An Emo Christmas

Good morning everyone, I hope you're all well?

I was just writing up the midway reminder post for PunkYouGirl when I counted up how many days there are until Christmas and I was shocked to see that there are only 9 days left, single digits!  Even more shocking is the fact that I am fairly well organised this year!  There's a first time for everything!  Although I know I'm probably speaking too soon and there'll be a mad panic over something that I've forgotten!

As I said, it's the midway reminder today at PunkYouGirl for our current challenge of...

Black Christmas!

We are being sponsored this month by the fabulous Teri from Delicious Doodles so I got another chance to work with her gorgeous images, only this time it's her darker images!

Here's what I did:

The image is An Emo Christmas by Delicious Doodles and I coloured her (to match the colour scheme on the challenge blog!) with the following copics: Skin: E21,13,00,0000,R20. Clothes: 100,C8,6,4,3,1, RV09,06,04,02, Eyes; G16,14,12.
I then fussy-cut the image out.

The papers I have used are from the Christmas multi stack by DCWV.  I used a Dymo label maker for the sentiment using some black tape.  I have lot's of fun with the label maker and hope to use it on a lot more cards!  I didn't add anything more to the card as the papers are quite busy and the colours are strong so I didn't think it needed anything else.

The inside uses the same papers and basic layout, and more label maker sentiments.

So please take a look at the rest of the inspiration from the fabulous design team at PunkYouGirl and have a wee go at our alternative festive challenge!

I'd like to enter my card in the following challenges:

Crafts 4 Eternity; Christmas Chaos
Crafty Boots; Christmas
Creative Belli Blog; Candy
Cute Card Thursday; Christmas catch up
Dream Valley Challenges; Christmas
Just For Fun; Merry Christmas
Left Of Centre; Holidays
One Stitch At A Time; Anything goes
Paper Crafting Journey; It's Christmas time
Ruby's Rainbow; Christmas
Sentimental Sundays; Non traditional xmas colours
Sweet Stampin' Challenge Blog; Last minute Christmas
Totally Papercrafts; Non traditional Christmas colours

Thanks for looking!
 

Blue Christmas

Hello everyone!

I hope you're all keeping well?  I have another song title for my post but again, it's a fitting one!  I was in Dublin again last night at a concert by The Darkness, another one of my favourite bands and definitely one of my favourite live bands, if not my absolute favourite!  I have seen them so many times and have never been disappointed.  Last night was the first time we were seated at one of their concerts and we were on the front row of the balcony so had a fantastic view and got to see all the funny things they do that I would've missed if I was on the floor (cos I'm a shortie!) and Justin Hawkins is such a fantastic singer as well as athlete/comedian/fashionista! lol!  I love that band!

Anyway, A new challenge has started again today at Seems A Little Sketchy and we have 2 sponsors in the form of Kenny K

Who are offering 3 digi's of winners choice

And Whoopsi Daisy

Who are offering 2 sheet's of winners choice.

Here's the sketch we are using this time

And here's what I did

I rotated the sketch and I used a Whoopsi Daisy image which I coloured with the following copics: BG01,000,0000,B39,37,34.E49,47,44.Y17.R02.

The papers are DCWV The Winter Matstack.  I used some new stuff that I recently got after a bit of a wait - my parcel got lost in the post and when I got in contact with the shop they said they would resend but the glue was out of stock so I had to wait until it arrived again, I was chomping at the bit to get using it!  I stamped some snowflakes along the top of the card and on the strip using flitter glu then I used "Manchester Tart" Megaflakes and a "scoochie" sponge to tidy it all up to make gilded snowflakes!  All the materials are available at Indigo Blu.  I can't wait to use it again sometime - it's lovely and messy! lol!
The twine, charm and gems are all from my stash and the sentiments were computer generated using the font simply named "Christmas".

The inside has been done to compliment the front.

And that's my card!  I hope you can join us at Seems A Little Sketchy, pop over to check out the fab inspiration for the rest of the lovely DT!

I'd like to enter my card in the following challenges:

Allsorts; Bring on the bling
Charisma Cardz; Christmas
Crafty Creations Challenges; Ready for the holidays
Moving Along With The Times; Music inspired - Blue Christmas by Elvis
Paper Crafting Journey; Bling it up
The Paper Shelter; Christmas is coming
Sentimental Sundays; Winter wonderland
Stampin' For The Weekend; Feeling festive

Thanks for looking!
 

Catch A Falling Star

Hello hello!

I hope you're all feeling well and happy?!  I've had such a busy - and fun - few days but I'm exhausted after it all!  Last Thursday we went for our flight that we have been trying to go on for a while!  My brother and sisters and I bought a flying lesson for our Daddy for his 60th birthday last year in a 4 seater Cessna, so there would be him, the pilot and two of us able to go up.  My brother and my names were picked out of the hat to go and after a few appointments having to be cancelled due to bad weather, we finally got to go last week.  To say I was a little nervous about it is an understatement!  My Mammy came with us as a stand-in in case I chickened out - and it was a close call!  But at the very last minute I thought I'd kick myself if I didn't go, so off I went!  It was a little bumpy and it didn't help that the pilot showed us how to "spiral into the ground in a fiery ball"!!  He was good craic!  But we got to fly right down over where we live and over our beautiful Mourne Mountains.  I took a lot of photos but haven't even had a chance to look at them yet!  I'll post some in a separate blog post later maybe.  I did feel a little sick in the plane but I managed to hold it together and we landed safely - and I really enjoyed it!
The next part of my busy weekend was the Stonecrusher's Ball on Friday night.  My family own and run a quarry (and I work in the office) and every year all the quarries in Northern Ireland have a special night out in the Europa Hotel in Belfast.  So it was lovely to get all dressed up for a good night out.
Saturday night was spent in my aunt and uncles house for their surprise party for their 25th wedding anniversary!  It's hard to believe that its 25 years since their wedding!  I was one of their flower-girls!  And so cute I was too! :P
Sunday was late home and feeling a little fragile after 2 big nights out!  The less said the better! lol!

Anyway, time for another challenge, me thinks, at the Creative Card Crew!

We are being sponsored this fortnight by the Scrapping Center

And they're offering a $15 voucher to one lucky winner!

The challenge is a lovely one and the theme is...

The Sun, Moon or Stars!

I love that theme!

My card was made in a little bit of a hurry, but this is what I came up with:

My image is by Tiddlyinks and I coloured her with the following copics: skin;E21,13,00,0000,R20. Hair; E37.YR24,23,21. Stars; Y15 (plus clear stardust pen). Dress; B39,37,34,G14,YG13,11. Wings; V04,BV31.

The papers I have used are DCWV "Once upon a time" and the dies are Whiff of Joy, Stars festoon; Memory Box, Night sky border; Spellbinders, circle and large scalloped circle.  A few swarovski's were added to some of the stars.  The sentiment is computer generated.

The inside has been done to match the front.

So I do hope you can join us for this celestial challenge and have some fun with it!  Pop over to the Creative Card Crew blog to see the rest of the DT's fab makes!

I'd like to enter my card in the following challenges:

Bearly Mine Challenges; Anything goes
Ladybug Crafts Ink Challenges; Anything goes
Oh La La Challenge Blog; Things with wings
Paper Crafting Journey; Use Halloween colours
Papertake Weekly; Halloween Hues
Patties Creations Challenge; Ribbon
Southern Girls Challenge Blog; Sing, sing a song... (Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket by Perry Como)
Sweetpea Stampers Challenge; Sparkle & shine
The Squirrel & The Fox; Things with wings
Totally Gorjuss; Wings & things

Thanks for looking!
 

A New Sketch

Hi everyone!

I hope you're all keeping well and staying warm, the weather has really gone to the dogs and it's so cold!  I really don't want to have to turn my heating on but the layers aren't really working right!

I was away yesterday at my wee nephew Noah's christening day.  He was so good and didn't make a peep all day, the wee pet.  We had a yummy dinner afterwards too, so had a very nice day, and ended up staying out longer than I meant to!

We have a new sketch up today at Seems A Little Sketchy and a new sponsor...

Sassy Studio Designs

with a prize of 4 digi stamps!

Here is the sketch for the next fortnight

 And here is what I did...

We were each supplied with an image by our sponsor and mine is called Katnis, Girl on fire, based on the character from The Hunger Games.  I just love her dress and I had to colour it red!  I coloured her with the following copics: Skin; E21,13,00,0000,R20. Hair; E39,37,35,29. Dress; C9,R39,37,29.

The papers I have used are DCWV, All Dressed Up.  I used a Memory Box, Quinn Flourish die and a couple of small oval spellbinder dies for the Wild Rose Studio sentiment.  The gems are from my stash.

The inside follows the same sketch with the same papers.

Go have a look at what the rest of the DT have done at Seems A Little Sketchy!

I'd like to enter my card in the following challenges:

Crafty Sentiments Designs; Anything goes
Cute Card Thursday; Hip to be square
Oldie But A Goodie; Spots & stripes (old; papers, new; image)
Stamp N Doodle; Spots and stripes
The Corrosive Challenge Blog; Maiden, mother, crone

Thanks for looking!
 

That Look's Uncomfortable!

Hi everyone!

I hope you're all keeping well?
I'm off to work today for the last day before the summer holidays when the business closes for a full week!  I can't wait to get into holiday mode - even though I'm not actually going anywhere!  The weather forecast is looking good too - apparently there's a heatwave on it's way!  I know the US has probably had enough of the heat to last them a lifetime but in cold, damp Northern Ireland, this is big news! lol!

Anyway, hows about a wee challenge??

It's time for challenge number 2 at PunkYouGirl and it was the turn of our lovely Julia to choose the theme for this month and she chose...

Creepmas In July!

Fab challenge, huh?!
Even more fab is the fact that we are being sponsored by The Octopode Factory!  I love love love their images!  And the winner gets to spend $15 in their store!  Lucky ducks!

Remember that to enter in this challenge you have to follow the theme and use a darker theme, so no cutsies!

The design team were honoured (and thrilled!) to be given an image by our fab sponsor and here's what I did with mine:

My image is called Angel by The Octopode Factory and I coloured her with the following copics: Skin: E21,13,00,0000,R20. Hair: 100,C9,7. Clothes: RV13,11,10. Wings and halo: E42,41,40.  And I fussy-cut her out.

I dug out my Christmas stash to see what I could find and the papers I used are DCWV Rose Tinted Christmas.  I went a bit mad with the white frantage, which ended up making the card a bit brighter than I had hoped, but you can't beat a bit of frantage!
The Christmas tree is from my stash - I think I got it at a garden centre in Birmingham when I was over at the NEC last year (the mahoosive craft show just wasn't enough for me and I had to go shopping for more!).
The sentiment is computer generated (with the font Santa's Sleigh) and it came to me as soon as I saw the angel and that fab expression on her lovely face!  Don't you just love those big eyes!

 The inside is done to match the front and because of the front I was forced to go mad with the frantage again!  I even frantaged myself a little!  Ouch!

So that's me card - another Christmas one to mark off my list (I say that like I've got loads made - I think I have another 4 somewhere that I made back in January! lol!) Why don't you scoot over to the PunkYouGirl blog to have a look at what half of the rest of the DT have made (remember there's a midway reminder in a couple of weeks from the other half of the DT with more fab inspiration!).  I believe Jacki was so excited about the new challenge that she put it up a bit early, but hey, there's nothing wrong with a few extra hours to join in!

I'd like to enter my card in the following challenges:

Bunny Zoe's Craft Challenges: Wings
Cute Card Thursday; Stars or stripes
Ruby's Rainbow; Things with wings
Sentimental Sunday's: All things digital
Stamp & Create; Christmas in July
The Squirrel And The Fox: Christmas in July

Thanks for looking - and check out my card for the Alphabet Challenge Blog above this post - 2 cards in one day, miracles do happen!
 

Flutterby's

Good morning everyone!

My back is still playing up but I've put it to the back of my mind over the past few days as my wee nephew was taken into hospital after the passed out at home.  He had another episode in the hospital but after a night in there and lot's of tests done they think it was a one (or two) off, and it's nothing to get too worried about.  He's back home now causing havoc again with his wee sister who missed him a lot on his night in hospital!

Time, though,  for another challenge at the Creative Card Crew and as well as some fabulous new teamies, we have a fabulous new sponsor..

Who are offering 4 digi's to one lucky winner!

And the challenge is...

Ribbon!

The design team were lucky enough to be given some of their digi's to work with and I chose the gorgeous Fae to use.  Here's what I did:

I made an easel card

I started off by opening the image "Fae" in PSE so I could reduce the opacity as I wanted to try the no-lines technique with a digi image.  I then proceeded, very carefully, with the following copics: Skin; E21,13,00,0000,R20. Hair; E49,39,37,35,33,R59. Butterflies; R39,29,27,BG49,45,02,G24,21,20,YR24,23,21.  And Black, Dark Purple and Dark Brown Prisma pencils.  Sorry the pictures aren't great, I couldn't get the light to stop glaring on the image.

The papers are DCWV Mariposa stack and the ribbon is from my stash.  The swirl is my favourite Magnolia die with a few swarovski's.  The Butterfly is a Spellbinder die and I inked it up with some distress inks before I removed it from the die.  I then painted some champagne mist ink on the bits that weren't inked before adding some bling in the form of Swarovski crystals.  The sentiment is by Wild Rose Studio's on Stampin' Up! punches.

The bit down the side was what was left of the 8x8 sheet I used for the top of the easel and I fussy cut around the design before I adhered it to the base.

So go and have a look at the Creative Card Crew blog to see the rest of the DT's (including the newbies!) fabulous work!

I'd like to enter my card in the following challenges:

613 Avenue Create; Tic tac toe - green/bling/ribbon
All Sorts Challenge Blog; For a lady
By The Cute And Girly; Favourite things - copics
Crafty Ribbons Challenge; Anything goes with ribbon
Cupcake Craft Challenges; Sparkle
Dream Valley Challenges; Ribbon and bling
Joanna Sheen Challenge Blog; Layer it up
Moving Along With The Times; Lovely ladies
Patties Creations Design Challenge; Fancy folds
Sentimental Sundays; Fairy's with wings

Thanks for looking!
 

Phew!

Why does everything take so long to do?!
My antivirus program expired yesterday so I decided to renew it today.  I know there are free programs available but I'm not entirely convinced by them yet and I'm sure you have to put up with adverts etc, which I couldn't be bothered with!
I had un-ticked the automatic renew thing last year and I'm so glad I did - they would've charged me £60 to renew but by buying the product as new I got it for £25!  From the same place!  It was a bit of a nightmare to install though as I didn't think to un-install the first one and then it wouldn't install the new one and then it installed a free trial one instead of the one I paid for but I eventually got it sorted out.  And I made sure to go back in and un-tick the automatic renew thing again!
Computers, who'd have em!

Anyway, how about a new challenge to get you going for the start of the week?
It's time for a new one at Eclectic Ellapu and it's the Pink teams turn this week, and the lovely Laurian's turn to host.  The challenge she chose for us this week is...

A Recipe; 1 die cut, 2 patterned papers,

3 embellishments (can include digi)

and ribbon!

So, here's what I did;

The image is a digi from Paper Pretties called Snuggle Bunny and I coloured it with the following promarkers: Aubergine, Plum, Amethyst, Lilac, Cyan, Denim Blue, April Shower, Powder Blue & blender.
I edged the image with Decoart snowwriter for a bit of glitteryness!

The papers are DCWV, Nana's Kids.  I love this paper cos it's so textured - the glitter you can see on the bottom and the spots at the top are embossed too. 
The sentiments are by Pink Petticoat called Tiny New Baby which I printed onto safmat and attached to the image.  The buttons are gorgeous and are from House of Zandra, but I got them at the NEC.
And my die-cut is a Simple Banner by Memory Box which I've hand-written the name of the new arrival onto.

The inside has the same elements as the front including the ribbon from my stash and a button charm.

  
So take a trip to Eclectic Ellapu to check out what the rest of the Pink team did and have a go too!

Oh and can I just say that I have been having some trouble leaving comments.  On some blogs when I click to post my comment it goes to the white "503 error" page.  I have tried several times to leave comments and have even opened up Chrome to try there (even though I don't really like it!) so apologies if my comment didn't go through or if you've gotten several of the same comment from me!
I wish blogger would sort out all these issues - life is just too short! 

I'd like to enter my card in the following challenges:

Crafty Ribbons: New beginnings
Divas By Design; Anything goes 
Dream Valley Challenges; Anything goes 
A Gem Of A Challenge; New beginnings 
613 Avenue Create; Anything goes 
Joanna Sheen Challenge Blog; New beginnings 
One Stop Craft Challenge; New beginnings 
Papertake Weekly; Happy new ? 
Totally Gorjuss; Spotty 
Totally Papercrafts Friday Challenge; Ribbon 

Thanks for looking!
 

Don't Be Fooled!

Evening all!

I am totally exhausted!  I started back at work yesterday and than had to take down all my Christmas decorations when I got home - and it wasn't easy with a knackered shoulder!  I'm now waiting on someone to come and help get the boxes back up into the attic as I had a hard enough time getting the empty ones down by myself never mind when they're full!  So for the time being my tiny kitchen is full of boxes!

Oh well, at least they're not in my craft room!

Time for another challenge!  The Creative Card Crew challenge is back from our Christmas holidays and we're raring to go!
The challenge for the next fortnight is sponsored by The Stamp Fairy

And they're offering one lucky winner $10 to spend in their store.

So the challenge is..

Snow & Ice!

 I decided to get a head start on next years Christmas cards!  But don't be fooled, it doesn't mean I've got caught up with everything else just yet!  Here's what I did

 The design team were lucky enough to be given some of The Stamp Fairy's gorgeous stamps to work with and I couldn't decide which one  to use so I used all 3!  Donny4, Donny6 and George 1 were coloured with the following copics:  Fur;E49,39,37,35,33. Hats and scarves; B95,93,91,V09,06,04,RV09,06,04. Carrot nose;YR07,04.  I used the B91 to shade the snow and then used a glue pen and glamour dust for a little sparkle.

The papers are DCWV "The Winter Stack" and I added some swarovskis and ribbon from my stash.

The inside has papers from the same stack and a computer generated sentiment.

So pop over to the Creative Card Crew blog to check out what the rest of the DT have made, they are all gorgeous!

I'd like to enter my card in the following challenges:

Crafts & Me Challenges; Winter wonderland
Crafty Catz; Anything goes
Crafty Creations Challenges; Anything goes
Creative Belli Blog; Winter/snowmen
Dream Valley Challenges; Anything goes
Fussy And Fancy Challenges; Furry Friends
Love to Create Challenges; Winter Wonderland
Stampin' For The Weekend; Anything goes
Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge; Christmas with no Santa
Sparkles Christmas Challenge; Snowmen

Thanks for looking!

My Last Design Team Card for 2012!

Hi all!

I'm a little late in posting this as something came up last night and I didn't get to scheduling it so it has had to wait til I came home from work.

Here it is, my last design team post of the year and then I can relax!  Well, I'm hoping to get caught up on all the cards I've made throughout the year and never actually got around to blogging.  Hopefully I'll get them done before the end of the year.

So it's time for a new challenge at The Creative Card Crew and for the next 3 weeks we are being sponsored by a fab new sponsor!  The fabulous Scrapping Center (they're from the US so I have to spell it like that! lol)

And they're offering one lucky winner a fantastic $15 to spend in their store!

So the challenge  - remember it's for 3 weeks this time is...

- Chinese New Year - 

- Red & Gold -

- Year of the Snake!

And it's easier than it sounds!  You can do an asian theme, a red and gold colour scheme (so for birthdays or Christmas or whatever) or you can add a snake to your project or whatever way you think the challenge can be interpretted!

 So here's what I did

I went with red & gold and an Asian theme.  The image is Fantastic Sophia by Paper Pretties and I've had it printed out and floating around my craft room for ages so I thought it was perfect for this challenge!  I've coloured her with the following copics: Skin;E21,13,00,0000,R20. Dress;R29,27,24,E39,37,35. Fan;E33,31,30. Hair;110,C9,7,5. Plus I used some gold calligraphy ink on the flowers on her dress and on the fan - it's not showing up very well though but it's nice and shimmery!

The papers are DCWV Fire Blossom from the Far East Print set.  I used a calendar that we got out of our local Chinese restaurant (cos we're such good customers!) and painted over the back of it with the gold ink.  I adhered it to a house-shaped frame that I made out of skewers and raffia (I love it when you need a saw to make a card!) and trimmed to fit.  I cut out the image and attached with foam pads.  I then decided that I would stamp a sentiment onto the bambooey background and hoped for the best that it would turn out ok!  The Chinese coin is one of a set I've had for ages and have only just used!  A little bit of bronze Viva Pearl Pen finished it off.

The inside has the same papers and I cut a circle out of white paper with a spellbinders die and then cut it into a fan shape.  I stamped the Wild Rose Studio sentiment and blossoms before I gently folded it to give it a bit of shape and attached to the card with a little bit of adhesive so that it sits out a bit.

So go and have a look at the fantastic inspiration the rest of the DT have provided at the Creative Card Crew and go get creative yourself!

I'd like to enter my card in the following challenges:

Bunny Zoe's Challenge; Celebration
Cute Card Thursday; So charming
Ladybug Crafts Ink; Anything goes
Stamp 'n' Doodle; Something unusual

Thanks for looking!