Get SMASHing!

Crafting Time have started selling K & Co SMASH folios and accessories - and I LOVE SMASHing!! If you would like to see the full range they have in store you can check it out here.  I have been SMASHing for a wile now and sent Nina and Helen some sample pages ...

I confess to having become a total SMASH addict. I have dabbled with scrapbooking, but always found the layouts a little daunting, as I have quite a 'scrappy' mind, and the pages always seem so formal. I love SMASH books as it is reminiscient of my scrapbooks as a child - picture, ticket, photo and a bit of doodling (journalling if you want to be posh!!). Its also relatively quick - or not depending on the page you are doing and what you want to say!

I own all 6 of the orginal books and each (well 4 of them as I have yet to start 2 of them!) has a different focus. My blue folio (retro) is about me ... and my family!!! My orange folio is called Picture this and focuses on pictures of significant things in my life, things I want to do, likes, dislikes etc. The pink folio (pretty in pink) is a weekly journal of what we have all been up to, and finally my green folio (Eco) is my crafting book.

I love all the accessories you can get to decorate your pages, and you don't just have to stick to SMASH goodies - flowers, toppers, stickers are all used, even the little money envelopes I use to send money to school with my children - they look fab decorated.

Its Crafting Time DT post

This week's theme for the Its Crafting Time design team is music.  I decided to alter a tin to hold the girls' recorders and whistles ...

I cleaned out a used can of baked beans and measured some white cardstock to go round it.  I stamped over the cardstock in black archival ink using the Music background from the Artistic Stamper, and then distressed it in old paper and linen distress inks.  I scrunched the cardstock up and swipted over the wrinkles with frayed burlap distress ink.  I added some Tim Holtz tissue tape (symphony) and stained some cardstock using black soot distress ink, before cut some musical notes out using a Marianne Creatible die.  Finally I painted the notes using rock candy crackle paint to give them a distressed look.

 Make it Monday
Secret Crafter Saturday challenge - anything but a card
 

Basic Grey Challenge

 We'er going all regal over at the Basic Grey Challenge.  We are celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee so anything regal goes - crowns, royalty, tiaras etc goes.

The lovely Heidi from Simon Says Stamp has sponsored us again.

(Please remember that this does nto include any postage and packaging charges that may apply)

 I simply adore this fab LOTV stamp, Its my Party - she is just so grumpy!!!!  I coloured her using my promarkers and flexmarkers.  The dp is Basic Grey Boxer, and I made some rolled flowers using the same dp.  I added the inkadinkado sentiment - perfect for this image, and some red gingham ribbon.

Challenges:
Creative Card Crew - dimension
Papertake Weekly - true colours
I love Promarkers - diecuts
Creative Inspirations - anything goes
Passion for Promarkers - birthdays

Sweet n Sassy Digi Challenge

 This week's theme over at the  Sweet n Sassy Digi Challenge  is thank you.

I used this fab digi image Cherry Blossom branch, and coloured it with promarkers and flexmarkers.  The dp is digital gingham papers - loves me gingham!!!!  I added the sentiment from the Many Thanks sentiment set.  I added some gingham ribbon, a bow and some flat backed pearls.

Totally Papercrafts Challenge

Its My turn to choose this week's Totally Papercraft's theme, and I have chosen the theme

Animals

This weeks fabulous sponsor is

Digi Stamp Boutique 

 I used some of Crafter's Companion's fabulous dHumphries Corner decoupage, and having layered it up, matted it onto Basic Grey Piccadilly papers.  I added some ribbon and a layered flower with a brad at its centre.  

 Challenges- 

Crafters Companion - here comes Summer

Creative Card Crew - dimension

Creative Inspirations - anything goes

My Mum's Craft shop - recipe

Sailing

My Dad is celebrating a milestone birthday in a couple of weeks - 70!! 

I used this fab image, Sailing boat, from Lili of the Valley, and coloured it using my promarkers.  The dp is Basic Grey Bocer, and I added card candi coloured with matching promarkers, and the circle sentiment stamp from LOTV, and a sentiment I have had for AGES!!  Dad doesn't do fussy so I didn't risk adding too many embellishments!

CHallenges:
Passion for Promarkers - birthdays
Papertake Weekly - true colours
Simon Says Stamp - Father's Day, Special male
Creative Inspirations - anything goes
Charisma Cardz - no flowers
Joanna Sheen - happy birthday

Its Crafting Time DT project

 There are a fabulous range of stamps at Its Crafting Time, and personally love the IndigoBlu stamps.

I used a tag from Ranger, and inked it in victorian velvet, vintage photo and walnut stain distress inks.  I used stamps from IndigoBlu's Sewing Mends the Soul set, and coloured them in using distress markers - victorian velvet, black soot and frayed burlap, before stamping them onto watercolour paper and cutting them out.  I stained some vintage ribbon and some tulle using Victoriaan velvet, and added the tulle to the bottom of the corset.  I stamped the tape measure onto the tag using sepia archival ink, and the sentiment using black archival ink, beofre adding the images, a steampunk pair of scissors and the vintage ribbon.

 And a bit of fun ...

I love the new limited edition spring distress inks, very bright and fresh.  I have used squeezed lemonade and peacock feathers to create this tag.  I blended the 2 inks to create the green colour.  I stamped the butterflies using peacock feathers and a Unity butterfly stamp I have had for a long time.  The sentiment is also from the same set. I distressed Prima canvas resist butterflies using the inks and stained the seam binding, before adding a butterfly charm.

Challenges
Make it Monday
Oldie but a Goodie - things with wings
Charisma Cardz - metal embellishments

Sweet n Sassy Digi Challenge

 Its time for another Sweet n Sassy Digi Challenge, but this week we are adding a  little excitement ...

The Sweet `n Sassy Digi Challenge ladies are bringing you a Fun Blog Hop for our May Digi Release!!

 

While you're hopping, be sure to leave some love on each of the blog hop posts…One of the ladies below is a mystery blogger and she will be picking a random winner from the comments on her blog post!!

The winning prize will be the whole May Digi Release!! (The winner will be announced at SNS Digi Challenge Blog on Friday, May 25th.)

And now for today's challenge: 

Recipe Challenge

One ribbon, Two gems and Three different colors (plus neutrals)

I used this beautiful image, Lotus Flower, and coloured it using my promarkers and flexmarkers.  The dp is Pink Petticoat, and I added a copule of flat backed pearls and some organza ribbon, tied with a double bow.

Now, Here is the blog hop list for to see May Digi Release-Recipe Challenge creations...

• Cathy Wallington (me!)
• Ceal Pritchett
• Cyndi Bundy
• Makiko Jones
• Melinda Gleissner
• Meredith "Crafty Math Chick"
• Patricia Hays
• Stephanie Serrano
• Stephanie Wright
• Wendy Jordan

Every card you enter into our challenges throughout May, you will get one entry to be eligible for winning 3 digis of your choice from the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps store. Plus, if your card is used SNSS digi stamps, it will be two entries!! Be sure to play along every week... The more you play and/or use SNS digis, the more chances you get to win!!

 Challenges:

Passion for Promarkers - inspiration picture

Simon Says Stamp - clean and simple

I love Promarkers - anything goes 

Papertake weekly - in the garden

 Divas by Design - tickled pink

For Fun - I smell flowers

Tully Scrumptious - anything goes

A bit of a mixed bunch!!

 We have a sketch for this week's theme from Its Crafting time ...

and here is my take on it...

I inked the card base and octagon using distress inks, and the octagon was created using my Spellbinders octagonal nestibilities.  I added seam binding ribbon, tying a bow for the circle detail of the sketch, and some flat backed pearls.  The sentiment and butterflies are from IndigoBlu's Discover Your Passion set, and the butterflies were coloured using distress markers.

The parents' of one of the children I mind got married on Friday, and this is the card I made them ...

I used kraft and blue cardstock, a sizzix for SU heart embossing folder, and my swiss dots embossing folder.  The hearts are cut out of glittery cream cardstock and embossed and I added a bow to join them.  The swirl stamp is from an SU set and I added glamour dust to it.  Finally I added some blue organza ribbon.
I made all the invitations, table cards and place cards for the wedding, so I used the same blue ribbon as I had for them.

And I made a card for one of my friend's (and the sister of the groom!) to give the happy couple ...

I used white and silver cardstock, and embossed a couple of panels using the hearts embossing folder.  I made a rossette flower using my TH die and stamped  swirly stamp all over itin silver. Having made it up I added an embossed heart to its centre, a heart below it and some organza ribbon.

Challenges:
Make it Monday
Simon Says Stamp and Show - anything Goes
 Stamp with Fun - wedding
J & C Creations - all that glitters

Basic Grey Challenge

Its Anything Goes week over at the Basic Grey Challenge.  So you can create anything you like as long as you use t least 1 BG product on it.

The lovely Heidi from Simon Says Stamp has sponsored us again.

(Please remember that this does nto include any postage and packaging charges that may apply)

I used this cute Humphrey's Corner decoupage to create this card - Lottie looks adorable with her flowers!  The Basic Grey dp is Piccadilly, and I used my TH flower garland die to create the layered flowers.  I added some ribbon, and buttons to the flower centres.  Very bright and cheerful!!

Challenges:
Do you stack up - use a flower
Crafting for all seasons - handmade flowers
Fab n Funky - buttons and bow
Papertake weekly - cute
Crafters Companion - here comes Summer

Sweet n Sassy Digi Challenge

This week's theme over at the  Sweet n Sassy Digi Challenge  is feminine. 

Now for those of you that know me ... I don't really do feminine and lady-like, very much the tomboy!!!  So this was a bit of a challenge for me!

I used Poppies, and coloured the image using my promarkers.  I used a sizzix embossing folder for the white cardstock and added some red gingham ribbon, a hat pin and so flat backed gems.  Nice and simply, but hopefully  feminine and pretty!!

Challenges
I love promarkers-  hat pin
Do You Stack up - use a flower

A Tag

I've been playing with my new spring colours distress inks and they are LUSH!!!!  As if I need an excuse to get inky with inks, tags and glassene paper ..

I used peacock feathers, shaded lilac and dusty concorde to create the background on the tag, and then flicked water over it to created the puddled effect. Having dried the tasg I distressed the edges with my TH paper distresser.  I used glassene paper and alcohol inks to create the shimmery butterflies and cut them out using my TH butterfly die.  I stamped the TH sentimet onto the tag (I just love this quote, got to be my fave quote EVER!!), and added pearls, some lace and a charm (that's gone a bit upside down!!)

Challenges:
Craft your passion - torn/distressed edges
Simon Says Stamp and Show - favourite stamp
Stamps+fun=Creativity - pearls and lace
The Stampman - favourite technique
Creative Card Crew - sentiment as a focal point
Creative Crafft - anything goes
Oldie but a goodie - diecuts and punches
Anything Goes – things with wings

Its Crafting Time DT cards

 The theme for the Its Crafting Time DT this week is black and white ...

 I cut three flowers out using Tim Holtz's Sizzix Paper Rossettes die, 2 out of white cardstock and one out of black cardstock.  I used the scroll from the IndigoBlu sentiment set Discover your passion, and stamped over the white flowers using black archival ink.  I stamped the sentiment out using the same ink.  I made the rossette flowers up, and layered them up, using card candi at their centres.  The card candi was originally white, but I coloured it black using my promarker.  I also coloured the flat backed pearls black before adding them.

I used an image and sentiment from the IndigoBlu set, Sewing mends the soul, and stamped them in black archival ink onto white cardstock.  I embossed the white cardstock using the budding vines embossing folder, before adding a band of gingham ribbon. I pushed a fancy pin through the centre of the bow and added a button.  Finally I coloured some flat backed pearls using a black promarker and added them to the card.

Make it Monday
My Mum’s Craft Shop – embossing
Divas by Design – monochromatic
Stampavie and More – monochrome 

Totally Papercrafts Challenge

This week's Totally Papercrafts challenge theme has been chose by me, and I have picked WOW - white on white.  I love the cleanness of WOW cards.

We are sponsored by the wonderful Heidi from Simon Says Stamp.

(Please remember that this does nto include any postage and packaging charges that may apply)

The DT theme at Its Crafting Time this week is embossing folders and this is one of the smples I sent to them.  I embossed white cardstock using more dots, in stitches, and budding vine embossing folders. I added some white satin ribbon and a bow, and a Tim Holtz butterfly, coloured using distress inks.

And Vicky, one of my lovely teamies has candy ...

Creative Card Crew - ribbon
Anything Goes – things with wings
Creative Craft – anything goes
Papertake Weekly – anything Goes
My Mum’s Craft Shop – embossing
Divas by Design – monochromatic
Stampavie and More – monochrome
Craft Your Passion - Lots of Texture