Welcome to Wednesday..

Morning readers,

I broke one of my cardinal rules recently .... I BOUGHT a pad of patterned paper!! YIKES, but it was so pretty!

My card

And a closer view of my image panel

  

The front, back and inside of my card along with the front and back of my envelope

Materials used:

• White A2/C6, 250gsm, card and matching sized envelope
• One piece of patterned paper (from The Paper Studio's Christmas 2018 stack) cut to fit
• One piece of red card and one piece of white card, cat larger, for matting and insert
• Snippets of card in white, black and grey - for my image panel and matting
• Recollections snowman image (from a set too old to have a label left on it!) and Hero Arts sentiment (from CL721 Banners and messages) stamped on to my white snippet using Memento tuxedo black ink
• Kaisercraft glitter washi tape
• Derwent Coloursoft and Prismacolour scholar pencils used to colour image
• Stardust stickles

I'll be entering the above make for the following challenges:-

1. Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge - challenge No. 409 - ANYTHING CHRISTMAS GOES
2. Hiding In My Craft Room - challenge No. 376 - ANY HOLIDAY
3. Crafting From The Heart - challenge No. 226 - ANYTHING GOES
4. Cards In Envy - October 15th challenge - FAVE HOLIDAY CARD - 2nd entry
5. The Holly and The Ivy - challenge No. 39 - ANYTHING CHRISTMAS GOES - 2nd entry

And now for another "commission" make, I was asked to make a selection of cards, without words, and this is one of them ..

My card

And a closer view of the colouring

  

The front, back and inside of my card along with the front and back of my envelope

Materials used:

• White A2/C6, 250gsm, card and matching sized envelope
• Two pieces of white card cut to fit
• One piece of blue DCWV cardstock (from the Olde World stack) cut to mat
• Snippet of white card - for my image
• Art Impressions chicken image (AiCS40 "Spring chicken set") stamped using Memento tuxedo black ink
• Derwent coloursoft and Prismacolour pencils used to colour
• Once coloured I fussy cut the image
• On the card front white panel I adhered my mask (a piece of card with a rectangular aperture cut out) using low tack tape and applied Distress Inks in weathered wood and salty ocean before overlaying the Tim Holtz stencil (THMM107) and sponging the salty ocean ink through it,
• With the mask still in place I applied a layer of Krylon matte fixative, once dry, I removed the mask and adhered my funky chicken!

I'll be entering the above make for the following challenges:-

1. Sisterhood of Crafters - October 24th challenge - HUMOUR - 3rd entry
2. Simon Says Stamp - Monday challenge - TAKE FLIGHT
3. Make My Monday - challenge No. 83 - STENCIL STORIES ... see above for details of how I used both my mask and stencil
4. Cute 'n Crafty - challenge No. 12 - ANYTHING GOES - 3rd entry
5. Through The Craft Room Door - October 30th challenge - ANYTHING GOES

I also found out that I was a lucky winner over at Through The Craft Room Door, thanks so much Cara and the team, its much appreciated, glad you liked my work. Which make won? see below

  

And a Top3 over at Back to Basics - I'm on a roll this week. Thanks to you too peeps, glad you liked my card below

  

Welcome to the last Monday in October

Morning readers,

My dear friend and wine drinking neighbour made us a batch of very tasty cupcakes so, it was only polite to make a thank you card, and here it is!

My thank you card

  

The front, back and inside of my card along with the front and back of my envelope

Materials used:

• White A2/C6, 250 gsm, card and matching sized envelope
• Two pieces of white card cut to fit
• One piece of black card, cut to mat
• On the white card I stamped my Art Impressions image  (Hampton Art SC0677) and MFT sentiment (CS175)  using Memento tuxedo black
• On the insert I stamped my Hampton Art "Thank You" sentiment (SC0752)using Versafine onyx black ink
• Derwent coloursoft and Prismacolour scholar pencils used to colour
• Wink of Stella clear glitter gel brush pen used to highlight

I'll be entering the above make for the following challenges:-

1. Sisterhood of Crafters - October 24th challenge - HUMOUR - 2nd entry
2. Colour Crazy - challenge No. 43 - ANYTHING (hand coloured) GOES - 2nd entry
3. Sweet Stampin' - October 27th challenge - HUMOUR
4. Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - challenge No. 92 - ANYTHING GOES

I also have an Artist Trading Card to share with you - tried my hand at doodling .....

My hand drawn ATC

Materials used:

• ATC blank
• Snippet of black card
• Sakura gelly roll gel pen - white
• Stardust stickles

Since I used snippets I'm going to enter it over at Pixie's Crafty Workshop for Di's challenge No. 338

Here's a card for a challenge I like to enter two weekly .....

My card

And a side view - to show the dimension and foiling

  

The front, back and inside of my card along with the front and back of my envelope

Materials used:

• White A2/C6, 250gsm, card and matching sized envelope
• Two pieces of white card, cut to fit
• One piece of textured metallic gold card (by DCWV) cut to mat
• Snippets of both white and metallic gold card - for my image panel
• Artistry butterfly image stamped using Versafine onyx black ink and once on to a separate snippet using Ranger Archival vermilion which I then fussy cut out and edged using the red ink before "rolling" round my pokey tool, to give the wings a curve
• I positioned my red butterfly over my central black butterfly and attached, just by the body
• Using my battery operated WRMK hot foil tool I applied gold foiling in three lines, randomly but at the approximate mid point, I LIKE the unevenness of the two and one!

I'll be entering the above make for the following challenges:

1. Simply Less Is More - challenge No. 383 - DIMENSION
2. The Corrosive Challenge - challenge No. 10 - ANYTHING GOES - 3rd entry

And, finally, another of those cards we card makers hate to make - the sympathy card. I was asked to make a couple by a friend. I hope she's gonna like them.

My card

  

The front, back and inside of my card along with the front and back of my envelope

Materials used:

• White A2/C6, 250gsm, card and matching sized envelope
• Two pieces of white card cut to fit
• One piece each of grey and black, cut to mat
• Penny Black leaves image (from 30-156 "tweet tweet") stamped using Ranger Archival watering can ink
• Hero Arts sentiment (from CL342) stamped using Memento tuxedo black ink
• Wink of Stella clear glitter gel pen used to just add a subtle sparkle to offset the monochrome make

I'll be entering the above make for the following challenges:-

1. CardzTV - challenge No. 71 - ANYTHING GOES - 2nd entry
2. Jo's Scrap Shack - challenge No. 257 - ANYTHING GOES
3. CRAFT Challenge - challenge No. 488 - MONOCHROME

Welcome to the weekend ...

Morning readers,

Welcome to the weekend, hope you've found some time to play this past week .. I know I have, I've a couple of things to share with you today ....

My Artist Trading Coin

Materials used:

• Snippets of card in white and blue
• On the blue piece I stamped the Artistry splatter (from CSS27836 "Natures elements") using Ranger Archival cobalt blue ink
• On the white snippet I stamped the sentiment and image (from Penny Black's "Winter Wonderland" - a recent prize)  using Memento tuxedo black ink
• Derwent coloursoft pencils to colour
• Tsukineko "frost" shimmer spray applied to the finished piece

I'll be entering the above make for the following challenges:-

1. Jingle Belles - October 26th challenge - NOT A CREATURE WAS STIRRING (feature a creature)
2. Colour Crazy - challenge No. 43 - ANYTHING (hand coloured) GOES
3. Creative Friday - challenge No. 217 - CHRISTMAS IS APPROACHING
4. QKR Stampede - challenge No. 319 - ANYTHING GOES

And now for another "commission card" which, as per m instructions, has no words - so the commissionee can choose the occasion ..... this also gave me the chance to used a piece of patterned card as a card front, something I haven't done in AGES!

My card

  

The front, back and inside of my card along with the front and back of my envelope

Materials used:

• White A2/C6, 250gsm, card and matching sized envelope
• One piece of Bo Bunny patterned card, cut to fit and a snippet for matting my image panel
• One piece of black card and one of white, cut to mat
• Snippets of card in white and black, for my image panel
• Stampers Anonymous Artistry image (CSS27836 "Natures elements") stamped on to the white snippet using Versafine onyx black ink, which I then matted on the snippet of patterned card and then again on to black card
• Length of ribbon (from my large collection of offcuts, probably from Michaels or Joann's) attached to the front of my card using Stix2 double sided tape
• Dimensional foam pads used to attach my image panel to my card
• Stardust stickles used to accentuate the image

I'll be entering the above make for the following challenges:-

1. CardzTV - challenge No. 71 - ANYTHING GOES
2. Creative Fingers - challenge No. 153 - ANYTHING GOES

It's FRIIIIIIIDAY - whoop de doo!

Morning readers,

Thought it was time to share a whimsical ATC with you since I had this fabulous chicken image .....

My Artist Trading Card

And a closer view of the colouring, doodling and sentiment

Materials used:

• ATC blank
• Snippets of card in white and deep red
• On the white snippet I stamped the chicken image using Memento tuxedo black ink
• Derwent coloursoft pencils used to colour
• I then fussy cut the chicken before adhering to my red panel
• Momento sentiment (34431-R8) stamped using Versafine onyx black ink
• White Sakura gelly roll gel pen used to doodle a border and to highlight the sentiment
• Mod Podge dimensional gloss used to add texture and shine to the "puddle" and boots
• Wink of Stella clear glitter gel brush pen to accentuate the image

I'll be entering the above make for the following challenges:-

1. Through The Craft Room Door - October 23rd challenge - ANYTHING GOES - 2nd entry
2. Cute 'n Crafty - challenge No. 12 - ANYTHING GOES - 2nd entry
3. Sisterhood of Crafters - October 24th challenge - HUMOUR .. well, this image makes ME chuckle!
4. Crafty Creations - challenge No. 377 - ANYTHING GOES
5. Southern Girls - October 18th challenge - CRITTER CRAZY

And now for a masculine card .... I was asked to make a selection of cards suitable for a number of occasions but to leave them blank ....

My card

And, perhaps, a better view of the image panel

  

The front, back and inside of my card along with the front and back of my envelope

Materials used:

• White A2/C6, 250gsm, card and matching sized envelope
• Two pieces of white card cut to fit
• One piece of grey card, cut to mat
• Low tack masking tape, to mask off a panel for stencilling
• Nellie Snellen's Man Things (CSMT004 - "Airplane") stamped using Memento tuxedo black including on to a post it which I then cut out to use as a mask.
• With my mask in place and using a Tim Holtz blending tool and foam pad I applied Distress Ink (salty ocean) through the sunburst stencil (THMST005 - set #5) and then faded jeans through the crocodile stencil (THS022) and then the number stencil (THMST007 - set #7) - setting with a quick spray of Krylon matte fixative, to protect the water based inks in transit

I'll be entering the above for the following challenges:-

1. Make My Monday - challenge No. 82 - NUMBERS GAME
2. Back To Basics - challenge No. 14 - ANYTHING GOES (MUST use a stencil) - 3rd entry
3. The House That Stamps Built - challenge No. 2418 - ANYTHING GOES

And now, since yesterday was Rudolph Day, I have a Christmas card to share with you ....

My Christmas card

  

The front, back and inside of my card along with the front and back of my envelope

Materials used:

• White A2/C6, 250gsm, card and matching sized envelope
• Two pieces of white card cut to fit
• One piece of navy card, cut to mat
• Snippets of card in both white and navy, for my sentiment
• Image and sentiment (MFT CS-342 "Tweet Holidays") stamped using Memento tuxedo black
• Derwent coloursoft and Prismacolour scholar pencils used to colour image
• Wink of Stella clear glitter gel brush pen to add a subtle twinkle to the hats and scarf
• Stardust stickles to embellish the pom poms on the hat and the snow

I'll be entering the above make for the following challenges:-

1. Scraps of Life - October Rudolph Day - ANYTHING CHRISTMAS GOES
2. The Holly and The Ivy - challenge No. 39 - ANYTHING CHRISTMAS GOES - 2nd entry
3. Papercraft Challenge - challenge No. 23 - INSPIRED BY A SONG - 2nd entry - I went with Rockin' Robin!
4. WaterCooler Wednesday - challenge No. 193 - IT'S ALL ABOUT THE HOLIDAYS
5. Fab 'n Funky - challenge No. 413 - CHRISTMAS

I hate to end a post on sad news but ..... Happy Little Stampers is closing it's doors, always a shame to hear of a stamp company going out of business. If you like their stamps and dies though, you could snag yourself a bargain as they are having a closing down sale - the sale even includes MISTI products ... just sayin'

Happy Hump Day Wednesday!

Morning readers,

How's your week coming along? Well, I hope - mine is. Managed some fairly serious time at the Table of Craftiness.

First project to share involves using all three images from the MFT freebie stamp set, that reindeer is sooooo cute, thanks MFT.

My Artist Trading Coin

Materials used:

• Snippets of card in black and white
• Circle dies used to cut a 2½" black circle and a 2¼" white circle
• On the white circle I stamped the image and sentiment (MFT October freebie) using Memento tuxedo black and the snowflake from the same set using ranger Archival cobalt blue inks
• Derwent coloursoft pencils used to colour image
• Stardust stickles to embellish Rudolphs nose and the snowflakes
• White Sakura gelly roll gel pen used to doodle the border

I'll be entering the above make for the following challenges:-

1. Happy Little Stampers - October ATC challenge - HOLIDAY ... I'm HOPING Artist Trading COINS count too
2. Jingle Belles - October 19th challenge - SHOW US YOUR ANIMALS
3. Sparkles Christmas Challenge - October challenge - FOR KIDS
4. Papercraft Challenges - challenge No. 23 - INSPIRED BY A SONG (Going with "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer" .. I think you can see why!)
5. Cute 'n Crafty - challenge No. 12 - ANYTHING GOES

And now for another of those occasions we cardmakers hate to have to make ..... a sympathy card. I prefer to make them when I don't actually NEED them, easier to tackle .. IMHO

My card

  

The front, back and inside of my card along with the front and back of my envelope

Materials used:

• White A2/C6, 250gsm, card and matching sized envelope
• Two pieces of white card cut to fit
• One piece of black card, cut to mat
• Snippets of card in white, light purple and black - for my sentiment panel
• Stampendous agapanthus image (N152) and Hero Arts sentiment (CL342) stamped using Memento tuxedo black ink
• Derwent coloursoft pencils used to add just a light touch of colour
• Stickles used (black and stardust) to add a hint of sparkle

I'll be entering the above make for the following challenges:-

1. Lemon Shortbread - challenge No. 79 - ANYTHING GOES
2. Through The Craft Room Door - October 23rd challenge - ANYTHING GOES
3. Crafty Sentiments - October 23rd challenge - ANYTHING GOES
4. Pammie's Inky Pinkies - challenge No. 1842 - ANYTHING GOES

And another Christmas card to share with you today ....

My card

And my stencilled matting layer

  

The front, back and inside of my card along with the front and back of my envelope

Materials used:

• White A2/C6, 250gsm, card and matching sized envelope
• Three pieces of white card, cut to fit and mat
• On one of the larger pieces of white card I applied Distress Ink in barn door, using a Tim Holtz mini blender and foam pad, I then overlaid the Tim Holtz stencil (THMST007 - set #7) and re-applied the same ink before spraying with Krylon matte fixative
• On the smaller piece of white card I stamped my Santa image (Rubber Stampede 3408F) using Memento tuxedo black
• Derwent coloursoft and Prismacolour scholar pencils used to colour image
• Stardust stickles and Mod Podge dimensional gloss, to embellish

I'll be entering the above make for the following challenges:-

1. Christmas at Sweet Stampin' - October challenge - ANYTHING CHRISTMAS GOES
2. The Holly and The Ivy - challenge No. 39 - ANYTHING CHRISTMAS GOES
3. Cards in Envy - October 15th challenge - FAVORITE HOLIDAY CARD