Three Kings & A Camel

Hi everyone! Not long now for Christmas! After today there's only 3 days to go... YIKES! I got my presents wrapped last night (well the ones I've got... I still haven't finished present shopping... yes I know I've left it a bit late but I'm just stuck for ideas).  I hope you're all better organised than I am... all this preparation and it's over in a day! No I'm not turning all Scrooge on you, but Christmas Day just goes by so quickly ;(

I'm sharing a little card I made a few weeks ago, I just never got round to putting it on my blog! The image is from Digi Stamp Boutique, they are the cutest three kings ever! Coloured with Promarkers, papers are Anna Griffin from A Scrap Affair and the border is done with wool fibres. The little sentiment is from Cuddly Buddly, coloured with Promarkers. 

I'm entering my card for the challenges at:

Digi Stamp Boutique - December Competition

Good luck with all the preparations!

Shelly x

Fabby Faye Sketcheroony at Cupcake

Good morning! Well it's a dull and foggy day here... not very Christmassy at all, just grey :( But not to worry... I can play my Christmas CDs and pretend... 

I got my Christmas cake made... and it's looking (and smelling) pretty good... even though I'm not a big fan of stuff with currants/raisins etc (nope I don't like Christmas pud, or sweet mince pies). I really made it for everyone else, and my hubby LOVES Christmas cake!

Enough of me rattling on about food, anyone'd think I was Nigella or something (ahem not quite)... but I do make a mean cupcake lol ;) Speaking of cupcakes, our challenge at Cupcake Craft Challenges has been chosen by the super talented Faye, who has made a lovely sketch for us all to follow... 

For my card (above) I've used a cute Penny Black clear stamp from Mimi's Christmas selection, coloured with pencils on kraft. The paper is Doodlebug (I think) from my scrap box.This is our last challenge at Cupcake for 2011, and Faye has very kindly gave us some time off over Christmas and New Year to eat lots of chocolates and drink lots of alcohol, urm I mean to refresh our creatives juices lol ;) I have to say though, I totally LOVE being part of this fab Design Team, all the girls are so friendly and Faye is such a fab mummy! So if you want to join us for the last time this year you have until Christmas Eve at 8pm. This week we have prizes from three fab sponsors!!! Yes three... here they are... Crafty Emma's Store - £10 Gift Voucher, Digital Delights - 3 Images and finally Tickled Pink Stamps - one rubber stamp or 2 digi stamps! So loads of lovely goodies, and that's before Santa does his rounds! And don't forget to pop by and check out what all the other DT girls have made, you'll get some inspiration I'm sure! 

Thanks so much for popping by, it's lovely to read all your comments and visit your blogs too! Hopefully I'll be back with another post before the big day! Good luck with all your preparations!

Shelly x

Only one week to go!!!

Uh oh... can you believe there's only one week to go until Christmas? Oh flip... I thought I was a little better organised this year... seems NOT! I still have some presents to buy, and ALL my presents to wrap, but at least I've sent out my cards AND my tree is up! I'll have to take a piccy of my tree to show you all, it's such a cutie! This afternoon I'm off to have a look around the Christmas market in our little town, and drink hot chocolate, and tomorrow I'm making my Christmas cake!

This fortnight at Digi Designs Challenge Blog the theme is CHRISTMAS... easy huh?! My card is done using a super cute digi image from Di's Digi Downloads called Dressing Snowman. I've coloured with a mix of Flexmarkers & Promarkers, and added a touch of sparkle ;) The papers are from an old Daisy & Dandelion paper pad... it's surprising what we overlook!

I'm entering my card into the challenge at:

ABC Challenge - F is for Frosty

The Pink Elephant Challenge - Snowflakes & Sparkle

Stampin for the Weekend - Christmas

Our sponsor this fortnight is There She Goes Clear Stamps, and also Di will be kindly giving away two digi stamps from Di's Digi Downloads to one lucky person who uses one of her images on their project. The other DT girls have come up with some fabulous inspiration for you, so pop by the blog to check it all out!

Have a fab weekend... and spread lots of Christmas Cheer!

Shelly x

Love a bit of Sparkle?

After my ring in the last post and my card today I'm in a sparkly mood! And if you like sparkle too then you'll love this week's challenge at Cupcake Craft Challenges! The lovely Jane has come up with a corker for you, and just before Christmas! Don't Look At The Light... that's because you'll be dazzle by all the sparkles! Yep , we want to see LOTS of sparkly bits on your creations this week!

Our sponsor this week is the fabulous Saturated Canary, and Krista has kindly offered a digi to all us DT gals! My little lady is called Frizzy Jinx, and I just LOVE her hair! As you can see I've added loads of sparkle... even in her hair ;) I've coloured her with Promarkers & Flexmarkers. The little sentiment is from Penny Black and is called 'Fun Banner'.

I'm entering my card into the challenges at:

Passion For Promarkers - Celebrations

Penny Black & More @ Allsorts - Happy Birthday

Totally Papercrafts - Anything but Christmas

So you want to know about prizes... Krista from Saturated Canary is kindly giving away 2 images to one lucky random winner, and our monthly sponsor is Polka Doodles who are offering not one but two Simply Sweet CD's for two lucky winners! Pop by the Cupcake blog to see all the shiny, sparkly creations from my DT buddies! Thanks for popping by, I really appreciate all your comments!

Shelly x

Some new bling and a bit of Christmas

Evening peeps! Hope you're all well!

Today, I've spent the day with my wonderful hubby, who has only gone and bought me a beautiful diamond eternity ring!!! Oh I can tell you, there's lots of bling and sparkle in our house tonight! I am a happy bunny ;) 

Anyway, onto the crafting... I've made another Christmas card hooray! This one is using the sketch from Totally Gorjuss, which is just so easy to work with (in my opinion). I've used a cute Lili of the Valley stamp, coloured with pencils on kraft card (I do like the effect this gives).  The christmassy background paper is from K & Co. Sorry but the photo isn't great, I hate taking pics under artificial light!

I'm entering the challenges at:

Totally Gorjuss - Sketch
Papertake Weekly Challenge - Anything Goes
Aud Sentiments Challenge - Winter Holiday Sentiments

Have a lovely evening, I will be spending the evening watching my ring sparkle lol ;)

Shelly x

A Bit of DIY

Do you fancy doing a bit of DIY? Well not real DIY silly, crafty DIY of course. Our challenge at Cupcake Craft Challenges this week is Make Your Own Backing Paper... now isn't that better than fighting with the O/H and getting stuck from head to toe in wall paper!?

My card is very girly this week, I have to admit it's not my usual style but I really love the colours! The little kitty image is a Papermania one I got a while back and didn't use until now. My DIY backing paper and border in the middle of the card are done using an Anna Griffin clear stamp from A Scrap Affair, I used Colorbox Pigment Ink (the colour is Mint I think). I finished off with a cute charm, some pearls and Craftwork Cards card candy.

I'm entering the challenge at:
Penny Black & More @ Allsorts - Happy Birthday
Do You Stack Up - Ribbon
Craft Your Days Away - Buttons or Bows
Stamps & Fun = Creativity - Pearls

This week our sponsor at Cupcake is Simon Says Stamp, who are giving away a $15 gift voucher to spend in the online store! Our monthly sponsor is Polka Doodles who are offering not one but two Simply Sweet CD's for two lucky winners! For all the details, and a chance to see all the wonderful DIY the other DT girls have been getting up to, pop over to the Cupcake Craft Challenge blog!

Shelly x

A White Christmas

Hi peeps! Ok, it's December so you should all be well on your way to finishing your Christmas cards... Hmm... well in theory anyway ;) If you're not as organised as you should be then we have the perfect challenge for you over at Digi Designs Challenge Blog... All White Except The Image!

For my DT card, I've used an adorable reindeer image from Di's Digi Downloads called Jingle Bells... how cute is he! Doesn't he look so proud... it's Rudolph obviously lol ;) I've coloured him with Promarkers, added some white embellishments and used my Nesties and Martha Stewart punches to add detail. I'm entering my card for the challenges at:

Totally Papercrafts - Let It Snow

ABC Challenge - Embossing (embossed edge of image frame with Nesties)

By the Cute & Girly - Let it Snow

Card Makin Mamas - Sentiments

Our lovely sponsor this fortnight is Cheery Lynn Designs who are offering a $15 Gift Voucher to our lucky random winner.  And don't forget if you use one of Di's Digi's you could be in with a chance of winning a special prize of  2 free digi stamps from Di's Digi Downloads!

Pop over to the blog to see all the lovely DT creations!

Shelly x

Colouring On Kraft

Good morning! Before anything I just want to say I was shocked and saddened by the news of Gary Speed's death yesterday, at the age of only 42! For those who don't know, Gary Speed was a footballer, who until yesterday coached the Welsh national team. I'm a Newcastle United fan, and saw Gary play for Newcastle during the 6 years he was at the club, a great player and professional. Very sad indeed.

At Cupcake Craft Challenge today, we have a new challenge chosen by Donna, and a fab one it is too! Colouring On Kraft is the task for this week, something I have NEVER done before, so this was definately a challenge for me! 

For my card I used a cute Lili of the Valley stamp, stamped onto Kraft card from A Scrap Affair. 

There's a 20-40% SALE at A Scrap Affair but be quick it ends today! 

I dug out my old coloured pencils, which haven't seen the light of day for AGES! They're Faber Castell Aquarelle pencils, but I just used then as normal colouring pencils (no water).  I have to say I really enjoyed colouring this, very therapeutic in front of the TV. The sentiment is also Lili of the Valley, the paper is K & Co and the ribbon is from Joanna Sheen. I finished by glittering a Cuttlebug Snowflake (thanks Fluff) and adding a button & twine. I'm entering my card for the challenge at:

Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog - Wintery Holiday Sentiment

Card Makin Mamas - Sentiments

Lili Of The Valley - Anything Goes

This week our sponsor at Cupcake is Craft Emma's Store, who are giving away a £10 gift voucher to spend in the online store! Our monthly sponsor is Crafts U Love who are offering up a super £15 Gift Voucher for November's random winner. For all the details, and a chance to see all the kraft creations the other DT girls have made, pop over to the Cupcake Craft Challenge blog!

Shelly x

Cool Cat Birthday

Good morning! Firstly I do apologise for not commenting/visiting your blogs recently... I am as they say MIA! I promise to be back with your all soon ;)

This week at Cupcake Craft Challenges the lovely Denise has chosen 'Teenage Boys' as our theme... and I have to say I do like making 'boy' cards! 

I think my card is really aimed at a young teenager... I'm not sure about the bows on the buttons, but hey I love the bright colours! The image is from Bugaboo... I do love my cat stamps and this digi is no exception! He's coloured with Promarkers... I coloured him a while back but he's been stuck in a drawer so I though I should give him a home. The papers are K & Co 'Hopscotch', the zig zag border is done using a Martha Stewart punch, and I did the funky sentiment on the PC.

We're sponsored by the fabulous Lili of the Valley this week... I adore these stamps and have lots! They're giving away a £10 gift voucher to one lucky winner! Our monthly sponsor is of course Crafts U Love who are offering up a super £15 Gift Voucher for November's random winner. For all the details, and a chance to see the boyish cards/projects the other DT girls have made, pop over to the Cupcake Craft Challenge blog, and if you have time leave us a little comment so we know you've been by!

Shelly x

The Colours Of Autumn

Hi! It's Saturday and so it's time for another new challenge at Digi Designs Challenge! This fortnight we'd like to see Autumn Colours on your creations!

I've used this cute digi stamp from Di's Digi Downloads, called These are Mine, isn't it such a cutie! I've coloured using Promarkers, the papers are My Minds Eye, and I've used my X Cut Oak Leaf punch to highlight the sentiment ( from Stampin' Up).

This fortnight we're sponsored by Joanna Sheen who is giving away a gift voucher to spend in her online store, and I have to say this is one of my favourite online craft shops! Make sure you pop by the Challenge Blog for all the details, and to take a peak at all the other DT creations!

Shelly x

Two's Company

Good morning! Where did the weekend go? I can't believe how fast this year is flying by... we're already mid-November (and I still haven't started my Christmas shopping yikes)! 

Seeing as it's Monday again, then it's time for another Cupcake so you might want to put the kettle on and get comfy with a nice cuppa! Yup, Cupcake Craft Challenge that is... this week it's Delphine who has chosen the theme which is Two's Company! Basically we'd like to see you using two or more characters on your creations (two boys, two girls, two fairies etc but animals DON'T count as a character, only people characters). They can be from the same stamp or from several stamps, as I've done on my card.

I thought it'd be nice to use some of my older stamps that don't often see the light of day... so I've used two of the lovely Gorgeous Girls from Funky Kits. I stamped the little girl on the right with her cat, then masked over the cat with a Post-it Note before I stamped the sitting character. They're coloured using Promarkers. The papers are Basic Grey.

We are sponsored this week at Cupcake by Sassy Studio Designs, who are giving away 4 digital stamps to the lucky winner! Our monthly sponsor is Crafts U Love who are offering up a super £15 Gift Voucher for November's random winner. For all the details, and a chance to see the beautiful creations the other DT girls have made, pop over to the Cupcake Craft Challenge blog, and if you have time leave some love!

Well, thanks a lot for taking the time to visit today. Have a lovely week!

Shelly x

Sweet Strawberries

Hi peeps! Just a quick post today... I just thought I'd show off some of my new goodies! I ordered a few things from Joanna Sheen recently, and my little parcel arrived with this gorgeous gingham ribbon! I'm thrilled with it... the colour is so lovely! I think I shall have to order more, in other colours! 

I've gone for a red theme to my card today (it's Remembrance Sunday in the UK) using this gorgeous strawberry image from Crafty Secrets. I got out the old heat gun and put a coat of clear embossing all over the image, I think it helps make it stand out. The lovely green background paper is from A Scrap Affair. Don't forget we have a super challenge on over at A Scrap Affair blog, where we'd like to see your 'recipe' cards... there's some Ranger Perfect Pearls mists up for grabs!

I'm entering my card into the challenge at:
Cute Card Thursday - Reds For Remembrance
Simon Says Stamp - Photo Inspiration (Poppy Field)

Totally Papercrafts - Victorian

Special thoughts for Remembrance Sunday...

Shelly x

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas...

...well not as much as I'd like but we're getting there slowly... I have made a few cards!!!  And I owe it all to Michael... Bublé that is (I am a little infatuated by him, not much ahem)... anyway Michael's on his way to my house right now... well the CD is anyway!!! That's got to get me in the Christmas Spirit... have a listen to the Christmas Album HERE... it's fab!!!

So here's my little offering for today... Polar bears... snowflakes... sparkle... snow... very Christmassy me thinks! I've used a cute Penny Black stamp called 'Santa Spotting'... coloured with Flexmarkers, I like him as a Polar Bear ;) The paper is Dovecraft Christmas Fancy from last year, the silver mesh from my stash. The embossed snowflake panel is done on the Cuttlebug. Finally I added the little sentiment, and a snowflake to embellish... fairly simple!

I'm entering my card into the challenges at:

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Christmas/Snowflakes/Silver

Penny Black & More @ Allsorts - All Creatures Great & Small

Stamptacular Sunday Challenge - Sketch

I Love Promarkers - Glitter & Glitz

Well lets hope the Christmas momentum keeps going... I don't want to be rushing round on Christmas Eve doing my Christmas Shopping... last minute sounds like a bad idea!

Getting into the Christmas Spirit

Ok, be honest, is anyone else struggling to get into the Christmas spirit? I don't know if it's the weather or what but I'm really not feeling it this year! I haven't started doing any Christmas shopping, have no ideas for presents, and despite having a Christmas card making session yesterday, I'm just not in the pre-Christmas mood. Maybe it's too early? Maybe I should buy Michael Bublé's new Christmas album... Mmmm yes I think that's it, he'd definately put me in the spirit... and I wouldn't mind unwrapping him on Christmas morning either lol ;) 

Right, well back to reality {sighs}... Firstly I'd like to thank everyone who took part in my Leaf Challenge last week at Cupcake, I loved popping by your blogs and checking out all the gorgeous leafy, autumnal (or not) creations you came up with! 

Now today at Cupcake Craft Challenge we have a fabulous new theme, chosen by the marvellous Maarit, Textalicious! We'd like you to use a page from a newspaper, book or dictionary, or use a stamp with a book/newspaper, or even just use the kind of text you find in one. 

I found a Christmas story on the internet (it's about a little disabled boy and a kitten... you can find it HERE, it's worth a read if you have 10 minutes) and I printed it off using an old fashioned typewriter kind of font. I used this as my background paper. The lovely image is called 'Sarah in the snow with kittie'. It's a Tina Wenke design for Stampavie. I coloured her with Promarkers... using VERY traditional Christmas colours (still didn't get me in the mood... only Michael can do that lol).

I am entering my card into the following challenges:
By the cute & girly - Christmas Girls
I Love Promarkers - Glitter & Glitz (glitter and gold spotted candy)
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes plus bling
Penny Black & More @ Allsorts - All Creatures Great & Small

Our sponsor this week at Cupcake is Simon Says Stamp, who are giving away a fabulous $20 Gift Certificate to one lucky winner, and as it's now November we have a new Icing on the Cupcake monthly sponsor, Crafts U Love are offering up a super £15 Gift Voucher for this month's winner. For all the details, and a chance to see the beautiful creations the other DT girls have made, pop over to the Cupcake Craft Challenge blog!

Thanks for dropping by today ;)

Ribbons & Bows

Morning all! Brrr a very bright but chilly Saturday here, I'm in need of a nice hot cuppa. I am pleased to say that the dreaded lurgi that I had last weekend has finally decided to move on!!! Thanks for all your kind, get well wishes!

Right, the new challenge over at Digi Designs Challenge Blog starts today, and this fortnight it's RIBBONS AND BOWS we'd like to see on your projects! This challenge is sponsored by Crafts 4 You, personally one of my fave online craft stores (I love the shaped card blanks in their store, they're second to none)!

I've used a fab little digi stamp from Di's Digi Downloads called 'Kitty Hug'... oh so cute! You can find this digi and LOADS of other cute digis at Di's store... go see for yourself! There's even freebies from time to time so you can try before you buy! I've coloured using Promarkers and Flex Markers, the papers are from Pink Petticoat, free with a crafty mag this summer. I've used a Martha Stewart 'Trellis' punch, card candy, gems, ribbon and the sentiment is from Lili of the Valley. The other DT girls have made some beautiful projects, so hop across to the Challenge Blog and be inspired!

I'm entering my card in the challenge at:
Card Makin Mamas - Cut it Out
Colour Create - Turquoise, Deep Pink & Ivory
Truly Scrumptious - Bingo (Gems, Flowers, Punch/Die Cuts)

If you're out and about for Guy Fawkes tonight, make sure you have fun and stay safe (another occassion I now miss living in France)!

How to lose 3 kilos in 3 days and... Autumn Leaves

Hello! Sorry I'm late in posting my Cupcake Craft Challenge DT card today... I've had a gastric bug for several days now and I'm still not feeling myself . Very effective way of losing weight quickly, but not the nicest :(

This week it's my turn to choose the challenge theme, and I've called it 'Take a leaf out of my book'... I'd like to see LEAVES as the MAIN focus on your card. That means the image can be leaves, or you can use papers with leaves or use leaf punches to create a focal point on you card, as I've done. I came across a super idea whilst wandering around Blogland a while ago, so my card is inspired by the beautiful creations from Kittie's Blog... this lady creates the most stunning cards using punches, you really need to go and check out her beautiful work!

I'm entering my card for the challenge at:
Card Makin Mamas - Cut It Out (die cuts, punches etc)
Stamptacular Sunday Challenge - Borders & Frames
Charisma Cardz Challenges - Anything Goes
Make My Monday Challenge - Autumn Leaves

Our sponsor this week at Cupcake is Tickled Pink Stamps, who are offering either one rubber stamp or two digital stamps to the lucky winner! Not forgetting our monthly sponsors, there are two, Polka Doodles who are giving away a Pretty Sweet mini CD Collection, and our second monthly sponsor is my lovely friend Nadia from A Scrap Affair, who is giving away a set of 5 Promarkers!

Please pop by the Cupcake Craft Challenge blog and see all my DT buddies lovely creations... they've really embraced my autumn theme this week! Thanks girls!

Oh, and I nearly forgot... HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

A Scrap Affair Recipe Challenge

Good morning! Ah finally my internet connection is back... but STILL NO TELEPHONE!!! It's got me round the bend, and I'm paying for the priviledge of having a service that I DON'T HAVE!!! I've just had the technical guy on, who says the problem is TOO TECHNICAL... how can it be, it's his job!!! Anyway, I now have to wait until Saturday for the even more technical guy to TRY to sort out the problem! Grrrrrrrr!!!

On a happy note (cos I'm still not a happy bunny)... we have a new challenge over at A Scrap Affair Blog! This month we'd like you to create a card/creation with a RECIPE on it, or make a recipe card. Yummy or what! You have one month to take part in this challenge, pop by the Scrap Affair Blog to see all the other DT creations! Just so you know, you MUST use an image that you've coloured yourself, not a ready coloured one, and your creation must be a new one. That's it! The yummy prize is TWO bottle of Ranger Perfect Pearls Mists (these are lovely, I used them on my recent Halloween cards HERE).

My card is an Anniversary card, I've used a gorgeous digi stamp from DigiStamp Boutique called Cute Love Birds, coloured with Promarkers/Flexmarkers. The pretty paper is from my friend Dianascarlett, it's available in her online shop A Scrap Affair, along with lots of other yummy goodies!!! I made up the little 'recipe' and typed it on the PC. I've added flowers, sparkles and pearls for a romantic look! Et voila! I'm entering my card into the monthly challenge at DigiStamp Boutique Blog and also at Creative Card Crew - Fallin For You.

Denim & Lace at Cupcake Craft Challenges

Hello! Well I'm in less than a good mood today... I'm having BIG problems with my internet and telephone connection... I am NOT a happy bunny!

Anyway, today we have a new challenge at Cupcake Craft Challenges! Our lovely Sari has chosen 'Denim & Lace' for you this week! Now I have to admit, I couldn't get 'in the zone' for this challenge, so I'm not at all happy with my card! I used this cute cat digi called Spotty Cat from DigiStamp Boutique, and made the backing papers using a black outliner and my Promarkers. Not sure what happened, I just couldn't connect with this card, but I'm going to enter it into the October comp at DigiStamp Boutique anyway!

Our fabby DT have come up with some lovely projects, much better than mine! So please pop by the Cupcake blog to check them out, and say hi! We have some fab sponsors again... this week our sponsor is Crafty Emma's Store, who are giving away a £10 Gift Voucher! Not forgetting our monthly sponsors, there are two, Polka Doodles who are giving away a Pretty Sweet mini CD Collection, and our second monthly sponsor is my lovely friend Nadia from A Scrap Affair, who is giving away a set of 5 Promarkers!

Right, now I'm off to fight chat with the helpline of my internet & telephone provider! I shall try to keep calm, but I can't promise!

Hubble, Bubble...

Halloween is just around the corner, but here in France it's not really celebrated, so I kinda miss it, even if I do have a pumpkin (I'm such a big kid). Oh well, I'll just have to eat all the sweets I've bought for the Trick or Treaters, cos I definately won't get many spooky visitors here (well to be honest I'll get none)!

Halloween is the theme at Digi Designs Challenge this fortnight, so get all your spiders and ghosts, witches and monsters at the ready!

I've used a really cute digi from Di's Digi Downloads called 'Now What', cute eh? The little cat on the image IS my cat, but I don't look like the little witch lol! I am married to a Frenchman though, so he could be the frog lol (well it's a toad but let's not split hairs)... hope he doesn't read this cos he'll kill me for saying that! I'm entering my card into the challenge at ABC Challenge - B for BOO, and also Allsorts Challenge - Halloween!

Di has loads of fab images, and some real spooky cuties too! I've coloured with Promarkers and Flexmarkers, used Distress Ink to shade the edges of image, added a cute sentiment printed from the computer, made a spider, added card candy (Trick or Treat) and used some of last year's paper from The Creative Cottage.

Pop by the blog to see the other DT girls projects. This fortnight we're sponsored by the fabulous Joanna Sheen Online Store

who are kindly offering a £10 Gift Voucher for one lucky winner! This is where I buy all my Promarkers/Flexmarkers, they're second to none on price, have free postage and packing and their customer service is fab!!!

It's Freezing Brass Monkeys!

Brrrr, I'd forgotten what frosty mornings felt like... I've just been reminded! Flippin' 'eck... and we've got months of this to go yet!!!

Just wanted to share a little card I made yesterday, it's for my friend back in the UK who is moving into a new home. I hope she likes pink!!! Don't you just love this cute Digi Stamp Boutique image (shame it's retired)... that's definately my cat on the roof! I'm entering my card into the monthly challenge at Digi Stamp Boutique Blog, Simon Says Stamp - Nursery Rhymes (This is the house that Jack built) and also the challenge 'Aint it Cute' at I Love Promarkers.

Well, better get me skates on (yeah ice skates by the looks of the weather today)! Make sure you keep wrapped up!

Card details:

Image - Digi Stamp Boutique (now retired)

Colouring - Promarkers/Flexmarkers

Papers - Pink Petticoat Freebie from Quick Cards magazine

Sentiment done on PC using font from Dafont

Card Candy - Craftwork Cards

Button, Twine, Mesh from my stash

Buttons & Bows at Cupcake Craft Challenge

Hi! We have a lovely challenge this week at Cupcake Craft Challenge, RIBBONS & BOWS, chosen by my DT buddy Rachel! I have to say I do have a soft spot for these two embellishments... who doesn't?!

This week our sponsor is Digi Doodle Shop, who are giving away a $10 Gift Voucher to spend in their online store! They kindly offered the DT images to use for this week's challenge, and I jumped at the chance of using this beautiful image called 'The Horse Kiss'. This could have quite easily been modeled on me when I was little, or even now for that matter... I love horses! I've coloured using Promarkers in very pastel shades. The papers are Pink Petticoat (freebie on a craft mag this summer). The text was a freebie from the internet that I downloaded a while back... sorry I can't remember what site I got it from. The pretty satin ribbon is from Wild Orchid Crafts.

I'm entering my card into the challenges at:

Jellypark Friends Friday Challenges - Use Pink & a Ribbon for Breast Cancer Awareness

Raise the Bar - Pink is In

Divas by Design - Button Up

Craft Your Passion - Double Up with Pink

Now, we also have TWO fabulous monthly sponsors, Polka Doodles who are giving away a Pretty Sweet mini CD Collection, and our second monthly sponsor is my lovely friend Nadia from A Scrap Affair, who is giving away a set of 5 Promarkers! Pop over to Cupcake to check out all the details! Also have a little look at all the beautiful DT projects this week, lots of fab inspiration!

More Halloween but with a bit of a difference...

Ok to be honest I haven't done much crafting at all lately, I've been feeling a bit down lately and out of sorts and just haven't felt creative! However, my lovely friend Dianascarlett sent me some goodies that she sells in her online craft store, A Scrap Affair, and I just had to have a little play! The products are all from the Ranger/Tim Holtz range... so to say I had inky fingers is an understatement lol ;)

Anyway, to get my colourful halloween backgrounds I used Distress Inks (Spiced Marmalade, Dusty Concorde and Black Soot). I applied the ink from the pad directly to my non-stick craft sheet then spritzed the ink with water using a mini mister. I then dipped the card into the ink to get the colourful, patterned background and dried it with my heat gun. On two of the cards I then sprayed Perfect Pearls Mists (Mandarin) to get a lovely sheen (you can best see this on the first photo above).

On the above card I stamped some script (using a Prima clear stamp) on the background and then stamped the Halloween Silhouettes on acetate using Staz On ink. I then outlined the bats & cat using a gold Promarker.

On this card I simply stamped onto the background of Distress Ink & Perfect Pearls Mist with the script and floral flourish stamps and then with the Halloween Silhouette Stamps using Distress Ink (Black Soot).

And my last card was a bit of an experiment... the moon was heat embossed using Distress Powders (Old Paper), the cat is from the stamp set, but the rest of the images were hand drawn using a black permanent pen... not too bad I think?

I'm entering my cards into the following challenges...

I love Promarkers - Autumnal Colours - Golds, Oranges, Greys (that's the weather)

Simon Says Stamp - Halloween/Goth

Well, if you fancy treating yourself to some of these goodies, don't forget to pop by A Scrap Affair Store... it's packed full of lovely crafty treasures!

Thanks for visiting me today!!!

Haunted House

Can you believe we're in October already?! Where do the months go?

October means Halloween, right!? So our challenge this week at Cupcake Craft Challenges has been chosen by Louise, and it's a spooky one... Halloween!

Keeping my card C&S this week. I've used a freebie Haunted House digi image from Stampers Best, you can find it HERE. I used my Promarkers/Flexmarkers to colour. I added a handmade bat, and corrugated orange card as the background. I'm entering my card into the challenge at:

I LOVE Promarkers - Spooky

Crafty Calendar Challenge - Spooky

We're sponsored by Cupcake Cards & Crafts this week, who are giving away a fab paper collection of the lucky winner's choice!!! We also have TWO fabulous monthly sponsors, Polka Doodles who are giving away a Pretty Sweet mini CD Collection, and our second monthly sponsor is my lovely friend Nadia from A Scrap Affair, who is giving away a set of 5 Promarkers! Pop over to Cupcake to check out all the details, and to be spooked by the super duper DT cards & projects!

Oh So Girly

Morning! This fortnight at Digi Designs Challenge Blog we're going all GIRLY! So why not join in the fun and do us a real girly card... how simple can that be?!

I've used a super digi stamp from Di's Digi Downloads, coloured with my Promarkers/Flexmarkers. The lovely paper is Anna Griffin, the chipboard butterfly is Prima, both from 8, and the flower border is done using my EK Success punch. I'm entering my card into the challenge at:

ABC - Anything Goes

By The Cute & Girly - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp - Sparkle & Bling (on my paper, image, chipboard butterfly... some sparkle is hard to see on the photo).

Our sponsor at Digi Designs Challenge Blog this fortnight is Crafty Boots, an online craft store based in the UK.

Pop by the challenge blog to see all the details of the challenge, and be inspired by my DT buddies!!!

Black & White Christmas

Good morning crafters!

Can you believe it's October already? And with weather hotter than it's been this summer, you could easily forget that we're only 82 days away from Christmas, YIKES! I'd better get a move on with my card making!!!

Good job our challenge at Cupcake this week is 'Black & White Christmas'... a fab theme from Sandra who won our Choose The Challenge Competition recently! I have to admit though, I did struggle a bit, I just couldn't get my mind into thinking of Christmas with all the lovely, hot weather we've been having!!!

I dug out one of my older stamps, which I love, but forgot about. It's from a Canadian stamp company called Magenta, I stamped it with Memento and then used Distress Ink (Black Soot) to do the shading. The background paper was handdrawn with a white gel pen on black paper. I added a few bits & bobs and some sparkle and finally the sentiment tickets, which are freebies I found on the internet (sorry can't remember where from, I printed them last year).

We have some fab sponsors for you at Cupcake, our weekly sponsor is Simon Says Stamp who are giving away a $20 Gift Certificate. We also have TWO new monthly sponsors, Polka Doodles who are giving away A fab Pretty Sweet mini CD Collection, and our second monthly sponsor is my lovely friend Nadia from A Scrap Affair, who is giving away a set of 5 Promarkers! Pop over to Cupcake to check out all the details, and to see the fabulous DT cards! Now what are you waiting for... a Black & White Christmas?!

If You Go Down To The Woods Today...

If you go down to the woods today

You're sure of a big surprise.

If you go down to the woods today

You'd better go in disguise.

For ev'ry bear that ever there was

Will gather there for certain, because

Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic.

Right now that I've got you all singing... I'd better tell you why I'm ranting on about the Teddy Bears Picnic! Well today at Cupcake Craft Challenges the lovely Faye haschallenged us to make something with a teddy bear on it!!! Now I do love my teddies, so this was an easy one for me! I've kept my card C&S as I wanted to make the most of the lovely Penny Black image... it's such a cutie! The two bears are coloured with my Promarkers (still waiting for my flexmarkers boo hoo), I've used my Cuttlebug to emboss the heart background, added the digi sentiment with bakers twine, and finished with a few gems.

I'm entering my card into the following challenges:

Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Monochromatic (for me browns)

Ok so what can you win... well there's the weekly sponsor's prize which is 4 fab digis from Sassy Studio Designs, and then the monthly sponsor, Bunny Zoe's Crafts, who are offering a £15 Gift Voucher! Definately worth digging out a teddy image for I think!!! Please pop by the Cupcake blog to check out all the other DT projects... the girls always come up with some fab ideas!

Finally I just want to say thanks for all the lovely comments, it really makes my day when I see I've had visitors!

Digi Designs Challenge Blog - Make Your Own Flowers

Good morning! Well what can I say, the sun is SHINING here, and has been for the best part of the week! Today I think I'll have to get out in the garden, the weeds are slowly taking over the planet!

At Digi Design's Challenge Blog it's our 2nd fortnightly challenge today... Make Your Own Flowers! Another nice easy one! For my card I've used one of Di's cute digi's called An Apple A Day, isn't it a sweetie?! I've coloured with Promarkers, and the papers are My Minds Eye. The little flowers are easy to make, just cut a circle from paper then cut this into a spiral, turn the spiral into a little flower bud and glue together. I glued little pearls into the middle of each flower to finish off.

Pop over to the Challenge Blog to see all the lovely DT creations, and to check out the fab PRIZE!!!

October Challenge at A Scrap Affair

Good afternoon peeps! I'm a day late in posting this (oops, sorry) but here is my DT card for the October Challenge over at A Scrap Affair. This month we have a photo inspiration for you... I love these photos...

For a change I've used some yummy Distress Inks to colour my image, you can buy these over at A Scrap Affair Online Store. The sentiment is Penny Black called 'You are kind'. So, there's your inspiration... and the prize... Mmmm... a pack of Promarkers and some Kaisercraft Flourishes!!! Pop by our blog to see all the DT projects and of course to join in with our challenge!