Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge 56

Jane has chosen this week's challenge ... Halloween. A couple of week's ago I showed you a trick or treat bag I had made for Ellie ... well here is Beth's (I didn't forget her LOL!!)
I used my promarkers to colour in the image and cut her out. The moon and bat were made using mulberry paper. I love the lime green promarker so i coloured a chipboard bracket in, added some purple flowers, raffia and a charm. Its not too fussy - Beth will destory anything too fussy LOL!!!
We are away for the weekend, so have a happy haunting and I will catch up with you next week.

Recipe:
Stamp(s): Dinky Dots Lulu Witch
Colouring Media:
Papers: Basic Grey Eerie
Embellishments: ribbon, raffia, charm, brads, flowers, bracket all from stash

A couple of cards ...

I have had a couple of hours in my craft room this morning to create, before we go away for the weekend.
The first card is to go with a tub of biscuits the girls have made.
It covers the following challenges:
Friday sketcher - sketch
Just Magnolia - monochrome - I chose greens
A spoonful of Sugar - kiten/cooking
Magnolia down Under - distressing

Tilda is coloured using distress inks. I masked her onto the plate and then cut her out (well after the cat walked across the image with muddy feet!!). I used these gorgeous K and CO Charlotte papers and matted them onto green cardstock. I made my own flower and added ric-rac and a charm. The sentiment is supposed to be at angle.

Then I had to make the compulsory Christmas card LOL!!
It covers the following challenges:
Cucake Challenge - sketch
Whiff of Joy - red, cream and 1 other (teal)
Passion for Promarkers - animals
Papertake Weekly Challenge - spots and stripes
Simon Says Stamp - All that Sparkles
Henry is coloured using promarkers and cut out using my nesties. The papers are MME - I had to take some deep breathes before I cut into them!! The flowers are from a prima Christmas bauble and the ribbon from my stash. I just need to add the sentiment - going to do a few computer generated ones.

Have a great weekend, and don't forget to take a peek at my candy.

A bit of Sparkle

Its been a busy start to the week. We saw my Gran on Monday and did a few jobs for her - she's 94 and still in her own home with no external support, just family... but we do always go prepared for the list of jobs!!!
Yesterday we went to Tatton Park and the girls had a great time in the gardens and at the farm. One of the children I mind had never fed a goat before and LOVED it, especially when it nicked the whole bag of food!!
Today we met friends at Trentham Gardens Monkey forest - they have Barbary macaques running wild. The girls loved seeing the babies and we did try to leave them behind LOL!!
I have torn myself our from my latest acquisition - a Wii (oh and the fit bit!!) to make a card tonight. And it fulfils several challenges - !!

Stamp with fun - Sketch
Simon Says Stamp - All that sparkles
Stampavie and More - blue and silver
Creative Card Crew - Snowflakes
My Time to Craft - rip it up
Magnolia Down Under - distressing
I water coloured Tilda and stamped the snowflakes round her. These are the last papers of their name in my BG stash :( I was really sad to cut into them. I matted them onto blue cardstock. All the papers are distressed and some inked in Starlight, and the bow on the bell is coloured in the same ink. I stickled the fur on Tilda's coat and the bell. Some of the papers are ripped and inked up. I masked the tag stamp and then added the sentiment.
Shock horror - no ribbon or flowers!!!


Recipe:
Stamp(s): Tilda with bell' tag and snowflakes; WOJ sentiment
Colouring Media: Distress inks
Papers: Basic Grey Blitzen, Periphery
Embellishments: none!!

Sketch and Stash Challenge 22

Its another fab sketch from Becky, and you can put your embellies and sentiment where you want.
I used my latest Stampavie aquisition - I love Gillian Roberts Christmas stamps. I watercoloured the image and added stickles. I used my favourite Christmas papers at the mo, and matted them onto green cardstock. I added an embossed panel and metallic brads, but have otherwise kept it clean and unfussy. The sentiment is a freebie.
Do take a look at the other DT members' creations.

Recipe:
Stamp(s): Stampavie bear and robin
Colouring Media: distress inks
Papers: DCWV
Embellishments: brads from stash

Daisies

Charisma Cardz challenge this week is daisies, and the Allsorts challenge is Furry Friends. Only one stamp sprang to mind ... this gorgeous Penny Black.
I stamped and watercoloured the image 3 times, before layering it up. I have kept the layout very simple and neutral. The flowers are punched and inked in pink on their edges, just like daisies when they first bud and flower.
Here is a view of the layering.
Feeling slightly stuffed after the first pub meal on our own in nearly 5 years!!! Think I am going to have an easy afternoon LOL!

Recipe:
Stamp(s): Penny Black Squeeze 'til I squeak
Colouring Media: distress inks
Papers: K and Co Daisies
Embellishments: punched flowers, pearls and raffia from stash

Christmas cards

The girls went to a party down the road yesterday, and we didn't have to stay (yippee) so I got some crafting done, and another couple of Christmas cards :). I decided to spend the time playing, so my craft room sparkles with embossing powder and glimmer mist!!

Both cards fit the One Stop Craft Celebration challenge and Winter Wonderland's open theme.

I made this card using the sketch from friday sketcher and Colour Create's white theme.
I heat embossed 4 layers of silver embossing powder and then stamped the inked up image into the hot powder. I embossed the layers using Swiss dots and snowflakes CB folders and distressed the edges. I added some white ribbon and a bow (twice as I managed to bleed on the first lot arrrgghh!!). When the ink was dry I added the image and tag sentiment. Finally some pearls to finish it off.
I am really pleased with the effect ... I feel a few more of these in the making!!

The second card using the sketch from Just Magnolia and the Magnolia down under theme, distressing.
I created the background paper using distress inks, glimmer mists and Tattered Angels winter crystals masks. It doesn't show in the photo but the background really does shimmer. The cardstock is run through the snowflakes embossing folder and sanded and distressed. I watercoloured Tilda and distressed her and the mat. I added ribbons, punched snowflakes and the sentiment tag.

My fingers are still slightly blue LOL!!

The girls are at my parents until tomorrow so we are off out for Sunday lunch - haven't done that since November 2004 LBE!!! (LBE = life before Ellie LOL!! ) And then I am going to do some more crafting - got a couple of winter wedding cards to make.

Recipe:
Stamp(s): santa collage; Tilda with sledge; freebie sentiment tag
Colouring Media: distress inks
Papers: cardstock
Embellishments: punched snowflakes, pearls and ribbon from stash

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge #55

This week's challenge is set by MOI!!! and is orange + 1 colour. I almost regretted it once I had said the challenge ... orange!! Not a colour I use ... but hey it is a challenge.
I have used orange and brown.

I watercoloured my image and inked the edges in orange and brown. I kept the layout simple, using orange organza ribbon and thin brown satin ribbon , and a layered prima flower.

I can't wait to see what you make of this colour challenge.

Recipe:
Stamp(s): Pollycraft
Colouring Media: Distress inks
Papers: BAsic Grey
Embellishments: ribbon and flowers from stash

Henry and his hot chocolate!

I'm back on the 'use a sketch to make a Christmas card ... and make 2' plan!! I have combined the WOJ challenge with the Passion for Promarker colour theme, and CCT candy corn theme (there are marshmallows!!) for this. Its the first time I have used promarkers for Henry - not sure about the mouse colouring. I should be an expert at identifying mouse colours - I clear up enough dead ones, thanks to the cat!!


I promarkered Henry and used my deckled nesties to cut him and the mat out. I have used the same dp for both, just swapped the cardstock and ribbon around. The ribbon is tied rather than use my ribbon punch (it needs a hammer and I made them when the girls were in bed last night, so a definite no no to the hammer!!). I have kept it a bit simple, just using a couple of white snowflake brads. The sentiment was a freebie.

I have realised that I have yet to post the stocking card I made for the Winter Wonderland challenge - sleep deprivation is really taking a toll on the brain cells!!!
Anyway here it is.
Such a cutie image and I coloured it in distress inks and added fluffy stuff. Again a ssimple layout and the paper is the same - something about it being around I think LOL!!

I'm not sure how much crafting I am gonig to get done over the next few days - its half term and I am working, Dave's at home and got lots of plans for days out with the children ...he's just a big kid himself LOL!!

Recipe:
Stamp(s): WOJ Henry with hot chocolate
Colouring Media: Promarkers
Papers: DCWV
Embellishments: snowflake brads and ribbon from stash

Halloween altered bag

I have not been crafting for a few days - Beth is poorly again with an ear infection. The GP has decided that she has a post viral dibility, caused by the viral infection she has in May and has a very suppressed immune system (a bit like ME) so hopefully she will pick up in the Spring, but until then we just have to take each illness as it comes.

This project has been on my craft bench for a few days in varying bits and peices.

So many Halloween based challenges and so few Halloween stamps! I have altered a paper bag for a Halloween gift for a friend.
It fits the following challenges:
Magnolia Down Under - Trick or Treat
roses on Paper- its nearly Halloween

Creative Inspirations - Halloween

My Time To Craft - Halloween Colours

Cupcake Craft Challenge - Things That Go Bump In The Night

Corrosive Challenge Blog - Spooky Times

One Stop Craft Challenge - Halloween

Cute Card Thursday - Spook Fest (bit late!!)

Stamp With Fun - Halloween

Pile It On - Ready For Halloween

Everybody Art - Halloween

Stamptacular Sunday Challenge - Spooktacular

Stampavie and More - Halloween
Papertake Weekly Challenge - sketch
Create4fun - sketch
A Spoonfull of Sugar - sketch

I have kept the layouts basic as it needs to go in the post and the gift is a bit bulky.
Here is the front. I used the Papertake Weekly Sketch.
The hat was a fab freebie from Robin and I used promarkers to colour the hat band in. The circle is distressed and inked using weathered wood distress inks and a glitter pen to look like the moon.

The inside uses the Spoonfull sketch, I just flipped it.

I coloured Tilda in using promarkers and the blueberries are now eyeballs (yeuk!!!). I simply matted the dp onto lime carstock - now flowers or ribbon on this - not sure an Tilda with eyeballs is deserving of flowers LOL!! The sentiment is from Robin.

The other inside bit followed the Create4Fun sketch.
Again Tilda is coloured with promarkers and I added the cauldron, again from Robin. Doesn't she look so innocent, waiting for those eyeballs!!! I stamped and embossed cobwebs to replace the flowers on the sketch.

So here's the full inside.
The back is really boring - just a full moon with a bat flying across so I haven't bothered to photograph that.

Recipe:
Stamp(s): Magnolia Tildas from the Yummy in your tummy collection
Colouring Media: Promarkers
Papers: Basic grey Eerie
Embellishments: from stash

DDCC challenge 63

This fortnight's challenge is a sketch by me!!

I have watercoloured Henry and used my square nesties to cut him out. I used some of my favourite masculine papers and matted them onto deep turquoise cardstock. I coloured the chipboard anchor and photo corner in using distress inks, and added buttons.

Do join in if you have time, and take a peek at the other DT's creations.
Recipe:
Stamp(s): Whiff of Joy Hnery Mouse with cake
Colouring Media: distress inks
Papers: K and Co Hopscotch
Embellishments: woodware chipboard pieces and buttons from stash

Pink

I've found a new challenge blog (yippee!) and it is dedicated to the Gorguss ones (yippee yippee!!). Its called Totally Gorguss (link in my challenges)
And the 1st challenge is PINK (boo :(!). I am not a big fan of the colour pink ... but I think I have risen to the challenge.
I coloured the image in and cut her out before matting her onto pink polka dot paper and then a white scalloped oval. The paper is from a DCWV Christmas stack believe it or not. I used my branch sizzix die and added a punched flower.

I am slowly recovering from the Princess Party - 20 girls dressed up as princesses and super charged on princess adrenalin - and cake ... I am going to take some paracetamol, and have a glass of wine and a bath later - should help to recover the nerves and ear drums.

Recipe:
Stamp(s): Sugar Nellie Party Princess
Colouring Media: Promarkers and copics
Papers: DCWV
Embellishments: sizzix branch, punched flowers

mistletoe box

A bit on the late side, but here is the box I have made for hubby to go with the anniversary card I showed you a few days ago.
Again the meeces are watercoloured and I have used Martine's fab papers. Just some punched snowflakes and somer stickles for decoration.

It's deep enough to put his favourite chocs in ... lots of them!!

Sorry for the short post ... off to a Princess party ... lucky me!!


Recipe:
Stamp(s): Stampavie mistletoe and mice
Colouring Media: distress inks
Papers: Martine
Embellishments:punched snowflakes

Christmas cards ... I'm on a roll!!!

I thought I would crack on with a few Christmas cards ... the New Year's resolution to make at least 1 a week has been on rocky ground for a while so a bit of a catch up is in order!

This card uses this week's Sketch Saturday sketch.
I watercoloured the image and then glossed the bauble. Once the gloss was dry I added the stickles. I have kept everything simple, using my deckled nesties for the scallop edge. The papers are DCWV, the smaller pattern comes from one of the borders papers. The sentiment came from somewhere ... still no Christmas sentiment stamps so I am going to have to resort to buying some :(

This card is for this week's Allsorts challenge ... a sketch and monochrome Christmas.
Snowy is a great stamp to use for monochrome!! I watercoloured him and stickled him. After cutting him out I matted him onto pearlised cardstock embossed using my snowflakes folder. The dp is DCWV and matted onto turquoise cardstock. I punched the snowflakes and added a bit of stickles. The sentiment is a vellum Papermania one found deep in my stash.

Finally I used the Stampin' for the Weekend sketch.
Not very Christmasy but I have someone in mind for it and they are very butch and not at all sparkly!! I watercoloured Henry and matted him using red and green cardstock. The dp is DCWV Christmas stack from a couple of years ago. I used my nesties to cut the diamonds out. It does need a sentiment ... might be resorting to the peel-offs I found at the bottom of my Christmas box!

A few challenges

This card is well out of my comfort zone ... not sure I do bright and zingy very well LOL!!! I have used the following challenges for it ...
Basic Grey Challenge - green, red, blue
Just Magnolia - Bright and Zingy
Friday Sketcher - sketch
Stamp Something - bling
I coloured Tilda in using promarkers (I got another lot and some copics today from Wendy at Secret Crafter - should have just bought them all at once and be done with it!!) and cut her out. She is sat on the tag, and I used my sizzix branch die for the bit at the bottom. I punched flowers to add to the branch and added some gems.
It is certainly bright, but not sure the branch works! Love those papers though - must invest in some more.

Recipe:
Stamp(s): Magnolia Love me Tilda
Colouring Media: promarkers
Papers: Basic Grey Romani
Embellishments: sizzix branch, punched flowers, ribbon and gems from stash

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge #54

It's Mandy's turn to set the challenge this week, and she wants to see old or neglected stamps on your creations.
I found this cute Penny Black in my Christmas box ... not inked up for 2 years, poor thing!
I coloured the image in distress inks and then added 3d gloss to the baubles. I added some organza ribbon, punched snowflakes and gems. Still looking for the CHristmas sentiment stamps!! I know if I buy some more they will turn up!!

Recipe:
Stamp(s): Penny Black wishing
Colouring Media: distress inks
Papers: DCWV
Embellishments: punched snowflakes, gems and ribbon from stash

Kiss me!!

Well not really!!! I couldn't resist inking this little beauty up (available from the Secret Crafter) and whilst it looks veryt Christmasy I think I will be giving it to hubby for our Wedding Anniverary (we married 4 days before Christmas, and it snowed!).
I used the fab sketch over at Simon Says Stamp challenge, as it is a lovely simple, unfussy one, and there has been a bit of distressing so I am entering it into this week's Charisma Cardz challenge.
I watercoloured the image (how cute are those meeces!) and then stickled her dress and the mistletoe. I did some silver faux stitching round the image. The papers are by Martine and I added punched, stickled snowflakes and some spotty ribbon.

Recipe:
Stamp(s): Stampavie Mistletoe and Mice
Colouring Media: distress inks
Papers: Martine
Embellishments: punched snowflakes, ribbon from stash

Its nearly Christmas!!!

After making all the Halloween projects I thought I needed a bit of sparkle in my life (in more ways than one!!) so I made a couple of Christmas cards last night. I have used a great free download from Martine for the papers - it is really scrummy and I will be printing off more of it!.

I combined the A Spoonful of Sugar Sketch with My time to craft (Cute and quick - this was quick!!) for my first card.I adore this cute Gillian Roberts image and got it from Bunny Zoe's shop with my candy win. I have watercoloured him using distress inks and then stickled the dots on the stocking. I used snowflakes rather than bows and added a glue dot to the centre and then glitter. Sorry no sentiment .... those sentiments are being very elusive ... I am beginning they have gone to the great filing cabinet in the sky - eek!

For the next card I managed to combine a few challenges:
Simon Says Stamp - sketch by Domi
Whiff of Joy - die cuts
Everybody-Art-challenge - punches and shapes
Creative Card crew - scallopsI watercoloured Henry and cut him and the mat outr using my nesties. I glittered and glossed him. I punched snowflakes and stickled them. I stuck glue dots onto the buttons and dipped them in glitter - twice!!
Here's a close up of the glitter!My craft space is now a shimmer of glitter!!!
As both cards are CHristmas cards I am entering them into this week's Stampavie and more challenge.

Recipe:
Stamp(s): Gillian Roberts Stocking; Whiff of Joy Henry with Bauble
Colouring Media: Distress inks
Papers: Martine
Embellishments: punched snowflakes, ribbon from stash

The dark side

So I've been playing. Its been too long since I had my inks and masks out, so I have had a play tonight and combined a couple of challenges:
Passion for Promarkers - sketch
Papertake Weekly Challenge - the Dark Side

I coloured the image in using promarkers and then made my background. The panels are made using BG paper and shimmery lime green ribbon. I coloured some mulberry flowers and added lime green brads and a witches hat charm. The bracket replaces the text and was coloured using lime green promarker.

How I made the paper:
On my craft mat I mixed weathered wood and dusty concorde distress inks and covered the cardstock with it. I placed the masks and then used dusty concorde, weathered wood and black soot to distress the cardstock. Before removing the masks I spritzed it all using blue frost glimmer mist as I wanted to creat a moon shimmer.

Recipe:
Stamp(s): Sugar Nellie Gorguss girl
Colouring Media: Promarkers
Papers: Basic Grey eerie
Embellishments: flowers, ribbon and chipboard bracket from stash