Secret Crafter Challenge #21 - Transport

This seems to be yet another card suitable for a chap. I have had quite a run on them of late. This stamp from Hobby Art is popular in this part of the country, as living near to the coast, many people sail.
The paper is Papermania and the swirl is Quickutz. I seem to have been using it rather a lot recently.
Some time ago I bought a huge box of rolls of assorted colour ribbons from Malaysia, through eBay. Where would we be without eBay? I would never have chosen some of the colours, but as it was pot luck, I just accepted what was sent. It is surprising however, just how useful it has been and just how many times I have managed to find a shade which co-ordinated with the card that I was making.
Great Stuff!

ABC Challenge - C - Child's card ~ Daring Cardmakers - All things circular ~ Cute Card Thursday - Animals

I found cutting out this circular card quite tricky. I used my X cut circle template, but the double thickness of card was quite a proposition.
The ladybird is made completely from circles apart from his/her feelers which are made from the capital letter C from my Cuttlebug Hippie Chick alphabet, cut in half.
The flowers are all circular-ish as is the sentiment.
It is a card for a child's birthday and ladybirds belong to the animal kingdom... so three challenges in one!

Stamp Something - Cold Winter Wind & Sketch Saturday #40

Not being a scrapbooker, this sketch looked a little complicated to me and it really was a challenge to get it sorted. However, I actually rather enjoyed doing it and have used the same colours as several of my recent cards.

The sentiment reads 'Cherish yesterday, Live for today, Dream of tomorrow' We can't go far wrong if we keep to this, can we!

The theme of Cold Winter Wind is from Stamp Something. I hope that the bare trees and the colours I chose satisfy the criteria!

Surprise award!

What a lovely surprise to receive this award from Debbie aka In His Grip.

In fact I haven't spotted this award anywhere before. It is a wonderful feeling to realise that others take pleasure from looking at one's work. So thank you so much Debbie.

I need to pass on this award to 10 other Bloggers... decisions, decisions!

So I have decided to pass it on to these crafters who are kind enough to be followers of my blog.

Sassy, Julie, Lorraine, Jamie, Sue, Jackie, Linnie, Joey, Caroline Gina and a special one for Teresa, who although not a follower, is a faithful visitor to my Blog!

Thank you ALL so much for all your visits and generous comments!

You in turn may pass it on to 10 others in your Blogging Circle!

Papertake Weekly Challenge Dawny's sketch #9

I was asked by a friend at my gym to make a card for her Mum for Mother's Day. She likes yellow and flowers... so this is what I did for her. There's lots of yellow and there are flowers. I hope she likes it.
This is Dawny's sketch from Papertake Weekly challenge, swished around a little.
I have used these Quickutz flourishes a lot recently, and I have found some 12" x 12", double sided adhesive sheets in packs at my local Range store. They are very thin and perfect for making stickers out of die-cuts. I just stick appropriate sized pieces to the back of the paper or thin cardstock before running the dies through my Cuttlebug. Once the shapes are cut, I just peel off the other side of the adhesive and apply the die-cuts to my project. Easy Peasy!
The stamp is Anita's, watercoloured, and the cardstock came from a Goody Bag from somewhere or other. It may have been Hobbycraft, but I'm not sure.
You'll probably recognise good old Swiss Dots embossing from Cuttlebug.

The Pink Elephant Challenge #3

Week three of The Pink Elephant Challenges already; I'm still reeling from my win in week 1!

This week we have a sketch to follow and for the second time in a week, I've made a card for a chap! This is a sweet little knight in armour from Sugar Nellie. I think that the world could do with a little more chivalry don't you! He's coloured with Pearly Paints and highlighted with a gel pen.

The paper is Papermania and the embossing is Cuttlebug Divine Swirls. The flourish is Quickutz and other papers are from The Paper Mill shop. I fancy getting a few more flourishes. Any recommendations?

Colour Create #4 (already!) Where have the weeks gone to?

I can't believe that this is the fourth challenge from Colour Create already. I really must be getting old, the time is simply flying by.

This card just doesn't quite work somehow, I think that maybe the ribbon is just a little de trop... wrong sort, wrong place, wrong finishing... something isn't just quite right, but never mind. I may take off the brad and just do a simple knot. It was a pleasant way to spend some time on a Sunday morning before I start on preparations for lunch!

The parameters were grey and pink and hopefully something cuddly. Check, check and check!

This lovely Ted is from PSX, the flowers are Sizzix, the paper is Paper Cellar Ltd, the other bits and bobs are out of my bits and bobs drawer.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!

I think that this is better... do you agree?

Penny Black #37 Get Well Soon & Our Creative Corner - Tag

I saw this little Penny Black daisy in a set with some useful sentiments amd couldn't resist buying it. Daisies are so cheerful aren't they! Who wouldn't feel a little better looking at them. Besides which it is my darling granddaughter's name!
I have had a tendency recently to add more and more to my cards, when really my own personal style tends to be more simple. I have tried to keep this one uncluttered and it is certainly that.
The paper is from Canon, and the border punch is 'Lace' by Fiskars. Well, it is new, so I have to keep playing with it!

Sketch Saturday #39 & ABC 2nd attempt!

I have already made a card in blue and brown this week, but this one is in totally different shades, both the blue and brown being in very muted tones.
The stamp was bought in a job lot on eBay and is from PSX. It is stamped with copper Cats Eyes. I think this type of image goes well with the more formal type papers. These are from Canon and I love the colours.
The tiny tags are Cuttlebug; I knew I'd find a use for them sometime!
The hearts are my new Nesties and the chalk is Dovecraft. The darker toned card is from my local Paper Mill shop, from whence comes most, if not all of my card and paper supplies.

PS Thanks for stopping by, I love to read your comments. It is most kind!

Secret Crafter Challenge #20 & Daring Cardmaker Fish or Frog

I find that it's always hard to make cards for chaps. I keep this Paper Nation stamp in the drawer for the odd occasions when I'm asked to make cards for fishermen! I don't like all the stamps in the series, but I quite like this one.

The sketch is from The Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge and the theme from Daring Cardmakers. The papers are Papermania and Canon. I stamped the trees onto the plainish Canon paper to try to make it seem a bit more rural.

The corners are Cuttlebug and the scallop square is a Nestability. I stamped the sentiment onto the square whilst it was still in the die so that I got a slight border and didn't go across the embossing. As I'd used Timber Brown Stazon, I had to clean the die and the stamp with Stazon cleaner!

Cute Card Thursday #48 Signs of Spring & Friday Sketchers #40

It was good to get back to card making this afternoon, as following my exercise class at the gym this morning, I had to go to the dentist!
I had been eating a bagette for lunch yesterday, when one of my molars cracked and a huge chunk broke off! Fortunately I have a superb dentist, who repaired the damage most skillfully. I may have to have the tooth crowned at some time, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
The sketch is from Friday Sketchers, and the theme, Signs of Spring, is from Cute Card Thursday.
This is another of my snowdrop stamps. I bought it on eBay, I don't think it's a well known make. The papers are by Paper Cellar Ltd and Anita's. The sentiment is Stampin Up, mounted on Nesties. Of course, I had to use my new Fiskars Lace punch again, which I bought yesterday.

PS I have just found out that the stamp is from Xelacraft!

Truly Scrumptious First Challenge & ABC Challenge B - Blue & Brown

I had been eagerly awaitng the first challenge from Truly Scrumptious, but didn't manage to get a card made until today. Amongst other things I spent some time yesterday, visiting with my gorgeous granddaughter Daisy! She seems to have grown each time I see her.
This is also for the ABC Challenge where the letter B this time round, represents the colours Blue & Brown.
The image is from Pink Petticoat, the paper from Canon. The embossing is CUTTLEBUG. The ribbon was left over from my daughter's wedding invitations. The lacy edge is a Fiskars border punch which I bought this morning on a whim... as you do!

PS Ikki asked what the punch is called. I think it's called 'Lace', but my ever efficient husband has already assigned the wrapping to the recycle bin!

PPS Having just had a quick look online, I can now confirm that it is called 'LACE'

Friends Award

I got home from singing evensong in Chichester Cathedral this evening, to see that Teresa had left me this lovely award. At one time we thought that she would be our sister in SBS22, but somehow (sadly for us) she found herself part of SBS23. She is SO good at dropping by our Blogs and leaving kind, encouraging words. Thank you so much for that Teresa, and thank you for this award.
The thoughts behind this award are that my blog is

• Exceedingly charming.


• That I am a kind blogger and aim to find friends and be friends.


• I'm not interested in self-aggrandizement.


• The award is hoping that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. (Not sure what this bit means!)


• Please give more attention to these writers.

So now I must pass it on to some other blogging friends.
I would like to nominate Leslie fairly new to Blogging, but she and I have often visited each other's blogs since entering into the same challenge some weeks ago. I would also like to pass it on to Norma in Canada, who has had to move out of her home for several weeks whilst repairs were carried out following flooding from burst pipes. Another of my SBS22 sisters, who still frequently visits my Blog is Gwen. Thank you Gwen, this award is for you too.

Finally, although she's already weighed down with awards at the moment I MUST pass it on to Ikki, a really great blogging buddy.

Thank you ladies all!

Chrissie

Pink Elephant Challenge #2 All that Glitters

I was so thrilled to have won the very first challenge at Pink Elephant and here I am attempting their second.
The theme this week is close to Shakespeare. 'All that glitters'. I was in theMerchant of Venice playing Bassanio, when I was at grammar school.. in fact I won the Drama Prize that year for my portrayal (the only prize I ever won at school, I might add). I seem to remember that the Prince of Morocco uttered the words 'All that glisters is not gold' after he had opened the golden casket, thinking Portia's picture would be in there. He didn't find the picture and he didn't get the girl, and I think he got his chips actually; he found a card portraying death! Enough of this, I hear you say!
I haven't chosen gold, but I did choose silver and pearly things for this challenge, with a couple of twinkly things for good measure... The postman delivered some new Heart Nesties this morning so I had to think of something so that I could use them, and this is it!
We celebrate Mother's Day in March in the UK, not in May as on the other side of the pond, so all you ladies from North America, please don't think I've got my timings way off!
Thanks for visiting!

I'm a Winner!

Wow, wow, wow!
I have won the First Challenge over at the Pink Elephant!
I couldn't be more thrilled. This is the first thing that I have won on merit, rather than a random selection... in fact it's the first thing I have won! I came close once, but that's about it.
With SO many superb entries I couldn't be more delighted!
Thank you so much everyone at PINK ELEPHANT!

Colour Create #3 Red White and Blue

I just bought this little Cuttlebug die and Hey Presto! I found a use for it.

Simplicity itself, but I think the message gets across. I hope the flight won't be as uneven as the lettering!

Our Creative Corner Sketch Challenge & Stamp Something - Something Chocolate

The thought of anything chocolate gets me going, however in this case it's just the colour! I did have some backing paper from a magazine with chocolates on, but when I came to use it, I thought it a bit naff, so I just used the colours as inspiration instead.
The sketch is from Our Creative Corner this week; I thought that it might prove a little tricky, but I enjoyed doing it nevertheless.
The flowers are from a Sizzix die and I experimented with folding one up to make a bud. The dress is made from shrink plastic, stamped with timber brown Stazon. The ribbon was given to me by someone who knew I'd be able to use it for something or other. I think it's really pretty, it would have been such a pity if it had been thrown away with the gift wrapping paper!
The sentiment reads 'Dreams really do come true' ... Let's hope so!

Cute Card Thursday #47 Music & Dance

I'm feeling a little guilty as I should be getting on with some of the wedding stationery for the chap who was my son's best man last year. The wedding is not for ages yet, but the bride-to-be is a lady on a mission! She's obviously very organised and is enjoying her preparations enormously!
However, there was just time to do this one... for Cute Card Thursday, with the theme Music and Dance. This image reminds me of when my daughter was young, taking ballet classes. It'll be Daisy my granddaughter who'll be the next to take it up in our family! I think we'll have to wait until she can walk first though!
Paper Cellar Ltd paper, Cuttlebug die cuts, Paper Nation stamp. The flowers are made from punchies and Cuttlebug diecuts.

Saturday Challenge #19 & Daring Cardmakers - Green

I love it when Spring comes around and I can get out my Spring flower stamps. This snowdrop stamp is one of my favourites. I'll probably be using it a few times to make Mother's Day Cards too.
This card is for the Secret Crafter's Challenge, 'Spring has Sprung' ..actually I'm still waiting for it, it's freezing here, however we do have some lovely sunshine this morning! It's also for the Daring Cardmaker's Challenge this week, where the theme is 'Green'.
The snowdrops are from Personal Impressions, the paper is Papermania and the sentiment is from Stampin Up. The ribbon and gems are from the drawer!

PS Couldn't resist adding this one... it really is green!

ABC Challenge - Anniversary ~ Papertake Weekly Challenge - Dawny's Sketch #8 ~ Cuttlebug Challenge - Love

I bought a new pack of papers from Paper Cellar Ltd recently, and this one seem to be crying out for an Anniversary card... and this is it.

The sketch is from Papertake, the theme from ABC and if you look closely you may spot a little shrink plastic charm which says 'LOVE', which is from the Cuttlebug Challenge. I had heard that other people had done this and thought I would give it a go. It's a Cuttlebug die cut, but when shrinking, the curling up stage proves most problematic. The loopy bits want to fuse together and this is about the best of the three that I tried. If anyone has a foolproof method of doing the shrinking bit, I'd love to hear it.

The light has caught the coloured part of the image, but in regular daylight it's about the same colour as the background of the paper.

I hope everyone has a great weekend and that the weather will be kind to us.

Pink Elephant First Challenge

I came across this Blog (Pink Elephant) by chance today, and liked what I saw.
Their inaugural challenge is for a card in pink, black and white. I don't think that I've actually used this combination of colours before, but I must say that with the shade of pearlised pink card I used it certainly seems striking!

The ribbon is recycled, it came from my gift from my son and his wife when they were married last summer.

The paper is a free download from somewhere or other and the flower is from a Sizzix die. The sentiment is Stampin Up, mounted on Nesties.

Tag You're It sketch & Our Creative Corner - Favourite Embellishment Inspiration Challenge

This is a bit of a chicken and egg situation... which gave the inspiration, the sketch or my favourite embellishments. I love doing triple embossing and the sketch from Tag You're It seemed to cry out for some, so I combined the two and this is what I came up with.

The little heart stamp I believe is a PSX which I bought in a job lot, second hand, on eBay. It's perfect for triple embossing as it is very deeply etched.

The papers are Laura Ashley (peeking behind the blue pearlised, Cuttlebug embossed, Cats Eye inked panel) and some textured gold bought from my local Paper Mill shop.

The sentiment, which reads, 'believe' is from a clear set whose manufacturer labelling has sadly disappeared!

The triple embossing has been done with some Heat it Up gold embossing powder, which seems to have deteriorated in the drawer. I bought a large tub of it and is doesn't seem to be as bright a finish as when I first opened the tub. Does embossing powder go off? I thought that triple embossing would be a good way to use up loads of it.

I inked the heart with Cat's eye ink in blue iris and then had to restamp it with a little gold ink as the whole thing had tarnished somewhat.

Anyway there you are! I'm not brilliant as distressing, but I quite like this effect.

Colour Create Challenge #2

You would think that just having the parameter of colour would be a easy challenge... not so. The choice of colour for this week's Colour Create is wonderful... aqua and peach. However, when it came to thinking of what to do for this, I was totally at a loss.
I gathered eveything that I could find from amongst my bits and bobs which fell into this colour category and I sat staring at it all for ages before anything came to mind.
Anyway, I love making flowers, which was also part of the challenge, and in the end came up with this creation! Not my finest hour, but it's a cutie stamp and very pretty colours, so there you are.
The flowers are Xcut punches and Cuttlebug with the odd splat stamens. The stamp used for the border I bought yesterday for 99p, I think it's a DoCrafts.
The papers are Papermania and Canon.

Tagged!

I was tagged because I read the blog posting of Stephanie Severin. I have to show you the 6th picture from the 6th folder in my digital photo file. Well, this was taken some time ago at my son's second graduation. He was receiving his PhD in cell biology at Cambridge. He was entitled to wear a doctor's 'bonnet' and was dubbed by my friend as 'The prat in the hat'. What do you think?

He can't be all that much of a prat, as he has since graduated for a third time... he is now a medical doctor and is working at a hospital in Suffolk.

Saturday Challenge - Recycling & Sketch Saturday #37

This sketch appealed to me immediately and I decided to combine it with the Recycling challenge from the Saturday Challenge.

Some time ago I did quite a bit of accompanying students for instrumental exams. Often the copies had awkward page turns, so rather than chance making a mess of turning the page, I would photocopy the odd page and add it to the book to avoid having to turn over. I kept the odd photocopied pages when I handed the books back to the students and here they are appearing again. How's that for recycling?

The other recycled elements are the symbols in the corners. They were given to me by a friend who rescued them from her husband's birthday cake!

This was fun!

The flower is a Sizzix die with my favourite splat centre.

Stamp Something -Valentine ~ Caardvarks - Hearts

This card is a variation on a sketch which I used earlier this week and liked.
I love the colours pink and brown together, but had to use card rather than paper as the pink paper didn't look too pink with the brown behind it! It has made the card rather hefty, but never mind.
The manuscript is a fab background stamp that I really like. It is stamped with timber brown Stazon. The quote, from Hans Christain Anderson reads 'Where words fail, music speaks' Rather an old fashioned Valentine!
The embossing is all Cuttlebug and I rather went mad with the Cat's eyes pigment chalking ink in platinum.