Celebration Candy

As this post will be on top until midnight GMT Sunday 6 December,
please scroll down to see recent crafting.
Thank you.

Amazingly, I have just reached 50,000 hits to my blog since Sitemeter was installed - so, I'm celebrating by giving away some candy. I'm very grateful for all the comments I receive - it's lovely to have so many visitors.

To be in with a chance to win, all you need to do is link back to me from your blog - either in a post, or by putting a link in your sidebar and leave your name with Mr Linky with the direct link.
If you become a follower of my blog, or if you are already a follower, please put your name in Mr Linky again - so you will have two chances to win. I will use the random picker to choose a winner.

This is what's on offer:

A set of five Dovecraft Wedding Premium Embossed Cards with envelopes
A set of five Dovecraft Fairies Premium Embossed Cards with envelopes
Black Magic core'dinations
Dovecraft dimensions stickers
Nostalgiques sports sticker collage
Handcrafted baby stickers
Jolly Nation clear acrylic stamps set - 2 sheets of stamps, some of which are silhouettes

so there's something for every occasion.

The draw is open to anyone and everyone, whether you're a frequent visitor or here for the first time - and I'm willing to post worldwide, so distance is no problem.

I will keep this post on top until midnight GMT Sunday 6 December and the winner will be announced the next day.

Please click on Mr Linky and enter your name with a direct link to your post about my candy. If you become a follower, or are a follower already, please make sure you enter your name twice, so that you have two chances of winning. Don't forget - you've got to be in it to win it!


If I reach 100 or more followers before this ends, I'll throw in a couple of surprise items.



Please scroll down below this post for recent crafting.

Summer card in November?

This card is for the sketch for Crazy 4 challenges week 12:


It's also for:

Play date cafe 6:


It's also for 365 cards day 266: 'Colour me with this' - asking us to use something other than markers to colour - I used inktense water colour pencils with sansador. Papers are BG mellow. And as it's a coloured stamped image I'm linking for Caardvarks: 'color it'.

I'm not quite sure why I chose a sunflower image at this time of year!



Don't forget: If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

Holly doodles

This is sketch FTL69 on Clean and Simple:


I used Tanda 'holly doodles' designed by a lovely crafting friend, Sheila Oliver. The hearts are felt raised up with foam pads.

This week's Daring Cardmakers challenge is 'I'd like you to put things on your card which begin with the first letter of your name. You can use other things too, but see if you can use at least 3 things that share their initial letter with your own name.

So, H for Hazel: holly, hearts, Happy Christmas.

Challenge 18 on Pals paper arts is K.I.S.S. - 'keep it simple, sweetie' - lots of white space, simple design, minimum time, limited layers and embellishments. Mmmm, I'm not sure about the 'limited time' - by the time I'd stamped a few rejects and then coloured in with copics, I think it perhaps took longer than it should have done, but I think it fits this challenge.

Sunday stamper 80 is asking for either holly or ivy - no ivy here, but plenty of holly.

Penny's challenge this week is asking for random stamping - 'no dp allowed'.

Another one for Colour create 32: 'green, red and white - optional extra: Christmas'

This week Fab's big Christmas 46 is 'stamped background', so it's good for that - also for Whimsy 29: 'Christmas', Everybody art 67, Flourishes Timeless Tuesday 43, Papertake weekly: 'Christmas crackers' (anything Christmas), Charisma cardz 47: 'anything Christmas', Theme Thursday: 'Christmas - holiday creations' and the treehouse 25: 'Christmas colours' - old olive, real red, white and black. There certainly are a lot of Christmas challenges around atm (I wonder why!) - these are only some of them!




Don't forget: If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving

to all blogging friends in the US

The theme chosen by Mona for today's Salt challenge is 'giving thanks' based on the verse from Colossians 3:17: 'And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.'

As I pondered what to do for this I came across the challenge 120 this week on How much is too much?: 'With Thankgiving this week, on November 26, let's document the things that make us grateful. This week, journal 26 things you're thankful for and use 26 products on your page.' (I didn't manage though to use 26 products - although, I suppose if you count each letter sticker and each flower perhaps it would add up to 26!)

It got me thinking of the things that I wanted to include on my Salt LO - I thought it would be difficult to think of 26 things, but after I'd printed them out I started thinking of more - what a lot we have to be thankful for!

On this special day of Thanksgiving for our friends across the Atlantic, it's good for us all to reflect and be thankful - but not just today, but every day - as the verse says: 'and whatever you do ... giving thanks ...' and, of course, we give thanks for the greatest gift of all - Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.

I decided on a white, black and red theme for my LO - the papers are BG cupcake and the big spiky flowers were cut on my cricut using the Accent Essentials cartridge. The big 'thankful' letters are American Crafts.

As usual, you can read the words better if you click on the picture to enlarge.

T
here are lots of challenges atm with the theme of 'thanksgiving' or 'being thankful', not surprising with the celebrations today in the States. I don't often do this, but I'm going to link my LO to some of them as part of my Christian witness to being thankful to God.

Flourishes Timeless 43
Card*a*licious 31 (which asks for flowers and black and red - didn't realise this till after I'd done it!)
Cricut cardz 2 (I used a cricut cartridge)
Nutty nutshells 4
Paper Blooms
3 clovers 41
If the shoe fits Fashionista Friday 12
Paper cutz 18
2 red bananas
Stampin' sisters in Christ 14 - based on Galatians 6:9
Apron strings 17
Fiskarettes Monday challenge
365 cards day 271 (today)

Please pop along to Salt and read what Mona has to say and see the lovely crafting - and perhaps you might join in giving thanks by making something crafty and sharing with us.

Don't forget: If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

Blog awards

I've received a couple of blog awards from two dear crafting friends - my apologies to you both that I haven't blogged these sooner.

This award came from Gez:



And this one was from Sue:


Both of these awards ask me to share five facts about myself, so I'm doubling up on this (because I can't think of ten!):

1. My middle name is Mary.
2. I love nuts (I was obviously given the right name!).
3. I love dark chocolate even more!
4. I don't think I'll use up all my craft stuff even if I live to 100 and craft everyday (but that won't stop me getting more).
5. I love purple, but very rarely wear it.

I hope you don't think I'm not bothering, but I know that lots of my blogging friends have already received these, but I'm sure that there's lots of you who haven't yet - so, please, take these awards with love from me and pass them on - oh, and don't forget to share some facts about yourself.

Don't forget: If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

The mystery white blocks

Some people have asked about the white blocks in my WOYWW photo earlier today. They are foam stamps - I've got quite a few of these - most of the others I've got are bigger, in fact some are a good A6 size. They are from QVC and they are cheap when you compare the price of wood mounted or even unmounted. They give surprisingly good results. Having said that, I still like the feel of a good wood mounted stamp (and I do have a few of those, as you can see from the shelves in my WOYWW photo).

WOYWW - Wednesday comes round quickly

Just realised that it's Wednesday (well, I did know that this morning!) and that means it's WOYWW. So here's mine atm:



Don't forget: If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

All in your pocket

The instructions for a pocket card were given on Dutch Dare this week - I had a few trial versions first, but in the end 'got it' and produced my card.

I used a digi image from here that fits nicely into challenge 33 on Stampin' B: 'red, black, white and a moon.

This is also for:

Another one for Crafty Ann 2: 'black, white and one other colour'.
ABC: 'H is for hidden' (I'm behind with this one - I intended to get it done in time, but had to practise getting the pocket card right first!).
Creative Inspirations 21 is 'include a pocket'
Little red wagon 4: 'buttons'
Try it out Tuesday 45 is 'all buttoned up'
Hand full of stamps 6: 'no plain Jane ribbon' - the ribbon has text on it - it says 'with love'
365 cards day 269: 'tied up in knots' - create some knots on your card

The red papers are BG cupcake and the black inside paper is BG scarlet's letter.





Don't forget: If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

Gingerbreadhouse

This is for SASSC41:


It's also for Dottie's world: 'What do I mean when I say gingerbreadhouse?' Of course, for Dottie's challenges we have to use a Charmed download, so I've used 'Christmas kiss' with Dottie and George beneath the mistletoe - I digitally superimposed them on to a free download clipart gingerbreadhouse picture.

And this is another one for Frosted designs: 'paper tearing' - the white hammered at the bottom to act as little drifts of snow.

I used some 'clouds' paper that I've had for quite some time - appropriate for 365 cards day 231: 'Imagine this: sky'.

As the predominant colours are brown and blue, I'm linking also for Spoon full of sugar 79: colour combo.

And, as it's a Christmas card, it's OK for Everybody art 67, 'winter love' on Simon Says and another one for Kraftin' Kimmie 7: 'merry Christmas, happy winter!!'



Don't forget: If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

Vintage rub ons

This card is for Paper popsicles Wacky Wednesday hump day sketch 8:

It's also for:

Pile it on 25: 'rub ons' - the three 'pictures' are glittered rub ons
My time to craft 67: 'very vintage'
2 red bananas: 'I am thankful'
Stampin' sisters in Christ 14: 'thanksgiving or expressing thanks'
Apron strings 17: 'thankful'
Fiskarettes: 'give thanks'
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday 43: 'thank you theme'
Another one for Paper blooms 'thank you' (sadly, their last challenge)
Paper cutz 18: 'thanksgiving'
SPCC finally Friday: 'tall card' (used landscape)
Hope stamps eternal cupcake inspiration 34 - the girl on the left particularly shows the colours given
Crazy Amigo: 'little girls'
Die cuts R us 17: 'create a girlie project'

The background paper is K & Co.




Don't forget: If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

Face to face with alcohol inks

While I'd got alcohol inks to make my inchies, I thought I'd make a tag for Dragons tag it on 23: 'face to face' using alcohol inks and/or markers.

I used red pepper, wild plum and denim inks with a touch of blending solution and then stamped a couple of faces (foam stamps from QVC) with black dye ink. I couldn't get a photo because of flash shine, so this is a scan - looks better irl - I hope you can see the outline of the faces. I just added the pieces of ribbon.

The colours used are right for 365 cards day 262.

It's also good for TGIF 112: 'face of a femme fatale'



Don't forget: If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

Teen terrors!

Cute card Thursday 87 is 'teen terrors!' - I hope this is OK for a teenage son (not mine!)

Ages ago on 365 cards for day 104 the challenge was 'Imagine this: grass' (I'm still playing some of the challenges I missed on there). I used some beige background that is a bit like straw and coloured it with an ink pad.



Don't forget: If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

BF October inchies received

I received these lovely inchies from the BF October swap 'animals' today - thank you, girls, for another lovely set of inchies and Leigh for again hosting.



Don't forget: If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

BF November inchies

We've been up to Guy's again today for John's foot health appointment, so I haven't had an opportunity to do very much, but I've got my inchies done for this month's swap on BF, the subject being fireworks.

I used alcohol inks for the background, silver and gold metallic Sakura pens and lots of gems:



Don't forget: If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

Postie brought me some candy

Postie brought me a package today all the way from Canada - some blog candy from Stacy (who is one of the team members of Salt). Thank you, Stacy, for such a lovely selection of goodies:



Don't forget: If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

Across the miles

Crafty Ann challenge 2 is 'black and white and one other colour' - this is a simple card with some neglected DCWV paper, an acetate 'family' circle and some dymo taped sentiments.


And 'across the miles' reminds me that I need to write and get ready for posting those cards that need to go abroad.

Don't forget: If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

Chalked torn paper

The challenge on Frosted designs this week is 'paper tearing' - this is a chalked stamped image, with torn paper edges that have also been chalked. It's also for 'F is for flowers' on Alphabet.



Don't forget: If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

Pink and white girlie card

This is for Mercy Tuesday sketch 48:



It's also for:

My time to craft 66: 'under my umbrella'
Dollies colour: 'baby pink and white'
Totally Gorjuss: 'nearly all Gorjuss!' - use any cute girlie image
Another one for Die cuts R us 17: 'create a girly project'

The image is from Cute Daisy May (from the sheet I got as a recent prize), coloured with copics. Papers are BG euphoria.



Don't forget: If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

Red Christmas

This is for the sketch on FTTC42:



It's also for:

Cute Daisy May: 'red Christmas' (I used one of the images from sheet 87 - my prize for being picked for a recent challenge on CDM) - coloured with copics
The Pink elephant: 42: 'something plaid, any ~ of brads and no ribbon' - the papers, including the plaid, are BG eskimo kisses and the brads are Dovecraft funky Christmas wishes (part of my prize for C.R.A.F.T. challenge 25)
Pollycraft 29: 'Ria's wonderful Christmas time'
Whimsy 29: 'Christmas'
Kraftin' Kimmie 7: 'merry Christmas, happy winter!!'
Lots to do 47: 'open theme'
Fiskarettes: 'winter warmers' (bit late for this one)
Bee crafty 18: 'add some sparkle' (has to include a digi image - CDM download)
Another one for Creative inspirations 36: 'sparkle'
Dare U 2 digi 26: 'glitter' (has to include a digi image - CDM download)
Sparkle creations 51: 'any Christmas card'
Another one for Jacksonbelle: 'pick a girl's dress as inspiration' - I chose this one
Ooh-la-la 41: 'monochrome' (there's more red than anything)



Don't forget: If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

Postie brought me some goodies

These goodies arrived in the post this morning from Donnas den of Crafts, a prize for my name being picked for my card for week 25 on C.R.A.F.T. - you can see it here. (Sorry, the flash photo is awful):



I also notice that I've won a prize on Apron strings for this card.

Don't forget: If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

Dress inspiration for celebration

This is for Sketch and Stash 23:

The neglected stash was the piece of striped paper on the left - this is a piece from BG obscure (not quite sure why I bought that because it's use seems limited). The piece of scalloped BG paper is from Indian summer, a more recent acquisition.

The colours of pink, orange and green were chosen for My Grafico 25 - at first those colours don't seem to go together, but given the right papers they work.

Jacksonbelle Tuesday challenge this week is quite unusual - we were asked to go to this link and pick one of the fabulous girls dresses as an inspiration piece. I chose this girl's dress, which reminded me of one that had been taken from a card someone gave me to recycle:


It's also for:

another one for week 8 'glitz and blink' on BG
Susie's sassy's challenge 2: pink and sparkly'
Mixed Media Monday: 'I am woman'
Kaboodle 18 asks us to use 'buttons, bows and bling' - I hope I'll be forgiven that there's only one button on the bow of the dress, but there is plenty of bling!
day 159 on 365 cards was: 'setting the scene indoors' - the chandelier seems right for this.
Sweet stampin' 1: 'celebrate' (why not check this out - new challenge blog started today)



Don't forget: If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

Santa Claus is coming to town

This is for CPS 142:


And another one for Tuesday taggers for this week's theme: colours 'red, green and gold'

Another song - 'Santa Claus is coming to town' for Allsorts 28 and Ildi Co 5.

The background paper is Brenda Pinnick. I made the tag last Christmas (or it might even have been the Christmas before!) - at last I've found a use for it! This is right for Artful Inkables think ink Tuesday: 'make a tag'.

A cutie snowman

For this card I've used the sketch for Cutie Sunday 68:


I've also followed the recipe for the Crafty Pad 46: '1 circle, 2 ribbons, 3 papers, 4 gems and some sparkle'

The papers are BG figgy pudding, the turquoise and red ribbons are Dovecraft (I think), the turquoise heart gems are from Poundland and the snowman in a circle was part of a QVC kit.

Allsorts 28 today is 'Christmas carol or a song title ..', so this is 'Frosty the snowman', which also links for another card to Ildi Co 5 for their 'choose any Christmas song and let it inspire you' (I think I'm on a roll with these Christmas songs!)

There are snowflakes on the paper and on the picture, so it's good for today's One stop craft 56: 'snowflakes'.

And, as I've used some of my fav BG papers and there's glitz and bling on here, I'm also linking for Basic Grey week 8.



Don't forget: If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

Oh Christmas tree

This is for the Sweet stop sketch 30:



It's also for Sunday stamper 79: 'Oh Christmas tree' - the tree was stamped and embossed with metallic green and gems added (unfortunately, scan doesn't show these to advantage - might replace with photo tomorrow if light is good enough)



Don't forget: If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

Holly background card

This card is for Sketch Saturday 77:



I created this background by randomly stamping Hels Sheridan lovely Stitchels medium holly stamp and colouring with copics:


This background (and the card below) fits these challenges:

Saturday Spotlight 7: 'create a masterboard'
Fab's Big Christmas 46: 'stamped background'

It's also another one for Kraftin'Kimmie 6: 'lotsa circles' and another for Colour Create 32: 'green, red and white' with the option of 'Christmas'

The decorated chipboard circles and strip across the top are all Brenda Pinnick (from two or three years ago - yes, I'm trying this year to use up some of the odd bits that still lurk in the Christmas box).



Don't forget: If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

Sparkly snowman

This is for Card Patterns sketch 41:



This is another card for:

Forever friends: 'glitter' - the FF elements I've used for this card are glittered
Allsorts 27: 'made for a child'
A spoon full of sugar 78: 'baby's first Christmas/pre-schooler'
Creative Inspirations 36: 'sparkle'

Also for:

Magical Crafts 2: 'recipe': all of these are on my card:

A Santa or Snowman Image (both if you like)

Something Sparkly

Ribbon

Christmas Flower (includes Holly and Ivy)

The papers are from Forever Friends Christmas Glow and everything else is from FF Elements.



Don't forget: If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

Sparkly gift

This is for Stamp, scrap, doodle sketch 15:

This is also for:

Forever friends: 'glitter' - the FF elements I've used for this card are glittered (it just doesn't show up here very well) - there's glitter on the holly, the hat and the ribbon around the present.
Fun with shapes and more 29: 'gifts'
One stop crafts 55: 'gifts'
Allsorts 27: 'made for a child'
A spoon full of sugar 78: 'baby's first Christmas/pre-schooler'
Another one for Creative Inspirations 36: 'sparkle'

The papers are from Forever Friends Christmas Glow and everything else is from FF Elements.



Don't forget: If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas

No, I'm not actually dreaming of a white Christmas, but that's the title of my card for If the shoe fits Fashionista Friday 11 sketch:



It's also for these challenges:

Something completely different week 28: 'blue/white and snowflakes'
Paper Maniac Inspirations: 'Create something vintage/retro - Optional Challenge:
Create something Christmas-related
Another one for Creative Belli 78: 'Christmas with creative cuts and more' - use Christmas
embellishments (the added snowflakes)
And another one for Ildi Co 5: choose a Christmas song - this time: 'I'm dreaming of a white Christmas'
And the colours are good for day 131 on 365 cards: 'ad inspired' (yes, I am still doing some of the old 365 challenges!)

Etsy inspired 62: 'Quiltish from Alissa Jacobs' - the idea is to look in her shop and choose something to inspire crafting - this is what I've chosen:


On C.R.A.F.T. 26 - this was the inspiration photo given:


I've used some Craft Creations 'snowflakes on dark blue' paper for the background. The tree is a photo I took the last time we had snow, the pillar box picture is one that I used last year - I added some snowflakes as well and the sentiment was computer generated.

Sorry, the scan is a bit crooked, not the card!

Don't forget: If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

BF November ATCs

For the ATC swap on Bubbly Funk forum this month, we were given a sketch to work with:



I used DCWV textured card and a couple of my fav cuttlebug embossing folders - d'vine swirls and swiss dots, added a few other bits and pieces and printed 'purple' in a tiny font. I made five of these.

There was no stipulation about colour, so I chose purple - I do love all shades of purple and lilac.

There are one or two challenges around atm asking for 'purple' (I've already done a digi purple Christmas scene, but thought I'd link this as well):

Incy wincy designs: 'purple!'
Lily-boo too November challenge: 'purple'
As it's an ATC, it's good for Whimsy 28: 'not a card', also for Pollycraft 28: 'no cards allowed'



Don't forget: If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

Scraps and more ...

The theme on Daring Cardmakers last Friday was 'scraplings'. I thought about this earlier in the week, but it was only this morning that I got round to doing anything for it - when I started, the new challenge wasn't up on DCM, so I thought I'd just squeeze in, but now it is - oh well, yet again, I'm late!

I decided to use one of Kathy's sketches (Kathy is one of the DCM team - an original - and a crafting forum friend):

I noticed the other day that Kathy had made a card and then a scrapling with the offcut, showing both at the same time - I thought this was a good idea, so that's what I've done.

In fact, I was able to get one card and two scraplings out of an A4 piece of card, one scrapling being a bit longer than the other.

I used various scraps, some of which is Basic Grey and some Papermania flowers with wire swirls, plus a few buttons, gems etc.

On the larger card I used ric rac and buttons, which was the challenge on 365 day 256 for 'perfect pair'. It is also predominantly red and grey which makes it OK for this week's Design Dollies colour challenge.

The scrapling on the right has the colours for this week's Kelly Jo colour chef 28: 'black, tan, red' - there is some tan within some of the spots on that BG scarlet's letter paper, honestly!

'Using flowers with black and red' is the theme for Card*a*licious 31, also incorporating 'thank you', so the third card is good for that.

Another one for Kraftin' Kimmie 6: 'lotsa circles'

And, lastly, the cards all have BG paper on and bling - the flowers and the gems - so I'm linked for Basic Grey week 8 'glitz and bling'.

They cards are a bit easier to see if you click on the picture.

So, all of this has come out of one A4 piece of card and scraps!

Don't forget: If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

Digi Purple Christmas

This is the picture given for this coming week on Art Creations Friday:



I used a digi clipart picture from Publisher, changed it to purple and then merged the purple version of the AC picture.

This is also for:

Incy wincy designs: 'purple!'
Digital Tuesday 33: 'a colour challenge' - white, purple, gold or silver (it's not very clear here, but there is silver on the baubles)
Lily-boo too November challenge: 'purple'
Doodle Palace digital images 15: 'Christmas purple'



Don't forget: If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

O Christmas tree

This is for It's a crafter's companion sketch 10:



To qualify for that challenge, something you've used has to be available in the Crafter's Companion shop - I've used Daisy & Dandelion Christmas collection embossed glitter transfers (rub ons).

Day 128 on 365 was a card recipe:

1 5x5 Card
1 Rub-on image
2 Buttons
1 Piece of patterned paper
1 piece of ribbon - NO BOW
1 Sentiment inside the card

This is also another card for Gingersnap 30: spicy supply: 'buttons'

Colour Create 30 is 'green, red and white', optional extra: Christmas.

And for Ildi Co 5 the song this time is 'O Christmas tree'.




Don't forget: If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

Tilda relaxing

This is for Get Sketchy 14, which this week incorporates the option: 'use your markers:



I've used the colours given for Copic Colour challenge 40:

I cheated a bit, because I used YR04 for Tilda's face and hands, which made her look far too orange, so I then used the 0 blender to take off some of the colour - she still looks a bit orange tanned though!

Using the Magnolia Tilda stamp allows me to enter this for Stampavie and more 70: 'brown + one other' - I know that there's more than one other colour, but I'm counting the red/pink as the other predominant colour with brown.

And, talking of colour, Color dare 43 is asking for rose red, chocolate chip, green galore plus any neutrals, and Color throwdown 69: 'chocolate, olive, cream, dark red. Lots of the circles and swirls behind Tilda are dark red.

This is also another card for There she goes 29: 'in stitches' (on the ribbon).

Kraftin' Kimmie 6 is 'lotsa circles!' there are lots on the BG eva paper.

This is a 'girly' card, so I'm linking too for Die cuts R us 17: 'create a girly project'.

Tuesday morning 20 this week is a recipe: '3 decorative papers (all 3 are BG - the background one isn't the base card - a white blank was covered) , 2 embellishments (ribbon and flowers), 1 flourish (the red wire behind the flowers).



Don't forget: If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

Christmas bling

This is for the sketch on Clean and simple FTL68:



Another one for Tueesday taggers 'red, green and gold'



Don't forget: If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

Christmas stars

This card is for Friday sketchers 78:


It's also another one for 3 clovers 40: 'a Christmas card with NO red or green' and also for Ildi Co 5: 'choose any Christmas song and let it inspire you' - the carol for this card is 'We three kings'.

The strips across the gold foiled card are Papermania. The outside of the image is recycled from an old card, with PM paper put behind it. The stars give a nice textured look to the card.



Don't forget: If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

Wild animal!?

Well, he doesn't look very wild to me!

This is for lili of the valley 41 sketch:



It's also for:

Lili of the valley 40: 'recipe' - 3 papers, 2 stamps (the textured background and the sentiment), 1 type of embellishments (buttons) - I realise that I'm late for this one
Paperplay 41: 'recipe' - 2 patterned papers, 1 ribbon, 3 buttons
Just Buggin' 11: ' into the wild' - use a Cricut animal (lion from 'animal kingdom' cartridge)
Simon says: 'animal antics'
Bubbly scrumptious 12: 'go wild!!!' - wild animals!
Elzybells 31: 'tempting textures' - I used the Elzybell texture background stamp with Colorbox copper embossed with clear; there's also texture on the ribbon and, of course, the buttons.
Little paper shop 42: 'use a die cut'
Another one for Little red wagon 3: 'distress it up' - I used four different colorbox chalk inks on the lion, finishing with an edging of copper.

Papers used were BG two scoops (for the lion and the squares) and obscure (for the textured piece and background).



Don't forget: If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

Hark the herald angels sing

I started this card a long time ago, with the background papers, but couldn't think what else to put on it, until this morning when I saw challenge 5 on Ildi Co: 'an inspiration' - 'choose any Christmas song and let it inspire you' - I then remembered one of my favourite angel stamps by Rubber Stampede, which has 'Hark the herald angels sing' music score in the background. This has been coloured with copics and stickles golden rod added on the wing, which qualifies it for Copic creations 16: 'golds'. Of course, there are also other Christmas carol titles on the torn paper on the right.

SPCC colour combo 23 is:

The colours for this are all there, even though the pink is minimal on the flowers round the angel's head.

3 clovers 40 asks for a Christmas card with NO red or green, so this fits the bill for that.

It's also good for yesterday's 'ad inspired' day 263 on 365 cards, which was deep blue and white.

The sparkle on the wings makes the card good for Creative Inspirations 36: 'sparkle' and another one for Frosted designs 'bling it on'; also another for TIOT 44: 'we've got the blues'.



Don't forget: If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

Touchy feely baby card

This card is for sketchy Thursday 60 on Eat sleep stamp:



It's also for:

Dutch dare: 'felt like it' - use felt on your card - the duck on this new baby card is felt, the ribbon is touchy feely as well.

Little red wagon 3: 'distress it up' - sanded/inked edges - the 'boy' panel has been sanded and inked with chalk tangerine ink and the embossed 'boy' was chalked with Pebbles' orange.

Another one for three clovers 39: 'birds or bugs' - this time a bird.

The striped paper is K & Co, the background paper was free with a magazine.



Don't forget: If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

Piling on the ribbons

This card is for Pile it on 24: '3 flowers and 5 pearls' - I used a blue flower and two brown ones and 5 prima brown pearls.

It's also for the sketch for Truly Scrumptious 20, with the additional challenge of adding texture - there are plenty of different textures on the ribbons, on the floral sentiment and on the flowers.



These other challenges are included as well (the idea with 'Pile it on' is to combine with as many others as possible):

365 cards day 242: 'ribbon frenzy' - use several different ribbons (I was stumped with this one till I got inspiration from the TS sketch.
The play date cafe 4: 'blue, chocolate brown, tan and cream
Squigglefly 28: 'thank you'
All that scraps: 'thanksgiving project'
Flutter by Wednesday 83: 'thankful' and use a butterfly (yes), fairy or angel
La la land 13: 'thankful' - La la land says: 'To show our appreciation for you, in addition to this week's THANKFUL challenge we also have a Blog Candy to give away.'
Nutty nutshells 4: 'thank you/thankful'
Paper Blooms: 'thank you' (sadly their last challenge)
Three clovers 39: 'birds or bugs' (a butterfly is a bug!)
Frosted designs: 'bling it on' (brown pearls)



Don't forget: If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

ATG700 tape gun review

Some of you have asked about the ATG gun.

I use silicone glue for decoupage or for things that need a stronger bond, sometimes use glue dots or sticky dots, but the main form of adhesive I used to use was double sided tape. However, I started to buy some of the little sticky tape pens - the ones that you use and throw away - some you can get a refill for, but the refill costs nearly as much - and none of them last very long. I found that I was either resorting back to DS tape or paying out more for the tape pens.

So, having heard good reports from a few fellow crafters, I bought an ATG gun and can honestly say that I love it. I've used it since the day that I got it (so much so that, with the amount of cards I've made recently, I've been getting through the tape rolls!)

It seems strange to use at first, mainly because of its size, but I found that I got used to it very quickly and actually now like the solid feel of the size of it. It does take a bit of practice to get the sticky where you want it - at first I tended to be too far away from the edge of the paper, but it doesn't take long to get the hang of it.

If you get some sticky where you don't want it, you can gently rub it away.

It's easy to change the reels of tape - only takes a few seconds.

I hope this review helps. If anyone has any questions, please ask.

Don't forget: If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

WOYWW today?

It's Wednesday again - WOYWW day at Stamping Ground - a day of nosing at other people's workspace! (I forgot about it last Wednesday). I haven't actually done any crafting today, but I'm sorting out my Christmas stuff. I've already made (and sold) quite a lot of Christmas cards, but need to make more and got to the point where everything was getting stashed in together - so I'm in the middle of sorting it all.

I hope to be back later on with some actual crafting (when my workspace will get a lot more untidy than it is atm).

You can see that I've had freeview Create & Craft on in the background, but tbh I couldn't tell you what they were selling, 'cause I didn't really take much notice.


Why not follow the link above and have a nose at people's workspace - and take a photo of yours and share with us.

If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

Blue Christmas again

This card is for wacky Wednesday hump day sketch 7 on Paper Popsicles:

It's also for Try it out Tuesday 44: 'we've got the blues'.

Papers are English Paper Company, chipboard snowman is Brenda Pinnick and snowflakes are paper cellar.


If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

Birthday card

This is for Stamps and Smiles sketch 40:


The sketch looks as if it should be a Christmas card, but I couldn't see this actually mentioned, so I hope it's OK that I've made a birthday card.

The top section of the card is one piece of patterned paper cut into three (can't remember what this paper is), the strip across the bottom is K & Co.

The card is also for:

Paperplay 41: 'recipe - 2 patterned papers, 1 ribbon, 3 buttons
Gingersnap 30 spicy supply: 'buttons'
Quixotic 1 and 2: 'birthday' and 'stitching' (on the ribbon)
There she goes 29: 'in stitches'




If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

Turquoise and pink Christmas

This card is for Penny's challenge 15: 'it's a sketch':

And also for Apron strings 16: 'ad inspiration':



Another one for Little Red Wagon 2: 'use your scraps' - bright pink papers are from a couple of years ago, the turquoise card was in my scraps box and the chipboard snowflakes were originally part of a kit a couple of years ago - somehow they got left behind in the box.

It's also for:

365 cards day 259: 'imagine this: snow' - not just the snowflakes, but the snow on the pink paper.
Crafty Creations 41: 'snow'
Pals paper arts 16: 'Christmas cheer' (another one for this)
Gingham girl's 'word of the week' 12: 'furfuraceous - consisting of or covered with flaky particles' - I think the snow on the pink paper is right for this.
Another one for Cute card Thursday 86: 'glitter me silly' - on the snowflakes
Another one for Frosted designs: 'bling it on' - glitter, shimmer - on the snowflakes



If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

Red, green and gold again

This card is for the sketch on Diva Coffee Break designs for challenge 153 (this is my first time of joining DCBD:



It's also for:

Tuesday Taggers: 'colours - red, green and gold
Creative Belli 78: 'Christmas with creative cuts and more - themed embellishments'
Little red wagon 2: 'use your scraps' - use last year's scraps - these are definitely last year's or even the year before - the paper came with a magazine (I think it was Making Cards) and the stars embellishments is a 3D sticker that has been waiting to be used some time)
Susie's sassy 1: 'Christmas' (another one for this new challenge blog)
Pals paper arts: theme challenge: 'Christmas cheer' (another 'first time' challenge for me)

You can't really see on the photo, but the stars are red and green.


If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

My CJ has come home

I've been so priveleged to be part of a Circle Journal group on Bubbly Funk forum over the past few months. Thank you, girls, for allowing me the opportunity to take part in your precious journals.

Thank you too, everyone, for your fab contributions to mine.

I wasn't sure how this would work out, because my theme for the CJ was 'What Next?' I asked each person to choose the topic for the next person - I think this worked out well.

My front cover:

My welcome and rules:

I asked Karen to tell us about when she was a teenager. Obviously Karen was already crafting by then - she says: 'I loved any craft and Mum and I would spend the winters playing with cane, wool, fabric ... anything really!'

Gez's theme chosen by Karen was friendship. Under the flap of 'friendship recipes', Gez says: 'Mix greetings and smiles thoroughly. Add hugs separately. Slowly stir in love. Sift sympathy and told in carefully. Bake in warm heart. Serve often.' How lovely is that?!

Suzie was asked for her favourite school memory. I've loved reading about the Debs Ball - and the super photo of the girls in their gorgeous white dresses.

Beth was asked which 3 people, dead or alive, she would like to invite to dinner. You can see Beth's choices and she says: 'I would hope that the four of us would all get along very nicely, laugh and have some fun. I'd love to be there and sit next to Robert de Niro!

Elaine was asked: 'What smell brings back a memory?' Elaine said that she hoped I would enjoy reading about her little advnture because she loved thinking about those happy times - yes, I did, thank you, Elaine - such a mixture of memories conjured up by smell!

Nicky's topic was 'Childhood favourite sweets' - what yummy choices, Nicky - mmm I can almost taste those black jacks - and I loved Spangles.

Net was asked what makes her laugh - I wasn't surprised to see Tinker and Harry on Net's pages and to know that parrot games were her source of fun.

Paddy had three wishes - super wishes, Paddy - I certainly hope they all come true, starting soon with passing your driving test

Leigh was asked: 'What is your favourite season?' This is a wonderful choice, with such beautiful colours - gorgeous photos Leigh has shared.


Sign in pages - everyone made a tag:

Back of my CJ:


I hope you've enjoyed looking at my CJ. I will certainly treasure it. Thank you, once again, girls.

Fruity tag card

This is a card for the sketch on the Pixie cottage for challenge 3:


I thought it would be good to make a tag for Dragons dreams 'tag it on' challenge 22: 'fruits of my labour' - so I chose to use my cherry stamp again, coloured with copics. It was stamped on to a piece of BG slightly coloured paper and lightly sanded and distress inks applied - tattered rose and old paper.

The card is also good for:

Everybody art 65: 'distressing' - not just on the tag, but also the torn paper behind it
365 cards day 234: Tuesday's trio: 'pearl, tag, ribbon'
Artful inkables Think ink Tuesday: 'make a tag'
My time to craft 65: 'tags so much!'
C.R.A.F.T. 25: recipe: '1 tag, 1 sentiment, 1 ribbon'
Squigglefly 28: 'make a thank you card'

Papers are BG Indian summer (apart from the piece that the tag's stamped on - unknown BG scrap!)


If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

Dottie Claus

This card if for the first challenge on Posh Designs scrapbook store, which is to make a card using this sketch:


It's also for:

Dottie's World: 'red, white and black' - Dottie Claus is, of course, a Charmed Dottie digi download
Digital Tuesday 32: 'holiday wishes' (the condition of the challenge is to use a digi image)
Doodle Palace Tuesday challenge: 'red and white Christmas card'
Susie's Sassy 1: 'Christmas'
Sparkle creations Christmas card 50: 'any Christmas card'
Creative craft 2: 'Christmas fun'
Die cut dreams 23 'Santa'
My creative moments Scrapbox 5 'it's all about Santa'

Papers are BG wasail


If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

I've won some more goodies!

I won challenge 53: 'newspaper/text' on One Stop Craft - you can read about it here.

Postie came this with my prize, a lovely Hampton Art corset stamp by Diana Kovacs:



I also learned this morning that my name was drawn as the winner for Paper Popsicles week on 365 cards - you can read about it here - I'll get 20$ worth of digi images.

And the random picky thing on Cute Daisy May picked me for last week's challenge!

If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

Cherry ripe

This card uses the current Forever Friends sketch - one condition is to use FF items - I haven't used any of the bears, but the flowers and sentiment are FF products:



This is also for:

Cuttlebug spot: 'let's get fruity' (I used a cuttlebug embossing folder)
Die cuts R us: 'emboss something'
Just us girls 7: embossing
Lots to do 46: 'embossing'
Corrosive 38: 'let's emboss something'
Tuesday taggers: 'no patterned papers'

The Petaluma cherry stamp has been coloured with copics. Gems are from Poundland and ribbon is Papermania.


If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

Another autumnal scene

This is another card similar to the last, which is good for some of the same challenges:

Pile it on 23: fall challenge: use a leaf/leaves
Our Creative Corner: inspiration challenge
Paper Blooms: 'blue, orange and white'
Fiskarettes Monday challenge: 'use a leaf'
Kaboodle 17: 'fall splendour'
Cafe mojo: 'fall, fall, fall into the season'
Spoon full of sugar 77: 'create a scene'
Try it out Tuesday 43: 'create a scene'
Creative Inspirations 35: 'new or neglected' - definitely neglected, including the netting glittered leaves at the bottom
Incy wincy 17: 'thank you'
Pink elephant 40: 'be thankful'
How much is too much? 119: 'going green' - there is some green on here - and 'green' in the sense of 'recycled' - the leaves have been recycled
One powerful hour: 'leaves'

also for:
Colour Throwdown 68: 'only orange, dark neutral, real red, crushed curry'
365 day 115 : 'piece it together'



If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

Autumnal scene

There are still quite a few autumnal challenges around atm, as well as those that cater for preparing us for Christmas.

This card is for:

Pile it on 23: fall challenge: use a leaf or leaves (the idea of 'Pile it on' is to find other challenges that can be done at the same time. So here are the rest:

Our Creative Corner: inspiration challenge, with this photo:

Play Date Cafe 4: 'blue/green, chocolate brown, tan and cream' - all there in some degree
The Color dare 42: 'really rust, chocolate chip, bashful blue
Paper Blooms: 'blue, orange and white'
Fiskarettes Monday challenge: 'use a leaf'
Kaboodle 17: 'fall splendour'
Cafe mojo: 'fall, fall, fall into the season'
Spoon full of sugar 77: 'create a scene'
Try it out Tuesday 43: 'create a scene'
Creative Inspirations 35: 'new or neglected' - definitely neglected: this invertage picture set is one among others that have been in a box at the back of the cupboard
Incy wincy 17: 'thank you'
Pink elephant 40: 'be thankful'
365 cards day 224: 'create a foreground/background image'
How much is too much? 119: 'going green' - there is some green on here - and 'green' in the sense of 'recycled' - the leaves with berries were off some Christmas crackers a couple of years ago
Inspire me Thursday: 'tree'
One powerful hour: 'leaves'
Hope stamps eternal: cupcake inspiration 33, with this picture:


The card is an invertage one (opposite of decoupage), although even taking the photos at an angle don't really show the depth of layers as they are irl. To give a clue as to the depth: the sentiment had to be built up with five layers of foam tape on the bottom half that stuck directly on the card blank.




If you go to the top of my blog you will find the post about my celebration candy - you've got to be in it to win it!

Glitz and bling pyramid

This card is for:

Basic Grey week 8: 'glitz and bling' (I used wassail papers) - the PM Daisy & Dandelion Christmas garland embossed and glittered transfers provide the glitz and bling - also the gold glittered red ric rac
Paper Garden projects: fourth Fridayfun: 'bring on the bling'
Frosted designs: 'bling it on'
Fab's Christmas 45: 'hanging card' (I haven't managed the 'diva', but I've managed to make this to hang
365 cards day 125: 'it's a snap' - Use some sort of closure on your card (the ric rac on the side)
Magical cards fortnight 1: 'a Christmas card and a Christmas ornament - red, green and gold' (covers both, I think - it's a card - can write inside - but also can stand up or hang
Jacksonbelle Tuesday: 'make something for Christmas' - this seems appropriate, because it's a bit more than an ordinary card

Thinking of you and remembering

This is a simple card in response to the prompt given for cupcake inspiration 32 on Hope stamps eternal:

It's also for Creative inspirations 35: new or neglected (sadly, part of a kit from QVC that has been neglected - OK for quick cards, but no real crafting involved, except the colouring of the poppy with copics). It so happens that it also fits CI's previous challenge 34: red and black.

'Thinking of you' is this week's challenge on Simon says.

Last Sunday was 'remembrance day' in the UK, symbolised by the poppy, so I'm also linking this for this week's Bubbly Scrumptious challenge 11: 'remembrance'.

'Remembrance' is also this week's topic on Created by hand.

Pink roses

This card is for Bee Crafty 17: photo inspiration:



which needs to include a digi download - the paper is a digi from Funky Hand.

It's also for CPS card sketch 141:



The ribbon is DCWV and the roses picture is recycled.

Arctic polar bear

This card is for the sketch this week on CLP 9:


It's also for:

Colour Create 31: 'blue, silver and white'
Crafty Creations 41: 'snow'
365 cards day 259 (today): 'Imagine this: snow'
Secret Crafter Saturday 58: 'four seasons' (winter)
Sunflowers and Dragonflies 17: 'Oh Canada' (arctic polar bear)
Tuesday taggers: 'no patterned papers'
Everybody art 65: 'distressing' (the whitewashed core'dination card was sanded to reveal the darker core)
Just us girls 7: 'dry embossing'
Lots to do 46: 'embossing'
Die cuts R us: 'emboss something'
Susie's sassy 1: 'Christmas'
Sparkle creations: 'any Christmas card'
Christmas stampin': choose a challenge that you haven't yet done: 24: stampless


The polar bear was a free download from this site. The white card and the whitewashed core'dination card were embossed with cuttlebug Swiss dots.

Another 'green' card that isn't!

This card is for day 253: Super Sketch Sunday on 365 cards:

This is another 'green' card - I'm not surprised if your reaction is to scratch your head because there's no green to be seen. The 'green' element is that the acetate and the flowers are recycled, so it fits in again with How much is too much? 119: 'going green'.

It's also good for:

Crazy for challenges 11: acetate
Cooking it up with Kate 5: recipe:
a. Use a flower. If possible use it in a different way such as folded, as part of the pattern of the paper, embossed into the cardstock (I've used flowers, but nothing much unusual, except they have been recycled and are raised up with foam pads)
b. Use something clear or see through/reflective. Examples are a Dew Drop, Rhinestone, Acetate, a window in the card, a mirror (there is definitely acetate and glitter on here)
c. Choose a sketch from another challenge as your layout.

Another one for Cute card Thursday 86: 'glitter me silly!' - there is glitter on the flowers, on the acetate and the base card is glittered (although that doesn't really show here) and Frosted designs: 'bling it on'

The strip of embossed acetate has been stuck on to a piece of Making Memories paper and is good for:
Just us girls week 7: 'dry embossing'
Lots to do 46: 'embossing'
Die cuts R us: 'emboss something'

Cook up a card November recipe is ' 3 flowers, 2 gems and 1 butterfly' (I hope I'll be forgiven that there are more than 2 gems on the acetate)

It's very difficult to get a photo of a card that has acetate and glitter on it - I tried several times - and this is as good as it gets:

Pink, white and wafer

Having done a 'pink, white and wafer' card earlier for Rosie-Dee 57, I discovered I'd forgotten that there was a sketch to follow. So I've now done another card for the given sketch:



This time I made a birthday card. The ribbon across the top is DCWV, the roses picture is a recycled one, touched up with shock pink copic - which qualifies it for How much is too much? 119: going green, although, of course, it's pink! (I might try and make another one which is also green as well as recycled).

There is no patterned paper on this card, so it's good for this week's challenge on Tuesday taggers: 'no patterned papers'.

Another one for Cute card Thursday 86: 'glitter me silly!' (on the ribbon and the roses) - also for Frosted designs: bling it on.

It also fits the recipe for C.R.A.F.T. 25: 1 tag, 1 sentiment and 1 ribbon.

Pink Christmas

This card is for Sweet Sunday sketch 43 on the Sweetest Thing:



It's also for:

Something Completely different: 'pink with a Christmas tree'
Rosie-Dee 57: 'pink, white and wafer' ('wafer' is the corrugated card) (Oh! d'oh! I'm such a wally - I forgot there was a RD sketch to follow - will make another card for this)
Charisma cardz 45: merry and bright
Stamping Bella Bellarific: 'wild care' anything
Paper Cutz 17: use a hand stamped or digital image
365 cards day 251: 'dream duo' - two favourite colours to work with - bright pink and black

Papers and ribbon are DCWV; the stamp is unknown (received in a swap) - anyone recognise it, please?

SNR 'Thankful for friends' blog hop

Salt Faith Challenge blog is taking part in Scrapbook News and Review Magazine's A Faith Perspective Thankful for Friends Faith Blog Hop - you can read about it here and see the Salt crafting response.

This is the card that I've contributed, using a BG paper for the background, a favourite Magenta stamp coloured with copics, Stamping Up sentiment stamp and dymo tape for the verse:

Penny Black 74: song title/lyrics

I've been thinking about this challenge by Penny Black. I just love the stamp of the cat playing the flute and wanted to use that, but was a bit stumped for the song lyrics ... and then the obvious came to me from 'Cats', the musical:

GROWLTIGER:
"Come give us a tune on your pastoral flute!"
And Billy'd strike up on his pastoral flute

GROWLTIGER AND GRIDDLEBONE:
And Billy'd strike up on his pastoral flute

I haven't had time to make a card for this, so I'm just going to show a couple I made before, but will replace with another when I can.

My first easel card

I've been meaning to try making an easel card - they seem to be popping up everywhere atm, so, when I saw that there were a couple of challenges specifically asking for one this week, I thought I'd have a go. I went wrong with one bit, but easily worked out what I'd done wrong and put it right. I will be making more of these, because, once you get the hang of it, they are easy to make.

So the card is for Crazy for challenges week 10 and Secret Crafter Saturday challenge.
Stamp, scrap and doodle week 14 is 'special folds', so this fits that challenge.

It's also good for:
365 cards day 258: 'put a lid on it!' - 'Incorporate a hat into your card - whether it be a stamp or patterned paper (or anything else you can think of), just make sure it has a hat on it.'
Sunday stamper 77: 'walking in the air' - snowman (I know it's late for this, but I'm sure Hels won't mind - been meaning to do something for this)
Cupcake 65: 'snow much fun!'
Crafty Creations 41: 'snow'
Susie sassy 1: 'Christmas'
Sparkle Creations 49: 'any Christmas card'
Christmas stampin' 35: 'non traditional colours' (now that challenges have stopped we can pick one we haven't done before)
Creative Craft 2: 'Christmas fun'
Creative Belli 78: 'use Christmas themed embellishments' (the DCWV ribbons and snowflake brad)
One stop craft 54: 'cards for kids'
Paper Maniac Inspiration: 'make something out of your comfort zone' (this easel card is, because it's the first time I've tried to do one)

The papers are a mixture of BG euphoria and eskimo kisses. The euphoria paper on the base is pale, so it looks just white here - can see it clearer if you click on the picture.

BF Karen's CJ

Tomorrow is the day for swapping CJs on BF - the day that everyone's CJs return home. So I needed to do my DLO in Karen's lovely CJ 'What else?' - an opportunity for us to share what other 'craftiness' we've been involved in.

I got this done this morning because some friends are kindly going to pick up prescriptions for us and the post office is near the chemist, so this will save me having to go out - my back is playing up big time atm.

Being the last entry in Karen's CJ meant that I've seen it complete - you are going to love it, Karen.

I used BG June bug papers, Prima pearls and K & Co embellishments.

The self-portrait that I've shown was done in January 1973 - don't I look glum?! it must have been because I was concentrating!

As usual, you'll get better views if you click on the pictures to enlarge.

Snowflake card

This is Friday Sketchers 77:



The card is also for these challenges:

Cricut cardz 1: 'anything goes' - Make a card using any Cricut cartridge(s), any colors and any theme you'd like.
Cupcake 65: 'snow much fun!'
Crafty creations 41: 'snow'
Creative Belli 78: 'Christmas with creative cuts and more' - use Christmas themed embellishments.
Susie's sassy 1: 'Christmas'
Stampin' B's design team 31: 'make a Christmas card'
Sparkle creations 49: any Christmas card
Christmas stampin' - challenges have now finished, so pick a past one: 24: 'the stampless challenge' - 'create a Christmas card without using any stamped images.'
Roses on paper 24: a Christmas card
Cute card Thursday 86: glitter me silly!
Colour create 31: 'blue, silver and white' - option: winter and glitter

I cut the white glitter card snowflake on my cricut (Christmas cheer cart).

Cupcakes galore

This card follows the sketch for Clean and Simple FTL67:



This was the prompt for day 257 'picture this' on 365 cards:



It's also good for these challenges:

Saturday spotlight with hidden potential 6: 'repeatedly useful' - to use an image more than once

Cute card Thursday 86: glitter me silly!

Crafty Ann 1: celebrate

Hand full of stamps 4: 'share it with the family - we were encouraged to include a recipe as well as food on our cards, so here is my cupcake recipe:

2 large eggs, cracked open
1 tsp vanilla essence
125g/4oz caster sugar
125g/4oz soft margarine
125g/4oz self-raising flour

1. Heat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4. Put all the ingredients in a bowl and beat them together until the mixture is smooth and slightly lighter in colour.
2. Line a bun tin or cupcake tin with paper cake cases and half-fill each case with the cake mixture.
3. Cook the cakes for 18-20 minutes. You can tell they are done when they have risen up, are golden in colour, and spring back into shape when lightly pressed.
4. The cupcakes can be decorated using a basic icing, plus marshmallows, writing icing, food colouring and coloured sweets.

I've again used some of the DB cupcakes kit, this time stamping a large cupcake in the nestie scalloped circle and smaller cupcakes scattered. They have been coloured with copics and the icing topped with ice stickles.

Yummy and sweet

This card is for sketch on My Grafico sketch time:



It's also for
Cute card Thursday: 86 'glitter me silly' - the edges of the oval and the sentiment are glittered.

Everything used for this card is from a Dawn Bibby cupcake kit (I bought it because it included some cupcake stamps and the kit itself is suitable for making some quick cards).

Deep pink decoupage

I've made a card for Card Patterns sketch 40:



It's also for Basic Grey week 7: photo inspiration:



The deep pink/burgundy colour in this photo is one of my favourites and I had a hard job choosing which BG papers to use for this card. In the end I used some from eva and some from bittersweet. I chose the striped one because of the stripes in the photo.

The flower is decoupaged, which is right for this week's Alphabet challenge: 'D is for decoupage'.

Cook up a card: October recipe: prize

I won the prize for the October recipe on Cook up a card - yay! it arrived this morning and this is what I received:



There's a lovely recipe for their November challenge - perhaps hop on over to Cook up a card and take part.

Salt: Psalm 46: be still

It's Salt Faith Challenge day again today - how the weeks go by - Lythan chose the topic and you can read what she wrote here and see the other lovely creations of the team.

Most often I do a LO for Salt, but this time I made a card, using Papermania touch of teal papers, stickers etc. I even attempted a bit of doodling, so I'm going to link this card for two challenges that are asking for doodling this week: Creative card crew 36 and Creative Inspirations 20.

It's Party Time! Let's celebrate!

This card is for sketch 10 on Delightful Sketches:


I've used the colours given for this week's Copic Colour challenge 39:



I've mainly used primary colours, which is challenge 85 on Cute Card Thursday.

I've used a Mo's digital image, 'Bella and Bronte are ready to party', plus sparkly ribbon, gems and stickles glitter glue, which is the recipe for challenge 5 on Mo's Digital Pencil. It's also good for Crazy Amigo 'glitter and glamour'. And Bronte is right for 'rrrr-awrrrrrr' this week on Cute Daisy May (and he and Bella are cute).

On C.R.A.F.T. the challenge is 'fireworks', but with the option of 'celebration' - so I think 'party time' fits this. And 'celebrate' is the theme for Crafty Ann's first challenge.

Also Papertake weekly: 'digi sparkle'

Papers are BG lime rickey.

Shades of Asia

The challenge this week on Dottie's wonderful world is 'around the world' - to give a foreign touch to our creations.

It was a good opportunity (or 'excuse'!) to get the 'Holly and Madison's world tour' download from Charmed cards and crafts - I used 'Holly in China'.

'Asia' is the topic this week on Wednesday Stamper (only just getting in on time), so I thought this is appropriate for that as well.

The colourss used are good for Color throwdown 67 soft sky, always artichoke, kraft, dusty durango

and for Diva coffee break designs 152: creamy caramel, ruby red, always artichoke and bravo burgundy

Papers are DCWV Far East - and as there are butterflies, it's good for Sophisticat 10: 'wings' and Flutter by Wednesday 82 - an open challenge to use a butterfly or fairy.

The challenge on this week's All that scraps was to use an older stamp set - one that perhaps has been neglected - well I bought a set of two sheets of HOTP stamps that included the Chinese writing I've used here - I haven't used this for a long time. I stamped with Brilliance pearlesscent crimson and embossed. The base card is from PDA. I lined the inside with another piece of the Far East paper so that it shows through the holes. The flower behind the Holly in China image was swiped with a stazon ink pad.

As I used my 'big bite' to punch the holes in between the scallops, I'm hoping this is OK for this week's the Digi Kitty Meow Monday: 'punch it!'

Shoes, handbags and gladrags

This card is for the sketch on a Spoon full of sugar challenge 76:



It also fits these challenges:

Tuesday taggers: 'handbags and gladrags'
Stampavie and more 68: 'stars' (the nesties used are actually designed to be used for poinsettias, but I think they double up nicely as stars)
Mixed Media Monday: 'fashion'
Ooh-la-la 40: 'shoes'
365 day 201: 'one two, buckle my shoe'
Allsorts 26: 'bring out your bling'(the glittery metal shoes, the handle of the handbag, th satin sheen mirror card surrounding the 'shopper')
Paper Garden Projects 4th Friday fun challenge October: 'bring on the bling' (same as above)
Creative card crew 35: 'ribbons and gems' (gems on handle of handbag and shoes)
Kraftin'Kimmie 5: 'stitch it up!' (on the ribbon)
My Grafico 24: 'stitching' (as above)

Papers are all English paper company.

The Crafty Pad Guest Designer challenge 45

As I was drawn as the winner for challenge 38 on the Crafty Pad (you can see my entry here), I was privileged to be given a guest designer slot for today's challenge 45, which is this sketch designed by Maxine:



(Sorry - if you looked earlier I had linked the wrong sketch - what a wally I am! - this is now the right one!)

For the challenge I was asked to choose from the Christmas Ted range and was given this lovely set of Baubles with Merry Christmas:





I used BG figgy pudding papers.



Please go and visit the Crafty Pad to see the lovely cards that the DT have done for this challenge - and perhaps make a card for it yourself.

Textured poppies

This is the sketch on Crafts4eternity recipe 5:



The recipe called for:
1. use the sketch
2. use a paperclip (s)
3. include 2 ribbons all of which I've done

The colours I've used are good for Easy Breezy Kewl 10:



Also for Apron strings color inspiration 14 (my first time there): to use a minimum of three:



Paper Maniac Inspirations: die cuts - use in an unexpected way (the nesties frame)

Moving along with the times 20: 'remembrance day' (the poppies)

The poppy is a textured rub-on, the red PP is BG marrakech and the black spiky circle band was cut with nesties.

Red, green and gold Christmas card

This is the sketch for Cutie Sunday 66:



It's also good for:

Something completely different: holly and ivy, red green and gold, on a Christmas card
Magical Crafts fortnight first challenge: Christmas card, red, green and gold
Stampin' B's design team 31: 'Christmas card' (new challenge blog to me)
The Crafty Pad 44: 'red, green, gold'
Susie's sassy first challenge: 'Christmas'.
Christmas Stampin' 32: 'traditional Christmas colours' - red, green and silver or gold (now that challenges have finished on Christmas Stampin' we are encouraged to go back and do some of the challenges we missed)
Paper Maniac Inspirations: die cuts (the holly leaves, which were originally silver, so I swiped them with a green stazon ink pad.
My time to craft 84: 'so many scallops'
Crafty Catz 7: 'going dotty' - plenty of dots on here

I've used offcuts of red and gold foiled card and green spotty paper for the scalloped edges at the top of the card, a piece of vellum across the middle. The stamped ivy was stamped on to scrapperdashery 'the holly and the ivy - without the ivy' paper, coloured with a copic (lime green G21). The background is gold mirror card (although it looks a bit silvery here because of the flash photo).

Pink and purple

This card is for Sketch Saturday 75 (it's late because I just didn't get time to finish and blog last night):

In the cottage studio (a new challenge to me) rumble 18 asks us 'to come up with something creative with Inchies.'

La la 11 is 'pink' (I hope there's enough on here).

365 cards day 245 is: 'a matter of inches' - making/using inchies

I'm showing this as a follow up to the inchie on One powerful hour: 'something small'

It's a pity that the scan doesn't show up the sheen on the purple satin foil card - it has a lovely rich lustre. The card has been finished off with the pink PM ribbon on top of the wider one.



I've used the stamped dress and inchie (I made two more) that I showed here.

Gracious lady

This card is for challenge 29 on this week's Unscripted sketches:



I've used the colours given for challenge 41 on the Color Dare:


The card is also for:

Saturday Spotlight challenge 5: 'in so many words'
Our Creative Corner: 'vintage style'
Created by hand: times gone by
One stop craft challenge 53: 'newspaper/text/script/writing
SPCC finally Friday: the challenge is to use a favourite stamp - this one is one of my all-time favourites, although I haven't had it for long, I tried to buy it for ages and couldn't get it. There was a further option to use a favourite colour combo - tbh this isn't one I use very often, but I think it should be on my list of favourites, because I love it!

Edited to add:
Lots to do 45: 'distressed' (today's new challenge just gone up!)

The stamped image is Hero Arts 'gracious lady' coloured with copics. The turquoise core'dination card was run through the cuttlebug script embossing folder and then sanded and torn.