CCM Challenge #87 - Friendship

Welcome to our latest challenge, hosted by Yvonne who has chosen the theme 'Friendship'

Yvonne would like to see the word 'Friend' or 'Friendship' included somewhere on your card/project.

Please ensure your card has one of the two words stated above to qualify for a winner or Top 5 slot. 

We are sponsored by SATURATED CANARY with 2 of their gorgeous digis

And also by Sir Stampalot who are offering 2 great stamp sets. Pop on over the Crafty Cardmakers blog to check them out.

I wasn't really sure where to start for this challenge, so decided to have a rootle and a rummage through my box of sentiments, as the wording was the important part of this challenge. And lo, and behold, there it was - the beautiful little tag with "Friends are Forever". 

So, now I had a pink colour scheme to work with, and I decided to team it up with grey and silver - I think they go really well together.

The papers I have used are all from my stash - I have had them ages - I think they are all Papermania - the pinks are possibly from one of those 'Colossal' pads - and the greys from a Creative Tones pad. But I could be wrong. 

Another item I have had ages are the card blanks! They are what I think were called 'small tall' cards. I used to love using them - and have a rather large stash of them still.

I covered the card blank with the darker grey paper, and then added a pink layer, the edge of which I cut with Spellbinders Class Triple Scallop Edgeabilities, and a decorative insert from the Petal Edgeabilities. I then used a smaller, lighter grey mat on the top, all wrapped round with silver and pink ribbons.

The layers of the flower were cut using X-Cut's Glorious Gerbera and Nesting Blooms dies.

I curled the petals slightly to give a bit of dimension, inked the edges with Iced Spruce and Victorian Velvet DI's, then sprayed them with a bit of Iridescent Spray and Sparkle.

I added more of the ribbon to the tag, and finished off with pearls in the centre of the flower, and on the tag.

Don't forget to pop on over to the Crafty Cardmaker's blog to check out all the other DT inspiration!!

See you soon,

Cxxx

Mother's Day

Well, this is the first time I've blogged in a long time - other than when it's Challenge time at Crafty Cardmakers of course. But tonight, I finished writing reports, so that means I actually have a little time on my hands. And as I obviously made a card for my Mum, I thought I would share it. 

So, I have been busy buying all kinds of things recently - "stuff" for techniques that I want to have a go with (hopefully I'll get to share some things I've made soon) - and I ordered a couple of things from Indigo Blu. Along with my order, I received a gorgeous little heart stamp (think it was because of a delay in dispatching my order). I immediately knew I wanted to use it for my Mother's Day card.

So, I dug out my FlitterGlu, and stamped the image 3 times onto Crafter's Companion Neenah card. I then used Crafty Notions gilding flakes - I've had them so long I don't remember the names - but basically they are gold, silver and copper.

I cut them out with a Spellbinders scalloped square, and stamped the sentiment (with Dove Grey Stazon) on another square using a 99p mini alphabet stamp set from The Range. Whenever I use these stamps I deliberately make them "wonky" as it is impossible to line them up properly.  

The gingham card is from my local market. I used the darker brown for squares to mount the copper and gold hearts, and green for the silver heart and sentiment. I cut a large square from the green for the background mat. And I cut a large, scalloped square from the lighter brown, cut it in half diagonally, and placed it so it lay just outside the edge of the green mat. The finishing touch are coloured pearls, forming a little cross in the middle.

I think it's a fairly understated card - the colours are very subtly and muted - and I know they are what Mum likes. So, thank you Indigo Blu for my little freebie stamp. It's beautiful! 

I would like to enter this into the following:

Totally Gorjuss - For Mum

Sincerely Yours Creations - Mother's Day

Bearly Mine Challenges - Mother's Day

Cxxxx

CCM Challenge #86 - Masculine Birthday

Welcome to our latest challenge, hosted by Rebecca, who has chosen the theme 'Masculine Birthday' 

Rebecca would like to see a masculine birthday card that includes some technology or a gadget. The technology or gadget could be a computer, games console, rocket or car for example.

Please ensure that you do add the technology or gadget aspect to qualify for a Winner or Top 5 slot.

We are sponsored this time by Di's Digi Downloads who are offering a $10 gift voucher.

For my card, I have used a Kanban topper. It came on a sheet with other vintage cars - the other's have all long gone, but I never really had an occasion to use this one. So, here it is. And now I've used it, I rather like it.

As the image was black and white, I stuck with this colour scheme, and used Bazzill card in a grey/silver colour, and some black from my stash. The edges were cut with Spellbinders Classic Ric Rac Edgeabilities, and the decorative insert was from that set too. I filled the diamond spaces with Anita's 3D glaze, and cut the legs of of the brads, before using silicone glue to stick them on the card. The sentiment was in my stash - I think it was a magazine freebie - but I'm not sure. I also used glaze on the truck.

  

There's lots more inspiration over on the Crafty Cardmakers website, so pop on over and have a look.

I would like to enter this card into the following:

Here Come The Boys - No Stamps Allowed

Until next time.

Cxxx

CCM Challenge #85 - Blooming Images

Our latest challenge has been set by Marie (MI). She has chosen the theme of 'Blooming Images'. She would like the flower to be the main image - no people, landscapes, trees, or people holding flowers - just flower images. The flowers could be in a vase - or it could just be the flowers.

Please ensure your card has only a flower/flowers as the main focus in order to qualify for the winner or Top 5 slot. 

We are sponsored by 

CRAFTS AND ME
with the choice of 3 digital stamps from their extensive range

 

and we also have on offer this fabulous die set, which has been very generously provided by a mystery donor! 

 Use these 26 clip and phrase dies to create tags & cards, party & wedding details, scrapbook pages, school projects, journals, home decor and more!

I chose to use my favourite daisy Paint Fusion stamp set from Sheena Douglass. I have them all, and although I don't use them so much these days, I do still love them. I started by using a wet on wet technique on the piece of shaped mount board (I picked this up at one of Sheena's workshops). All the paints I used are Eco-Green, and I used Clam Shell over the top of the brown mount board. Whilst that was still wet I brushed some Lime through it - not loads, but enough to add interest to the background. As I am a bit impatient, I dried it with a heat gun. 

I stamped the leaves and flowers onto the mount board using a really old Ink It Up olive green ink pad - I prefer to use a natural colour rather than black as then it tends to blend in with the paint. The leaves are painted using Zucchini and Lime. 

I started by painting the daisies in Clam Shell, and then a second time with Lime. This was to try to give a depth to the daisies - and to keep the colour tones similar. The final coat on the petals was White. Using a small stencil brush, I added Sunflower to the middle of each daisy, and a little Mulch to add dimension.

Once the paint was dry, I used a little Bundled Sage DI around the edges. I have to confess to now having ALL of the DI's - including the seasonals. I was given a few for Christmas, and then I splurged on the rest. I am a bit of a one for having complete sets. I currently have the Picket Fence pen, and am now eyeing up the rest of the DI pens!!! 

The cream base card is from Craftwork Cards - a 148mm 'Top Notch' square. I started with a square of lime green Bazzill Bling (sorry - don't know the colour names) and cut the corners off so you can see the detail of the base card. On top of that I use plain cream card from my stash,and rounded the corners with my X Cut corner rounder. The next layer is from My Mind's Eye - Lost and Found (if I recall correctly). Into this, I cut a decorative border using one of the inserts from Spellbinders Ric Rac Edgeabilities. To make this stand out, I stuck a piece of brown Bazzill behind it. The yellow layer is Bazzill, and the next brown layer also has the border cut into it. The final mat is the lime green again. 

Around all these layers, I wrapped some cream organza ribbon from my stash (Celebrations) and tied a bow. The cream and brown pearls are the finishing touch - I'm really into pearls at the moment - they're much more subtle than gems. 

For more inspiration, pop on over to the Crafty Cardmakers blog. The DT have been busy and have produced some great work - the range is as diverse as we are, so there should be something to inspire you all.

As for me, I shall return to writing reports for my lovely little Year 3's. It's VERY frustrating as it's half term, the sun is shining outside and my garden has been sorely neglected. But I know that if I don't knuckle down and do them, I shall regret it later. So I will be disciplined and get on with it. 

I would like to enter this into the following:

Craft Us Crazy - Use your favourites (the daisy stamp)

Bunny Zoe's Crafts - Flowers and Pearls 

Until next time.

Cxxx

Challenge #84 - Vintage Love

This week's challenge come from Kylie. She would like to see a project that incorporates the theme of Vintage Love. Your project must be Vintage and show at least one object that reminds people of love. Perhaps a picnic basket, gold locket, love letter etc etc. Hop over to the Crafty Cardmakers blog for some inspiration photos, as well as the ever brilliant DT projects.

                                        

We are sponsored this time by Di's Digi Downloads who are offering a $10 gift voucher, and also by Hobby Art.

For those who read my last Challenge blog, you will know I was lacking in inspiration. Not just for that Challenge, but for crafting generally. When I first saw the theme for this Challenge I was stumped. But, inspiration truly does come from strange places. My niece is learning about WW2 in school at the moment and, as I have carried out a lot of work on the family tree, I had been looking through the war records of two of her great-grandads! And it reminded me of this photo:

This is my Dad's parents' marriage photo, taken on 19th July 1941. And what better for Vintage Love, than a wartime wedding!!

I imported the photo into Serif Craft Artist, where I used a background from the 40's Wartime digitkit, along with the photo frame. I really liked the contrast of the red against the muted tones. I edited the photo to make it more sepia to keep with the tones from the hessian style background.

I added the note onto the red journalling block using the 40's alphabet, and tucked the aged tag (from Swirling Memories digikit) behind it. The ration book embellishment, gorgeous red flower and buttons all came from the 40's kit, while the ribbon was from the British Street Party digikit. The final touch were the swirls - of course from Swirling Memories.

I'm really quite chuffed with this layout. I know I've already said it, but I just love the red against the muted colours. It sort of reminds me of my Grandad who was very much part of the British Legion and always was involved in selling poppies. I have distant memories of my sister and I helping to assemble them in my grandparents lounge.

Make sure you pop over to the Crafty Cardmakers blog for more wonderful inspiration.

Back soon!!

Cxxx

Crafty Cardmakers' Challenge #83 - Belated Birthday!!

Happy New Year to you all - yes I know I'm over three weeks late, but better late than never eh? And that's the theme for our first Challenge of 2013 - Belatedness - in this case Belated Birthday!! 

The challenge to you comes from our lovely Kim, and it is to create a card for a belated birthday. You can use any image, Stamped or Digi, but your card MUST include a sentiment indicating that the card is for a belated Birthday, for example - Sorry I missed it, Have a very Happy Unbirthday, Better late than never, Your birthday came, your birthday went, here's the card I should have sent!! See what you can come up with to amuse us, or just a straightforward belated birthday wishes will do, but remember it does need a sentiment as outlined above to qualify. 

We are sponsored for this challenge by Milk, Coffee Digital Stamps

with 5 images for our winner

I have to admit that this is the first time I've crafted since the last challenge and am feeling both rusty, apprehensive and lacking in inspiration. However, I was determined to have a go to try to get myself motivated again!! I'm not sure how successful I have been, as I am not overly happy with the result. 

  

I decided to go with just stamping the message and making it the focal point. My original inspiration for the colours came from Craftwork Cards Bohemian Glitter selection. Sadly to say, none of it made it onto the card, as things did not go to plan. Anyway, I used Forest Moss DI with my Forever Friends Script Alphabet stamp set, and stamped onto Crafter's Companion Neenah card. This all went to plan!!

To cut out the sentiment, I use the largest die from Spellbinders Majestic Elements Marvellous Squares, with of the Grand Labels 1. I wanted to cut outside the square to create a border, as there are some gorgeous little details on that die that can only be seen if used as the inside of a frame.

Everything had gone fine up to this point, and then I decided to do some stencilling with DI through the dies. The border went well with Bundled Sage, and then I started with Victorian Velvet on the message area. I think that 'heavy handed' is the term I would use, and once I had started there was no going back. And when I had finished it was no longer a possibility to use the Bohemian Glitter card as the colours were just not right.  I suppose I could have started again, but I put it down and walked away. When I came back I decided that I should persevere to see if I could salvage the work as I didn't have the energy to try again. 

So, I sprayed it with Crafters Companion Iridescent Glitter Spray, and mounted the message part onto foam to raise it slightly. The border is cut with an old style X Cut Border Die called Rosa. The card is from my stash (Bazzill and DCWV), as are the white satin and organza ribbons, and the pearls.

I'm sure we all feel a bit ho-hum about our work sometimes, as I do today, but hopefully you will take some inspiration from it and have a go yourself!! Even if it seems somewhat daunting to start with. Take some time to visit the Crafty Cardmakers blog to look at the inspiration from other DT members - there are lots of different takes on this one - there's sure to be something to get your creative juices flowing!!  One thing we would respectfully ask is that you read the blog rules before entering, to avoid any disappointment. 

So, I will sign out and go have a look for some crafting inspiration - there's got to be some lurking around  here somewhere!!

Cxxx

Challenge 81 - Inspired by a Song

Sorry for the delay in publishing this post - but better late than never. Over at Crafty Cardmakers this time, we have a challenge that is inspired by a song. It has to be said that even some members of the Design Team were challenged by this. The song is called 'Time in a Bottle' - and for full details of this, the challenge itself and the prizes on offer, please pop over to the Crafty Cardmakers blog. This challenge will run until 7th January - so plenty of time to get your thinking caps on - and be creative.

We are sponsored by our very own Kim who is offering the selection of goodies shown below. And also by Milk Coffee Digital Stamps.

I chose to focus on two lines from the song:

If I had a box just for wishes

And dreams that had never come true

I love working with boxes, and used the larger of the three Papermania Bare Blanks Nesting Boxes for this project.

I have decoupaged boxes before - with a variety of materials - but this time decided to try out the Decopatch papers I had seen in The Range. Lots of them are animal prints as many of the blanks are of animals, but I found this gorgeously vibrant pink, orange and gold patterned paper and decided that was the one for this project.

In the past I have used watered down PVA glue but this time I used Decopatch Glossy Glue. The good thing about this medium is that it dries much quicker than PVA which allows you to work much more quickly as you are not having to wait for a side to dry before carrying on. I used the Decopatch paper on the outside of the box, and ordinary tissue paper on the inside. The advantage of the tissue paper is that, once it is wet, it will mould very easily into the corners of the box.

To decorate the top, I cut four small Romantic Rectangles from Bazzill cardstock using my Spellbinders dies. I then cut off the legs of some gold, pink and orange brads, and fixed them on with silicone glue. The finishing touch was the metal photo corners. All of these were from my stash. As I decant it all into plastic storage boxes, I have no idea where the brads or photo corners came from originally!!

The song continues:

The box would be empty

Except for the memory

Of how they were answered by you

I'm not really sure how I feel about that. I agree that many of mine were answered when I met my husband, but I think we all have wishes and dreams aside from the type that can be fulfilled by having another person in your life. And although we all go through tough times I like to hold on to the hope that, however low I feel at times, the wishes and dreams I still have, will one day come to something. Otherwise - what is the point? 

On that note, may I wish you all a very Merry Christmas both from myself and the Crafty Cardmakers team!! I look forward to seeing all your entries - pop over the Crafty Cardmakers blog for more inspiration. They are all fantastic projects - and go to show just how diverse a team we are!!

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:
Challenges 4 Everybody - Anything Goes

Glitter n Sparkle - Use Metal (Brads and Photo Corners)

Cxxx