Thursday 27 February 2014

Time Out New Design Team!

Happy Friday Eve,

I am just popping in today to direct you to meet the new Design Team at Time Out Challenges

We had a lot of wonderful entries and it was very hard to choose the 4 extra team members we were looking for. Nonni and I finally made our choices this week and if you pop over to Time Out you will get to meet the new designers and I am sure you will agree they are all fabulous.

2 weeks to go before our first challenge....so keep watching this space!!

Tuesday 25 February 2014

Addicted to Stamps and More #84

It is time for my favourite challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More, yes, you guessed it...it is our Clean And Simple challenge. We want to see a CAS project. 
This week we are very happy that Cathy is our Guest Designer, please take a look at her blog here, we just love her creations!

And this week I went all London on you again. In my defence I was prompted to be a couple of other challenges-details below.



I saw the London photo below at Inspired By challenges and knew I had to enter. And Laurel had commented that she couldn't wait to see what London buses were like. Then I saw the sketch this week at CAS(E) this Sketch and ping! This sketch gave me the opportunity to create a card to show Laurel what our buses are like....they either don't turn up for ages or they come along in groups of three! I have tried to show this by adding dimension (my road and first bus are die cut and popped up) and stamping off the bus stamp so it looks like they are behind each other. And instead of flowers you see in the sketch, I have Big Ben and a skyscraper!! I love how it turned out and I love the chain of inspiration that led me to it!
I am also going to enter this into the 'London' challenge at Moo-Mania

This week at Addicted to Stamps and More we are sponsored by StampArt Designs. You should check out their store-so many goodies!

And don't forget to see what the DT have made to inspire you.

Here is my inspiration this week

                 

Happy Stamping x

Sunday 23 February 2014

WOW!!

I hope you are all having a fun Sunday.

I have a card today that I made for the latest challenge at Fusion. I have been thinking of ideas for this challenge for over a week now and in the end I have gone in a completely different direction that I had planned! This is probably because last week I won a voucher in the Uniko Studio blog hop and my stamps arrived very quickly and obviously I had to have a play!

It is my nephew's Birthday soon and the new Explosion! stamp seemed ideal for a teenage boy. So I have used the sketch at Fusion to come up with this:


This was a really fun card to make!


Enjoy the rest of your day x





Friday 21 February 2014

Round and Round!

Happy Friday to all,

Yesterday I was going round and round with my crafting! I got out all my circle stamps after seeing this card by Jen at Less is More. I had fun mixing and matching my circle stamps all from different companies. I made a card for my Husband's Uncle who is celebrating his Birthday this week. I just stamped, masked a bit and added some enamel dots and gems and came up with this:



I have used this week's colour combo at Color Throwdown-perfect for a guy card.

As I have repeated several of these stamps I am entering this into the 'can you repeat this' challenge at One-Layer Simplicity Challenge. As this card was inspired by Jen on the DT at Less is More I am going to enter it into the 'masculine' challenge they have this week.

Edited to add-I am also going to enter this into Cardz 4 Guyz-this week the challenge is CAS 

The circle stamps I have used are from STAMPlorationsCraft Meow (closed now!) and Fresh Squeezed Stamps

If you want a chance to win some new release stamps from STAMPlorations check out this post and leave a comment before the 2nd March and you could win the new 'MOM' set.

Have a fun weekend x




Wednesday 19 February 2014

Lets Dance!


Happy Wednesday my friends. 

My card for today is for my MIL's partner who loves to ballroom dance. They have lessons a few times a week and will often spend Saturday nights at a dance. It is his Birthday soon and I have been a bit stuck on creating a card for him as I remember him telling me that cards for men always seem to have boats, fishing or planes on them and he didn't like them.

Luckily a few challenges came to my rescue. CASology's code word this week is 'Jump' and this directed my thoughts to dancing-there is a lot of jumping needed to get into those holds..think Dirty Dancing!! The 'Masculine' challenges at CAS on Sunday and Less is More focused my thoughts to make it CAS (as if I needed a prompt to do this!!). So I had an idea and now just needed to choose my stamps (Papertrey Ink) and a layout-this is where the sketch at CAS(E) this Sketch helped me out.



It is hard to see from the photo but the sentiment is popped up on foam pads. I hope a dance themed cards will meet his approval!!

Edited to add-I am entering this into a new challenge I just came across-Cardz 4 Guyz and this week the challenge is CAS!

Before I go I wanted to remind you that there is still time to enter our DT call at Time Out Challenges. You have until midnight GMT tomorrow to enter!

Have a fun day and if you get chance to take some TIME OUT to craft why not enter our DT call at Time Out

                 



Tuesday 18 February 2014

Addicted to Stamps and More #83

This week at Addicted to Stamps and More we have our Holiday Challenge. It can be a specific Holiday in the year or themed around a holiday such as a beach holiday or a skiing holiday.

This week we have Cathy as our Guest Designer. She has created a fabulous Holiday project for us this week, check it out here and also have a browse through her blog...I am sure you will be inspired.

I have made my first Christmas card this year for this challenge:


I based the layout on the sketch this week at CAS(E) this Sketch and I was inspired to go with the white textured base and the pops of red when I saw the photo this week at Festive Friday. I am enjoying mixing up gems, enamel dots and sequins to give a less uniform look. I like the look but have pretty much run out of gems now so need to get ordering!

This week we are sponsored by SmartArt Designs who are offering our winner 5 free digis.

Don't forget to take visit our blog here to see what the rest of the DT have made to inspire you.

                           

Saturday 15 February 2014

Addicted to CAS #32

It is time for our next challenge at Addicted to CAS. This week our host is the very creative Deepti and she has chosen this code word:


At first I wanted to use my coffee cup images but couldn't seem to get out of my head this card that I made last month. As much as I tried to think of a different design I just seemed to want to re-create the same card. I decided to change track and looked through some really old wooden stamps that I was given when I first started crafting and found one I thought was quite amusing and created a very CAS card using this stamp coloured with my copics...now I said it was super CAS, even for me!



This is me after a night of too much wine and in need of my coffee!!
I thought it would make a good get well card and might cheer up a poorly person so added this sentiment from Fresh Squeezed Stamps. My poorly person here is grounded using a stitching stamp from the Patchwork Frenzy set at STAMPlorations

This week at Addicted to CAS we are being sponsored by Bugaboo Stamps, you can check out their store here.

Our DT this week have made some fab coffee themed projects to inspire you and you can see these here

Now, go and pour some coffee and get crafting! x






Inkspirational

 Finally we have made it to the weekend. And time for a new challenge at Inkspirational. We have a new style of challenge for you today and we call it Designer's Choice. That means that one member of our Design Team has chosen the theme for the challenge. This time it is Nikki  and she has chosen a Tic Tac Toe (or bingo) board.

Guidelines: Create a project using any 3 items in a row either vertically, horizontally or diagonally. 
We will be choosing  a top pick/s from this challenge and inviting one entrant to join us as a Guest Designer. 



I found this a real challenge as all the elements didn't seem to suit my CAS style. However after hunting in my stash I came across this lace flower which I have had for ages. I used the combo of pearls/bling, lace/ribbon and flowers. I have kept my card all white to keep it CAS and just added an embossed panel for some texture. So after thinking about this for weeks I finally love the elegant look of my card. Thank you Nikki for challenging me!!


Take a look here to see what the rest of the DT have made to inspire you.

Then it is your time to get inky xx



Thursday 13 February 2014

Time Out DT call reminder and Valentines!

Happy Friday Eve,

There is one week left for you to enter out DT call at TIME OUT. So pop over to our blog here to check out the details.

I finally got around to making my hubby a Valentine's card. I have CASology to thank for inspiring me to create this card. This week the code word is 'Bold'. Immediately a few ideas came to mind and yesterday I shared a very bold card with you. Today my 'bold' is more subtle but it is still there! I decided to go with this bold 'together' stamp in neon blue. I think this colour combined with the grey and sweet sentiment is perfect for my hubby.



The stamps are all from Avery Elle and the popped up die is from Simon Says Stamps

I am going to enter this into the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp-we love stamps
CASology-bold
Make My Monday-love is in the air
The Male Room-male Valentine

Have a fun day x

Wednesday 12 February 2014

CASology

Bold is the code word this week at CASology. I had a few ideas for this challenge and today I am sharing the first idea that popped into my head. I decided to go with one definition of bold-Courage. When actually putting the card together I also went with bold colours and a bold design...see if you agree!


I love this sentiment and actually love the design. Quite a quick card to make once I had decided on the design. I masked the sentiment to highlight 'courage'. The sentiment has sat on my desk since last night as I couldn't think of a design or layout but I had a ping moment when I saw the sketch at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge. I moved my panel to the centre but otherwise followed the sketch.
I will be back tomorrow with another 'bold' inspired card for CASology.


Tuesday 11 February 2014

Addicted to Stamps and More #82

Its time for our Make your Mark challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More. This means you need to use some kind of marker on your project. We are very happy that Dawn is joining us again this week as our Guest Designer. Her blog is full of inspiration, please pop by and take a look here

I wanted to have a go at using my copics. The colouring on this card did take me ages as I found it quite tricky but I was happy with it when I had finished.



This digi image is from Scrap Happy Paper Crafter. I chose this image as I wanted to make a thank you card for my Mum and Dad as they had been staying with me last weekend helping build a veg box for my terrace. This image seemed perfect as a thank you. The sentiment is from Scrap-a licious-times.
My Mum likes ribbons on cards so I added this one especially for her!
So today my card is really not my style but sometimes it is nice to have a change. I also like to practise my colouring and this challenge is the perfect excuse!
I based my layout on this weeks sketch at CASE) this Sketch

This week we are sponsored by SmartArt Designs and you could win 5 free digis.

Before you get your markers out pop over to our challenge site here and see what fab projects the DT have made to inspire you.

Enjoy making your mark!


Saturday 8 February 2014

Warm Thoughts

I hope you are all having a fun Saturday and getting in some crafty time.
Here is my Saturday card:



This card was inspired by a few challenges. First up, the 'monochromatic pink' challenge at The Card Concept caught my eye especially as I had finally got some baby pink ink. Last week I entered this challenge and made a clean and layered card but this week I really wanted to make a CAS card. So this was my starting point. I then saw the sketch as CAS(E) this Sketch and loved it, so this gave me my layout. I wanted to try some masking off and sponging to create the layout. I can't remember the last time I used this technique so it was fun to give it a go again. And finally I decided to repeat stamp the flower in the same ink on the sponged area and use the bright pink for some definition. This meant that it as suitable for the one layer 'repeat that' challenge at One Layer Simplicity Challenge. A mix of pink sequins, enamel dots and rounded edges finished off my card. And at Less is More it is 'One Layer' and anything goes, so I will enter this card into this challenge also.

Have a great day xx

Thursday 6 February 2014

Time Out DT Call reminder and more Rainbows!

Today I wanted to remind you that there is still time for you to join in the DT call at Time Out. You just need to make a paper crafting project that is based on the theme Love and/or Friendship. You have until the 20th Jan to join in. If you click here you will find out more details and also see a fabulous card by DT member Lynn that I am sure will inspire you to join in!

And here is my second card for the 'rainbow' challenge at Less Is More



This time I have used a different combo of sentiments from the stamp set 'butterbows' from CAS-ual Fridays and combined them with this splash stamp from STAMPlorations.

Have a great Friday Eve xx

Tuesday 4 February 2014

Addicted to Stamps and More #81

It is time for our 'Anything Goes' challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More. We know you all love this challenge as you can do whatever you feel like!

Dawn is joining us this week as our Guest Designer. She makes some fabulous cards and if you don't know her blog already, please do pop over and take a look here. We are sponsored by Smart Art Designs this week and you could win 5 free digis!

I was at first unsure what to do this week but off I went looking for some challenges to inspire me. I found one that did just that and I created this:


It was the Fusion Card Challenge that helped kick my mojo into gear. I saw the sketch and knew I wanted to use my cityscape stamp from Fresh Squeezed Stamps. I was unsure it would look right at the top of the page and originally was going to flip the sketch. However I tried it and like it like this. I have stamped a second layer just in the centre to represent the larger part of the sketch. I loved the red, white and pink colours in the picture so used these colours-the gems are a mix of pink and red. So I used both the sketch and the picture to inspire this card.

Our DT have created a bunch of wonderful projects to inspire you this week. So pop to our blog and check them out here.

Here is the inspiration from fusion that inspired my card:




Monday 3 February 2014

Rainbows and Butterflies!

Happy Monday my crafting friends,

To start the week I have a fun and colourful card to share with you. When I saw the 'rainbow' challenge at Less is More this week I knew I wanted to use the 'butterbows' stamp set from CASual Fridays.  Less is More are celebrating their third Birthday this week!


I have used these stamps before but had centred the rainbow so this time I wanted to use a different design. I made this one layer and am going to enter it into the 'can you repeat' that challenge at One Layer Simplicity Challenge-lots of repeated butterflies in my rainbow and flying away from the sentiment!!

I have made another rainbow card and will be posting this later in the week on Thursday when I remind you that we are still having our DT call at Time Out Challenges. For details of the DT call just click here!

Have a happy stamping week xx

Sunday 2 February 2014

Purple take 2!

As promised I am here with my second card for the 'purple' challenge at CASology.

This card has only been made possible by the kindness of my blogging friend Darnell. I commented on one of her posts how much I liked the sentiment she had used. A few weeks later in the post I receive a number of cards already stamped with the very same sentiment!! So a big thank you Darnell and if you haven't visited her blog I urge you to. Her posts always make me smile...take a peek here.

And here is my card:


I have used glossy accents on the butterfly and the raised flower and added a few purple gems.

Hope you get chance to do some crafting today but whatever you do have a fun day xx

Saturday 1 February 2014

Addicted TO CAS Challenge #31


Welcome to our first challenge in February at Addicted to CAS. Our hostess this week is the very talented Jaydee and she has chosen the following code word:

And what a perfect word as Valentine's Day is just around the corner. This week we are sponsored by Smart Art Designs and I have used a digi sentiment from this digi set. You could win 5 digi sets this week!


This globe stamp from Avery Elle seemed the perfect match for this sentiment. The heart was stamped and fussy cut and given some shine using glossy accents. Texture was added using my beloved linen impression plate.
Our DT are all full of love and inspiration so don't forget to pop over to our site here and take a look. Plus during February we are very pleased that Anni is joining us as our Guest Designer. If you are not already a fan, please take a peek at her blog here

I will enter this into the following challenges:
C.R.A.F.T Challenges-love/valentine
Aud Sentiments-sharing the love
Now it is your turn to show us your love projects, happy CAS stamping x

Inkspirational #39

Welcome to February and our new challenge at Inkspirational. This week we are having a CASE challenge with a difference. Instead of choosing the card for you to CASE we are going to ask you to CASE any card you want of our very talented DT member Yvonne. I have for a very long time admired Yvonne's collage cards and so wanted to hunt one of these out and have my own go at this.
So here is what I created using a background stamp that was a Xmas pressie from team member and good friend Nonni. Check out how I highlighted 'London' on this stamp


This card was made for another blogging friend Kylie who is coming to visit me in a few months. I thought this would give her a peek into the what I have in store for her....actually no taxes, we do buses in London!!

I must say that I am not so good at these collage kind of cards but I hope I captured Yvonne's style in some way. Perhaps I should have done a very CAS version of Yvonne's card but it was fun to give it a go! Her is Yvonne's card:

Lovely London Collage

Our DT have all chosen cards from Yvonne's blog and created their own version. Check these out here. Then pop over to Yvonne's blog Journey into Artistry and choose a card to CASE!
Have fun and I can't wait to see what you come up with x



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