DT call

As the current challenge of Thank You at Winter Wonderland continues for a further week I don't have a DT card to share with you today. However I have exciting news as we are looking to increase our Design Team. If you would like to come and join our fun loving, easy going team then hop over and read the post. There are no special requirements and no card to make to apply. If you want to get ahead with your Christmas cards in 2011 rather than rushing at the last minute to get them all made the this could be the DT for you.

Don't forget that our challenges are non Christmas until mid February, though you can choose to make a Christmas card if it fits the theme.

Thank You

Happy Christmas Eve everyone. Our last challenge for 2010 at Winter Wonderland is Thank You and the DT would like to thank all those of you who have joined in our challenges this year. We have had such fun bringing you weekly challenges and helping you to get more organised for Christmas. Our last challenge which will run for two weeks is therefore Thank You. I have used one of the lovely squares from LOTV and some gorgeous Prima papers and flowers with die cut swirls.

Although there won't be a challenge at WW next Friday please check out the challenge blog as there will be an exciting post at 9am on 31 December.

I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a healthy, happy and peaceful New Year . Hope Santa brings you some crafting goodies.

Two for Tuesday

I had time this afternoon to make a couple of cards for no particular reason. That makes a change form making Christmas cads and cards for upcoming Birthdays. The first card was made using the papers from Papermania aqua capsule collection and Miss Evie Heartwarmer from Squiggle Stamps. I went for a really big flower and petals for a change with a gorgeous spacer and brad. Sentiment is from LOTV mounted on a Nestie cute circle. I am entering this into the challenge at Squiggle and Paper Sundaes Cut it out

The second card is very different. The sweet fairy is LOTV. The background paper is from a new pad of Prima papers Fairy Flora mixed with lovely sparkly Papermania Henbury Lane. I used the MS fab punch on the bottom paper. Lots of sparkle on this one from the glitter on the image to the organza ribbon. Flowers are from Wild Orchid.

Challenges:

Quixotic Thank you
Cupcake Thank you
Creative Craft Anything Goes
Die Cut Dreams Girly

Two Birthday cards

I have a couple of Birthday cards to share with you today. The first is an image from a friend and I don;t know the make, sorry. I went for a really girly card with this one. The papers are Doodlebug and Papermania. The lovely punched paper with flowery ribbon is almost hidden behind the Prima flowers. How often does that happen, lol! I went for a real variety of shapes of flowers for a change with added gems and punched MS fern leaves. Sentiment is from LOTV. I usedthe fab sketch at Crafty Calendar and would also like to enter the girly challenge at Die Cut Dreams.
The second card was a Birthday card for my WW teamie Kate. I love making these scalloped circle easel cards. The gorgeous girl is a Little Claire image, flowers are Prima. I am entering this into the shape it challenge at Incy Wincy.

Birthday card for a dear friend

I have a friend whose Birthday is on 27th December. She is mad about horses and also loves flowers. This Pink Gem is just perfect for her. Papers are K&Co Roam with a scrap from Papermania. The flowered ribbon is also Papermania. I added flowers from Wild Orchid and punched leaves. By the time I added the flowers I realised you can hardly see one of the papers. Sentiment is from Craftwork Cards.
Challenges:
A Gem of a Challenge Fab sketch. I just moved the ribbon.
Secret Crafter In the Farmyard
Totally Gorjuss For Someone Special
Sweet Stampin' Celebrations

I have won 5 digi images and a set of 10 Promarkers and a fine liner at The Crafty Pad, thanks girls.

GDT card for CES

The lovely Emma at CES asked all her guest designers if they would like to return for her challenge today of Anything Goes. Of course I said yes and here is my card using James from Lili of the Valley. I added lots of silver glitter to the tinsel. The papers were free with November's Making Cards. I used the MS snowflake PATP punches. The circle was cut with a Nestie and embossed with Swiss Dots. The card was cream and looked too pale behind the image so I used a red ink pad on it. Flowers are Wild Orchid Cherry Blossom and roses with some red flowers I bought locally. I found the gold holly leaves from Papercellar in my stash.

I would like to enter this card into the challenge of Christmas at 2 Sisters.

DT creations

Danielle is hosting the challenge this week at Winter Wonderland and she wanted the DT to Wrap it up so we want to see some sort of gift wrapping. This is the last of my gift boxes to share with you. I used the sweet Sugar Nellie image with lots of glitter. I punched the corners with an MS snowflake punch and then used the punched out snowflakes along with some glittery punched snowflakes, lace and card candy.
I woulk like to enter this into the challenges at:
The Sugar Bowl Another fab sketch
Craft Yor Days Away Punch it Out
Elephantastic Wish upon a star or Christmas/Winter
Paperplay Anything but a card
Fussy and Fancy Snow

At Stampin’ for the Weekend we have a nice easy challenge of Christmas so let's see those last minute Christmas cards, tags or maybe a scrapbook page. I just love making tri shutter cards and they are a great way of using up scraps of paper. The cute hedgies are Penny Black of course. The little hedgies with bells were one image, which I cut into 3 and inked the edges for more definition. Some MS punched snowflakes and card candy finish off the card. We are lucky to be sponsored by Crafts and Me and there is also a special prize of a 6 month DT spot. So if you fancy joining the girls at SFTW for 6 months then come and play along. am entering this into the challenge of Beauty is in the eye of the beholder at Penny Black at Allsorts and your choice, I chose 60 Christmas, at Crafty Catz.

Another Christmas Card and my first ever card

This was the card I made for my friend Lynsey which I gave her yesterday so I can now share it with you. The image is Sugar Nellie and the papers are some of my favourites this year from Papermania. The spots are lovely and sparkly. I have almost used this pack so I was pleased to buy another bigger pack yesterday which was half price. The MS snowflake border punch has been out again. I used some of my favourite raffia lace and some gorgeous ribbon from Papermania. Flowers are Prima with Wild Orchid roses and punched ivy leaves. I added glitter to the fur and then sprayed the image, which was coloured with Promarkers, with Crafter's Companion Spray and Sparkle. Well Lynsey does lover her glitter and sparkle too.
Challenges
Friday Sketchers Fab sketch
Pear Tree Designs Christmas card
Passion for Promarkers Anything Goes
Crafty Sentiments Anything Goes

At Crafty Cardmakers they have a really fun challenge of First and Latest or Greatest. The DT have been very brave in sharing their first creations and here's mine.

It was an anniversary card for my Hubby and he thought it was wonderful that I had made his card. I'm so glad we kept it as it is so interesting to see how I have progressed. As a first attempt, having no idea what I was doing, it is better than some I then went on to make with the dreaded peel offs. Thank goodness I discovered stamping and blogging. I hope you join in as it is so much fun to see our first efforts.

Lucky me, I won Paperplay's challenge and will be receiving a gift voucher for Simon Says.

More gift boxes

I've had a lovely day out today. Visited my Mum and her hubby and then met up with my friends Lynsey and Lisa for an Italian lunch. We exchanged cards and pressies so I can now share two of their gift boxes with you. I've really had fun making these this year.

The first one is an LOTV image and I used the fab sketch at Lili of the Valley. I made the box using the Top Score again and some sheets of Christmas card I bought at the NEC. Papers are DCWV Rose Tinted Christmas. The borders were cut with an MS simple scallop punch. I added lots of glitter to the fur and die cut some snowflakes using Marianne dies and glitter card.

I am also entering this into the challenges of:
Bunny Zoe Sparkle and Shine
By the Cute and Girly Children
Cupcake Non traditional Christmas
Incy Wincy Non traditional Christmas
Everybody Art Self made present
Crafty Creations Photo inspiration


This one was made using a Pollycraft digi image and BG Eskimo Kisses papers with Papermania glitter strips. I am entering this into the digi challenge at Stamp Something and Sparkling Christmas at Digital Tuesday.

I visited two craft shops today and picked up some half price Christmas goodies, lots of papers so that's me off to a good start for making next year's Christmas cards.

Christmas gifts

THIS IS MY SECOND POST TODAY. SCROLL DOWN FOR MY FIRST TUTORIAL LINK.
I have 2 creations to share with you, both with Pollycraft images. I was so pleased to find I had been chosen as a Pollycraft favourite with my hubby's Christmas card. I have made a few gift boxes this Christmas using my Crafter's Companion Top Score. This is the first one I can share with you as it is for my Mum and she doesn't have a computer. The challenge at Pollycraft is White Christmas (only colour can be the image) or a Winter scene. I scored the top of the box with the Top Score. The circles were cut with Nesties and the top one embossed with a Cuttlebug bubbles folder. The Marianne die cut snowflakes were covered with glossy accents and diamond dust. What a messy job that was. I finished off with lots of glitter on the image, which was coloured with Promarkers, MS punched snowflakes and pearls.

Other challenges:

Charisma Christmas gift
The Crafty Pad Embossing
One Stop Craft Sassy Christmas
Totally Gorjuss Snow
Stamptacular Winter Wishes

The A5 card is for my Mum to give to her husband. Every time I see this image it makes me smile. Papers are DCWV from last year. The present is an Anita's topper. The sparkly strips are Papermania and I added some Sizzix cut holly leaves, card candy and ticket sentiments.
Challenges:
Allsorts Last minute Christmas
Tuesday Taggers The stockings were hung
Truly Scrumptious Fab sketch

I know how busy everyone is at this time of year so I really appreciate your taking the time to visit and leave me such lovely comments. Welcome too to my two new followers.

Howzat

I've written my first ever tutorial which you can see here at Crafter’s Companion Inspirations blog. It's a simple idea for embellishing a male card, always a challenge. I used papers and stamp from the SWALK 2 range. I hope you have time to hop over and check out the tutorial for the cricket stumps.

Just a tag

There's been a big improvement in the weather here this weekend. We even managed to get out and do the final tidying in the garden this morning. Brr it was cold and very damp but it had to be done Much nicer indoors crafting. I'm down to the last few things to make now for Christmas. Just a couple of cards, a box and some tags and it is all done so I thought I would share this sweet little tag I have just made for one of my Mum's presents. The image is LOTV and I used a Nellie die, added some scraps of paper, all cut with the MS simple scallop border punch and some Papermania glitter strips to match her glittered wings. I hope you are all well underway with your Christmas preparations. I am entering this into the open challenge at Flutterby Wednesday Tags at Crafty Cardmakers, holiday tag at Paperplay and Seasons Greetings at Keep it Simple .

Two more notebooks

I've got 2 more notebooks to share with you today, both with LOTV images. I love making these and they are such great little pressies. The fairy is one of the LOTV squares as the stamps won't be released til the New Year. Can't wait to get these as they are so cute. I sprayed the image with Crafter's Companion spray and sparkle.

Flowers are Prima, the purple ones were white coloured with Promarkers.
Challenges
CES Anything but a Christmas card
Cute Card Thursday Floral frenzy
Just Cute Bears Anything but a card
Crafty Creations A beary project

Christmas Baubles DT card

This week at Winter Wonderland It's Janet's turn to set the theme and she has chosen Christmas baubles. A nice easy challenge so hope to see lots of entries. You certainly enjoyed the penguin and polar bear challenge last week as there were some beautiful entries. I've chosen to use this Little Claire image. It was just the right size for one of my rectangular scalloped nesties, a set I don't use very often as so many images are more square.

Coloured with Promarkers, with a little Sakuar clearstar for sparkle. I doodled round the image as well as adding spots with my Field of Sky stamp. The poinsettias were cut with a Marianne die with Sizzix cut leaves.
I would also like to enter this into the following challenges:
The Shabby Tea Rooms 'Tis the Season
Passion for Promarkers Anything Goes
I love Promarkers A Christmas carol/song (The most wonderful time of the year)
Tuesday Taggers Deck the Halls
Creative Card Crew Anything Goes
Sarah Hurley Christmas Decor

Hubby's Christmas card

The Christmas concert yesterday was fantastic so I'm really in the holiday mood now. Apart from a couple of special Christmas cards they are all made, written and most are posted. I seem to have been so busy the last couple of days but I did manage to get Hubby's card made and here it is.

I love the Cherry Kisses range from Pollycraft and as soon as I saw the new Jerry Kisses images I had to buy them, along with a few other new digis of course. Paula now has some Christmas images reduced to 49p so how could I resist some of those too. My friend Lynsey has set the challenge at Pollycraft this week and it is a colour challenge of blue, pink and brown. I wasn't sure that I could use pink on this card but once I had chosen the backing paper which is a pinky brown from DCWV the colours fell into place. I used Dusky Rose and Antique Pink Promarkers on his hat and the snowman's scarf. I didn't think Hubby would appreciate fuchsia or cerise! I'm hoping he likes all the glitter as well. After all, he is used to finding it everywhere, lol! I made the snowflakes using Marianne dies and MS punch and added card candy, a technique I admired on Lynsey's Winter Wonderland penguin card. The sentiment is also from Pollycraft.

I am also entering this card into the following challenges:
Delicious Doodles Digi
Craft your days away Texture
Passion for Promarkers Anything goes
A Spoon full of sugar Christmas card
Simon Says Christmas, no red or green
Cards for men Christmas card
Pear Tree Designs Winter Wonderland
Digital Tuesday Baby, it's cold outside
Papertake Christmas, red and green must not be seen
Moving along with the times Lots of spots

I also found out today that

Travel challenge

This is my second post for today. Now this card was a real challenge. I was asked to make a Birthday card for a girl who doesn't like girly images but who loves to travel especially to America. I always have to make something a bit different for her and her sister asked for a card with travel and Mickey Mouse as she loves Florida and Disney theme parks. I decided to make a trishutter card and use various scrapbooking bits I had picked up in America and match some papers to them. Although not my usual sort of card I was pleased with the result. I managed to include Mickey Mouse, suitcase, dollar bills, plane, tickets, map and compass.
Challenges:
Sir Stampalot Travel the world
Fab 'n' Funky Birthday

I'm off to the famous Christmas concert at Thursford tomorrow afternoon so really looking forward to that. It is such a popular event that people travel from all over the country to come to Norfolk and booking opens in January! We are so lucky here to have no snow though it is still bitterly cold. I hope you are all are keeping safe and warm as I know you have really bad snow in some areas of the UK.

Baby boy's 1st Christmas

Following on from the baby girl's 1st Birthday I used the sketch at A Gem of a Challenge again for a boy's 1st Christmas card. This Pink Gem image is so sweet. I am also entering this into the challenges of Blue Christmas at Stamptacular, the blues at Cute Card Thursday and Christmas card at Cards for men where they also have a blog hop.

Notebooks

SECOND POST FOR TODAY.
I made covers for some little notebooks. I really enjoy making these as it is like making mini cards and great for using scrap papers. The flower is from a set I bought in the US, Inkadinkadoo I think, and the owls are Little Clare. Flowers are Prima with pearls and brads. I used the MS doily punch and he swirls were made from a Sizzix corner die. Tiny punched leaves made with a Papermania punch.
Challenges
Creative Card Crew Not another card
Fussy and Fancy Anything but a card
Paper Sundaes Gift it

Baby's First Christmas

A busy day today as I am hoping to get my Christmas cards written and pressies wrapped. I used the lovely sketch at A Gem of a Challenge for this cute Pink Gem stamp. I added lots of glitter on the fur and used pink glitter card for the snowflakes. A strip of pretty pink lace adds some texture.
I am also entering this into the following challenges
Dutch Dare Christmas
Paperplay Monochrome
By the Cute and Girly Children
Moving along with the times For someone special
Secret Crafter Christmas
Let's Ink it up Christmas plus sparkle/bling

Recipe challenges

THIS IS MY SECOND DT POST TODAY. PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR MY WINTER WONDERLAND PENGUINS.
When Pocket full of Posies closed I was delighted that Jan and Sandie who also run the very successful Stampin’ for the Weekend askd me to join the DT there and this is my first DT card for them. They have split the teams into A and B and this fortnight it is the turn of Team A to make something for the recipe challenge of 2 circles, 2 squares, buttons and bling. I used a LOTV image and 2 Nestie dies for the 2 circles. The 2 squares are the scrummy BG Euphoria paper, the inner square was punched with MS PATP punches. I added some lovely spotted flowers from Craftwork Cards with buttons. The bling are the 4 pearls in the corner plus the image was sprayed with Crafter's Companion spray and sparkle. We are sponsored by Simon Says so hope to see you playing along.

I am also entering this into the recipe at Incy Wincy of 3flowers, 2 papers, 1 image and a few of my favourite things at Lili of the Valley. Everything on this card fits the challenge, but particularly LOTV stamps, teddies, purple and MS punches.

Penguin love

It's my turn to host the challenge this week at Winter Wonderland and I have chosen the theme of penguins and polar bears. You can use either or both if you like. I chose this fab digi image from Pollycraft. After I coloured the image I realised that I had colourd the female's hat pink and the male's hat blue. Talk about stereotyping! The sentiment is also from Pollycraft. I added lots of glitter for the snow and some snowflakes made using glitter card, Marianne die and MS punch with added pearls. The pengion paper was a scrap I found and punched with an MS border punch with pink organza ribbon. We have 2 fab prizes on offer this week so if you are still making Christmas cards do hop over and join in the fun.

Snow White

Just realised what an appropriately named image I used given the weather here in the UK. Mind you I hope you are more warmly dressed than this girlie from Kraftin' Kimmie called Snow White. I bought her at the NEC and am using her for the first time. I just love images with flowing dresses but they are challenging to colour. I really admire some colouring in blogland especially when there is a little white left on the dress. I usually try it and it doesn't work but it seems to have worked today. I think this is my best effort yet but I'll keep practicing. The papers are Papercellar Victorian Burgundy. I used anew MS border punch and various Prima flowers and pearls. Swirls are a Marianne die and the tiny leaves were made with one of the new Papermania punches. I rotated the sketch at Sketch Saturday and am also entering this into the challenge at Kraftin' Kimmee of seein' spots. (I added spots around the image with a Field of Sky stamp, there are spots in the border punch and swirl and the diamonds in the backing paper are made up of spots and dashes rather than solid lines.)

Butterfly easel

This is my second post for today. Well the lunchtime Christmas Bazaar was interesting and a good practice for my stand and signs for the craft fair on Saturday. I sold 4 cards and 3 gift boxes which wasn't a lot but people were very complimentary and it was good to see what caught people's eye. As I had only made 9 gift boxes I had better get some more made before Saturday.
I made a couple of these scalloped easel cards with Henbury Lane butterflies. Fairly simple but effective don't you think. The paper is an old Papermania one and the small butterflies were made with a new MS punch. I would like to enter this into the challenge of monochrome at Allsorts and open challenge at Flutter By Wednesday

Popcorn Christmas

There's another fab sketch this month at Crafter’s Companion with the theme of Christmas. You can use the sketch and the theme or both as I have done. It's my second DT card and I opted for a Christmas card using this lovely Popcorn image with his presents piled high. He is a large image so perfect for an A5 card and so much fun to colour. I wanted to make a card suitable for male or female so added stars and used red, blue and green. Papers are Papermania Winter's Tale and a freebie from this month's Making Cards. Stars were cut with a Cuttlebug die. I cut red and blue sets and mixed them up and added some card candy. I hope you'll be joining us this month as you could win a whopping £50 voucher to spend at Crafter's Companion. What a fantastic prize. You don't have to use a Crafter's Companion image but we would love it if you do.