Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2010 & a Gift Card Wallet

This will be my last post before Christmas, and as I'm off to visit family back in the UK it may be my last post for 2009, so I'd like to wish you all a very...

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year 2010!

I've had a busy year craftwise, having just finished a 6 month term on the Stamp Something Design Team, in September I became a member of The Creative Cottage Design Team, and this month I have a been Guest Designer for Cupcake Craft Challenge! Phew! I've had the opportunity to work alongside some very talented girls, and have been priveledged to have been part of these fabulous craft blogs! Hopefully 2010 will be just as good for crafting, if not better?!

Today, I have one project to share with you, and it's not a card! As I'm a bit of a last minute girl, I've been putting together some gift card/money wallets...

Here's a close up of the little Manga Fairy from Sugar Nellie, isn't she sweet!...


Ok, now for the easy instructions (it really is easy and quick)...

Take a piece of A5 card, or thick scrapbooking paper cut to size (if you have doubled sided paper this will look great)

Score in 2" from one of the short edges and then score in 2 1/2" from the other short edge

Fold both the scored edges inwards to make the wallet

Stick down the edges of the smallest flap (this makes the pocket to fit money/gift)

Decorate as required

To close use either velcro or sticky dots

VOILA!

Ok, I'm entering this project into the Passion for Promarkers challenge as all the images have been coloured with my trusty Promarkers. The theme of the challenge is "Anything but a card".

Well that's all for me! I just want to finish by saying a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who has visited my blog during the year, I love hearing your comments and keeping in touch with you all! Thanks ever so much for your support, have a fab Christmas and see you all in 2010!!!

Time For Celebration!

Happy Monday (remember them?) to you all! Ohhhh, we're down to the last few days before the BIG day, hope you're all wrapped up, stuffed, and tinseled out! I have to admit, I'm still not done with the wrapping etc, next year I really need to start earlier (must make a note of that as I always say it but never do it!!!).

Well, it's Cupcake Craft Challenge time and this week it's "A Time to Celebrate"! We'd love to see your projects that fit this theme, here's my GDT card...


I've chosen a cute Sugar Nellie image for my card (coloured with Distress Inks)... the sentiment is a stamp from Artemio and reads "Life is so beautiful with you". The papers are Basic Grey. I've also used the Morrocan Screen embossing folder from Cuttlebug.

The lovely sketch I used is one from Coco at A Spoonfull of Sugar, so the card fits for their challenge this week.

Our sponsor over at Cupcake this week is our very own Kathrin, who is offering one lucky winner a set of 4 personalised stamps, how fab is that?! The challenge will run for 2 weeks, so this gives you time to find some YOU time during the holidays! Hope you have fun creating your celebration card! If you'd like more inspiration then pop over to the Cupcake Craft Challenge blog to see the other fabulous DT cards!

Stamp Something...Holiday Somethings

Hello again, this is my second post for today, aren't I doing well!? Well this time it's to let you all know that there's a new challenge over at Stamp Something, and the theme is "Holiday Somethings". This will be my very last card as part of the Stamp Something Design Team so I'd like to say thanks to all the girls for giving me the opportunity to work with them on some fab projects! This challenge will run for 2 weeks, and the new DT take over in January, good luck to all the new DT members. So here's my DT nativity card...


I've gone fairly minimalist with the embellies, just a little lace on the bottom for detail. The image is one the DT were kindly supplied with from M&M Designz. I don't do many religious cards, but I really like this one. The image is a digi stamp, coloured with Promarkers. I'm entering my card for the Winter Wonderland challenge, which fits perfectly as it's "Nativity".

Our sponsor this week is Digital Ink Co and they're giving away a fab prize to one lucky random winner. Don't forget there's also the Top 5 places, so why not have a go, especially if you've last minute cards to do! Check out the rest of the DT cards for more inspiration. Happy Holidays!

Non Traditional and Caroling Cats

Hello! Just a quick post to share my last few Christmas cards (I hope) with you. I've gone for non traditional colours for the first card, another one I've done with my sweet Tilda stamp...


I've coloured Tilda with Promarkers (again) and have added lots of bling and sparkle. The papers are from Doodlebug (last year) but aren't Christmas themed. I've used my Fiskars tag punch for the sentiment, I'm using this a lot at the minute! All in all a real girly Christmas card! I'm entering this into the Stamptacular Sunday Challenge as you have to use non traditional colours, I think this qualifies!

My second card today is for the Penny Black Saturday Challenge, the theme is Red & Gold. I've used this fun Penny Black image, reminds me a little of my cat as he's always "talking" and "singing", he's a very vocal cat!


Well that's all for now...back later with my Stamp Something post for this week.

Snow is Falling tra la la...

Yep I woke up this morning to a covering of lily white snow and it hasn't stopped falling since! It looks lovely but I had to go out earlier and the roads were lethal to say the least! Safely home now and thought I'd share a couple of cards with you...


Ok this little Tilda (Magnolia) is feeling a bit chilly so she's been gathering a bit of wood to put on the fire. I'm entering her for the Stampin For The Weekend challenge which is "Blue & Brown". I've used Promarkers to colour her, the paper is from a Norwegian company called 3ndy Papier, and the lace was a treasure my father-in-law found for me in an old family sewing box!


This little Father Christmas and snowy fence are also Magnolia stamps, again the paper etc is as above. I've used Promarkers again, and the lovely "Joyeux Noêl" greeting was done using a clear set from Artemio. I'm entering this card into the Just Magnolia challenge "It's Christmas".

Well, the snow is STILL falling outside, so I feel a crafting afternoon is in order! Thanks for visiting my blog, and if you do venture out today, be extra careful!

Geordie Joe - wor lad won the X Factor!!

Ohhhh, I was sooooo pleased when Joe McElderry won the X Factor last night! He was just FANTASTIC! Not only is he a geordie but he seems such a lovely lad! He has a great voice, is hardworking (so the judges say) and is a little cutie to boot! You've done us geordies proud! You'll go far Joe!!! I for one will buy your album. I'd have loved to share the video with you here, but I've never added a video to a post before and I don't know how to do it! Any help would be great!

Well done JOE! You're already a star!

Cupcake Craft Challenge #70 GDT Card

Hi to all my blogging friends! Well it's Monday again so time for another Cupcake Craft Challenge. This is my second week as Guest Designer, and this week's challenge is a nice easy one, make a 5 x 5 Birthday card. So here's my card which is for a friend's Birthday in a few weeks...


I've used my new Anya stamp (a gift from my friend Denise, thanks hun) from The Greetings Farm, isn't she cute? She's coloured with Promarkers, and I've added dimension to her cake and bow. The papers are from Doodlebug. I like how the colours remind me of spring, lovely pink tulips and spring grass! I need a bit of colour at the moment, the weather is so dull (although the sun is out today).

Ok, why not give yourself a break from Christmas cards and join in with our challenge! If you check the blog you'll see some lovely examples by the DT to inspire you!

Creative Cottage Blog Candy Winner

Hi!

The winner of The Creative Blog Candy... picked by Random.org...is...

No.5

That's Rhonda Miller!!!

Congratulations Rhonda, please email me with your email address so I can get your digi kits sent out to you!

Winter Wonderland Somethings

Hello! Well only TWO WEEKS to go now until the big day! Hope you're all organised, unlike me! I've still got cards to do! I have to admit I did buy some as it's going to be impossible to do enough in time!

Anyway, as it's Friday then it's time for another Stamp Something challenge, and in keeping with the festive season the theme this week is "Winter Wonderland". Here's what I came up with for my DT card...


All the DT received some digi images from our sponsor this week "In Style Stamps", and I just love this little lady! She's called Sandy and is just one of the many digi stamps available. I've coloured her with Promarkers (hot pink) then cut her out. The background paper was created using a snowflake stamp/heat embossing, and the sentiment stamp is from Artemio.

If you can created a card which will fit the theme (easy peasy) then have a go as you could win some digi stamps from our super sponsor! Also check out the other DT cards, they're all gorgeous!

My card also fits this week's challenge at Simon Says Stamp which is "Let it Snow".

Well, off to decorate my tree, I've got a tiny real one this year!

Cupcake Craft Challenge #69 GDT Card

Good morning blogging friends! Well it's the start of a new week, and the start of a new crafty challenge for me. I have been asked by Donna from Cupcake Craft Challenge to be a Guest Designer for the month of December, isn't that fab?! Of course I had no second thoughts about accepting and being part of this fabulous team for the festive month! My first challenge as GDT member is a festive one, "Sing a Christmas Carol", you need to choose your favourite Christmas carol and use it in your card design. Here's mine...


I just love "The Twelve Days of Christmas" carol, and thought this challenge was the ideal excuse to use my Partridge in a Pear Tree Penny Black stamp! If you can't see the image very well click on the card and you'll get a closer look. I've kept the card fairly simple, just the scalloped border (used my SU border punch and Crop-a-Dile for holes) and ribbon and the little heart buttons for detail. The papers are old ones from Dovecraft "Tis the Season". For a change, I've coloured the image with w/c pencils.

This week the challenge is sponsored by Simon Says Stamp, and you can win a fabulous $20 gift voucher and free shipping for the online shop, think of all those yummy goodies you could buy! So why not get into the Christmas Spirit with us and have a go?! Pop over to the Cupcake Craft Challenge blog to see all the other beautiful DT creations for more wonderful inspiration!

I'm entering this card in the Penny Black Saturday Challenge, which is Christmas for the Girls (just love the image of this little partridge knitting).

Finally thanks again to the girls at Cupcake Craft Challenge for giving me the chance to be part of their team!

Glitzy Somethings

Good Evening All! Firstly, apologies for not having been around for the past week, I spent a few days back in the UK and then since I got back have been flat out at work! I hope my crafting activity will resume over the weekend cos I really need to get more Christmas cards made! And I promise to be a better blogger next week!

Ok, it's Friday so another chance for you all to take part in the Stamp Something Challenge! This week we'd like to see your Glitzy Somethings, so it's time to lay on the glitter, gems and anything else that sparkles! You can make a Christmas card, winter card or New Year's card, so long as you use bling! For my DT card I've done an easel card and have used lots of glitter (although it's not easily visible on the photo)...


This week we're sponsored by Paper Maniac who have generously donated a fabby prize to this week's winner, check out the Stamp Something blog for more info and to see the other DT creations!

I've gone for a girly look this week, with lilac and pink, so this fits in with this week's challenge over at Cute Card Thursday which is to create a girly card!

Finally, Happy Birthday to my gorgeous and lovely mam, 60 years young today!

Thanks for popping by my blog today, hope you have a fabulous weekend!

Joe to win X Factor!!!

Snow Fun Again!

Good Morning... just a quick hello today and a card. It's yet another card using my Wags n Whiskers stamp, I promise this will be the last for a while...


I've made this card with three challenges in mind:-

Passion For Promarkers Challenge where we can use any colours but the theme to follow is vintage (I've used Cobalt Blue, Powder Blue, Arctic Blue, Cornflower, Chestnut, Cinnamon and Tan as my main colours). I've distressed, inked and chalked to create a vintage look. The sentiment stamp is an old one from See D's, I think it fits nicely!

A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge, which is a colour challenge, Brown and (in my case) Blue.

By the Cute & Girly Challenge is Winter Wonderland, which I think fits well with the image.

Well, that's all for today, I hope you have a lovely weekend!

My Favourite Christmas Stamp

Since I received my new Wags n Whiskers stamp (Zoe & Gemma's Snow Fun) last week I just can't get enough of it! I think it has to be my fave Christmas stamp this year, especially as there's a little cat on it! So, even though I have lots of stamps worthy of using for my Christmas cards, I've once again turned to this stamp! I think maybe because it's a good size too, so I don't have to think too much when putting a card together with it as you don't need much else, the stamp is more than enough to dress a card. So my first card with this stamp is for The Wags n Whiskers Challenge which is "Buttons Galore"...


I've changed the colours for the second card, I kinda like the pinks and lilacs, what do you think?


On both cards I've used Promarkers to colour the image, I'm loving colouring with these now, I find it really therapeutic. I have to be careful though as it's addictive, I tend to hide myself away in my craftroom for hours on end colouring!

The second card is for the Simon Says Stamp challenge, the theme this week is "animal antics". They're also asking people to think of the animal charities this week, it's a difficult time of year and they need all the help they can get. In the little town where I live we have a Cat Charity, where the stray cats are neutered and rehomed. It's run by the grounds keeper in the hospital (which is an old abbey), and this week he's collecting food for the cats in the supermarket my hubby manages. It's an annual thing, which brings in lots of much needed food for the cats over the winter months. Now, on a personal note, my little cat Réglisse was abandonded at the side of the road when I found him, flee ridden and starving, I just had to take him in. He was only about 6 weeks when I found him, and it was touch and go at first as he was fairly ill (emmaciated and weak) but slowly he pulled through and now he's the most loving cat ever! He's a real little character, my mam say's he's part human! Here he is on HIS chair (I woke him up from his nap to take the photo so he's not too chuffed)...


Well, thanks so much for popping by today! Maybe you'll be able to help an animal charity near you?

One More For Christmas...

I've managed to get another card done for Christmas, still need to do LOADS more though! I had better get a move on 'cos I've gotta post these in good time otherwise peeps might not get 'em what with the postal strikes etc...


The cute image is from Mo's Digital Pencil, I've coloured it with Promarkers...


Ok, there's a recipe I've followed for this one from Mo's Digital Challenge: 3 papers, 2 ribbons and 1 decorative edge. My papers are a mismatch from my stash as I've used up bits I had in my scrap box, the ribbons are actually Christmas red & green although they look dark on the photo, and the decorative edge was done with my SU scalloped edge punch. Finally, I've added a little brad which reads "Merry Christmas", it's from Papermania last year.

Well, the weather is howling outside, and the rain is here with a vengance, although we haven't had anywhere near as much as the UK. I feel so sorry for all those people in Cumbria who have lost so much, the weather can be so devastating, I only hope that we've seen the worst of it (for a while in any case)!

The Creative Cottage - Cards & A Reminder

Hi! Well I'm not feeling too good today, I feel rotten in fact! I've a really awful head cold, which people automatically assume is Swine Flu! Anyway, I just wanted to share this little card with you that I made the other day with the "Christmas Wishes" digi set from The Creative Cottage...


I've given Sherbet the Bear some dimension, you can see him better here...


This is a really cute kit, and it's just perfect for making cards with children (I have tested this)! The image and papers are from the kit, the sentiment is a stamp I had in my stash. I'm entering this card for this week's Colour Create challenge as it's Red, Green & White! Fits perfectly!

I also want to remind you of the fab BLOG CANDY from Tracy at The Creative Cottage (click on the picture in my sidebar to enter my candy for this), where each DT member is giving away 4 Digi Kits, and also there's another chance to win on The Creative Cottage blog until Dec 11th.


There's also a new kit out called "Something Sweet", which is all about cupcakes! It's on special offer at £1.99 this week so don't miss out! Check out the blog to see the DT cards for this kit! Here's just one of the cards I made with this kit...


Well, off to make another Lemsip, hope to be back later in the week!

Thank You Somethings

Well, it's Friday again, can you believe how quickly the weeks are passing by! So, it's time for Stamp Something to give you a new challenge. This Thursday is Thanksgiving in the US, so we'd love to see "thank you" projects this week! They can be Thanksgiving themed, Christmas thank yous or just a little something to remind someone that they are appreciated. This challenge will run for TWO weeks.

We're lucky to have two sponsors for this challenge, Elizabeth from Soft Pencil and Jenni from Card Mad Fairy, who have both supplied digi images to the DT to have a play with. Here are my two cards...


This is my chosen image from Soft Pencil called "Sleeping and Dreaming", isn't it cute? I've used the sketch over at Sketch Saturday, and have added some glitter to the tree and gems as the theme at Basic Grey Challenges is Glitz & Bling. The paper circles are from Basic Grey Cupcake paper pack. The sentiment was done on the PC.


My second card is more of a girly card, I've used this lovely fairy digi image from Card Mad Fairy, she's called "Sweetheart Fairy". The papers are My Minds Eye - Wild Asparagus, flower is from Flora Doodles and the tassle was one I had in my stash. Again I created the sentiment on the PC.

Ok, there you have it, so now all you have to do is pop over to the Stamp Something blog and check out the other DT cards, they're sure to inspire you!

Wags n Whiskers and an Easel Card

Good Evening! I've just received my first Wags n Whiskers stamp today and it's a big 'un! I was lucky enough to win this stamp last week, and I didn't really know how big it was, but I have to say I'm delighted with it! The image is gorgeous and it stamps beautifully. Here's my very first easel card made with my new stamp...


A little close up of the image...


Here's a few details:

* Stamp - Zoe & Gemma's Snow Fun, Wags n Whiskers
* Promarkers to colour
* Paper is REALLY old, think it's from Do Crafts
* Merry Christmas Sentiment Stamp, Sugar Nellie
* Inside Verse Stamp, Elzy Bells
* Snowflakes, MS Punch
* Lace, Ribbon, Gems from stash

I've added faux stitching as the challenge over at the Wags n Whiskers blog is Stitch 'em Up! Check it out, the DT cards are gorgeous!

A Couple of Christmas cards...

Hi, hope you're all having a productive week craftwise! It's not always easy getting time to craft but I really have to crack on with Christmas cards so here's a few I've done lately...


This handsome fella is called "Happy & Cool" from Penny Black. I'm entering him into the challenge at Penny Black Saturday Challenge as it's "Christmas for the Guys". I've used the fabby sketch from Friday Sketchers this week, one I'm sure to use again (if I ever get round to drawing the sketches in my sketch pad...the odd pieces of paper lying around are starting to overtake the craft room)! Finally, the challenge at Colour Create this week is Blue, Silver and White. Sentiment is from Cuddly Buddly, snowflake is one I got from my friend Denise (lovely Martha Stewart punch) and the paper is Doodlebug from last year.


This little squirrel is called "Winter Delivery" and is a digi stamp by Mo Manning, from Mo's Digital Pencil. Coloured with Promarkers, papers are Dovecraft from last year. The tinsel bling is from Papermania and the snowflakes are as above! I've used the lovely sketch by Caryn over at Mo's Digital Challenge, and I have played along with the theme this week at Cupcake Craft Challenges which is "Digital Images". To be honest I'm not happy about this card, I think it's a little too dark, but as time presses on to Christmas I'll just have to go with it.

Ho Ho Ho!!!

Well, as the days are getting shorter and the weather colder it must mean we're getting closer to Christmas! So today I've spent some time using a few of my new stamps, one of which is this adorable Santa Claus from Magnolia...


I have to say, I had planned on doing this card for the distressing challenge on Just Magnolia but I just never got the time, so instead I've finally finished the card, distressing an' all but for three other challenges...Cupcake Craft Challenges where the theme this week is "Snow Much Fun", A Spoonfull of Sugar "Create a Scene" and Cute Card Thursday which is "Glitter Me Silly". I have to say it was pretty time consuming, what with the colouring, cutting out, distressing etc etc... so I won't be doing 10 like this one! Here's what I used:

* Santa stamp (Magnolia)
* Promarkers to colour
* Cuttlebug Embossing Folder (Snowflakes)
* Paper (3ndy Papier, Norway)
* Snowflake punch (Woodware)
* Sentiment from 99p set
* buttons and lots of glitter (although difficult to see on photo)
* Distressing Tool and Emery Board

Ok, better get back to the craft desk, I have a pile of DT cards and requests to do!

A Little Thank You

Good Afternoon! As the weather is HORRIBLE outside, I thought it'd be an ideal opportuninty to do a bit of crafting and blogging. Can't beat being nicely wrapped up in a lovely warm house when the wind is howling outside! And to cheer up my day I've used bright and warm colours on my card...


I've used a little Sugar Nellie I've had for a while but don't seem to use much, I just love her pose. She's coloured with Promarkers, the papers are My Minds Eye Bloom & Grow (I love these) and I've added a few pearls, flower, charm and gloss to the heart for detail. The sentiment is a Penny Black one, I love this as it say's it all!

This card is for the challenge over at The Sugar Bowl, which is this fab sketch by Judy!

I just wanted to say Thanks to all the lovely people who take the time to visit my blog and leave comments! I don't always have time to reply and visit everyone's blog but I want you all to know I really appreciate your words of encouragement! Thanks so much!

Sketch Something

Hi! This week at Stamp Something we have a sketch challenge for you to follow. Our Guest Designer Ann has kindly created this fabby sketch for us...


So here's my DT card using the sketch, which I flipped on it's side to accomodate my turkey image...


This week our sponsor is Alison from Stretch n Bubbles, who has kindly donated 4 digi stamps of your choice to one lucky winner! I have used one of Alison's digi stamps for my card, Zeke the Turkey, which I shall send to my friend for Thanksgiving.

To be in with a chance to win you must follow Ann's sketch, so pop over to the Stamp Something blog to check out the other DT creations and for more info on this challenge!