Charity Crafter' Blog Candy

Please join Leigh (aka Charity Crafter) in her Blog Candy Giveaway.  She is giving away a large selection of goodies that have been donated as blog candy, in memory of one of her blogging buddies, Amanda Mary, who sadly passed away a few weeks ago.  See my sidebar for just one of the lovely items in the blog candy.

Leigh does a great deal of work for charity and raising awareness and is always in need of any unwanted crafty goodies to help her with her work. 

Please do pop by her blog and join in the blog candy fun which closes on 26th November 2010 - as it is for a worthwhile cause and in memory of  a fellow crafter/blogger.

Thank you so much,

Amanda

One Stitch at a Time challenge #39

There's a great new challenge over at One Stitch at a Time for this week.  It's a nice easy one for you this time ....


Use your favourite colours 

So anything goes for this challenge, as long as you've used your favourite colours! 

For this challenge we are being sponsored by Robyn who is offering one lucky person a $10 voucher to her new shop - Outlaw Women Scrapbook Emporium.  There's more info about her shop on the challenge blog.

I love purple and green as a colour combo for card making so that's what I chose for my colour scheme. 
The image I have used is the lovely Butterfly Love from Stitchy Bear Stamps available in the shop here.  It is a beautiful image and I really enjoyed making this card.  It has been coloured with pro markers (lime zest, orchid and a blender pen) and I've added just a tiny bit of glitter sparkle on the ends of the wings.   The swirls are a Sizzlits die and the butterfly punch is by Tonic.  The polka dot paper is from Dovecraft and the paper roses are from my ever-growing stash of craft goodies!

I am going to enter this card into thee following challenges:

Sweet Sketch Wednesday - I used their sketch
Little Red Wagon - Do it in 3's (3 Butterflies)
Sisterhood of Crafters - Birthday card
Something completely different - Wings

So, I can't wait to see what you make for our challenge and don't forget to have a look at the other DT blogs - they've come up with some great ideas for this challenge!

Thanks for stopping by,

Amanda

Craft Your Days Away Challenge #8

Hi Everyone, today we have another brilliant challenge over at Craft Your Days Away challenge blog. Before I tell you about that, I must say how fantastic the entries were to our "All White" Challenge, they really were superb!  Pop to the challenge blog to see if you are one of our winners.  So onto the challenge for the next two weeks, its another great one:


Christmas Trees 

Remember, we are a multi craft blog so it does not necessarily have to be a card. It could be a scrapbook page, a gift or anything else, as long as you've crafted it and there's a Christmas tree on it.

For this challenge we are being sponsored by Charmed Cards and Crafts. There's an amazing selection of goodies at the shop - they sell lovely Tilda stamps, Martha Stewart and  so much more; in fact they have over £16,000 of stock so I'm sure you'd find what you're looking for.  Also, they have a great Christmas Tree freebie, that some of our DT have used, available to download from here so now you have no excuses not to join in with the challenge!!! 

So, for my card, I have used one of my new Lili of the Valley stamps, which I've coloured with Pro Markers and added lots of Stickles glitter.  Christmas is always a great excuse for me to get the glitter out!  The paper is by DCWV and the flowers are a Marianne's die cut. 

TOP TIP: Don't buy lots of different ribbons because you never have the right shade anyway.  Invest in a reel of white satin ribbon - that's all you'll need.  My ribbon loops were made from white ribbon, coloured with Pear Green Pro Marker so that it is exactly the right shade to match my Christmas tree.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Sketch and Stash - I've used their sketch.  My newest items are the rubber stamp and the die cut flowers.  My neglected item is the papers.
Secret Crafter - Sparkle and Shine - like I said, I love my glitter!
A Crafty Little Place - Red, white and green
ABC Challenge - H is for Holidays
Delightful Challenges - Glitter it up
Lili of the Valley - Anything goes

So, I can't wait to see what you make for our challenge and don't forget to have a look at the other DT blogs - they've come up with some great ideas for this challenge! Thanks for stopping by,

Amanda

Fab 'n' Funky Christmas

Sorry I haven't been around for a few days, spare time seems few and far between at the moment.  I spent yesterday at the Hobbycrafts Exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham yesterday.  I had a purse full of pennies to spend when I got there as I've been putting a little bit aside for the show each month.  I only blew the budget by a relatively small amount (£50-ish) but I did get some lovely goodies to play with.  The only problem is, when I ask my other half "should I buy this one or should I buy that one?" he says "Buy them both" ... so I do!  Therefore I can blame him for my overspend!  

I managed to get this card finished yesterday after getting home from the show.  I used the colour scheme over at Fab 'n' Funky for the basis of the card (kraft, lime and pink).  The image and sentiment are from Pollycraft and the papers are DCWV.  I recycled a brown "take-away" paper bag for the kraft paper.  Don't worry, it had only had a salad baguette in there - so it doesn't smell of Chinese or Indian take away!!!  The image has been coloured with Pro Markers with a little glittering here and there.  The snowflake is a Sizzlits die and I've added a couple of bits of card candy.

  

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Fab 'n' Funky - Colour scheme challenge
Sweet Sketch Wednesday - I used their sketch for the layout
I love pro markers - Snowflakes
Charisma Cards - With love @ Christmas
Totally Papercrafts - Tag it
Pollycraft - Its Chill Time
The Pixie Cottage - Recycle (brown paper bag)
Pattie's Creations - A Christmas card or creation

Thanks for looking - pop back again soon!

Amanda

Our Halloween Pictures

Happy Halloween!  I thought I'd share a few pictures with you.  The picture above is our pumpkins that we have done this year.  The one on the left was done by my oldest son and I helped my youngest carve the one on the left.  Here he is cutting out the mouth shape ....

We had some little ghost candles to put inside ....

And here's my youngest ready for the Halloween party he went to last night.  What a transformation!!!

I painted his face and sprayed his hair white....

He really liked his face paints but his arms and hands were too pink so we sprayed those white too ....

And he came first place at the fancy dress!!!  This is his bag of Halloween treats that he won ....

Happy Halloween everyone!

Amanda

OSAAT Challenge #37

Hi Everyone, thanks to each and every one of you that joined in with last week's challenge at One Stitch at a Time.  We had lots of Celebrations covered in the challenge.  We have another brilliant challenge today which is:

Traditional or Modern Christmas - Anything Goes 

A nice easy challenge for you this week - so let's get making some more Christmas cards and enter them into the challenge.

For this challenge we have three amazing sponsors who are offering some lovely prizes:
Easy Craft - £10 voucher
I am roses - some lovely flowers for your cardmaking
Michelle's Scrap - $10 voucher

I chose to make a traditional card for this week's challenge.  I have used some fabulous traditional style papers by Toucan Scraps which are available in the Stitchy Bear and I Did it Creations Crafting Boutique here.  There's also a lovely lilac and purple version if you like a more modern look.  I especially liked the wording paper, but they all printed beautifully. 

I have chosen to add a rubber stamped image of Father Christmas to my design.  I stamped the image with Versa Mark and went over the impression with some red Perfect Pearls.  It has been ages since I used my Perfect Pearls, I had forgotten just how nice they look, especially for Christmas with the pearlescent lustre. 

The holly was from my little box of bits which I have probably "recycled" from somewhere and I've added some red card candy for berries.

So, I can't wait to see what you make for our challenge and don't forget to have a look at the other DT blogs - they've come up with some great ideas for this challenge!

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Sketch and Stash - I used their sketch, newest item is the papers, neglected items are the stamp and my perfect pearls.
Bee Crafty - Christmas
Crafty Purple Frog - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by,

Amanda

Craft Your Days Away Challenge #7

Thank you so much to everyone who entered our recipie challenge at Craft Your Days Away.  We always enjoy looking at your creations.  Pop over to the blog to see if you were one of last week's winners.

DT member Mel has set our new challenge, which is:

All White Card - with a coloured image only

This fortnight we are being sponsored by Simon Says Stamp.  They are offering one lucky winner $10 to spend in their on-line store. 

Don't forget that if you'd like a chance of joining us as Guest Designer for a challenge put GD after your name on your entry.  Mel will be picking the Top 3 for this challenge too so we are all eager to see what you create for this challenge.  Remember, we are a multi craft challenge blog so it doesn't necessarily have to be a card that you make.

 I must admit that this one was a bit of a challenge for me because I love using colour and lots of it - well, it is called a challenge isn't it!  Actually, I really enjoyed making this card and it makes a nice change to the norm.  I had a look through my box of old Christmas rubber stamps and found one that I have had for years, but don't think I've ever used it before.



Here's what I've used:

Snowman Image - stamp by Rubber Stampede, coloured with pro markers

Coated glitter card - DCWV

Circular Stamp - Cat's Life Press

Cuttlebug embossing folders - Snowflakes and Polka Dots

Snowflake - Sizzlits die

Glitter, dew drops, ribbon, slider - from stash

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

The Crafty Pad - Christmas

I did it creations - Surprise me

Papertake weekly - Sparkly and Bright

Fab n Funky - Clean and Simple

Creative Cottage - Embossing

Crafty Purple Frog - Anything goes

Thanks for looking and please pop back soon!

Amanda

Secret Crafter Christmas Angel

Within about two minutes of seeing this new digi release, on Saturday morning, at the Secret Crafter I had purchased and downloaded it and was getting my printer set up.  I think she is so sweet and I also think it is the very first time that I have made a blue and lemon Christmas card!  As I was passing the Secret Crafter shop (I am lucky to live close by) I just had to have a little detour to the shop to stock up on a few bits (I love the new Icicle Stickles that I bought from there - very, very glittery!).

It has taken me until this morning to finish making the card because I love to colour the image and then I seem to like to mess my table up as much as possible with as much craft stuff that I can put on there.  I will spend a day um-ing and ah-ing, shuffle the craft stuff around the table a bit more, then finally I will get my brain focussed on putting the card together!

Here's what I used:

Image - Christmas Angel digi from the Secret Crafter, coloured with pro markers and glittered with Icicle Stickles

Paper and glitter card - DCWV

Snowflakes - Sizzlits dies

Circular sentiment - digi from Sentiments 4 You

Dew drops, jewels and other bits from stash

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Manga

The Crafty Pad - Christmas

I Did it Creations - Surprise me/anything goes

Gingerloft - Winter

Craft Your Passion - Glitter and sparkle

Wild Orchid - Pastels

Move along with the times - Use pro markers

2 Sisters - Anything goes

Thanks for looking, hope you've enjoyed your visit!

Amanda

Jam Tilda for Sweet Sketch Wednesday

Where on earth is the time going lately?  I have only managed to make one card this week and there doesn't seem a spare minute in the day!!! 

I have spent this morning at my youngest son's primary school as it was "Praise assembly".  Each class teacher chooses the children from their class who have excelled at school and deserve an extra special praise.  My son was praised for his excellence in literacy skills and received a Head Teacher's certificate and a leather commemorative bookmark.  I wasn't the only proud Mom in school this morning but your own are always the best!

I have made today's card using the sketch over at Sweet Sketch Wednesday and so I am entering this card into their challenge.  I love using orange and green together and Autumn is a great time and there are some lovely shades of orange and green in the garden right now. 

I have used Jam Tilda which is a stamped image given to me be a friend, Missy B and it is coloured with Pro markers.  The papers are from My Mind's Eye and the swirly ribbon runch is a Martha Stewart one.  The "grass" punch is by Woodware and the retro flower and butterfly punches are by Papermania.  I have also used a bit of card candy and dew drops from my stash, together with the obligatory dusting of glitter!  The sentiment ticket was a freebie and is from Sentiments 4 You - thank you Jenny for sharing that with us on your lovely blog.

I am also entering this card into the following challenges:

I love pro markers - Autumn
Sweet Sketch Wednesday - I used their sketch
An oldie but a goodie - Add a butterfly
Craftalicious - Anything Goes
Riley & Co - Colors of Autumn
Flutterby Wednesday - Must have a butterfly, fairy or angel
Moving along with the times - Use pro markers.  They have a great prize for this challenge and are being sponsored by Letraset - you must check this challenge out!

Thanks for looking,

Amanda

Not to be missed! Pollycraft Secret Stamps Candy -

Pollycraft are celebrating 1000 followers with a fantastic candy giveaway!  You must check it out here - their digis are amazing, as are their clear stamps.  I have some of their older range and I can't wait to see their new launch.  (Freebie Friday is always a great day at Pollycraft too!).

The first prize winner will receive a prize valued at over £60.  The runners up prizes are great too.

Pop over to their blog and help spread the word - the candy close on 20th November 2010.

Must go and get some cards made now!

Amanda

OSAAT - Challenge #35

Hi Everyone,
We've got another great challenge for you this week over at One Stitch at a Time Challenge blog. Its a great challenge this week:


Embellish it with you favourite things 

For this challenge we are being sponsored by the fantastic Joanna Sheen. Why not pop over to her shop and have a browse through her brilliant goodies and always a place that I visit for flat backed pearls and my other favourite embellies.

The wonderful image I used is Christmas Door by Gingerloft and is available from the Stitchy Bear and I Did It Creations Crafting Boutique.  I thought the image was so nice and had such great detail that I wanted to keep the card as simple as possible.  I have coloured the image with pale coloured pro markers only to give just a hint of colour.

I have embellished my card with glitter and card candy - two of my favourite things.   The glitter (which I've dotted on as snow) shows up better in "real life" than it does on the picture.  I used a Sizzix die to cut the holly leaves and some copper coloured card candy as my holly berries.

So, I can't wait to see what you make for our challenge and don't forget to have a look at the other DT blogs - they've come up with some great ideas for this challenge!

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

A spoonful of sugar - Winter Wonderland
Little Red Wagon - Use something old and something new.  New is my digi image and my holly die is about 10 years old and it is the first time I've used it in about 5 years!
If the shoe fits - pick a holiday (Christmas)
Paper Cutz - Anything Goes
Craftalicious - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by,

Amanda

Craft Your Days Away - New Challenge

Hi Everyone, we have a brand new challenge for you today over at Craft Your Days Away Challenge Blog.  The challenge for the next two weeks has been set by DT member Jackie and it is a great recipe. 

The recipe is: 1 circle, 2 papers and 3 ribbons.


Remember, we are a multi craft blog so it does not necessarily have to be a card. It could be a scrapbook page, a gift or anything else, as long as you've crafted it.

For this challenge we are being sponsored by One Stop Crafts who are giving one lucky winner a £10 voucher to spend in their shop.  We will also be picking our Top 3 and if you would like a chance to join us as a Guest Designer for a future challenge please remember to add GD after your name on your entry.

I have made a "little man" card using the digi image Judo Josh available from DigiStamp Boutique and I've coloured it with pro markers.  The papers are from DCWV Stack 6 and the ribbons are all from Anita's.  I printed the sentiment and the number on my PC and added a little bit of faux stitching as the circle looked a bit plain without it. 

So, I can't wait to see what you make for our challenge and don't forget to have a look at the other DT blogs - they've come up with some beautiful examples for this challenge!  Don't forget to join in with us at Craft Your Days Away.

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Digi Stamp Boutique October Competition - I used their image
Cards for Men - Happy Birthday
A crafty little place - Blue/Brown/Rust
Crafty Creations Challenges - Use a number
Craftalicious - Anything Goes
Crafty Emma's Store Challenge - Card for a Male Birthday

Thanks for stopping by,

Amanda

Trick or Treat Basket Tutorial

I have just realised that I haven't posted the tutorial for the Halloween basket I did a couple of weeks ago, I did promise I'd post the instructions.  I found them on a blog at Easter time and it could also be easily adapted for a really pretty Christmas project too .

Here goes:

Take a square piece of card and score 9 equal squares.  I made life easy and cut my card to 9"x9" so my score lines are at 3" and 6" both on the horizontal and vertical.  Fold across the score lines then open back out.

Make a cut across the 2 score lines, stopping at the centre square.  Repeat on the opposite side, again making the 2 cuts.  Cut on 2 opposite sides only - the other 2 opposite sides must remain intact.

Decorate the four corner squares with design papers.  These will make the front and back of the basket.

Fold the 2 decorated corners together, covering the cut square, as shown.  Secure through all 3 layers of card - I usually use a brad as this is much stronger than glue.  Repeat for the opposite side.

Take a strip of matching card and cut to desired length for the handle.  Secure to basket - I use the brad for security and a spot of glue to stop the handle moving around.  I cut my handle with plain sides - they do look really pretty if you cut the edges of the handle with a border punch!

Decorate as desired!

I'd love to see if you make one too - leave me a comment with a link to your blog and I'll pop by for a visit!

I'll be back with some more cards over the weekend - thanks for stopping by!

Amanda

What's on my work desk today?

It's Wednesday again so time to show and tell what's on my workdesk over at Stamping Ground's WOYWW .  I enjoyed having a snoop around eveyone's desks last week.  My desk is a bit different this week, with regards to its contents. 

 

My Tilda Stamp Club stamps have arrived and they are so lovely.  I can't wait to have a play with them.  There's also a Tilda I've just coloured and a stamp I used for my last card that I haven't put away yet.  There's also a Hobby Crafts leaflet to remind me that I must order my tickets for next month's show.

There's a jewellery making magazine that I was given on Monday that I've only managed to have a quick flick through but it looks great.  I keep buying the beads but I never really get round to making anything - I will One Day!  Also on my desk (aka dining table), but you can't see in the picture, is some of my floristry stuff.  Yes, my dining table is rather messy today!  I made two wreaths yesterday morning as it was my Aunt's funeral yesterday.  Floral funeral tribute are one of my favourite things that I make, it is just the reason why you are making them which is not the nice part.  I made a large heart wreath which was for Aunt from her two sisters:

And a closer up picture of the spray:

And this posy was what I made from my family:

Thanks for looking and I hope you've enjoyed your visit!

Amanda

My Tilda With Curls card

I think that this Tilda stamp is my current favourite, although I am eagerly awaiting the delivery of the Tilda stamp club.  It's the first time that I've bought the TSC so I am keeping my fingers crossed that there will be some lovely stamps in there - I know that it has Christmas Tilda's in it.  I'm sure that I won't be disappointed.

I have had this image coloured for about a month now but my crafting MOJO has definitely been AWOL these past few weeks - must do something about that!  The challenge this week at the Secret Crafter is "Distressing" so I just couldn't resist making a card for their challenge.

I have distressed the edges of the papers with my scissors and inked around to add to the distressed look.  I bought the Prima flowers from the Secret Crafter and I love their "aged" look too.

Here's what I've used:

Stamp - Tilda with Curls, Magnolia, coloured with Pro Markers
Paper - Persimmon paper pad by Papermania
Flowers - Prima
Sentiment stamp - Hot off the Press
Roses amd pearls from £1 shop

I am going to enter this card into the following challenges:

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Distressing
Crafty Cardmakers -Step Away from the Square
Gingerloft - Glitter or Bling (glitter on the wings, roses and sentiment
If the Shoe fits - Distressing
Sweet Sketch Wednesday - I used their sketch

Thanks for looking,

Amanda