Christmas Bells

Marlene is the host for this weeks Winter Wonderland challenge and she has chosen 'Show us your Gold or Silver' and 'An Embossed Background' as the themes.

This week we are sponsored by Crafts and Me who are giving an £8.00 voucher, A Day for Daisies who are giving $12.00 to spend in their store and Crafter's Companion who are giving a £10.00 voucher to spend in their store.

I have chosen both themes for my card and have used 'Christmas Bells' digi from A Day for Daisies. I am entering Christmas Card Challenges 'Anything Goes', The Craft Barn Two Weekly Challenge 'Clean and Simple' and Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra where 'Anything Goes as Long as it's Christmas'.

Card blank: 7" x 5" white silk
Stamp: A Day for Daisies 'Christmas Bells' digi
Embossing: Creative Expressions 'Sparkle Squares'
Colouring: Promarkers, Sakura Gelly Roll 'Clear Star'
Card: Silver mirri, white silk
Other: Wink of Stella

I embossed white card, trimmed it to size, layered it onto silver mirri and attached it to the card front. I resized the Christmas Bells digi and printed it onto white card, this was trimmed and layered onto silver mirri.  I coloured the bells and bow with Promarkers and added a Wink of Stella, before attaching the panel to the centre of the card.  To finish I added a dot of Clear Star to the bell clangers.

Kath x

Baby Boy

My nephew and his wife are expecting a baby boy on my birthday and this is the card card I've made for them.  I'm entering Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge 'Anything Goes', A Gem of a Challenge 'Animals', ABC Challenges 'L is for Lots of Layers' and Little Claire Designs 'Anything Goes.

Card blank: 7" x 5" white silk
Image: Lili of the Valley 'Babies' Art Pad
Punch: Woodware square corner
Card: Brown matt
Paper: Lili of the Valley ' Bear Necessities'
Other: Wink of Stella, white ribbon

I trimmed blue spot paper, layered it onto brown card and attached it to the card front.  I trimmed the pre-coloured image slightly and punched the corners before attaching it to brown card.  This was then attached to the centre of the card.  To finish I highlighted the clouds with a Wink of Stella to make them sparkle and added a small bow.

Kath x

July Rudolph Day

It's time for Rudolph Day again!  I have used a LOTV pre-coloured image for this super quick card and I am also entering Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge 'Anything Goes', Crafting with Dragonflies 'Anything Goes', Christmas Card Challenges 'Anything Goes' and Sparkles Monthly Challenge 'Christmas in July'.  I'm also heading over to the playground at Pixie's Crafty Workshop.

Card blank: 7" x 5" white silk
Image: Lili of the Valley 'Festive Foliage' Art Pad
Punch: Woodware square corner
Other: Wink of Stella
Snippets; Lili of the Valley 'Classic Christmas' paper, white silk card

I trimmed a snippet of holly paper and attached it to the card front.  The pre-coloured topper was trimmed and the corners punched.  As I wanted some dimension without the depth of foam tape, I attached snippets of white card to the rear of the image before attaching it to the centre of the card blank.  To finish I highlighted the ornaments and foliage with a Wink of Stella.

Kath x

A lovely lunch with blogging friends

As many of you know, Darnell is on her England Tour.  On Friday Pat and Tony collected Darnell from her hotel and then met me at Taunton Station.  We all headed to the the Fox and Goose for lunch where we met Anne and Tony (photos from Darnell).

 Tony, Pat, Darnell, Me, Anne, Tony

Anne, Darnell and Me

It was a lovely lunch (thank you Darnell) and the time went so quickly before Kathy came to collect Darnell for the next stage of her tour.

Thank you too to Pat and Tony for helping with my transport arrangements!

It was lovely to see everyone.

Kath x

Smile and be happy

I made this card for the current Cuttlebug Mania 'Summer' challenge using a cute Bugaboo digi that was a freebie on their Facebook page.  I'm also entering the Cardz 4 Guyz 'Make Us Smile' and Crafting with Dragonflies 'Summer Fun' challenges.

Card blank: 6" x 6" white silk
Stamps: Bugaboo pre-coloured 'Pup Summer' digi, 'From the Heart' sentiment stamps (magazine freebie)
Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities Ovals Small, Classic Scalloped Ovals Small, Spellbinders Borderabilities Curved Borders One, Anchor (magazine freebie)
Embossing: Kars tan embossing mat
Punch: Small hole punch
Ink: Memento Paris Dusk
Card: Dark blue matt
Paper: Emma Ball papers (magazine freebie)

I layered blue paper onto dark blue card and attached it to the card front.  I cut a curved border in a piece of  sand coloured paper, stamped the sentiment in the bottom corner and attached it to the lower part of the card.  I resized the pre-coloured digi and printed it onto white card before die cutting and embossing it.  This was then layered onto a die cut scalloped oval and attached to the card front.  I die cut an anchor from blue card and attached it above the sentiment.  To finish I punched six small circles, curved them with a ball tool and then attached them to the card.

Kath x

Birthday Candy

In two weeks I will become a sexagenarian (sounds more fun than saying I'm going to be 60!) so I'm offering some birthday candy to celebrate. There is a pretty storage box containing white cards and envelopes, paper and card pads, stamps, embossing folders, ribbons, lace, ink pads, pens, embellishments and lots more!

If you would like a chance to win, this is what you must do:
1. Be or become a follower of my blog with Google Friend Connect
2. Add the photo to your sidebar and link back to my blog
3. Please leave a comment below before 07:00 BST on 3 August (my birthday).

Mr Random will choose a winner and I will publish the details on 3 August.

Kath x

Making Cards Magazine - Winner

Thank you to everyone who left a comment for the chance to win the copy of Making Cards magazine.

The winner is:

Sue

Congratulations Sue - I already have your address so I'll pop the magazine in the post for you today.

I hope everyone will visit my blog tomorrow as I have some Birthday Candy to celebrate my 'Big Birthday' next month.

Kath x

BBQ Birthday

I made this card for the Cuttlebug Mania 'BBQ Time' challenge and am also entering Seize the Birthday 'Anything Goes' challenge, Crafty Friends 'To Use Your Dies' challenge and Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge 'Anything Goes'.  The card and paper are from my snippets drawer so I'm also popping across to the playground at Pixie's Crafty Workshop.

Card blank: 6" x 6" white silk
Stamp: Bugaboo 'Guy BBQ' digi
Die: Spellbinders Nestabilities 'Wonky Rectangles', Memory Box 'Wicker Panel, Joanna Sheen Signature Dies 'Star Bunting'
Embossing: Kars tan embossing mat
Colouring: Promarkers
Other: Computer Generated Sentiment 'Ravie' font
Snippets: Black and red card, Hot off the Press 'Cardmaker's Floral Pack'

I trimmed the beige paper, layered it onto black card and attached it to the card front.  I resized the digi and added the sentiment before printing it onto white card.  This was die cut and embossed with the largest Wonky Rectangle before being coloured with Promakers.  I die cut the Wicker Panel from red card and attached it across the lower section of the card.  I attached small pieces of card to the top and bottom of the rear of the panel before attaching it to the card - this ensured that it lay flat across the Wicker Panel.  To finish I die cut the Star Bunting and attached it to the top corner of the card.

Kath x

Carol Singers

It is my turn to host the Winter Wonderland challenge and I have chosen 'Carol Singers' as the theme, which is a nice easy challenge for Christmas projects (although we do have an alternative theme of 'Make a Scene').

This week we are sponsored by Zoe Bunny Crafts who are offering £10.00 to spend in their store and A Random Fan who are offering £10.00 to spend in their online store.

For my card I have used a lovely image from A Random Fan called 'The Carolers'.  I am entering this card into the ABC Christmas Challenge 'N is for No Rules' (in other words 'Anything Goes'), Classic Design Team Open Challenge 'Anything Goes' and Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra,   I'm also heading over to the playground at Pixie's Crafty Workshop as all the papers and card are from my snippets drawer.

Card blank: 6" x 6" white silk
Stamp: A Random Fan 'The Carolers' digi stamp
Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities Standard Circles Large and Classic Scalloped Circles Large
Punch: Small circle 
Embossing: Kars tan embossing mat
Colouring: Promarkers
Snippets: Green matt card, Christmas Paper Collection papers and sentiment (magazine freebie)

I layered pink floral paper onto green card and attached it to the card front.  A strip of darker paper was layered onto green paper and attached to the left side of the card.  I resized the image and coloured it with Promarkers, matching the hats and scarves to my papers.  The image was then die cut and embossed before being layered onto a scalloped die cut circle and attached to the card with foam tape.  The sentiment was trimmed, layered onto green card and attached to the lower corner of the card.  To finish I punched three small circles, used a ball tool to make them into a dome shape and attached them to the top corner of the card.

Kath x

Making Cards Giveaway

I've received my subscription copy of Making Cards Magazine today and they have sent me a duplicate copy of the magazine.  I've spoken to the subscription department and they have told me to keep the extra copy or give it away - so I've chosen the latter option!

If you would like a chance of winning this magazine, please leave me a comment below by 08:00 BST on Tuesday 19 July.   I'll announce the winner later the same day.

Kath x

Pink Fairy

I made this card for the Crafty Friends 'Pink, Green and White' challenge.  I am also entering the Die Cut Diva's 'Make It Glitter' challenge (I've used fuchsia mirri card and a Wink of Stella), the Crafty Calendar Challenge 'Use Punches and/or Dies' and Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge 'Anything Goes'.

Card blank: 7" x 7" white silk
Image: Lili of the Valley 'Fairies' Art Pad - Tiptoe Fairy
Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Squares Large and Lacy Squares, Tattered Lace Mini Butterfly
Embossing: Kars tan embossing mat
Card: Fuchsia mirri
Paper: Wild Rose Studio 'Annabelle's Meadow'
Other: Wink of Stella

I trimmed a piece of pink floral paper, layered it onto fuchsia mirri and attached it to the card front.   I die cut a square of green paper, layered it onto pink fuchsia mirri and attached it at an angle.  The pre-coloured image from the Art Pad was die cut and embossed before being layered onto a die cut and embossed lacy square and attached to the card front.  I die cut a mini butterfly from mirri card and attached this to the top corner of the image.  To finish, I highlighted the fairy and flower with a Wink of Stella.

Kath x

When skies seem dark ...

I made this card with a lovely Visible Images stamp set that I have recently won on their Facebook page.  I'm entering The Male Room 'Make Flowers Masculine',  A Gem of a Challenge 'Let's Get Krafty' and Allsorts 'One for the Boys' challenges.

Card blank: 7" x 5" kraft
Stamp: Visible Images 'Thinking of You'
Punch: Woodware squared corner
Ink: Versafine Vintage Sepia
Card: Mustard embossed, white matt
Other: Wink of Stella

I trimmed the white card and stamped the sentiment in the lower corner.  The flower head was stamped above the sentiment and I curved the stem before stamping it to the left of the flower and sentiment.  I punched the corners of the card before layering it onto mustard card and attaching it to the card front.  To finish I highlighted the flower and sentiment with a Wink of Stella.

Kath x

Y is for Years and Yellow

I made this card for a friend's 'special' birthday later this month.  I'm entering the Butterfly Challenge 'Y is for Years and Yellow',  The Crafty Barn Two Weekly Challenge ' Butterflies, Seize the Birthday 'Birds, Bees or Butterflies' and the Lili of the Valley 'Summer in the Garden' challenge.

Card blank: 7" x 5" white silk
Image: Lili of the Valley ' English Charm' Art Pad
Die: Memory Box 'Classic Numbers'
Punch: EK Success 'Swiss Cheese'
Card: Yellow matt
Paper: Wild Rose Studio 'Bella' paper
Other:  Wink of Stella

I trimmed yellow card slightly smaller than the card blank and attached a strip of purple paper across the bottom.  I punches the Swiss Cheese along one edge of yellow/lilac paper before layering it onto the card and attaching it to the card front.  I trimmed the pre-coloured topper, layered it onto yellow card and attached it to the card front.  The numbers were die cut from yellow card and attached to the top corner of the topper.  To finish I highlighted the image and numbers with a Wink of Stella.

Kath x

Snow Much Fun

Anet is the host for this week's Winter Wonderland challenge and she has chosen the theme 'Snow Much Fun' with an alternative theme of 'Add Three Different Embellishments'.  You can choose either (or both) themes for your Christmas project.

This week we are sponsored by Crafts U Love who are offering £10.00 to spend in their store.

I'm entering the Christmas Card Challenges 'Anything Goes' and Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra.

Card blank: 7" x 5" white silk
Die: Snowflake (magazine freebie)
Image: Lili of the Valley 'Boy Sledging' Mini Masterpieces
Card: Red matt, white glitter
Paper: Lili of the Valley 'Festive Trimmings:
Other: Red nailhead, Stampendous White Fun Flock, Stardust Stickles, Wink of Stella

I trimmed the turquoise paper, layered it onto red card and attached it to the card front.  The image was originally a square, but I trimmed it to a rectangle before layering it onto red card and attaching it to the centre of the card.  I die cut the snowflake from glitter card and attached it to the top of the image adding a red nailhead to the centre.  To finish I added Fun Flock to the dog's hat, Stickles to the snow and a Wink of Stella to highlight the image.

Kath x

Snowman Trio

The Christmas Cards All Year Round challenge has returned after a short break and I'm delighted to join the Design Team.  This month we have an 'Anything Goes' theme and we are sponsored by Imagine That Digis by Kris.

I have used 'Snowman Trio' for my card, which is one of Kris' lovely images.  I'm entering the Christmas Card Challenges 'Anything Goes' and Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra.

Card blank: 7" x 7" white silk

Stamp: Imagine That by Kris 'Snowman Trio' digi stamp

Card: Red pearl

Paper: Lili of the Valley 'Frosty Christmas' 

Other: Card Candi

I layered pale blue paper onto red card and attached it to the card front.  A strip of darker blue paper was then attached to the left side of the card.  I resized the image and placed the sentiment below it before printing it onto white card.  This image was trimmed, layered onto red card and attached to the card with foam tape.  I added Card Candi (to the upper and lower corners - I don't know the name of it, but it's holographic which picks out the blue and red in the card).

Kath x

Just for You

A big 'thank you' to Hazel for inviting me to join her Design Team at Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge,  This is a great challenge where the theme is always 'Anything Goes' as long as you use some patterned paper on your creation.

I have used lovely papers from Craftwork Cards 'Botanica Collection' for my card - it has such a beautiful design and doesn't really need much embellishment.  I'm entering the Seize the Birthday 'Birds, Bees and Butterflies' challenge, and Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge 'Anything Goes'.

Card blank: 8" x 8" white silk
Dies: Spellbinders Nestabilities Standard Circles Large and Classic Scalloped Circles Large
Embossing: Kars tan embossing mat
Card: Dark brown matt
Paper: Craftwork Cards 'Botanica Collection' (magazine freebie)
Other: Wink of Stella

I trimmed the paper, layered it onto dark brown card and attached it to the card blank.  The sentiment was die cut and layered onto a scalloped, embossed circle.  This was then attached to the card with foam tape.  To finish I highlighted the flowers and swirls with a Wink of Stella.

Kath x