Time to Party....

Almost time to break out the bubbly, find out those dancing slippers (ha ha), and let loose.  Not for us this year.....I think this card almost sums us up!   I'm sending it to my Mom and Dad, as we've not yet seen them over the holiday, and hopefully it will bring a smile.  Life sure does get in the way sometimes.

Another fun image from Just Inklined.  This one is called Flossie Congrats, but you will see I've cut it out, removing the congratulations banner.....looks like New Years to me!

Supplies used:
Colouring medium - copics markers and prisma pencil
Paper - K&Company - Julianne collection
Tools - Edgebilities die and MS Double Arches punch
Other - ribbon, gems, stickles
Sentiments - Stampendous - Hugs for All, and a long lost and forgotten alphabet stamp set!

Best Wishes to all for a happy and healthy New Year!!!!

A few fun challenges:

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - #135 New Year

Cute Card Thursday - #197 Happy New Year

Christmas Inspirations - #39 New Year Card

Paper Sundaes - #100 Celebrate

Craft Us Crazy - CHRISTMAS and/or HUMOROUS

Totally Papercrafts  *#97 Time to Party

A Challenge with a free digi

Hello out there!  Santa has been and gone, leaving gifts and eating all the cookies.....I'm sure it must have been him. (ha ha).  Hopefully you all are keeping well, and enjoying your time with family and friends.

This was the final gift bag that I made up for Christmas giving, and I played with this sketch from Stämpelkällan.  I've changed it around a bit, and I've also made good use of two of their wonderful stamps...J18 Poinsettia and J10 Merry Christmas.  It was a hit Christmas morning, filled with an assortment of my hand made cards!

The gorgeous DP is from the MME Lost & Found collection, and I used an MS punch to create the lacy edging.

Did you know that there's a Stämpelkällan challenge underway with a special digi image that you can use for your project?  Be sure to check the link below for more information and lots of fun!

Just to let you know, we finally have some of that white stuff....nice to look at, but today I have to go out in it! (yuk)  I had really gotten used to looking at grass that didn't grow, winter boots that stayed in the closet, and gloves that sat on the sideboard.....waiting to get worn and then lost!  Luckily, we only have a skiff for now, and hopefully that doesn't change anytime soon!

A few challenges:

Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT - #50 Bingo(ribbon, flower, punch)

Stampin for the Weekend - #23 Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp! - Anything Goes

Dutch Dare Card Challenge - #144 Make It Shimmer

Top Tip Tuesday - #66 Anything Goes

The Paper Shelter - #44 Tie a bow

Dream Valley - #22 Christmas

Almost ready......

Today is Friday, tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and I'm nearly ready!  One more small hop to the store and just a wee bit of wrapping......then I just need to check my list (twice!) and make sure everything is there! lol.    My family is all gathering at my daughter's place for Christmas this year.  My job is to bring the wine and make sure my DH stays healthy.  No small feat this year, but we're all keeping our fingers and toes crossed.

Another gift bag, making good use of another image that I've had coloured for a while....this one from DZ Doodles.  Coloured with markers and chalk, I've given the trim on the hats a bit of liquid applique for some texture.  The DP is from Basic Grey (Eskimo Kisses), and I really think I like the idea of pink for Christmas.....nice and warm!   Again, a nice quick make.....using various items from my stash.

Here's hoping you all have a lovely Christmas with family and friends.  Merry Christmas everyone!!!

A few fun challenges:

Aud Sentiments - #44 Anything Goes

Stamptacular Sunday Challenge - #143 Pink Christmas

Totally Stampalicious - Make It Sparkle

Whoopsie Daisy - Sparkle and Shine

Simon Says Stamp! - BINGO (ribbon, gems, glitter)

Little Miss Muffet Challenges - #25 Anything Goes

Anything Goes at Charisma Cardz

Good morning and best wishes for the holiday season!  The rush is really on now, so this post may be a little short and sweet.  Today, we have a new challenge at Charisma Cardz.....Anything Goes......and you have two weeks to make your entry!  

I'm still making gift bags, and this time I`m using the little Snow Day image from Mo Manning.  Remember when a snow day meant fun......time to play, no school, hot chocolate....where did those days go!  Now I prefer to stay inside where it`s warm and cozy, but of course it`s still so nice to see little ones enjoy themselves.

So how about a nice simple design.....just a bit of snowflake paper, a ribbon and some gems from my stash.  The image is coloured with copics then cut and matted with my Nestie die.  The sentiment is stamped and then heat embossed in white, which works well with the drippy icicle border.

Hopefully we`ll be seeing your entries this time around, `cause surely you can`t do two weeks without crafting!  My teamies have some gorgeous projects to share.... sure to give you some crafty ideas, and our sponsors this week are offering some wonderful prizes.

(offering 6 Digis of the winner`s choice!)

(offering a £10 Voucher!)

(offering 3 Digis of the winner`s choice!)

So, until next time, 

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to you and yours!

And now, a few fun challenges for my little gift bag:

Lexi's Creations - #55 Untraditional Christmas

Fairie Fun Fridays - #68 Holly Jolly Christmas

By the Cute and Girly - Let It Snow

My Mums Craft Shop - #37 Anything Goes

Creative Inspirations Wednesday Challenge - #143 Anything Goes

Crafts and Me Challenges - #66 Anything Goes

Everybody-Art-Challenge - #173 Anything Goes Mo's Digital Challenge - #114 Punch and/or Dies

Gift bag #2

And here's another one!  I'm on a roll!  I'm trying to use some of the images that I have already coloured up....it's quicker that way...maybe.  One day I may learn to pick my papers before I colour the image, or maybe not...

For today's gift bag I've used an image from DZ Doodles, and although I've used markers, it was before I had purchased my copics.  I've cut it out with my Nestie die, leaving it in place while I sponged on some blue DI.  The little dots are liquid pearls, and of course it's all attached with foam dots for some dimension.  A Martha Stewart punch adds some interest to the corners of the DP, and then some ribbon and a bow.  Can you see that lovely pin behind the bow, which I received in some blog candy from JLJ Designs?  Thanks so much Jen.....it's my first time using one of these!

A few snowflakes and pearls, plus a white embossed sentiment along the bottom provide the finishing touch.  Nice and simple, and just the perfect size to gift a few home made cards.

Glad you could stop by, and I have another one ready for tomorrow.  Then just two more to go.....I think I had better get cracking!

A few challenges:
 

One Stitch at a Time - #93 Anything Goes

Paper Sundaes - #100 Celebrate

Card Makin' Mamas - #35 Christmas

Bearly Mine Challenges - #26 Anything Goes

Inky Impressions - #38 Christmas Cheer

Craft Us Crazy - CHRISTMAS and/or HUMOROUS

Last Minute Wrapping

Hello everyone!  Only a few days left until Christmas, so once again I'm doing things at the last minute.  I still need a few gift bags... for some cards that I give away, and of course I need something to put them in.  Maybe next year I can be ready early...but I say that every year!

These bags came from Michaels, and luckily they fit my cards.  Here I've used one of Dustin Pike's cute little images, colouring with copics, a bit of pencil for the snow, and some chalk for the sky.  A little dab of glitter and liquid applique for the light, and enough was enough.  The DP is from Basic Grey (Nordic Holiday) and the doily is made using a Cheery Lynn die.

Now, only four more to go.....am I crazy?  I'll be back soon!

Some fun challenges:

Dustin Pike - Anything but a Card

Basic Grey Challenges - #58 Anything Goes

Top Tip Tuesday - #65 Anything Christmas

Papertake Weekly - Christmas cards or projects

Hooked on Craft Challenges - #14 Christmas

Little Darlings - #13 Christmas The Crazy Challenge - #98 Christmas

And the Presents were Wrapped......

Well Christmas is nearly upon us, and with any luck I will be ready when the big day comes!   Life does throw us a curve some times.....this week my DH spent three days in the hospital.  Scary stuff!  But now he`s home again, thank goodness. 

So how about a nice bright and cheery card, using one of the new Christmas images from Just Inklined.  This one is aptly named....Santa`s Sleigh, and it was so much fun to colour using my copics.  The card itself is a simple design, using some DP from My Mind`s Eye for the borders, and some stars and peel-offs for a bit of glitter.

Some challenges:

Stamptacular Sunday Challenge - #142 Christmas Glitz

Cupcake Craft Challenges - #172 Don't Look at the Light

Top Tip Tuesday - #64 A Gift

Papertake Weekly - Christmas card - fave colour theme (red)

PaperPlay Challenges - #50 Christmas

Paper Crafting Journey - Christmas Challenge

Crafting For All Seasons - #16 Christmas Cards and Projects

Copic Oz - Christmas Challenge

Craft Us Crazy - Christmas or Humorous

Clean and Simple.....maybe

Good morning everyone!  And it is.....it may be raining, but the weather man is calling for 50 degrees.  Not so good for those who want snow, but for me it's fantastic!

Sooooo, no Christmas card today, instead a nice sunny little number with a delightful little troll!  I've used three stamps today for my GDT submission for Stämpelkällan, stamping and colouring directly on the card blank.  

Stamps used:

S41- little troll

A88 - corner

T54 - Happy Birthday

I'm really quite pleased with the results, as the colours are so vibrant against that white.  I stamped with a Memento ink pad, and coloured with Copics.   Only a few gems and a dragonfly for embellishment.   Definitely clean, but simple?   Maybe.....

Now for a few challenges.  Don't forget to check them out for more inspiration.

Totally Papercrafts - #96 Anything But Christmas
Penny Black and More - Happy Birthday
Southern Girls Challenge - #34 Let's Celebrate
The Paper Shelter - Its a Celebration
Karen's Doodles - Clean and Simple
The Secret Crafter - #164 All Creatures Great and Small  Delightful Challenges - Anything Goes

Blog Hop Winner

Many thanks to everyone that played along in December's blog hop at Just Inklined.  Mine was one of the blogs with a spot prize!  Hurray!

the lucky commenter for my spot prize is.......

 Michelle

Congratulations, Michelle!  Please contact me with your email address and I will send you the image right away. 

Special Delivery

How about some red and green, the festive colours of Christmas, and a bit of blue to remind us of the frosty weather to come.   I know some of you have already had a blast of winter, but  so far......we've been pretty lucky and I'm really hoping it stays that way!   A few flurries today, but I don't think it will amount to much.

A nice easy card today, with that traditional Christmas feel to it.  Nice and festive...but no snow!

Supplies used:

Image - Christmas Mail from Just Inklined

Paper - Nordic Holiday collection from Basic Grey

Tools - Lacey Ovals die from Spellbinders; Martha Stewart border punch

Other - ribbon, peel-offs, flowers etc from my stash

A few challenges:

Cute Card Thursday - #194 Anything Goes My Mums Craft Shop - #35 Traditional Christmas ABC Christmas Challenge - Y is for Yippee, It's Almost Christmas Creative Card Crew - Tis the Season Stampin for the Weekend  *#22 Christmas

Feline Fancy...

Ho ho ho....hope you are being good, and keeping well!  Thursday today, so it's time for a new challenge at Charisma Cardz.  This week we are looking for Anything but a Card, so get your crafty hats on and show us what you've got!  The DT has some fabulous ideas to share, so be sure to check them out too!

I'm really taken with these little bags!  They are so easy to make....just a paper lunch bag, cut to size, and papers to decorate the front and back.  The folded topper attaches to the back and provides a nice decorative closure.

Supplies used:
Papers - My Mind's Eye (Be Merry collection); cardstock
Image - Tickled Pink (Christmas Mollie Mittens)
Stamps - Inkadinkado - Winter Trails
Other - distress inks, metallic gold pen, pearls, paper lace ribbon

This week our generous sponsors are:

(offering a £10 Voucher to their online store )

  (offering one lucky winner a stamp of their choice)

  (offering 5 digis of the winners choice)

We're really looking forward to seeing your projects this week,  and with a little luck perhaps you will be the happy winner of one of these delightful prizes!

A few fun challenges that I will enter:

Craft Spot - #36 Christmas Gifts and Treat Packaging

Creative Card Crew - Tis the Season

Karen's Doodles - Recipe 3 dif embellies, 2 papers & 1 image

Kaboodle Doodles - #96 Colors of Christmas

Sweet Stamps - #44 Christmas Bling

Forever Friends - It's all Christmas

ABC Christmas Challenge - Yippe, It's Almost Christmas

Sundays with Crissy - #24 Anything Goes

Bizzy Bec's - Christmas Crafty Ribbons - #8 Traditional Colours for Christmas

Someone's Going to be 40!

Hello out there.....something new for you today!  Have you seen the new Digi Prints at LaPache?   Pre-printed on A4 ultra smooth white stamping card, these wonderful images are ready to colour, and if you are looking for images for the guys.....well you need look no further.

A family member will be turning the big '40' this year, and he really enjoys hitting that little white ball around.  Getting in practice for retirement, me thinks!   This image can be found here, along with 3 other pre-printed images.

Coloured with copics, and cut out with my Nestie die, just a bit of embossing and DI to finish it off.   I've used glossy accents on the 'little white ball', but of course it doesn't show too well in the photo.

The sentiment is from Stämpelkällan.

Be sure to check out the rest of the digi prints too, lots of good stuff!  Thanks for visiting.

A few fun challenges:

Cute Card Thursday- #193 It's just a number

Paper Crafting Journey - #24 Anything Goes

Lexi's Creations - #54 One for the Lads

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes Crafty Creations Challenge - #147 A Card with a Sentiment

Pretty Blue Christmas

Good morning all!  Today's the day for another fun filled hop at Just Inklined, where we are sharing our projects with a Blue Christmas theme.  (thanks Jeni..)   So find yourselves a comfy spot, rest a spell and enjoy!

I'm the last stop this month, so if you have been following along you should have arrived here from Heidy's blog.   If you've simply stopped by for a visit, I'd really recommend that you head on over to Jeni's blog, where all the fun begins.  You are sure to find something to tickle your fancy.  Oh, and do remember to leave your comments along the way, as once again there will be two mystery spot prizes up for grabs!

My project is a gift bag, something so useful for this time of year.  Now I just need to go shopping for something to put in it!

Lots of bits and bobs on this one.....

DP from My Mind's Eye

snowflake borders using MS punch

wording and tree border cut on my Silhouette

large snowflake - using Spellbinder die

ribbon bows and gems from my stash

and of course

this lovely image from Just Inklined

Home for Christmas

 

After colouring with copics, I have covered all of the snow with glossy accents and glamour dust.   It really does sparkle......believe me!

The final touch is a bit of white to soften the edges of the bag and a few stamped snowflakes.

I do hope you enjoyed the hop and found lots of ideas to keep you busy!

A few challenges:

Totally Papercrafts - #95 Let It Snow

Craft Your Days Away - #34 Buttons or Bows

Dream Valley - #21 Sparkle

Challenge up Your Life - #58 Packaging

Paper Sundaes - #98 The Sundae Bar (stripes and die cuts)

Vintage Wrap Up

Good morning everyone!  I thought I'd show another little gift bag today, once again made with a brown paper bag.  I'm quite taken with these.....perfect for a tiny gift, folds up nicely after use, and the recipient could use it again next year.... 

How about some vintage this time, and I'm finally using these delicious Melissa Frances papers (Home for the Holidays) that I purchased last year!     I've distressed and inked the edges, pairing it up with some kraft coloured card stock.   I've used a couple of Nestie dies and added some gold stamping to the brown background mats for a bit of Christmas sparkle.

The center of attraction is the Magnolia Gift Giving Tilda stamp, which I've had kicking around for some time.....coloured with copics in non-traditional colours, then edged with DI.  A lace bow and a few pearls finish off the front, while a sentiment, from the Inkadinkado Winter Trails set finishes off the back.

So now I can wrap another gift!  Only three weeks left....I guess I had better get busy.   Thanks so much for visiting, and hope you all have a wonderful day!

A few fun challenges I can enter:

Stamps & Fun = Creativity - #75 Distressing

TOMIC - #26 Vintage and Lace

7 Kids College Fund - #35 Non-Traditional Christmas Colors

PaperPlay Challenges - #48 Tags and Wrapping

Just Magnolia and hAnglar & sTanglar - Anything Goes with Option

Magnolia-licious Challenge - Photo Inspiration Emerald Faerie Garden - #14 Christmas - Non Traditional Colours Stamptacular Sunday Challenge - #141 Christmas Color Challenge

Wooden Christmas Ornament

Today's the start of another weekend, and do you realize there are only two more of them before Christmas Eve?   Lots to do before then, but we do have our tree up....thanks to some family help!  This is my second GDT submission for Stämpelkällan, and today we were to make a Christmas ornament.  I had a little help from my DH on this one....... I found the star pattern and he cut it out and carved the lines, then I did the stamping and colouring and he sprayed the final finish.  Team work!

So glad the tree was up, as it really helped for the photos.   Today I've used two stamps, The holly flourish J24, for the front of the ornament........coloured with copics and some red glitter pen for the flourish.  Next time I would use distress ink for the colouring medium, which I have used before on wood....it's a little easier.

For the back, I've used Merry Christmas J10, and this time I heat embossed with gold embossing powder.  There's a first time for everything...and it worked!  I've added some gold paint dabber to create a mottled finish and some Perfect Pearls for a little extra shine.  A little bit of red marker helps to accent the carved lines.

You will find more ideas for Christmas ornaments today, from my teamies over at the Stämpelkällan blog.  Maybe just the one you were looking for.....

A few fun challenges for my project:

Crafty Cardmakers - #57 Heat Embossing

Stamps R Us Challenges - Emboss It

The Pixie Cottage - #98 Holiday Decor

Whimsy Stamps Inspirations Challenges - #17 Anything but a card

ABC Challenge - E is for .....Embossing

Deep Ocean Challenge - #13 "C" as... (Christmas Ornament)

The Stampman Challenges - Make an Ornament

Simon Says Stamp and Show - Stamp and Show Some Stars Simon Says Stamp! - Anything Goes Stamptacular Sunday Challenge - #140 Anything Christmas

Stamp of the Week and New GDT

Good morning everyone!  Today is my first GDT card submission for Stämpelkällan.   I love their stamps, with that bit of European flavour, and of course it's always fun to play with something new!  Today, it's their stamp of the week, where you can enter to win this adorable little Skater Boy rubber stamp.

This little guy reminds me of my youngest grandson, 

cute and cuddly with a sunny smile!  

Coloured with copics, 

I've cut and matted with my Nestie die (Labels Eighteen).  

The DP is from Basic Grey's Nordic Holiday collection....(so fitting!)...

and I've matched it up with grey and red card stock.   

A MS punch gives the edge some added interest, 

and a ribbon treatment and some doodling finish it off.  

Oh, and mustn't forget a few gems and a bit of glitter, 

as 'Tis the Season'!

I do hope you have enjoyed your visit, and be sure to check out what the rest of the team has created.  While there, leave a comment for your chance to win this delightful stamp......and keep browsing to find even more opportunities for some free stamps with their Advent Calendar!  There is still time to enter, and if you come back again tomorrow for our project of the week, you'll find some wonderful new ideas for Christmas.

And now, how about a few challenges for my card:

Stamptacular Sunday Challenge - #140 Anything Christmas

My Mums Craft Shop - #34 Keeping Warm

Southern Girls Challenge - #35 Ribbon Madness!!!

Do You Stack Up - #48 Ribbon (or anything that ties)

Hooked on Craft Challenges - #13 Winter Wonderland

Lexi's Creations - #54 One for the Lads

Simon Says Stamp! - Anything Goes

Pollycraft - #120 Christmas Fun

The Ribbon Girl - Jingle All the Way to Christmas Lollipop Crafts - #59  B is for........(Boy) Mad for Markers - Christmas Challenge