Pretty Ballerinas

This is my second post of the day - please scroll down to see my first post

Hi,

It's time for another challenge over at Lexi's Creations (I really don't know where the last 2 weeks have gone to!) and this time we'd like to see your Lace and Ribbon.

The folks at Cropstop are sponsoring our challenge this week - they're offering our lucky winner a $15 Gift Certificate and here is a little about them:

If you’re passionate about paper-crafting whether it be scrapbooking your memories, making cards or altered art, CropStop is your one-stop solution. We offer an extensive selection of dies, embossing folders, inks, stamps and punches by all the popular manufacturers and the CropStop die and embossing folder storage solutions Pocketz Pages™ to keep everything organized. Our selection of embellishments and adhesives is continually expanding and we are excited to be the home of the colorful Ribbon Candy™. 

CropStop ships internationally as well as domestic. Our personalized customer service is only one of our strengths. Call or come visit us at www.CropStop.com and see what’s new in the world of paper-crafting.

This is the card I made for inspiration for this challenge using an image by the lovely Lexi at Fairy Dust Crafts and a sketch challenge for my layout:

My card recipe is as follows:

• Base Card - Centura Pearl 300gsm card in Pale Pink cut and folded to a DL size card.
• Design Papers - all by Summer at Summertime Designs from a set called called Happy Mother's Day
• Image - Ballerina Trio is by Lexi of Fairy Dust Crafts and is just one of the gorgeous  images that you can find at her store. I brought this hardworking  trio in their nearly matching outfits to life with my Spectrum Noir Pens in the following colours:
• Hair - GB8, GB10, EB5, TN7, TN8
• Skin - FS2, FS3, EB1, EB2
• Tutus - PP3, PP4, PP5
• Outline - GG1
• Lace and Ribbon - from my stash. I made them into a flower/scrunchie and then used a matching narrow width ribbon to thread through a faux button, made using paper from the same set as my DPs. Check out this fab tutorial by Leesa and find out how you can make sure your button matches your card every time!

I hope you like this card as much as I do! Head on over to Lexi's Creations and check out how the rest of the DT girls used their Lace and Ribbon, and then show us your creations! You've got until Saturday 12th May 2012 to get your cards linked up.

I would like to enter this card for the following challenges:

• Challenge #27 - Brown and Pink at Ruby's Rainbow
• Challenge #44 - Just  for Children at Craft Your Days Away
• Challenge #105 - Pink and Brown at Digi Doodle Shop Challenge
• Sweet Sketch Wednesday 151 at Sweet Sketch Wednesday
• Anything Goes at Simon Says

I hope you have a great week and if, like us, you're under huge downpours of rain, that you dry out soon!

Hugs, Helen x

Anyone for Tea?

This is my first post of the day - please scroll up to see my later post

Hi,

Today is the last Monday in April and this is the final card I've made for my Guest Spot at Incy Wincy Designs. Our challenge for you this week is either Mother's Day or Girlie. Here in the UK, we celebrated Mothering Sunday in March (it's tied into Easter in the Church calendar) and I know that next year I'll never remember that I made a card for my Mother in Law :o), so I've gone with the Girlie option this week!

The DT were provided with a choice of images by Floppy Latte Designs from which I chose Time for Tea and here is my card:

My card recipe is as follows:

• Base Card - Centura Pearl 300gsm card in Snow White cut and folded to a 15cm square card.
• Design Papers - all by Summer at Summertime Designs from a set called Dryer Lint at Tiffany's. I just love the muted but still very feminine colours of the designs in this set and the turquoise swirl paper does have some texture to it - not sure you can see it in the photo though! I used the charcoal grey striped paper from the set as a mat and layer paper, but ensured that the stripes went different ways on the layers.
• Image - Time for Tea is just one of the fabulous images by Jessica that you can find in her store, Floppy Latte Designs - not only should you go over there to see her other delightful designs and get some inspiration from the gallery, but also check out Jessica's blog (link on the right of this post in my "Freebies List") because she offers goodies there too, and who doesn't like a goodie! I brought this lovely set to life with my Spectrum Noir Pens in the following colours:
• CG1, CG3, BT1, BT2, BT4, BT5
• Tag - from the same Summertime Designs set as my DP's and I added the sentiment with the aid of my word processing package
• Ribbon - from my stash
• Faux Stitching - done with a turquoise gel pen. This is the first time I've added stitching to a card (either faux or real) and I'd love to know what you think of it.

Don't forget to come over to Incy Wincy and see what gorgeous creations the regular DT came up and then show us your Mother's Day or Girlie cards!

It only remains for me to thank Chris and the team at Incy Wincy for having me as their Guest Designer this month ... I've had a blast girls!!!!

I would like to enter this card for the following challenges:

• Anything Goes at Aud Sentiments
• Challenge #59 - Birthdays at Ladybug Crafts (OK so I know it doesn't say Happy Birthday or any variation, but it would make a perfect "girlie" Birthday card!)
• Anything Goes at Simon Says

I hope you have a great week.

Hugs, Helen x

1, 2, 3, it's a Pirate's life for me ... :o)

Hi,

It's another Monday in April so it's time to show you another card I've made for my Guest Spot at Incy Wincy Designs. We've got a Sketch Challenge for you this week, and it's a great one:

The DT were provided with a choice of images by Sassy Studios from which I chose Pirate Penny (how gorgeous is she?) and here is my card:

I am so pleased with how she's turned out, because I could see in my mind's eye how I wanted this card to look, but struggled to get there. Then a flash of inspiration arrived, and this card was done!

My card recipe is as follows:

• Base Card - Centura Pearl 300gsm card in Ivory cut and folded to a 15cm square card.
• Backing Paper - by Paulette of  Create With TLC. It is called (not surprisingly) World Map Paper. I think this was part of a package that Paulette had put together as a prize for a scavenger hunt on her blog and store. I distressed the edges of the map to give it more of a vintage feel.
• Sentiment - also by Paulette at Create With TLC and was one of the freebies that Paulette gives away daily on her blog. I think this saying is perfect for a female pirate who had obviously been distracted by her treasure! I layered this word art onto a tag which came from a set by Summer at Summertime Designs called Golden Sunshine. I went over the word "Sparkly" with my ballpoint glue pen, covered it with iridescent embossing powder and heated it. Just check out that sparkle! The whole tag was larger than I needed once the word art was on it, so I cut inside the frame which retained those lovely curves and points but reduced the overall size.  
• Image - Pirate Penny is just one of the fabulous images by Lindsay that you can find at her store, Sassy Studios - you'll have to go over there to see the other delightful designs that Lindsay has created. I brought this gorgeous girl to life with my Spectrum Noir Pens and then highlighted the gems in the sand with glue and embossing powder as for the sentiment. I distressed the edges and ran over the edge with chalk in light tan to give them a tint. Colours used:
• Feather - GG1
• Hat - True Black
• Hair - GB8, GB10, EB5
• Skin - FS2, FS3
• Eyes - DG4
• Lips - CR10
• Blouse  EB1, EB2
• Breeches - BT7, BT9
• Boots - True Black,
• Pistol & Cutlass - EB7, IG4
• Treasure Chest - TN2
• Gems - CR10, TB5, CG4, EB1
• Sand - GB1, Colourless Blender
• Sky - Light Blue Chalk
• Lace and Gems - from my stash

I hope you like this card as much as I do! Head on over to Incy Wincy and check out what the regular DT did with this sketch, and then show us your take on it!

I would like to enter this card for the following challenge:

• Challenge 11 - Bingo at Chocolate, Coffee & Cards. I claim the top line of Distress, Lace and Emboss

Have a great and crafty week.

Hugs, Helen x

Flying High!

Hi,

Well, it's another exciting day for me as I'm proudly Guest Designing at Jellypark Challenges this week! Thanks for having me girls!

The theme for this week's challenge is Little Bunny Foo Foo and we're asking that you use a bunny or rabbit on your project. As well as using one of Claire's gorgeous images that's available from her store, I've also been allowed to use a brand new release. So, without further ado, here is my card ....

My inspiration for this layout has come from the current sketch at Come and Get It Challenges - it's another CAS sketch which, as you know, is right up my street!

My card recipe is as follows:

• Base Card - C6 card blank in cream card
• Design Papers - both from the Strawberry Kisses CD-Rom. I used the built in colouriser to tweak the yellow spotty paper, to make it a bit brighter
• Images - all by the very talented Claire at  Jellypark. My main image is Rabbit with Balloon (fussy cut and mounted onto plain cream card, which had a coating of Spray and Sparkle) and she came to life courtesy of my Spectrum Noir Pens in the following colours:
• Rabbit's Fur - GG1, GG2
• Jumper - CT1, CT2
• Dress -  LG3, LG4, CR11
• Balloon - CR11
• The sentiment (I coloured the heart with CR11 and coated it with glitter spray)  and heart-shaped faux buttons are from the new release Baby Tags by Claire at  Jellypark. I printed the heart shapes onto my yellow DP and, following a tutorial by Leesa (I substituted Spray and Sparkle for embossing powder) made the shapes into sweet little buttons that are perfectly coordinated with my card, although I think I need more practice!
• I used some rafia to tie through my faux buttons, and also the string for my rabbit's balloon.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

• Challenge #53 - Favourite Song/Movie at My Mum's Craft Shop - Defying Gravity from the show Wicked ... quite apt I feel!!! :o)
• Going Around in Circles at Poodles Parlour
• Challenge 23 - Four Legged Friends at Crafter's Companion Monthly Challenge
• Sketch at Come and Get It Challenges
• Challenge #166 - Bounty of Buttons at The Crafty Pad
• R#68 - Something New at Crafts 4 Eternity
• Challenge #74 - Spotty Dotty at Top Tip Tuesday
• Challenge #20 - Doing the Rounds at Little Claire's Designs

Please hop (pun definitely intended!) on over to Jellypark Challenges and show us your Bunny and Rabbit creations. Look forward to seeing you there.

Hope you have a great weekend!
Hugs, Helen x

My First DT Project ... !!!!!! :o)

This is my second post of the day - please scroll down to see my first post

Hi,

It is with some trepidation and much excitement that I'm writing this post. As you know, I've had a GDT spot with Craft Your Passion and I'm currently the April GDT for Incy Wincy but this is my first, proper DT Project as I've officially joined the Design Team at Lexi's Creations from today. Whoopeeeeeee!!!!!!!

Today is the start of our new challenge and we would like you to Use Your Punches and Dies. The lovely Lexi at Fairy Dust Crafts has provided images for the DT to work with and here is my card:

My card recipe is as follows: 

• Base Card - Centura Pearl 300gsm card in Red. I used the largest cracker shape from the Ultimate Pro Embossing Board "Snowman Delight & Candlelight" as a die, and embossed this shape, cut it out and then folded it in half to make my card.
• Green Design Paper - from a collection called Christmas Spirit which were available as a download in December 2010 from Crafter's Companion
• Image - called Pengy - Free Snowballs (isn't he just adorable?) printed onto Neenah Solar White Card. I brought this little cutie to life with my Spectrum Noir Pens in the following colours (old numbering system):
  • Pengy - 120, 33
  • Earmuffs - 11, CG5
  • Sign -  96, 91, 98
  • Snow - 109, WG0.5, Colourless Blender
  • Background - Light Blue Chalk
• Sentiment - a goodie in the December 2011 Club run by the very generous Paulette of Create With TLC. Paulette puts some of the "club" items into sets in her store, so pop on over and have a look.
• Snowflakes - punched from Centura Pearl 300gsm card in Snow White using 2 different sizes of snowflake punch. I bent the "fronds" up on each snowflake, to give a bit of dimension to my card.

I hope you'll come over to Lexi's Creations and check out the lovely "makes" from my fellow DT members (I've got links to all their blogs so hop round and share some 'blog love' too!) and then show us your creation using Your Punches and Dies - this challenge runs until 1900hrs BST on Saturday 28th April 2012.

I would like to enter this card for the following challenge:

• Challenge 106 - Use your Die Cuts and Punches at Craft Your Passion

Happy Crafting!

Hugs, Helen x

Spring Flowers

This is my first post of the day - please scroll up or come back later for my next post!

Hi,

I'm having to schedule this post as the Easter holidays are now over, and I'm tending to the sick youngsters at school! I do hope Mr. Blogger is playing nicely today and posts this at the time I've requested! :o)

This is my third post as Guest Designer at Incy Wincy Designs and I'm loving seeing the projects you talented crafters are sharing! This week the challenge is Use a Digi and we have been sponsored by Delicious Doodles who kindly gave the DT a selection of Spring images to choose from. I had a really hard job selecting one image to use (honestly!) and this is the card I made:

My card recipe is as follows:

• Base Card - 300gsm Centura Pearl Card in Ivory, which was cut, scored and folded to an 11cm Spring Card.
• Design Paper - Flowers and Trees Paper from the Owl Always Love Spring collection by the talented Summer Driggs at Summertime Designs.
• Image - Crocus by the wonderful Teri at Delicious Doodles. Do pop over to her site, as there are so many delicious images to make you open your purse! I brought the crocus to life using my Spectrum Noir Pens in the following shades:
• Crocus - LV1, LV2, GB4
• Leaves - CG1, CG2
• Outline - GG1

I've deliberately left this card without a sentiment because, unusually for me, I haven't made it with a particular occasion in mind. However, I think it would make a great "Thank You", "Thinking of You" or "Get Well" card, as well as a lovely Birthday card.

I would like to enter this card for the following challenges:

• Challenge 52 - Spring Summer Colours at Aud Sentiments
• Challenge 212 - Spring Flowers at Cute Card Thursday
• PDCC127 - Colour Board of Daffodil...Hydrangea...Kiwi...Cherry at The Play Date Cafe (All the colours are there ... just! The cherry is on my DP)
• Challenge 110 - Anything Goes at Sassy Cheryl's
• April Showers Bring Spring Flowers at Simon Says

Looking forward to seeing your Digis over at Incy Wincy this week. Hope you have a great week!

Hugs, Helen x

From Rupert, with Love ....

Hi,

This is my second week as a GDT at Incy Wincy Designs. Thanks for sharing all your Easter and Pastel Colours with us last week. This week the challenge is Cute Critters and we have been sponsored by Stamping Dragon Designs. A friend had already asked me to make a baby boy card for her son and daughter-in-law, and I knew that Rupert with Heart was just the thing! So here's the card I made:

My card recipe is as follows:

• Base Card - 300gsm Centura Pearl Card in Ivory - I love this card for its weight and sheen which just catches the light beautifully. (This is why I didn't use any papers on the front of the card!) The card was cut, scored and folded to make a 6 inch square Joy-fold card. 
• Design Papers - Both from the Paintbox Poppets CD Rom, by Crafter's Companion
• Sentiment - a freebie offered by the lovely (and former Incy Wincy DT member) Annette on her Blog. I recoloured it using my word processing package so that it toned with my card.
• This lovely little fella is called Rupert with Heart by Stamping Dragon Designs - you should visit the store as there are plenty of other dragons (as well as other goodies) there to tempt you! I brought Rupert to life in non-typical dragon colours using my Spectrum Noir Pens in the following shades (old numbering system):
• Heart - 11
• Dragon - 171, 68, 65, 64
• Outline - WG0.5, WG1
• Insert - the coloured square is from the Paintbox Poppets CD Rom which I've then put through my printer again to include this perfect sentiment by Create with TLC

I would like to enter this card for the following challenges:

• Challenge #51 - Easter Creations / Animals at My Mum's Craft Shop
• Going Dotty at The Poodles Parlour
• Challenge #73 - Easter and/or Animals at Top Tip Tuesday
• Challenge #110 - Critters at Critter Challenge

Looking forward to seeing your Cute Critters over at Incy Wincy this week. Have a great week!

Hugs, Helen x

Happy Easter!

Hi,

Firstly, I would like to welcome my new followers - I hope you enjoy following my blog.

Secondly, Happy Easter everyone! I would like to share an Easter card with you.

My card recipe is as follows: 

• Base Card - Centura Pearl 300gsm card in Snow White, which was cut and folded into a 4 inch square card
• Green Design Paper - from Paintbox Poppets CD-Rom
•  Blue Design Paper (called MothersAtticPearlsPlaid3), image and sentiment are all by Create With TLC. The DP came from the May Club; the image and sentiment were from the April Club. Paulette puts some "club" items into sets in her store, so pop on over and have a look. I brought this lovely vintage image of Calla Lilies in an ovoid shape to life with my Spectrum Noir Pens in the following colours (old numbering system):
• Lilies - 35, 109, 175, 48, 43, Colourless Blender
• Outline - WG0.5
• Background - Light Blue Chalk
• Ribbon - is a wire-edged metallic ribbon with a lovely blue/green sheen by  Fantastic Ribbons which was part of a Blog Candy pack that I won last autumn.  

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

• Easter at Card Makin' Mamas (2nd Entry)
• Challenge #42 - Easter at Craft Your Days Away (2nd Entry) 
• Challenge #51 - Easter Creations / Animals at My Mum's Craft Shop (2nd Entry)
• Challenge #25 - Easter at Ruby's Rainbow
• Challenge #3 - Spring with Pastel Colours at The Crafter's Cafe

Hugs, Helen x

Easter Wishes

Hi,

I'm very proud and excited this month to be working with the fabby team at Incy Wincy Designs as their Guest Designer for April! Thanks for having me girls!!!!! Kaia's projects were stunning last month - I hope you enjoy my creations as much! This week the challenge is "Easter or Pastel Colours" and we have been sponsored by Care2Stamp who have provided the images for us this week.

I have chosen to showcase the beautiful Milton with Lily (from the Wild Rose Studio Collection) for my card this week and I've made a shaped Easel Card:

My card recipe is as follows: 

• Base Card - Centura Pearl 300gsm card in Snow White, onto which I embossed the largest flower shape from the embossing board Springtime Sweets and Cupcake Treats. I then cut and folded this shape to form my easel and embossed a further flower shape to form the front of my card.
• Design Paper (called EasterRoses6) and sentiment are from the Create With TLC April Club. This club has now finished, but you may be lucky enough to pick up some of the goodies from Paulette's store. I love the textured, corrugated effect on the paper! If you don't already follow TLC then you really should - just be sure to tell Paulette that you hopped by from my blog.
•  Image is by Care2Stamp and it is the utterly gorgeous Milton with Lily - I am totally in love with him! If you pop over there you'll find not only the other 6 Milton stamps but a whole host of other wonderful designs too. Taking inspiration from the spring colours in my garden, I brought Milton to life with my Spectrum Noir Pens in the following colours (old numbering system):
• Lily - 137,  8, 33, 163, 175
• Milton -  104, 100, 169
• Outline -  WG0.5 

I hope you'll come over to Incy Wincy, check out the gorgeous creations by the DT ladies, and then show us your Easter or Pastel Colours creations. Look forward to seeing you!

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

• Challenge #25 - Easter at Ruby's Rainbow
• Easter / Spring Projects at Catch the Bug
• Challenge #179 - A Shaped Card at The Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge
• Challenge #42 - Easter at Craft Your Days Away
• Easter at Card Makin' Mamas
• Challenge #16 - Easter at Card Crafter's Circle
• Challenge 210 - Happy Easter at Cute Card Thursday
• Challenge 9 - Fancy Folds at Chocolate, Coffee and Cards
• Challenge 51 - Happy Easter at Aud Sentiments
• Challenge #114 - Easter at Fab 'n' Funky Challenges

Have a great week!

Hugs, Helen x