Crafty Boots - Winter Wonderland mid-challenge reminder

Hi and welcome to my post today for the Crafty Boots winter wonderland challenge mid-challenge reminder. I was struck down with a nasty bout of gastro so I am participating in the mid-challenge reminder. We don't have a wintery, snowy Christmas here in Australia, however one of my favourite Christmas carols is "Winter Wonderland" :)

Here is my project for the challenge

 

I was inspired by a beautiful Christmas card found here. Unfortunately, I didn't have a suitable stamp set to create my own DSP like that talented lady did, so I improvised with some Magnolia DSP that I have had lying around, but have been loathe to use because it's so hard to find! I am really happy with how these cards have turned out, and the best part of all is that I have enough DSP to make quite a few of these cards, ready for next year! I do love CAS Christmas cards, and these were loads of fun to make, You could also make a co-ordinating box to put them in, and make a gift out of them.

 

All products used are Stampin up except for the DSP, as mentioned.

 

Cardstock - Baked Brown sugar (how beautiful is this colour?!), Whisper White

Stamp Sets - Confetti and Punches Three

Punch - Scalloped Square punch

Ink - Early Espresso

Embellishments - Basic Rhinestones

 

Thanks so much for stopping by, I can't wait to see what you create!

Creative Card Crew Challenge #77 - Anything Goes

Hi and welcome back to our last challenge for the year at Creative Card Crew! We have a nice, easy challenge to finish the year off; ANYTHING GOES!

Once again, we have two awesome sponsors for our challenge

Dies R Us

 

Prize: $10 Gift Voucher

 

 

A Day for Daisies

Prize $12 Gift Voucher

 

Here is my project for the challenge, surprise surprise it's another gift bag

 

 

The image is Pearls in my hair - my absolute ALL TIME favourite image from ADFD. She is coloured with Copics (of course). The papers are glitz, the chipboard elements and ribbons are random ones from a mystery box I purchased from a fellow crafter - do yourself a favour and please check out Amanda's blog! The paper trim at the base of the flap is cut with a Doohickey die, and the pearls were a magazine freebie.

 

There won't be any official commenting for this challenge, but I'm hoping to pop around and check out your entries.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Inaugural post for Crafty Boots Challenges

Hello, and thanks for joining me in a special post today. I am extremely excited to announce that I have been offered a position on the design team for Crafty Boots Challenges. This is a fortnightly challenge, and I hope you will play along.

Our challenge this fortnight is Christmas, and here is my project

I love CAS Christmas cards, so kept this one fairly simple. I have mounted the red riding hood ornament onto foam tape so it stands out a little more

Here is the list of products I used, all are Stampin'  Up! except for the DSP which is Kaisercraft

Cardstock - baked brown sugar
DSP - 25th December
Inks - Old Olive and Red Riding Hood
Dies and stamps - Ornamental Keepsakes. teeny tiny sentiments

Thanks so much for stopping by! I can't wait to check out your entries for this challenge :)
Extra - basic rhinestones, versacolour pine cone for distressed edging.

CCC Challenge 76 - Birthday + sentiment

Welcome back to a new challenge at Creative Card Crew! This fortnight we are taking a break from Christmas-themed inspiration, and looking for birthday + sentiment. Once again, we have two awesome sponsors for this challenge

Marianne Designs

Prize: Surprise!

Delicious Doodles

Prize: 4 Digi's

 

Here is my card for the challenge

 

 

Delicious Doodles images are so much fun to colour!

 

It is my turn to select the Top 3 this fortnight, so even if I am unable to leave a comment, please be assured that I will still be popping around to look at all your beautiful projects.

 

Have a great week!

Creative Card Crew - Challenge #74 Christmas Joy

Welcome back to another challenge at Creative Card Crew this fortnight! It's almost Christmas, hurrah! So for this challenge, we're looking for your Christmas creations.

We have two fabulous sponsors this fortnight

Marianne Designs

Prize: Surprise!

Imagine That!

Prize: $10 Gift Voucher

Here is my project using Joyous Reindeer. I LOVE hanging frames, and I have been madly hoarding chipboard so I could make one, but just haven't had the time. When I saw all the gorgeous images from Imagine That! I couldn't limit myself to using just one image, so decided to make the time, and make a project that showcased a few. I'm really happy with how it turned out, and my little girls were thrilled when I showed them!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Materials used are:

 

Papers - My Minds Eye: 12 days of Christmas

Chipboard (for base)

Various ribbons

American Crafts Chipboard board (coloured with 110 Copic)

Various embellies from my stash

Copics and X-Press It cardstock

 

Thanks so much for stopping by! I can't wait to check out your creations :)

Creative Card Crew - Challenge 73 Bows

Hi and welcome back to another challenge at Creative Card Crew! Our challenge this fortnight is "bows", and we have two great sponsors for this challenge

Dies R Us

Prize: $10 Gift Voucher

Lacy Sunshine

Prize: 3 Images

 

Here is my card for the challenge

 

 

I have used the very cute Blue Ribbon Pie for my card. I just love her curly hair and those big glasses!

 

As usual, I have coloured with Copics on X-Press It cardstock. The DSP is (I think) Echo Park, and the ribbon is from my stash. The sentiment and punches are Stampin'  Up!

 

Thanks so much for stopping by, I can't wait to see how creative you get with bows!

Creative Card Crew - Challenge #72 Black Cardstock

Welcome back to another fortnight at Creative Card Crew! This challenge is another super fun and easy challenge; black cardstock! It's as simple as that; add black cardstock to your project.

We have two fabulous sponsors this fortnight

Marianne Designs

Prize: Surprise Package

Delicious Doodles 

Prize: 3 Digi's

 

Here is my project; a Halloween trick or treat bag

 

 

I have used the funky Halloween  Crazy Chemist. We don't really celebrate Halloween here in Australia. but I have two little girls obsessed with Halloween, and they are both begging to go trick or treating, so this is a step in the right direction I guess :)

 

I have used the star doohickey die, and the Spelbinders nesting stars, Stampin'  Up! Witches Brew papers (now retired), and the co-ordinating washi tape to decorate the stars. I have finished off with some AC alpha thickers. I have used black cardstock for the stars (underneath the washi tape), and to matt the image and the DSP to the paper bag.

 

Thanks for stopping by! I can't wait to check out how you incorporate black cardstock into your projects :)

Creative Card Crew #71 - Twine

Welcome back to another CCC challenge! I hope we didn't scare you too much with our last challenge? ;)

This fortnights challenge is twine, and we have just the one sponsor for this challenge

Dies R Us

Prize: $10 Gift Voucher

 

Here is my card for the challenge

 

 

This card was made for my father in law. It's my first half-decent crack at watercolouring with Distress Inks! It is true when they say that the paper maketh the image, because this time I used Arches 300gsm hot press paper, and it was so easy to colour with! I am far from perfect, but I was really happy with how this card came out. My car-mad hubby gave it his official stamp of approval, so I must have done okay ;)

 

The stamped image is Darkroom Door Old Car, inks used are Distress Ink markers. Cardstock is just Bazzill black cardstock, and Kraft cardstock. Sentiment and punches are Stampin Up! and I have finished it off with some basic twine.

 

Thanks for stopping by, I can't wait to check out your projects featuring twine!

Creative Card Crew - #70 Steampunk/Urban

Welcome back! This fortnight we have another exciting challenge for you at Creative Card Crew; we want to see your steampunk/urban themed projects!

We have two fab sponsors for this challenge

Marianne Designs

Prize: Surprise! Dies and/or Acrylic Stamps

Kenny K Downloads 

 

 

Here is my project; I went with steampunk

 

 

I used the super funky Brianna Blaster, and I have to admit when I first saw her, my eyes watered a little bit, but she was so much fun to colour! I have used Tim Holtz paper, and inked some chipboard cogs with Copic BV 25, BV 29, and topped with glossy accents.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by! I can't wait to pop around to your entries and see your take on steampunk/urban!

 

 

 

Oh, she of many hats

While my internet is playing nice ("get NBN" they said! "It's fantastic" they said. Fibbers.), I thought I would post some pics of other crafty projects I have been doing this year.

Yep, I started quilting. I have never been good with a sewing machine, but I got given one for my birthday earlier this year (at my request). I'm attempting the Sampler Quilt from the Art Of Quilting magazine, that I spent approximately a year collecting before I dared to start sewing. I have to say, I thoroughly enjoy quilting, except for the pressing. Why does ironing have to suck the fun out of everything?! I have been buying up a storm this year, and have already acquired a large pile of fabric, so expect quite a few sewing posts this year :)

 

 

Now here is a craft I am a little better versed in; crochet. Check out Bella Coco, her fab You Tube clips break it all down so that even the most elementary of crocheters can master a granny square ad create a beautiful blanket. I am in the process of crocheting a granny square blanket as well as a family snuggle blanket. Stay tuned, but don't wait with abated breath for pics of the finished products, I am the master of the UFOs! I have partially completed projects dating back 20 years or so!

 

This scarf was so quick and easy to knock up! It's called the Everybody Scarf and you can find the You Tube link here. I managed to whip up this bad boy in only a few days, and it is around 5 feet long. Such a beautiful stitch, and so simple to do

 

.
My original craft! I first learned to knit when I was 4, my great grandmother taught me. I still remember the first little dusky pink patch I knitted with her. This particular scarf was the bane of my life while I knitted it. Compared to crochet, knitting seems to take so long! Mind you, this scarf was approximately 40 stitches wide, and longer than my 4 year old is tall :) My two older daughers were putting in orders for winter gear, so I was knitting scarves and beanies like there was no tomorrow.

Well, there you have it! A few projects I have been working on this year. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Creative Card Crew - Chalenge #69 Chalkboard

I am unfortunately a little late posting my card for this challenge, thanks to a roll of frustrating internet troubles, grrr... but fortunately I managed to get my card up in time with the team for this fortnights challenge at Creative Card Crew.

This fortnights theme is Chalkboard, and our sponsor is

Dies R Us

Prize $10 Gift Voucher

Honestly, I could kick myself for not trying this amazing ink any sooner. I was worried it would be very shmooshy (hey, it's a real word ;) ) and unfit for a card. Boy was I wrong! The result is chalky, yet so crisp! After I stamped my sentiment, I swiped my little pad across the cardstock to give it a real "chalkboard" feel. I have to admit, finding the ink pad for AUS $1 at my local craft fair recently definitely helped my enthusiasm for giving this technique a go :)



I have made a little easel card (not unlike the card in my blog header), using the Spellbinders Lacy Ovals die, and Large Ovals die. I have distressed all the edges with my distressing tool and Black Soot DI (plus the chalkboard ink for the black cardstock).

The papers and cardstock are Stampin'  Up! Coastal Cabana (one of the new In Colour colours)

The little banner has been cut using the La La Lands Heart Banners die - wow that die was a hard find, but so worth it!

The sentiment is a Stamp It stamp - I love stamps with interesting and unique quotes :)

Thanks so much for stopping by! I can't wait to pop around and check out all the lovely chalkboard-inspired projects.

Creative Card Crew Challenge #68 - Embossing

Wow, wow, WOW! There were so many beautiful entries in our last challenge, I had a very difficult time selecting a Top 3, but if you pop on over to Creative Card Crew, you will find out who absolutely blew me away!

This fortnight's challenge will not disappoint; we are looking for embossing (either wet or dry)!

We have some awesome sponsors again for this challenge (but don't we always?!)

Marianne Designs

Prize: Surprise - Dies and/or Acrylic Stamps

Image That!

Prize: 3 Digi's 

Here is my project

I have coloured this lovely Dandelion image with Copics and X-Press It cardstock, the rest of the products are Stampin'  Up! The cardstock and ribbon are one of the new permanent colours, Bermuda Bay. The embossing folder is one of my favourites; Square Lattice. The stamp set is Label Love, and the sentiment was punched out with Artisan Label punch.

I CASEd this card from a very talented friend of mine, Carolyn over at Stamp With Me, she made a beautiful baby card, go check it out!

Thanks so much for stopping by, I look forward to being inspired by your embossing techniques!

Creative Card Crew - Challenge #67: Christmas

Hi and welcome back to another challenge at Creative Card Cew

This fortnights challenge is Christmas! We personally don't celebrate Christmas in July, but I love the idea of it!

We have one sponsor for this challenge:

Whiff of Joy

 

Prize: 1 Rubber Stamp

 

Here is my project; a little Christmas favour gift box

 

 

I have used the super-cute Henry Hugging a Christmas Bauble, coloured with Copic markers and fussy-cut. The cardstock and DSP are both Stampin'  Up! (the DSP has since retired and I can't remember what it's called; naughty demo, aren't I?!), I have used Copics to colour some chipboard stars and clear crystals, and topped the stars with Dimensional Magic. I have finished off with some Christmas ribbon and a scalloped-edge border punch.

 

I am very excited for this challenge, besides the fact that I love Christmas, it is my turn to select this fortnights top 3! I look forward to popping around to each entry and seeing your Christmassy creations :)

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Dreams have wings

Todays card features a number of techniques I learned during a recent stamp camp with one of my favourite stamp designers; Rachel Greig, from Darkroom Door. It was an amazing weekend where I learned so many new skills!

For the background (on the rear panel) I have used Adirondack alcohol inks and colourless blender to create the "tie-dyed" effect on glossy card.

On the front panel I have used the same inks (except I added pink sherbert), but I have used Stampin'  Up! Whisper White cardstock, which is a matte card. I found it so interesting how different the same technique looked on two difference types of cardstock. Over this, I have used Distress Stain Picket Fence inked on to Darkroom Door French Script stamp, and then stamped haphazardly over the cardstock. I finished with a selection of butterflies and a sentiment from the Darkroom Door Wings stamped on with Versafine Onyx.

Both panels are matted on to black Bazzill card.

Thanks for stopping by! Make sure to pop back later this week, we have a new challenge over at Creative Card Crew, and I will also post pictures of the projects I made at Stamp Camp.

Creative Card Crew Challenge 66 - Sea/Beach

Hi and welcome back to another challenge over at Creative Card Crew! This fortnight our challenge is a Sea/Beach theme. Once again, we have two fab sponsors for the challenge

Dies R Us

Prize: $10 gift voucher

and

Aurora Wings 

Prize:$15 Gift Voucher

 

Here is my project for the challenge

 

 

All products used are my usual suspects :) Copics, X-Press It cardstock, Stampin' Up! cardstock, and Stampin'  Up! DSP (Afternoon Picnic, now retired unfortunately), and some alphas.

 

Thanks for stopping by! I can't wait to stop by and check out your Sea/Beach-inspired projects :)

ATC catch up

Here is a quick catch up of some ATCs that I have made recently for some swaps.

The theme for this one was Albert Einstein

 

The theme here was Marilyn Monroe

 

The theme here was Jamie Oliver

 

The theme here was Queen Elizabeth II. 21 4 refers to her actual birthday, and I was taught to never reveal a lady's age, so I omitted the year ;)

 

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you like them!

Creative Card Crew - Challenge #65: Masculine

Welcome back to another fortnight of crafty fun at Creative Card Crew! There were so many lovely fairy-inspired creations last fortnight, so I can't wait to see what you share with us for our masculine challenge :)

We are very lucky to have 2 sponsors this fortnight

1 July

Marianne Designs

Prize: Surprise! Die cuts and/or acrylic stamps

QKR Stampede 

Prize: 5 digi's

 

 

Here is my card, using the very adorable image infatuated

 

 

 

This little bunny was so much fun to colour, and I thought he lent himself perfectly to a baby card :)

 

I can't wait to see your manly makes! Have a great week!

Le Jardin

It's so refreshing participating in challenges :) Todays card uses one of my favourite stamps; Whimsy vintage seed packets

I have also used some of my favourite new Stampin'  Up! goodies; Smoky Slate and Bermuda Bay, and Afternoon Picnic DSP, finished off with some rhinestones.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenge

Simon Says Stamp - Simon Says Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by! :)

Creative Card Crew #64 - Fairy Day

Welcome back to another fab challenge at Creative Card Crew! On 24th June we will celebrate Fairy Day, so to honour that, we have decided to make this fortnights challenge all about FAIRIES! As a mum to 3 little girls, this was a super easy challenge for me, and I was spoiled for choice with my DT project :)

Once again, we have two sponsors for this challenge

Dies R Us are offering a $10 gift voucher

A day for daisies are offering a $12 gift card

 

 

 

I used the image Blessing a flower for my card, and here is my finished card

 

Papers used are Graphic 45 - Once upon a springtime

Image is coloured with Copics on X-Press It cardstock

Cardstock is Stampin'  Up! - Crisp Cantalope

 

Thanks so much for stopping by, I can't wait to see your creations!