called Suzie Snowflakes. I used Copics to colour her.

The tree die-cuts are from Sue Wilson's Winter Tree Festive Collection and were cut from plain white card then dipped in white embossing powder to give them an enameled look.

I finished the card by sprinkling plenty of Frantage around, adding some blue gems and a seam binding bow.

Now please visit the Crafts Galore Encore challenge blog to see the fabulous cards from my wonderfully talented team mates. We look forward to seeing your projects this November using a stamped or digi image. And, if you fancy joining our lovely team you are in luck....

We also have a DT CALL for a number of places on our DT to begin with the first challenge of 2016 on January 1st!
To join our DT please add DT to your entry for this challenge. If you have tried before please try again, our requirements are:-
1. You need to have a blog and also a Facebook account (we run the group from a private FB group)
2. You will be required to produce one project each month. The themes aren't difficult and usually the sponsor will provide you with a digi image to work with (usually you get a choice as to which image you choose!) The project will need to be ready by the 28th of each month.
3. You will need to comment on challenge entries.
4. Every other month you will be asked to pick your choice of a winner and write a sentence or two about why you picked it (please click on the winners tab above if you want to see what is needed !)
5. You need to enjoy colouring as we work with digi stamps (we chose to do this so that we could work with people worldwide!)
We are a friendly group and as flexible as we can be (understanding that life gets in the way of craft !)

I've entered this card into the following challenges:

http://crafting-with-friends.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/challenge-9.html x

http://simplycreatetoo.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/ch-97-baby-its-cold-outside.html x

http://simplypapercraftsforalloccassions.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/challenge-16.html x

http://crafty-girls-creations.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/challenge-7.html x

http://worldwideopendesignteamchallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/1st-november-2015-world-wide-open.html x

Baby Album

It's taken me longer than anticipated to show you another of the projects that I made for my new grandson's nursery as I've been kept very busy helping out while his mum recovers from her operation. I'm sorry I haven't been a regular visitor to your blogs recently but I've also been having problems with Blogger, hopefully they are now sorted.

I have seen some beautiful albums created by crafty friends and thought the new baby's arrival was the perfect opportunity to have a go at one myself.

I made the album itself from greyboard. The pages are slightly smaller than the covers and I added a flap to each of the four pages. This gave me twenty 'sides' to decorate including the covers.

I started by joining the flaps to the pages before painting the greyboard with a light blue acrylic paint.

I then decorated the pages using papers from Graphic 45's Precious Memories and Prima's Bedtime Story.

I printed some postcards on the computer for journalling and recording key events. Every couple of  pages there is a pocket to store photos or mementos.

When all the pages were finished I cut strips of linen card, and edged them with a scallop punch, to join the pages.

On the back cover I used a gorgeous vintage pram image from La Pashe. I've used it a few times inside the album too.

Once assembled, the album was bound with linen card to which I added papers, lace and ribbon. The album is just over 2" (5 cm) wide.

I'd like to say a big thank you to the talented crafters that I have taken inspiration from to create this keepsake. I hope, in turn, that I have managed to inspire someone else to create an album. It really is great fun.