Anything But Square at Dream Valley

Hi Folks
This is my second post for today.  You lucky devils lol.

Anyway, today sees the start of a new challenge over at Dream Valley challenges.  This time around our theme it:

Anything but Square

Quite simple really, no squares allowed.

We are lucky enough to have two generous sponsors for this challenges.



One Stop Card Crafts who are offering one winner a £10 voucher for their store.



Meljen Designs who are offering one winner 4 digi images of their choice.
Two fab prizes I think you will agree.

The design team have come up with some gorgeous creations for this challenge.  Just pop over to Dream Valley and check them all out.

This is my inspiration for you.

This is a new card shape that I have enjoyed working with.  It was introduced to me at my local craft store where I attend a workshop each month.  The stamp used is a Wild Rose Studio stamp set that I recently purchased and is just perfect for those male cards.

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:
Top Tip Tuesday - One for the men
Cards for Men - Happy Birthday
Whimsy Stamps - Anything goes
Paperplay - Happy Birthday

Thanks for stopping by and look forward to seeing all your creations.

Sentimentally Yours at Corrosive Challenges

Hi Folks
Hope you are all well.  Have just been out for Sunday lunch with the family for our daughter's birthday.  Had a lovely carvery meal and now we are all stuffed.  Think it is time for an afternoon nap but thought I would get this posted first.

It is time for the start of a new challenge over at Corrosive Challenges.
Our sponsor for the month of July is the wonderfully witty, superbly sarcastic Graphicat Designs.



**Graphicat Stamps are stamps for the light hearted, good natured, sarcastic beast in all of us. We have our own line of Digital and Rubber stamps, mostly based around humour. I have always thought a card was supposed to cheer someone up, and when making my own cards, with all the wicked cool images out there to use now, I was always looking for the sarcastic, fun twist of a sentiment.... and when I couldn't find them I started making my own! They were so popular that I started my own line. If you check out our website, you will find we also carry lots of other stamps and paper crafting products. We are based in Canada!! Which is why we are so funny of course! Sure hope you can pop by to check us out at www.graphicatstamps.com**

Cheri has generously offered a $15 voucher for use in the store to our July winner!

This fortnight we have a fun new theme that is a perfect fit with our sponsor - "Sentimentally Yours".  We want to see a sentiment on the front of your creation.  It can be used in conjunction with an image or used all by itself as a focal point; either is acceptable.

We also have a little extra treat for you today!  We are previewing the new layout over from Graphicat Sketches before their challenge starts tomorrow.  And as a bonus, anyone who combines this sketch with their challenge entry for us will get an extra entry for the prize draw here!  Simply link a second time (to your general blog) and type "SKETCH" after your name.  Don't forget to enter over at Graphicat Sketches too for a shot at their prize as well if you do!  You can see the sneak peek here now and get a head start.  You'll see it in some of the design team creations too!




Here is my DT creation using a sentiment from Graphicat and the sketch.

I used papers from Papermania and coredinations cardstock to create the background and square panels.  The sentiment is from our sponsor and I made the little fairy panel using a freebie stamp that I got in a magazine ages ago.  I added some ribbon and a small flower to the bottom.  Although you can't see it very well I did add some glamour dust to the fairy wings and to the centre of the square panels.

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:
Moving Along With The Times - Sentiment as main focus
Catch the Bug - Anything goes

Thanks for popping by and looking forward to seeing all your lovely creations.

It's all about the girls at LIIU

Hi Folks
Hope you are all well.  I hate to mention it but what dreadful weather we have had in the UK this past few days.  My heart goes out to all those who have been affected by all this rain and the floods.  My youngest daughter came home on the train from Manchester last night as it is her sister's birthday tomorrow.  Even that journey took her six hours instead of the normal three.  Surely we must be due for some sunshine soon lol.
I am still trying to play catch up since my return from holiday.  My apologies if I have not been over to your blog yet.  I will get caught up eventually.

Anyway, today sees the start of a new challenge over at Let's Ink It Up.  Our sponsor for this challenge is the wonderful Magnolia-Licious.




And the prize is this gorgeous Snowman with Snowflakes stamp.  Just lovely for all those christmas projects.


So without further ado our challenge for this month is:

ALL GIRL

Think flowers, ribbon, lace, pearls etc.  I think this will be quite an easy challenge for lots of you out there so hope you will pop over to LIIU and upload your projects.  While you are there check out the awesome creations of the design team.  Just remember that NO DIGI IMAGES are permitted at LIIU.

Here is my inspiration for you.

I used a lovely Crafters Companion stamp from the SWALK range for my creation.  The image was coloured with Promarkers and cut out with a scalloped circle die.  I matted this onto a doily which I lightly inked with distress inks.  The papers are First Edition and are just gorgeous.  Lots of matting, layering and distressing.  All the flowers were spritzed with glimmer mist and lightly glittered.  I added some ribbon and a double bow, some pins and a little wooden butterfly.  The sentiment came as part of the stamp set.  This card is actually going to my eldest daughter tomorrow as it is her birthday.

Hope this had got your creative juices flowing and look forward to seeing all your wonderful creations.

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:
Little Miss Muffet - Sparkle
Sir Stampalot - Whats your crafty passion (stamping, flowers, distressing)
Card Makin Mamas - Rubber
Whimsy Stamps - Anything goes
Ribbon Girl - Girlie card
LEJ Designs - Fabulous flowers

Take care and thanks for popping by.

Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenges

Hi Folks
We have a new challenge for you starting over at Penny's Paper-Crafty challenges.  Our theme for this challenge is:

Red, White and Blue

Here is what I created using an image from one our sponsors, My Heart Pieces.

The image was coloured using promarkers and matted onto some blue coredinations cardstock.  I also did a bit of doodling around the edges. Used various red and blue papers from Papermania as backing papers.  I cut some freehand blue corners and added some white ribbon and flowers.

Penny's Paper-Crafty challenges has 3 fabulous sponsors for this challenge.

Sassy Studio Design
Prize - 4 images of the winners choice

     
Lily of the Valley 
Prize - £10 gift voucher



My Heart Pieces
Prize - 3 images of the winners choice

Why not pop over to Penny's and check out the awesome work of the design team.  Just upload your entry for the chance to win one of the fab prizes on offer.


Next week (11th July) we are having a blog hop to launch the start of weekly challenges.  Yes, you heard right, Penny's is moving from fortnightly to weekly challenges.
I do hope you will hop over next week and join in the fun.

Challenges entered:
Bunny Zoes - Girls, girls, girls
LEJ Designs - Fabulous flowers
Allsorts - In bloom
Squiggle Stamps - Red, white and blue
Card Makin Mamas - Red, white and blue
Ribbon Girl - Girlie card
Divas By Design - Red, white and blue
The Paper Shelter - Flower power
Papertake - Anything goes

Thanks for popping by and looking forward to seeing your entries for our challenge of Red, White and Blue.

Dude Time Doodles Fun In The Sun

Morning Folks
Today sees the start of the first Wednesday challenge of the month over at Dude Time Doodles.  Our theme for this challenge is

Fun In The Sun

and the winner will receive 3 free images from the store.

I used this great image 'Sk8tr Skip' and he reminded me so much of my teenage nephew James.  He is a cool dude too and loves being outside on his skateboard.  He is learning some tricks and is getting quite good.  In fact, this card will be for his birthday in September.
I coloured the image using promarkers and used various papers to create the layers.  The sentiments are available with the image and were just perfect.  Some ric rac ribbon and card candy finished it off.

Be sure to check out the awesome work of the rest of the design team.  Looking forward to seeing all your projects.

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:
Kaboodle Doodles - A boys life
Digital Tuesday - Kids
Totally Papercrafts - Can you digi it
Pile It On - For guys with a sports theme
One Stitch At A Time - Use a digi
Pan Pastel - Use a digi
Top Tip Tuesday - One for the men
Cutie Pie - One for the boys
Cards for Men - Happy birthday
Whimsy Stamps - Anything goes
The Stamping Boutique - Cards for men

I'm Back

Hi Folks
Hope you are all well.  Returned from my holiday today.  Had a fabulous time on our cruise and really didn't want it to end.  I can truly say that I have the cruising bug.  You are treated so well and love the opportunity to visit so many different places and countries during your time on board.  I would recommend it to anyone.

Here is a photo of me standing on the quayside next to our ship.

We visited an Ice-Bar in Oslo.  We had to get dressed up in these cute capes with furry hoods to keep warm and we were served vodka cocktails in an ice glass.

This final photo shows hubby and I on deck with a wonderful sunset behind us.

Not back to work until Thursday so hoping to do some blog hopping tomorrow.  So much to catch up on.

Dude Time Doodles New Release Blog Hop

Hi Folks
Hopefully today I am in St Petersburg in Russia.  We are due to be here today and tomorrow so lots of sightseeing to be done.
Just wanted to share with you that it is the last Wednesday of the month and time for Dude Time Doodles new release blog hop.
All you need to do is pop over to Dude Time Doodles and hop over to all the teamies sharing a bit of love along the way.  One of the team members is the mystery host with a prize to be won.
Hope you will join in.
Bye for now and see you all soon.
Take care.

Summertime Girls at Corrosive Challenges

Hi Folks
This is my second scheduled post for today (well, I hope anyway).
Today sees the start of a new challenge over at Corrosive Challenges.  The theme for this challenge is
Summertime Girls
We would like to see a summery project using a female image.
Our sponsor for the month of June is the fab Mayzy Art Stamps.  Why not pop over to Corrosive Challenges and check out the full details for the challenge.  Whilst there check out the awesome projects from the amazingly talented design team

Here is what I have created to give you a little inspiration.

I have used this super digi from Whimsy stamps called Summer Time Emma.  Used lots of matting and layering using papers scraps from my scraps box.  I used some lace across the centre of the card and also made a bow using the same lace.  Some flowers, butterflies and a little charm were the perfect embellishments to finish the card.
Looking forward to seeing all your gorgeous creations when I return from my holiday.

Take care.

Things With Wings at Dream Valley

Hi Folks
This is a scheduled post as still away on our cruise.  Today is a full sea day so lots of relaxing on board the ship.  Yesterday we were in Copenhagen for the day and tomorrow we will be arriving in Stockholm.

Today sees the start of a new challenge over at Dream Valley challenges.  If you haven't already guessed our theme for this fortnight is

Things With Wings

If you pop over to Dream Valley you can check out the full details of our fab sponsor and the awesome work by the rest of the design team.

Here is my creation

I used a gorgeous decoupage stamp set from Imagination Crafts to create my card.  I stamped the square image onto white card and embossed with clear embossing powder.  I then stamped the image again onto purple card and cut out the butterflies to add some depth.  The background was created by using another image from the stamp set, stamping it with versamark onto black card and then adding purple cosmic shimmer powder.  It really does sparkle in real life.  I added a ribbon, a sentiment and some little flowers that I made using my glue gun, a stamp and some shimmer powder.

Take care folks and look forward to seeing all your creations when I return from my holiday.

Who's for Ice Cream?

Hi Folks
This is my second scheduled post for today.
It's time for the start of a new challenge at Penny's Paper-Crafty challenges.  It doesn't seem like two weeks since the last challenge started.  This year is passing by all too quickly.
Our challenge theme for this fortnight is

Ice Cream (June 29th is Ice Cream Soda Day in the US)

We have some fab sponsors for this challenge so why not give it a go and enter.  Our sponsors are:
Di's Digi Downloads - offering a $10 voucher to spend in their online store
Poodles Digi Doodles - offering 7 images of your choice
Eye Candie Creations - offering 4 images of your choice

Here is what I created using a cute little image called Lil Diva.

Coloured her up using promarkers in lovely ice cream shades.  The backing paper was from my stash and has all sorts of sweetie things on it including ice cream and lollies.  The sentiment is a freebie from Birds Cards and suited the theme beautifully.  Added some ribbon, lace, flower and gems as embellishments.

Why not pop over to Penny's and check out the scrummy creations from the rest of the design team.
Take care.

Love at Dude Time Doodles

Hi Folks
This is a scheduled post as today I am heading down to Southampton for the start of a two week cruise.  We will be visiting various countries including Norway, Denmark, Estonia, Russia, Finland and Belgium.  To say I am excited is an understatement.  I have never been to any of these countries so it is quite an adventure.

Anyway, today sees the start of a new challenge over at Dude Time Doodles.  Our theme for this weeks challenge is

Weddings/Anniversaries

We have a fab sponsor, Pattie's Creations, who is offering our winner 2 images of their choice from her store.  The design team have been hard at work and have produced some fab creations.  Why not pop over to Dude Time Doodles and check them out.

I used the super image Gary Giftbearer to create my card.  I think he is such a cheeky chappie, hiding those flowers behind his back.  Kept the embellishments very simple.  Just a couple of hearts and some card candy.
I do hope some of you will enter the challenge.  You can use humour, innuendo, sarcasm as long as your creation is masculine.  Just pop over to Dude Time Doodles and upload your creation.

Take care.

Au Revoir for a little while

Evening Folks
No card share tonight I am afraid.  Just wanted to let you all know that you won't see me around in blogland for a couple of weeks as I am going on my holiday.  We leave on Wednesday for a cruise around the Baltic.  Particularly looking forward to visiting Russia.  We only booked it about six weeks ago and it has come round so quickly.  I am at work tomorrow and then packing tomorrow night so this is probably my last chance to be on line.
I have scheduled a few design team posts for while I am away.  Just hope that blogger behaves and publishes on time.
Will look forward to checking out your blogs when I get back.  Happy crafting.
Take care.

Shape It Up

Evening Folks
Thankfully the weekend has arrived.  Had quite a busy time at work this week.  Trying to get ahead of myself before my holiday.  Only have to wait till Wednesday and then we will be heading down to Southampton to board our ship.  Seems to have come around quickly but then we only booked it six weeks ago.  Hopefully the rest on holiday will do my arm some good.  Not sure what I have done but think it might be tennis elbow or something related to all the computer work I do (both at work and at home).  Just have to be careful not to lift anything heavy with my left arm, but even gripping things can be painful at the moment.  I suppose if it doesn't get better I will have to trudge along to the doctors.

Anyway, enough waffle and onto my card share for today.  Every month I go to a card workshop at my local craft shop Dalex Crafts.  Each month Caroline (who runs the workshops) tries to cover different techniques and card shapes.  Here is the card that we created in May.

I started off by creating a gatefold square card.  The sides were embossed with an embossing folder.  I then cut two shapes using a nestie.  Dark brown for the frame and cream for the inner.  These were then mounted onto the card front - the frame on one side and the inner on the other.  When closed the frame and inner interlock.
This next picture should give you more of an idea of what I mean.

I then used a diecut from the Wellington range by Docrafts and stamped a sentiment onto the inner nestie.  Some large flat backed pearls and some backing paper inside the card finished the look.



Here is another one I made but this time using a flower stamp and little pearls.

I really enjoyed making these and liked how using the die cut nesties turned a simple gatefold card into something a bit more special.








Thanks for popping by.  Can I just say welcome to my new followers.  In August it will be my first blogaversary (keep your eyes peeled for some candy).  If you had told me when I first started this venture that within a year I would have over 100 followers and be on five design teams I would not have believed you.  You are all so wonderful and it is your support and encouragement that keeps me going.  A big thank you to you all.
Take care.

Dude Time Doodles Freebie Challenge

Morning Folks
Hope you are all well.
It's that time of the month for the Dude Time Doodles freebie image challenge.  Basically, Dude Time Doodles supply the image and you create something using that image.  The winner of the challenge gets selected to be our guest designer for the month of July.  You can use humour, innuendo, be a little naughty, or sarcastic as long as your creation is on the masculine side.

Our freebie image this month is called 'Johnny On The Spot'.  Quite a simple image but boy did the design team come up trumps with all their fab creations.  Why not pop over to Dude Time Doodles and check them out.  I think you'll agree they are all fab.

When I first saw the image it reminded me of a little rhyme I heard a few years ago.  I therefore decided to make a little wall plaque for the bathroom.  This was quite a quick project to do but think it came out ok.   Now I just have to find the right spot to put it.  Have to be careful where though, don't want the men reading the plaque instead of watching what they are doing lol.

Have fun with the image and looking forward to seeing all your fab creations.
Take care.

For That Special Guy at Dream Valley

Hi Folks
Second post for today. Scroll down to see my Corrosive Challenges post.

Today sees the start of a new challenge at Dream Valley challenges.

This fortnights Challenge is another easy  one

FOR THAT SPECIAL GUY

Perfect with Fathers Day just around the corner!

Remember all you have to do is follow our rules to be eligible for a prize! It can be anything from a card to a Scrapbook page or maybe a 3D creation or even an altered item! As long as its For that Special Guy it can be entered into the Linky at the bottom of the page to win one of 2 prizes.

One Stop Crafts are offering a £10 voucher for their store and Sassy Studio designs are offering 4 digi images of your choice from their store.

I used an image from Sassy Studio to create this Fathers Day Card.  Apologies for the poor photo but just couldn't seem to catch the right moment yesterday.  May try later to get a better photo and replace it.

Anyway I kept the card quite simple. Coloured the image with promarkers and added some glossy accents to the glass and then stickles on the foam and also around the edge of the image.  The only embellishments were some buttons and the fuzzy braid.  

If you pop over to Dream Valley the design team have come up with some gorgeous projects for your inspiration. Looking forward to seeing all your creations.

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:

Tuesday Morning Sketches - use sketch
Sassy Studio Design - Add a splash (glossy accents, stickles)
Secret Crafter Saturday - Happy Fathers Day
One Stop - Fathers Day
Pan Pastel - Boys/Fathers Day
LEJ Designs - Button It
Creative Inspirations - Card for a male
One Stitch At A Time - The man in your life
Sentimental Sundays - For a special guy

Take care.

Feeling Punchy with Corrosive challenges

Hi Folks
What a glorious day it is today in my part of the UK.  Managing to get some gardening done while hubby cooks the dinner.
Sorry I haven't been around a lot the last few days.  Just manic at the moment trying to get everything done before I go on holiday.  We go on the 20th June so lots to fit in before I go.  Hopefully I will get some time tonight to try and visit blogland and catch up on some commenting.
Anyway, today sees the start of a new challenge over at Corrosive challenges.
June is here and that means a new sponsor with a great prize on offer.  We are super excited to welcome Mayzy Art as our sponsor for June.  Mayzy is offering 8 of her awesome digis to the monthly winner.  Plus, the winner will have the opportunity to be our guest designer for August.



This month we are feeling punchy at Corrosive challenges.  We would like to see 2 or more punches and/or dies on your project.  Easy peasy me thinks.

I used a gorgeous image from Mayzy Art on my card.  I used punches to punch some fancy corners in the patterned paper.  The corners of all the images were punched using my rounded corner punch.  I also punched out lots of tiny flowers and leaves for the top and bottom of the image.
A very girly card and who can't resist a good cupcake.  There is more inspiration over at Corrosive challenges and the design team have come up trumps with some awesome creations.

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:
TO BE UPDATED

Thanks for popping by and looking forward to seeing all your fab creations.

Penny's Paper-Crafty new challenge and DT call

Hi Folks
Hope you are all well.  First day back at work today after the extended bank holiday and boy did it go slow. Just couldn't seem to get myself going.  But only another two days and then it's the weekend.

Today sees the start of a new challenge over at Penny's Paper-Crafty challenges.
Before I get onto the challenge itself we are having another DT call.  Sadly, a couple of members have stepped down from the team so we are looking for some new blood.  Why not pop over to Penny's and check out the details.  We welcome all abilities and styles of crafting so why not apply.

Now onto the new challenge for this fortnight which is

I LOVE YOU DAD

as it is Fathers Day in the UK on June 17th.

We have three wonderful sponsors for this challenge:

Robyns Fetish with 5 free images of your choice  

Digi My World with a $10 voucher  and

Eye Candie Creations with 4 free images of your choice.

So what are you waiting for, get creating.  The challenge is not just limited to Dad creations.  Any masculine project is welcomed.

For my card today I used an image from Eye Candie creations.

For the fab pint glass image I coloured it in promarkers, cut it out and matted it onto a die cut oval.  I added glossy accents to the outside and the handle (glass effect hopefully) and added flower soft to the froth to give some texture.  The backing paper I found in my stash and was just perfect to go with the image. Added some ribbons and buttons across the centre, lots of pearls and the two sentiments.

If you pop over to Penny's you can check out the awesome work of the rest of the DT.  Looking forward to seeing all your creations.

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:

Jellypark - Boy Crazy
Pile It On - Put a button on fathers day
Pretty Little Ribbon Shop - Lots of layers
LEJ Designs - Button it

Take care.

Boys and Their Toys

Hi Folks
Hope you all had a good weekend and for those of us in the UK a lovely extended bank holiday.  But all good things come to an end and it's back to work today. Still, only a couple of weeks and I will be on my holidays so not all bad.

As it's the first Wednesday of the month it's time for a new challenge to start over at Dude Time Doodles.
Just upload a creation with a manly feel for your chance to win 3 free images from the Dude Time Doodles store.
Our theme for this challenge is

BOYS AND THEIR TOYS

I used this fab image called Lief Blower.  It might be just a leaf blower and a rake he is carrying but he certainly looks like he is going into battle against those pesky leaves lol.

I kept the card quite simple in it's layout just matting and layering various papers that were in my scraps box.  I did die cut some leaves and put these on each corner of the image along with some card candy.

The dude and dudettes have been busy creating some awesome projects for this challenge so why not pop over to Dude Time Doodles and take a look.

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:

One Stitch At A Time - Use a digi
Love to Create - Fathers Day
Cards for Men - Fathers Day
Kaboodle Doodles - All manly male
Papertake - Anything goes/Fathers Day
Creative Inspirations - Card for a male
Digital Tuesday - Anything goes
Sweet Stamps - For Dad
Fab N Funky - Go Green
Disdigidesigns - Male inspired

Thanks for popping by and looking forward to seeing your entries for the challenge.  

Take care.