Taking a Tumble

FIFTH AND FINAL POST TODAY. PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR OTHER POSTS.
Well, haven't I been a busy girl. Only 3 weeks to Christmas and I' sure I need to make more cards. We need a challenge blog to run a Christmas card challenge every month next year, starting in January and then we might not all be rushing to finish them in December. If you've finished yours, well done you. Friends wanted me to make some for them so I sold 90 cards which is why I am still making my own as I got theirs finished first. I think that makes a total of 138 I've made so far.

This morning was awful, pouring with rain, but thank goodness the sun came out this afternoon so I could get some decent photos of my cards. This fab image was sent to me by Christine in Canada. Christine is one of my first and most loyal followers and I couldn't wait to colour up this snowman. I added some glitter on the snow, various snowflakes and a charm. Papers are all DCWV except the spots which was a freebie.

Challenges
Moving along with the times Heidi's sketch and hidden message. I loved this sketch as it has so many papers. I rotated the sketch 90 degrees and the strips and embellies 180 degrees as it fitted with the image and hidden message better. My hidden message is here.

I love Promarkers Spots and stripes. I even found a striped snowflake charm.
A spoon full of sugar non traditional Christmas colours
Crafty Calendar Challenge Winter Sparkle
Simon Says So charming
Quixotic Be charming
By the cute and girly Let's go to the movies. I really wanted to use this image for this challenge and first thought of Downhill Racer, then The Accidental Tourist but neither seemed quite right. Then I got it - Pretty in Pink. Who knows it could be a snowlady rather than a snowman.

I'm off to catch up with some of you now and then write some cards so I can see how many more I need to make. Have a great weekend and happy crafting.

Marianne x

Little Angel

FOURTH POST TODAY
Isn't this little Whiff of Joy image sweet. I thought it was time for a blue card so here he is. I added some ribbon, a bow and buttons from stash and a couple of sparkly snowflakes.
Challenges are Sassy Designs Buttons and bows and La La Land Buttons.

Forever Friends

THIRD POST FOR TODAY
A really Christmassy feel to these colours of red, green and silver for the challenge at Crafty Catz. Papers are DCWV and Dovecraft. I added some glitter to his hat, some swirly corners cut from glitter card using a Sizzix die and some gems for a symmetrical look. The scalloped circle is another Nellie die.

Back to purple

SECOND POST FOR TODAY
When I saw the challenge at Colour Create included purple I thought that's a challenge for me. They also want aqua, black and white. Papers are DCWV and BG (again!). Sophie is a Digistamp boutique image and the little snowmen are some glitter rub ons I bought in America along with the glittery snowflakes. The aqua paper is cut using my new oval Nellie multi die.

Milly and snowman

I resisted colouring Milly from Pink Gems in purple or pink and went with the traditional colours of red green and gold for the challenge at Stampin' for the weekend and swirly girly at Cute Card Thursday. Papers are BG Eskimo Kisses. I'm surprised I've got any left as I seem to use them every day at the moment. I added some glitter to the snowman's hat and some red glitter holly leaves ad snowflakes. Some gold gems and snowflake confetti finish off this simple card.

I'm so excited

SECOND POST FOR TODAY
I'm so excited that I can hardly type the right letters. I checked today's challenges and not only have I been chosen as a guest designer with the lovely girls at Moving along with the times but I also won the challenge at The Sugar Bowl so 7, yes that's right 7 fabulous Sugar Nellie stamps will be coming my way, yippee.

I bought my this Whiff of Joy stamp a little while ago and this is only the third time I have used it. I absolutely love the image but am never totally satisfied with my colouring. This is my best effort so far so hopefully they will keep improving. There is such a lot of dress on this image and there are some gorgeous colourings out there in blogland. I'll just keep practicing. As it is such a large image I decided to cut her into an oval for a change.

This is the first time I have tried weaving my papers, which of course are BG Eskimo Kisses again. I decided to keep the embellies to a few snowflakes to show off the image and papers. Weaving is the challenge at Stamptacular Sunday. I like the effect so I think I'll try that again.

Little angel

It's that little angel Henry from Whiff of Joy looking like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth on this Christmas card. Papers are all DCWV, swirl and holly are cut using glitter card and a Sizzix die. The lovely sketch is from Papertake and the challenge of angels and fairies is at Crafty Catz.

Bridget says get well soon

Say hello to Bridget, a very cute bear from Pollycraft. I just loved the Friday freebie a couple of weeks ago so much that I had to buy some of these bears. My oldest and dearest friend has had a nervous breakdown. I went to see her this afternoon and thankfully she is starting to get better. She is a big fan of my cards and my best customer so I took this card along with some flowers. I followed the sketch at One Stop Craft. The card is also for the Whimsy challenge who want one colour cards.

I'm doing much better this week for some reason in getting my cards done in good time and not leaving the challenges to the last minute.

Teddy bringing pressies

SECOND POST FOR TODAY
I've gone for the traditional red and green with this one and really like it with this sweet teddy bear from Lili of the Valley. His fur is covered with glitter flocking. I used my Nellie die cut again. Papers are Papermania and Dovecraft. I added some foam ribbon, Hero Arts poinsettias and some more of those sparkly snowflakes.
Challenges
Creative Inspirations Sketch
Kraftin Kimmie Touchy feely
Cupcake Red and Green
Incy Wincy Red and Green
Stamp with fun Christmas
The Pink Elephant Color me wonderful (use your favourite colouring medium)

Purple Snowflake

I love this Sugar Nellie image called Snowflake but this is only her second outing. Doesn't she look good in purple. I cut her out with my new Nellie multi die and even remembered to ink the edges before I stuck her on the card. I decided to go with no glitter but just used my Sakura stardust pen along with my beloved Promarkers of course. Just for a change I added some buttons to the sparkly snowflakes and some lovely purple gems.
Challenges
Magical Crafts Sketch
Allsorts
Crafty Cardmakers Alternative Christmas (any colour but red/green/gold)

Keeping warm

SECOND POST TODAY.
I tend to stick with one or two main colours on a card but taking my inspiration from the colours in these BG Eskimo Kisses papers I decided to go with a more colourful card. The image is Whiff of Joy coloured with Promarkers. I added some glitter, a couple of poinsettias and a sparkly snowflake.
Challenges
Basic Grey Sketch
Whiff of Joy Christmas

Reflection

The weather was awful this morning, dark and pouring with rain. We had planned a day indoors today anyway and I managed to get another four Christmas cards made and hope to make some more later when we've wrapped the Christmas pressies. I felt so far behind this year but am now catching up. Hope you are too.

This image from Elzybells always makes me smile. I added some Shimmerz to the bauble and thought the branches looked a bit bare when I remembered some bauble stickers I had from my pre-stamping cardmaking. This card is for the challenge of Christmas at Charisma and Christmas trees at Secret Crafter.

Puppy Love and another award

THIS IS MY THIRD POST TODAY. PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR OTHER POSTS.
I managed to get three cards made last night whilst hubby read the paper and watched TV. I love this image from Lili of the Valley. I used the lovely sketch from Moving along with the Times , who also have theme of animals, and the colour scheme of brown and blue for the challenge at A Spoon full of sugar. This image has a lovely old fashioned feel about it and the papers are from K & Co. I inked the edges of the image, the papers and the flowers for a vintage look forPassion for Promarkers. Puppy love is the challenge at Die Cut Dreams.

I received another lovely award from Kazabing. Thanks Kaz.

These are the blog award "rules."

1. Copy the award to your site
2. Link to the person from whom you received the award
3. Identify seven things about myself.
4. Nominate 7 other bloggers
5. Link to those on your blog
6. Leave a message on the blogs you nominated.


1. I have been a bookworm ever since I could read. As soon as I finish a book I have to know that I have another to start.
2. I am a big fan of Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore, Tigger, Piglet and friends in the 100 Acre Wood.
3. I love holidays in America. I have been to Florida 7 times, New England 3 times and New York once. I would love to explore more of both the USA and Canada.
4. I love to snuggle up next to hubby on the sofa on a Saturday night and watch a movie on our home cinema system. So much cosier than a cinema.
5. I hate the taste of tea.
6. I once booked a 10 day holiday in Austria and entered a competition as part of the booking and won back the cost of one week.
7. My favourite current TV programme is Spooks.

I would like to give this award to (in no particular order)

Lynsey
Christine
Lisa
Jo
Thread-bare
Jacqui
Debby

I hope to see this award on all your blogs and learn 7 things about you.

A Birthday Card for a change

SECOND POST FOR TODAY
I have an order for 3 Birthday cards and managed to make one of them last night and here it is. The beautiful image is from a set by Inkadinkadoo (I think)which I bought in America. Coloured with PMs and added some glitter and gems. I used the sketch from Sketch Saturday. In order to fit it on a tall card I rotated the image but left the rest of the sketch as it was. Other challenges are a recipe of 3 patterned papers, 2 coloured card and 1 type of embellie at La la Land and 3 patterned papers and a stamp at Polka Doodle. Hopefully you can just see the third paper behind the sentiment. Tall cards are a challenge in themselves sometimes but I really like them for a change and this image wouldn't fir in a square card.

Smart snowman

A simple card made using one of The Snowman stamps. Doesn't he look smart with his tie and braces. I added some glitter to his tie , some more of that lovely glittery zigzag and some snowflakes.
Challenges
ABC I is for Indigo Blue
Just Christmas and Birthday Cards Sketch

Penny Black mice

These poor little mice have been sadly neglected this year as I have had so many new Christmas stamps to use. Last night I decided they really deserved to come out so here they are. I made the lantern and mouse with a scarf 3D and added loads of faux snow. I even remembered to ink the edges of the card and paper this time which I cut using Peony Nestie. Papers are my fave BG and DCWV.
Challenges
Penny Black Winter Wonderland. Check out their blog hop.
Whimsy Christmas
Papertake Christmas Crackers (crackers as in fave, well these papers and snowflakes are my faves)

Purple Sugar Bowl

SECOND POST FOR TODAY. I don't know why I nearly always seem to post in two's.

I know, I know it's purple again but I decided to combine it with pink, definitely my fave 2 colours for Christmas cards this year, especially with these gorgeous papers from DCWV and BG. The sketch at the Sugar Bowl this week seemed much easier than normal. Perhaps I'm getting better at this or more likely it was a simpler sketch than some of theirs. Whatever it is a lovely sketch as always and I absolutely love this card. The card also had to include zigzags and as I had this gorgeous sparkly zigzag strip it was the inspiration for my colour scheme. I decide to cut out the image for a change and mounted her on a stamped star, which also gives a zigzag effect. Her fur sparkles beautifully and a few pink sequinned snowflakes just finish off the design.

I hope you're all getting on well with your Christmas cards. I still have 4 to make for orders plus some more for myself so won't have a lot of time for blogging this week. It's one month to go but let's not panic.

We wish you a Merry Christmas

Come on now sing along, you know you want to. I was really pleased to get 4 more Christmas cards made last night. This was a Friday freebie a few weeks ago at Pollycraft. Quite a simple card this one as it is for a lady who doesn't like things too fussy and as she goes to church each week I thought a carol singer was appropriate. Papers are DCWV. Challenges are Christmas at Pollycraft and Red Christmas at Cute Daisy May. It's only Tuesday and I'm posting for Monday challenges rather than at the last minute, hooray!

A Pink Gem Bear

Another rubbish photo I'm afraid for the challenge at A Spoon Full of Sugar who want a card for a pre-schooler. I used my Nellies die to cut the scalloped shape and then placed it inside a Nestie die cut circle as the pattern shows up better on the plain paper. I decided to cut the bear out this time and mount him on the circles. Lots of glitter on his fur and a couple of gold snowflakes and pink flowers. A perfect card for a little girl (or a big girl, if you love bears like I do).

I was so pleased today to find that I had made the Top 3 at Die Cut Dreams. Thanks girls.

I received this lovely award again but this time from thread-bare so I would like to give it to the girls at Die Cut Dreams. You are supposed to answer 35 questions but I'm afraid I just don't have time tonight, I'm too tired, sorry.

Digital Tuesday on a Monday

Sorry for the rubbish photo but it was dark when I finished this today. A very quick post with this late entry for Digital Tuesday who have a challenge of purple, white and gold or silver. Well I couldn't resist a purple challenge could I. It's that cute Pollycraft bear and robin again, glittered everywhere so they nicely fit the challenge of sparkle using a digi image at Bee Crafty.

Angel Henry

SECOND POST FOR TODAY.
I managed to get 3 A5 cards made whilst hubby went Christmas shopping. Hope he got me some good pressies. I did point out w few things I liked and some crafting items I really need, lol!

Another order for a friend's Mum. She didn't mind what image I used so I hope she likes this little fella from Whiff of Joy. I used my MS star border punch and added die cut snowflakes, snowflake brad, poinsettias and ferns made with an MS punch.

Challenges
Willow Sketchie Sketch
Paperplay Read all about it (use text)
One Stop Craft Snowflakes
Quixotic Kraft and red

Back to purple

When I saw the challenge over at Incy Wincy was purple I just had to enter. You will have seen a similar card to this a few weeks ago s I made one as a sample for friends who wanted A5 cards. 3 people wanted the card and they all wanted purple so here's number 2, still have number 3 to make. The sketch is from Lili of the Valley. The challenge at Kraftin Kimmee is Merry Christmas. Well that's an easy challenge at the moment isn't it!

The stamp is Whiff of Joy and although not a Christmas stamp looks so great with these assorted papers and snowflakes.

Santa

SECOND POST FOR TODAY.

As regular visitors will know I love purple and pink cards. However I really love this Christmas card in more traditional colours. This card came together so easily unlike the last one. The image is Sugar Nellie coloured with PMs and cut out with Nesties Labels 4. I inked the edges and added glitter flocking to his fur. Papers are Dovecraft. I covered the plain white snowflake with gold glitter and added flowers and snowflakes for more glitter, glitz and texture.

Challenges
Sketch Saturday Sketch
Creatalicious Christmas, snowflakes and lots of sparkle/glitter
Winter Wonderland St Nicholas
Die Cut Dreams Santa
Cute Daisy May Touchy Touchy
Creative Inspirations Sparkle
Colour Create Red, green and white with the option of Christmas

Bronson and Beaker

Finally got round to using last week's fab Friday freebie from Paula at Pollycraft. If you didn't manage to get this image last week you can buy him for just 99p. I used the sketch from Moving along with the times and really struggled at first. Not that the sketch was difficult but it was all squares and I couldn't get my card to flow. As soon as I decided to swap the 2 small squares on the right for a swirl and a star the card came together. I added some glitter to his glove and bobbles on his hat and shoe and some faux snow. Boy is that stuff messy. Papers are DCWV and Basic Grey

Other challenges are:
Dare you to digi stamp Glitter
Simon Says Animal Antics
Cupcake Digi Images
Basic Grey Glitz and Bing

Another snowman

We both had the day off work today and went to some outlet shops about 90 miles away. Aren't I lucky that my hubby likes shopping! There is a Paper Mill shop there which is just as well as I was almost out of white card for stamping. I bought some lovely new boots and a jumper, guess what colour, yes purple!! Also did a bit of Christmas shopping and had lunch.

Just time to post this card I made yesterday. This is the second outing for this adorable Sugar Nellie stamp. I stamped some silver snowflakes around the snowman too.
Challenges
Paperplay 3 buttons, 1 ribbon, 2 patterned papers
Friday Sketchers Sketch
Secret Crafter 4 seasons
By the cute and girly Winter Wonderland
Crafty Calendar Weather

Thank You

Second post for today. I just had to take time out from making Christmas cards to enter the Sugar Bowl challenge this week. They always have such fab sketches and this one is no exception. I decided it was time for a purple card again and some sparkle. I added some Shimmerz to one of the Primas and a couple of the coloured flowers. The lovely sparkly paper is from Dunelm Mill. The backing paper is a gorgeous K & Co from a friend . Unfortunately I then covered most of it with other papers, which are all odd bits from my scrap. I finished the Primas off with a lovely pearl brad.

We're walking in the air

Now you've got that song on your mind as well as me. A friend at work won some Snowman goodies and as she can't get on with stamping she gave me the stamp set, how lucky is that. I've always loved The Snowman story and couldn't wait to use the stamps. The only trouble with them is that they are not just outlines but partly filled in so colouring was trickier than usual. I cut out the image and mounted it onto a square cut with my new Nellies die cut which I then out through a Cuttlebug snowflakes embossing folder. I cut another square from light blue card and used that as an outline to the other square.

Challenges
Inspirational Card Sketeches Sketch
A Spoon Full of Sugar Create a scene
Allsorts For a child

Winter Wonderland

SECOND POST FOR TODAY
Better late than never for the Winter Wonderland challenge of a sketch and/or a pantomime. I decided to go with both. Can you guess the pantomime? Of course it is Robin Hood, lol!! Well alright it is a hat not a hood but that's artistic licence. The robin is part of an image from Pollycraft. The hat is a foam one from a pack I bought in America. Papers are DCWV, one of my favourite packs this years.

I'm really happy with the pink die, one of my new Nellies which came yesterday from cutting edge crafts. Although you only get 3 in a set they are so reasonably priced at £6.75. I bought the circles and squares and was so pleased that the circles fit with the Nesties.

Stamp with fun

I hope the weather is better where you are than it is here. It is 4.15 pm and as black as night and pouring with rain. It has been like that most of the day so a perfect excuse to craft once the work was done. Thank goodness for the conservatory where it was at least a bit lighter so I could take the photo. This is for the sketch challenge at Stamp with fun. Forever friends image coloured with PMs and glittered. Paper is BG Eskimo Kisses. The stickers were some I had in my stash from last year and I thought they went perfectly with the colours.

Ho Ho Ho

Sorry I haven't been to visit many of you this week. Like a lot of you I am so busy making Christmas cards I haven't had much time for blogging. Some of my friends wanted to buy some so I need to keep up production. I am only just managing to fit in some challenges with a few of them.

This digi image was a Friday freebie from Pollycraft a couple of weeks ago. Most sketches don't fit tall cards but the one at Passion for Promarkers was perfect. He was too big for a nestie so I cut an oval using my X cut shape cutter, inked the edge and doodled some silver stars for the challenge at Creative Card Crew. His beard and fur are covered with glitter flocking and I added some of the lovely messy faux snow at the bottom of the image. The sentiment is a stamp from my blog candy win which I coloured with PMs of course. The paper is DCWV, the swirl is Sizzix and I added some baubles to finish it off. The other problem with tall cards is that they look quite small on my blog so click on the image for a better view.

Other challenges are
Charisma Merry and Bright
Cute Card Thursday Glitter me Silly
Papertake Digi Sparkle
Digital Tuesday Holiday Wishes
One Stop Craft Cards for Kids

Thanks for stopping by. Will pop by your blog as soon as I can. I was given 2 awards this week, thanks Trimgym and Jo. I'd like to pass these on to all my lovely followers and all those who comment on my cards but don't follow. I really appreciate your comments.