Say it with Flowers

Good morning friends!

I can't believe it's Team A's turn on the challenge this week at The Crafty Pad - now, who pinched the last fortnight? Anyway, Tina has chosen our topic this time and she has chosen Floral.

This week's sponsor is the lovely team at Joanna Sheen who are offering a £10 gift voucher to their wonderful craft store for our lucky winner.

As usual, the Design Team are showcasing the delightful images that have come from the pen of Debbie at Crafty Pad Designs, and here is my card for your inspiration:

My card recipe is as follows:

• Base Card - 300gsm Centura Pearl in Dark Chocolate, cut, scored and folded to make a 15cm square card
• Design Papers - are both by Paulette from Create with TLC and I chose them because of the flowers on them, especially the big daisies on the brown paper! The purple "quilted" DP is called Royal Smile Paper 6 and the brown DP is called WYWH Paper 31. I think both of these were freebies from Paulette's blog - she really is very generous and make sure you head over to her blog as she and her very talented DT are having a blog hop today, and they are promising loads of goodies ... and who doesn't like a goodie?
• Image - this little cutie is called Hedgehog Harry in a Circle of Flowers, and he's just perfect for today's challenge don't you think? He's been drawn by the talented Debbie at Crafty Pad Designs. To bring this Harry to life I used my Spectrum Noir Pens in the following colours:
• Hedgehog Harry - GB8, TN5, TN7
• Flowers - TN7, PL2, PL4
• Outline - IG1
• Frame - DG2
• Background - Chalks in Tan & Light Grey

I have deliberately left this card sentiment-free as I'm not sure what I'll use it for. It would do equally well as a Birthday card or a Thinking of You card.

Do head over to The Crafty Pad and see the gorgeous creations by the rest of Team A. Then come back and show us your Floral creations! You've got until 8pm (BST) on Saturday 6th October 2012 to link your cards up.

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

• Challenge 18 - Feeling Floral at Stampin' for the Weekend
• SNSDC 73 - Hip to be Square at Sweet 'n' Sassy Digis
• Challenge # 140 - Starts with F at Fab 'n' Funky Challenges F is for Flowers

I hope you have a great Sunday!

Hugs, Helen x

Dawn's Special Challenge - Final week

Ooops - I wrote this post late last night and forgot to hit the publish button! So I'm very sorry but this post is landing slightly later than it should be :o)

Good morning friends, and a warm welcome to my newest follower Lindsay!

Today is the final update in Dawn's special challenge. As you may already know, Dawn launched her challenge at the beginning September to coincide with her Charity Headshave for Breakthrough Breast Cancer - you can read the full story on Dawn's blog and also use the link from there to get to Dawn's Just Giving Page where you can make a donation. Every £1/$1 would help boost Dawn's target and help Breakthrough Breast Cancer as they fight to find a cure for this awful disease.

The theme for Dawn's challenge is Breast Cancer Awareness and/or Think PINK

(not just a little bit of pink but a lot of pink!).

And yes, there are some awesome prizes on offer. Just check this list out!

Joanna Sheen - Goody Bag

Saturated Canary - $40 Gift Voucher

The Crafty Pad Designs - 8 images

Mo's Digital Pencil - $5 shop credits x2

Dude Time Doodles - $10 Gift Certificate for the store

Crafty Emblies - £10 Voucher for their shop

Fairy Dust Crafts - 5 digital images from the Online Store

Funky Hand - 1 download from the shop

Iva Nova Chest - Pink Goody Bag

Linda Westcott - Hand Made Crochet Flowers, Lace Edging & Fimo Flowers

Here is my second GDT card to support Dawn's challenge.

My card recipe is as follows:

• Base Card - a pre-made A5 Kraft card
• Design Papers - both from my Strawberry Kisses CD-Rom and colour tweaked using the colouriser function. I used the heart shape embossing plate inbuilt into my Ultimate Pro to shape the 2 hearts, which I then cut out and stuck to my main DP.
• Image - Breast Cancer Ribbon is by Debbie (Crafty Pad Designs) and was one of the freebies she gave away on The Crafty Pad Challenge Blog earlier this month. I used my Spectrum Noir Pens in BP1 and BP2 to colour the ribbon and outlined it in BG1.
• Sentiment - is just one of the talented Lexi's (Fairy Dust Crafts) creations - click the link to head over to Lexi's store and have a look at the other lovely digi images she has there! I thought it was perfect to go with my embossed hearts!!! I tool distressed this (using a dressmaking seam ripper tool!) and colour distressed the edges using Magenta chalk.
• Gems - from my stash

Please hop over to Dawn's blog and see what gorgeous creations the other Guest Designers have made to whet your appetite - don't forget to come back and show us your Breast Cancer Awareness and/or Pink creations. The challenge finishes on Saturday 29th September. And if you can help with a donation, however small, it will be very gratefully received.

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

• Challenge #204 - Distressing at Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Second Entry.
• Distressed at Delightful Sketches - Second Entry
• ac 087 - Say it in ... Shades of Pink & White at Annabelle Stamps
• Challenge 28 - Distressing at Bunny Zoe's Crafts
• Monthly Challenge - Sentimental Journey at Great Impressions Stamps
• Distress It at Scrapper's Delights

Hope you have a great week!

Hugs, Helen x

Friends

Good morning everyone and an especially warm welcome to my newest followers, Twisted Witch and Elaine. Thank you for joining me on my journey through papercrafting and blogland!

As it's Monday morning, it's time for a new challenge at Incy Wincy Designs, and this week we'd like to see your cards for Friends.

We've got two great sponsors this week: the lovely team at Fantastic Ribbons and Mayzy from Mayzy Art who has provided the digis that the DT are using this week. Unfortunately, at the time of writing this post Mayzy's store is closed so I can't link up to the gorgeous image I've got on my card.

Those of you who have followed me for a while may know that I work in a high school, so when I headed over to Mayzy's store to choose an image for this challenge I knew this one was perfect! It is so typical of what I see the youngsters at school doing ... going around at break and lunchtimes permanently attached to their mobiles!

My card recipe is as follows:

• Base Card - is Centura Pearl in Ivory, which I have cut, scored and folded to make a 15cm square card.
• Design Paper - is called a 'page plopper' from a set called Moments by Summer at Summertime Designs. I know this is a bit of a cheats way of layering items, because Summer has done all the hard work! I love the colours of this paper and, when time is tight looks great for minimal effort! I'm sure I'm not the only one who sometimes realises I need a card, like yesterday!
• Image - This little cutie is called Texting Trixie and you can get her by clicking here. I have brought this slightly gawky teen to life using my Spectrum Noir Pens in the following colours:
• Skin - FS3, FS6
• Hair - TN2, TN3, TN4 & OR1 for the hairbands. I think I've made a better job of trying to get shine in her hair than I usually do - maybe my colouring skills are improving, slowly!
• Eyes - TB4
• Lips - TN4
• Earrings - Gold Gel Pen
• Top - DG2, DG4
• Shorts - OR1
• Belt - True Black, Gold Gel Pen
• Shoes - True Black
• Outline - IG1
• Background - Chalks in Grey, Light Blue & Pink
• Edge Distressed - Orange Chalk
• Sentiment - is by the talented Paulette at Create with TLC and was a freebie she gave away on her blog in February this year. It's perfect for a teen image as I know my eldest and her friends will often just text "Hi" to each other! I distressed the edge of this in Orange Chalk to, so it ties in with my image.
• Bling - from my stash.

My very talented "teamies" at Incy Wincy Designs have made some gorgeous projects for Friends so do head over there and leave them some love. Don't forget to come back and share your creations with us - you've got until Sunday 30th September 2012 to link your cards up.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges (with some help from the girls at Feline Playful - thanks girls):

• Challenge #204 - Distressing at Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - I hope edge distressing with chalks is OK!
• Challenge #38 - Colour Palette at Creatalicious Challenges
• Fall Colours at Stamping Dragon
• Distressed at Delightful Sketches - I hope edge distressing with chalks is OK!
• My Sentiment Exactly! at Delightful Sketches
• Dare to be Sassy Thursday #143 - Fall Colours at Sassy Studio Designs
• Challenge #82 - Fall Colours at The Paper Shelter
• Challenge #46 - Friends at Word Art Wednesday

Thank you all for the wonderful comments you leave for me - I do read and appreciate every one!

Hope you have a great week!

Hugs, Helen x

Shining a Light

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

I'm back again - this time it's with the latest challenge from Lexi's Creations and this time Susan is challenging us to Make a Gift / Anything but a Card.

Our wonderful sponsor for this challenge is the superbly talented Lexi at Fairy Dust Crafts. The prize that is up for grabs this week is 5 digital images of your choice! With plenty of images in the store, including the quite new releases, you'll be spoilt for choice!

 

Now I've made a couple of "anything but a card" projects in the last few weeks (a door hanger and a bookmark) so I thought I would really challenge myself this time and make something which I have seen done, looks lovely and surely it really can't be as simple as the tutorials would have me believe? Well it really is that simple and here I've turned a plain candle into a gorgeous gift:

My card recipe is as follows:

· Candle - small unscented block candle in white from Ikea

· Image - This stylised tree is called Bauble Spiral Christmas Tree and it is by Lexi at Fairy Dust Crafts. I printed the image first onto some thin card before then carefully taping a piece of white tissue paper over the top of the printed image. I then put this through the printer, keeping my fingers crossed (imagine explaining this one to "Himself" had it all jammed in there!) and then used my Spectrum Noir Pens in the following colours to bring the tree to life:

oTree - CG4, DG3

oBaubles - TB5, CR11, CT4

oWire - BGR1

· Putting the image onto the candle - Once the image was dry, I carefully cut around it and then placed it onto the candle holding it in place with a piece of Greaseproof Paper. I then used my hairdryer (another example of my frugal crafting!) to heat this 'sandwich' up and make the image melt into the candle … just be very careful that you don’t burn yourself at the same time. There is a great tutorial on SplitCoast Stampers with a video showing you how to do this!

I think that small candles like these would make great gifts for Teachers or Classroom Helpers, or even as a quick Hostess Gift if you're invited to a party at short notice. This was such a quick and enjoyable 'make' I can see that I'll be doing more of these in the run up to Christmas :o)

For more great and gorgeous Gifts or Anything But A Card ideas, head on over to Lexi's Creations and see the what my very talented team-mates have made. Don't forget to come back and share your creation with us! You've got until Saturday 29th September 2012 to link your projects up.

I would like to enter this project into the following challenge (with some help from the girls at Feline Playful - thanks girls):

• TSG173 - Everyone Loves Presents at There She Goes (This project is the present!)
• Challenge 125 - Favourite Technique at Speedy Fox and Friends 
• Say It With ... 3D Christmas at Annabelle Stamps
• Challenge 17 - Starting Christmas Early at Stampin' for the Weekend
• Challenge #2 at Let's Create ... Anything but a Card
• Challenge #181 - Less is More at Stamptacular Sunday

Whatever you're doing this week, have fun!

Hugs, Helen x

Little green goddess

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

Good morning all! I've been having internet access and blogger problems most of last week, so I'm sorry this full post is now a few hours late ... but we're up and running now!

It's new challenge time at Incy Wincy Designs again, and our challenge for you this week is Monochromatic Green.

We are sponsored by  Care2Stamp and not only is Kim providing our winner with a $15.00 Gift Certificate for her store, but she's also provided the images that the DT are using this week. Thank you Kim!

  

I don't think I have made a wholly green card and, to be perfectly honest, I'm not sure about this one but here is my project for you:

My card recipe is as follows:

• Base Card - is Centura Pearl in Gold (although it looks green to me!) from a pack called Christmas which I have cut, scored and folded to make a 15cm square card.
• Design Papers - the strip of paper is from a set called Floral Delights which was a Crafter's Companion Member's download in 2010 and the wavy circle (made using the largest rosette shape from the "nest" on the Ultimate Pro Embossing Board Springtime Sweets and Cupcake Treats) comes from my Paintbox Poppets CD-rom.
• Image - This little cutie is called Summer Fairy and you can get her by clicking here. I have brought this little fairy to life using my Spectrum Noir Pens in the following colours:
• Skin - FS3, FS6
• Hair - EB1, DG2, CG2, CG4, DG1, DG4
• Dress - CG1, CG2, CG4
• Shoes - CG2, CG4
• Wings - EB1, DG2, DG4, Colourless Blender
• Outline - GG1
• Flowers - made from a flower punch and I used the Floral Delights  DP. I punched 2 rounds of flowers for each flower, slightly offsetting the top one (so that the 2 layers of petals are visible), and then added a gem (from my stash) to the centre of each flower.
• Posh Pins - the large beads came from Hobbycraft's 'pick & mix' bead section and the small frosted beads are from Sanctuary Beads.

Head on over to Incy Wincy Designs and see the beautiful Monochromatic Green projects my talented team-mates and our Guest Designer Kim (owner of Care2Stamp) have made, and then come back and share your creation with us! You've got until Sunday 23rd September 2012 to link your cards up.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges (with some help from the girls at Feline Playful - thanks girls):

• Challenge #37 - Bingo at Ruby's Rainbow I claim a diagonal line of Gems, Flowers and Pins
• Challenge #33 - Things with Wings at Love To Create
• TPE166 - Monochromatic at The Pink Elephant
• Make It Girly at Whoopsie Daisy
• Fortnightly Challenge Number 45 - Colour Challenge at Forever Friends
• Challenge 26 - Anything Goes at The Squirrel and The Fox
• Challenge #111 - I Believe I Can Fly at Raise The Bar Challenge

Take care, Helen x

The colours of Autumn

Good morning crafty friends and a warm welcome to Jess, my newest follower. I hope this Sunday morning finds you bright and well.

It's time for another challenge at The Crafty Pad and this week Pauline has chosen the theme of Autumn Colours - Brown, Orange, Red, Yellow, Green ... you get the picture! We would like to see at least two of these colours on your project, but it would be nice to see more.

Our fab sponsor this week are the team at Crafty Individuals who are giving our lucky prize winner this wonderful prize of 1 Pack of Red Rubber Tree Stamps, 1 Pack of 6x6 Tree Themed Backing Papers and 1 A4 sheet of Bird Toppers! Wow!!!!!! Thanks to them for this awesome prize.

Debbie has once again opened her "shop doors" for the DT and we're all showcasing Crafty Pad Designs on our projects this week. Here is my inspiration for you, using the current sketch at Tuesday Morning Sketches :

My card recipe is as follows:

• Base Card - pre-made A6 card in Kraft
• Design Papers - are from the set "Gratitude" by Summer at Summertime Designs. My main paper is called Stripes and I have used Day Scene to make "quilted" picture
• Image - this pile of acorns sitting in leaves comes from the set Acorns and Autumn Leaves by Debbie at Crafty Pad Designs. This set is great as not only do you get the image I've used, but you also get a set of 2 leaves, and an acorn border as well! To bring this autumn scene to life, I paper used my Spectrum Noir Pens in the following colours:
• Acorns - DG2, DG3, TN7, TN8 and I then coated the nuts with a layer of Glossy Accents
• Leaves - Chalks in Dark Green, Ruddy Red, Burnt Sienna, and Dark Brown applied with cotton buds and blended with a finger
• Twine - I coloured a length of twine with my Spectrum Noir Pen in shade GB8 before adding the twine to my card. 

I have deliberately left this card sentiment-free as I want the focus to be on the image and picture.

Do head over to The Crafty Pad and see the gorgeous creations by the rest of Team A. Then come back and show us your creations using Autumn Colours! You've got until 8pm (BST) on Saturday 22nd September 2012 to link your cards up.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges (with a little help from the girls at Feline Playful - thanks girls):

• Weekly Challenge #27 - Fall Inspiration at Tammy's Scrapin Corner
• Challenge #163 with the added twist of "Welcome Fall" at Tuesday Morning Sketches
• CIC #59 - Leaves at Clearly I Stamp
• Challenge #138 - Harvest Festival at Fab 'n' Funky Challenges
• 2 Colouring Mediums at Just Some Lines (Alcohol Markers and Chalk) - Second Entry
• Challenge 39 - Autumn Colours at Addicted to Stamps
• Challenge 131 - Autumn at One Stitch at a Time
• Challenge 36 - Autumn/Fall at PanPastel UK
• Challenge 172 - Autumn at C.R.A.F.T. Challenge

I hope you have a great Sunday!

Hugs, Helen x

Are you sitting comfortably?

Then I'll begin.

Good morning my crafty friends, and a very warm welcome to my newest follower Tilly - hope you enjoy my creations!

Now I'm a little too young to remember "Listen with Mother" but I love books and I'm a voracious reader. Our recent 2 weeks in Turkey saw me not only finish the 4 books I had taken with me but I also read a further 3 from the bookshelf at the villa!So I was thrilled to read the new challenge topic at Incy Wincy Designs this week ... Make a Bookmark.

We are sponsored this week by Heather Ellis who has kindly supplied the DT with some of her wonderful images to showcase. Our lucky winner this week will also receive 3 of Heather's gorgeous images, and I challenge anyone to not be tempted by the delightful images that Heather has drawn. Thank you Heather!

I had initially thought I would make a bookmark for myself, but as soon as I saw the image selection, I knew exactly how my project was going to look and here it is:

My bookmark recipe is as follows:

• Base Card - is a scrap piece of Centura Pearl in Snow White which was already 6cm wide, and I cut it to 18cm in length
• Design Paper - is homemade! Onto plain white card I drew a 17cm x 5cm rectangle and gave it a thick dark blue outline to give the impression of layers - obviously a bookmark should be quite thin so as not to damage the spine of the books it goes into. I then inserted this beautiful fairytale castle digi by Paulette from Create with TLC. This was, I think, one of the Father's Day freebies on her blog in May but it suits this bookmark perfectly! If you "supersize" the photo, you can make out some 'Once Upon a Time' text in the tallest turret. 
• Image - This little cutie is called Pure Innocence 003 and you can get your copy from Heather Ellis by clicking here. I have brought her and her balloon to life using my Spectrum Noir Pens in the following colours:
  • Skin - FS2, FS3
  • Hair - GB8, GB10, Silver Gel Pen (for hair slide)
  • Pinafore - DR5, DR7, True Black, Silver Gel Pen (for heart)
  • Shoes - EB5
  • Balloon - DR3
  • Outline - BG1
  • Sky - Chalks in Light Blue and Turquoise
  • Grass - Chalks in Dark Green and Green
• Sentiments - are computer generated and I used a preset cloud shape in my word processing programme to insert the clouds onto my "DP" can then used text boxes to put the words into the clouds.

Head on over to Incy Wincy Designs and see the beautiful Bookmarks my talented team-mates have made, and then come back and share your creation with us! You've got until Sunday 16th September 2012 to link your cards up.

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

• Challenge 171 - Inspiration Photo (Castle) at C.R.A.F.T. Challenge
• 2 Colouring Mediums at Just Some Lines (Alcohol Markers and Chalk)
• Debut Challenge at Anything But A Card Challenge (Second Entry)
• Challenge #1 at Let's Create ... Anything But A Card (Second Entry)
• Challenge #180 - Anything But a Card at Stamptacular Sunday

Hope you have a great week!

Hugs, Helen x

Guest Spot with a very Special Lady!

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

Hi,

This is an incredibly special post ... I'm very proud to be a Guest Designer today with Dawn as she launches her own special challenge today.

The theme is Breast Cancer Awareness and/or Think PINK

(not just a little bit of pink but a lot of pink!).

If you were with me on Saturday, you may have read my post about Dawn's Mum's battle with cancer. To keep her Mum company, Dawn is having her head shaved on Saturday 8th September 2012. I think Dawn is so incredibly brave doing this - I don't think it's something I could do! 

You can read Dawn's Story at her Just Giving Page and, if you can, please make a donation to Dawn's chosen Charity, Breakthrough Breast Cancer. At the time of writing (Monday evening) Dawn has raised a wonderful £640 for this great charity. She is hoping to raise £1,000, but I'm sure with our help she can exceed this target -- just £1/$1 would help boost the funds and help Breakthrough Breast Cancer as they try to find a cure for this awful disease!

So, Dawn has contacted some well known and maybe less well known 'Crafty Companies', and the following prizes are on offer:

Joanna Sheen - Goody Bag

Saturated Canary - $40 Gift Voucher

The Crafty Pad Designs - 8 images

Mo's Digital Pencil - $5 shop credits x2

Dude Time Doodles - $10 Gift Certificate for the store

Crafty Emblies - £10 Voucher for their shop

Fairy Dust Crafts - 5 digital images from the Online Store

Funky Hand - 1 download from the shop

Iva Nova Chest - Pink Goody Bag

Linda Westcott - Hand Made Crochet Flowers, Lace Edging & Fimo Flowers

That's TEN whopping prizes up for grabs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dawn's challenge starts today (Tuesday 4th September) and runs until Saturday 29th September. There will be updates from some of Dawn's crafty friends and DT-mates each Tuesday.

So, without further ado, here is my very, very, very pink (with one bit of grey!) card using a Digi Image drawn by one of our Sponsors, the very talented Lexi of Fairy Dust Crafts.

My card recipe is as follows:

• Base Card - made from Centura Pearl in Snow White which I cut, scored and folded into a 15cm Square card.
• Design Papers - are from the set  "Awareness" by Summer at Summertime Designs. My main paper is called Dots Paper and I have used Blossom Paper to make 3 strips running down the card.
• Image - this sassy girl is called "Roxi" and she is just one of the talented Lexi's (Fairy Dust Crafts) creations - click the link to head over to Lexi's store and have a look at the other lovely digi images she has there! To bring this lovely girl to life, I paper pieced her top using "Ribbon Paper" (from the "Awareness" Kit as above) and then used my Spectrum Noir Pens in the following colours:
• Skin - FS2, FS3
• Hair - PP3, EB1
• Eyes - TB6
• Lips - PP5
• Trousers - BG2, BG4
• Belt - PP5, True Black
• Background - Chalks in Grey, Light Blue and Pink
• Sentiment - is by Debbie (Crafty Pad Designs) and was one of the freebies she was giving away on The Crafty Pad Challenge Blog on Saturday.
• Gems and Flowers - from my stash

Please hop over to Dawn's Blog and see what gorgeous creations the other Guest Designers have made to whet your appetite - don't forget to come back and show us your Breast Cancer Awareness and/or Pink creations. And if you can help with a donation, however small, it will be very gratefully received.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges, with a little bit of help from the girls at Feline Playful:

• In the Pink at Catered Crop (Second Entry)
• Paper Piecing at Ladybug Crafts Ink
• Challenge #72 - All the Threes at My Mum's Craft Shop (3 strips of DP down the card, 3 gems, 3 flowers)
• PPMC55 - Create a Square Card at Paper Pretties

Hope you have a great week!

Hugs, Helen x

Wash Day Blues?

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

Good morning friends and what a busy few days it's been here at Crafty Mamma Mia!

As it's the first Tuesday of the month, it's New Release time at The Crafty Pad Designs! This time Debbie has gone all vintage on us, and has designed this gorgeous Laundry Day Set. There are 5 lovely images in this set, and one sentiment and it's available from the New Releases part of the store.

As usual, the Design Team were asked to showcase the new set, and I must admit to struggling a bit with this as I haven't made many vintage cards. However I had a flash of inspiration, and here is my project ... a Laundry Room Door Hanger, pictured nestled in my ironing basket! Yes, (blushing here) my ironing pile really is that huge!!!!!

My Door Hanger recipe is as follows:

• Base Card - made from Centura Pearl in Ivory which is made from one panel of A4 tri-fold. I found the centre of my panel, judged how high I wanted my door handle 'hole' to be and then embossed the smallest circle shape from the "nest" on the Ultimate Pro Embossing Board Springtime Sweets and Cupcake Treats which I then cut out. I used the corner punch on my Clevercut to round the corners.
• Image - I've got two different images which I printed onto ordinary cream coloured card. To give it a vintage feel, I chalk distressed the edges using Light Brown chalk. 
• The first image is one of the New Release Images and it is called "Wash Tub" - I've tried to get some perspective on my design by keeping this image large. To bring this empty tub to life I used my chalks in the following colours:
•  Tan, Light Brown, Dark Brown, Grey
• My second image is called Vintage Clothes Line and this is by Paulette at Create with TLC, and was one of the freebies on her blog around February this year. I also used my chalks to brighten this billowing line of laundry:
• Light Blue, Grey, White, Green
• Design Paper - is from the  Vintage/Distressed Plain Paper Pack by Debbie and is called Blue Grunge. I again used my  Clevercut to round the corners before using my chalks in Dark Brown to distress the edges.
• Sentiment - was computer generated in my word processing package and "wrapped around" my images. I wanted something quirky and funny so I used Google and found a site with some sayings. This is one of theirs, although I've formatted it myself, however I can't remember the site. If anyone discovers it, please do let me know as I'll be pleased to credit them.

Debbie is giving away this set (remember it's 5 images and a sentiment) to one lucky "Crafty Pad-der"! For your chance to add "Wash Day" to your stash, all you have to do is head over to The Crafty Pad Challenge Blog and leave us a comment on the New Release Post letting us know what you think of the new images, and your name will go into the draw! For a second chance in the draw either be or become a follower of The Crafty Pad Challenge Blog, and then leave us a further comment letting us know that you're a follower! It really is that easy!!! Commenting will close at 12 noon (BST) on Monday 10th September, and we'll announce the lucky winner on Thursday 13th September. Good Luck!

I would like to enter this project into the following challenge:

• Challenge 21 - So Old or Vintage at Simply Create Too
• Challenge 123 - Vintage at Digi Doodle Shop
• ABAC Debut Challenge - Anything Goes at Anything but a Card
• Challenge #59 - Distressing at Creative Stamp Friends
• Anything but a Card at Totally Stampalicious
• Challenge #1 at Let's Create ... Anything But A Card!

Happy Crafting!

Hugs, Helen x

September Days .....

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

Hi,

It's time for a new challenge at Lexi's Creations and our challenge this fortnight is Autumn Colours. I love watching the trees around our house change colour from green, through yellow and gold to flame red ... although the leaves when they're wet make rather a churned up mess on the paths we have to walk down to get to school!

We're welcoming Priyanka from My Heart Pieces as our sponsor again this week. Here is a little bit about her:

Hi I am Priyanka from India, I am a student here.I want to welcome you in my wonder land My Heart Pieces. This art world is for me a wonder land, because what I can imagine I can give shape only here. Like fairy, vampire is not happen in real life. I greatly appreciate it that you give your valuable time to see my digis. I always try to keep an extra touch on my every images so they can make a place in your heart and can directly touch their heart who receive your hand made gifts. So come and enjoy. My store have an Challenge Blog and freebies every Monday.


Head over to Priyanka's blog to see her gorgeous line drawings.

The lovely Lexi has let the DT loose in her on-line store again (thanks Lexi!) and this is the card I have made to show to you today:

My card recipe is as follows:

• Base Card - made from Centura Pearl in Snow White onto which I embossed the largest rosette shape from the "nest" on the Ultimate Pro Embossing Board Springtime Sweets and Cupcake Treats. Having cut this shape out, I then cut, scored and folded the card to make a wavy edged Circular Side Stepper Card. This is only the fourth one of this style that I've made (I made 2 out of thin card to see if I could follow the instructions and I blogged the third card last Saturday) but this tutorial at Splitcoast Stampers makes it very easy!
• Design Paper - is called Falling Leaves Paper 2, and is part of a kit called "Falling for Fall" by Summer at Summertime Designs. I embossed the largest circle from the nest on my Ultimate Pro Board, cut this out to size around my step, and then fixed it to my base card.
• Image - This gorgeous youngster is called "Auri" and she is just one of the talented Lexi's (Fairy Dust Crafts) creations - click the link to head over to Lexi's store and have a look at the other lovely digi images she has there! I wanted the image to be large in the circle, so I cropped the image which meant that some grass and flowers have been left off this card - sorry Lexi! To bring this lovely girl to life, I used my Spectrum Noir Pens in the following colours:
• Skin - FS2, FS3
• Hair - TN7, TN8
• Jumper - CR10, CR11
• Trousers - GB8, GB10, DR3
• Grass - CG2, DG4
• Flowers - GB5
• Shoes - EB8
• Background - Chalks in Ruddy Red, Yellow Orange, Dark Green and Light Blue, which I've blended to try and get the effect of trees which are changing leaf colour. I'm not sure I've quite managed it.
• Sentiment - is by Paulette from Create with TLC, and was one of the freebies on her blog last September. Having taken the sentiment into my word processing package, I re-coloured it in a deep red to tone with my papers and colouring of Auri.
• Button - is actually a faux button which I've made from Acorn 2  in the Summertime Designs kit "Falling for Fall". Having made two 'buttonholes' in it, I then coated it in Glossy Accents, before tying some twine through the holes.

Head on over to Lexi's Creations and see how my talented team-mates and our awesome Guest Designer Mian have used Autumn Colours on their projects, and then come back and share your creation with us! You've got until Saturday 15th September 2012 to link your cards up.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges, with a little bit of help from the girls at Feline Playful:

• Fall Days at Delightful Challenges
• Challenge #89 - Fall Frolic at Lollipop Crafts
• Challenge 129 - Use a Digi at One Stitch at a Time
• Week 170 - Anything But Square at Allsorts Challenge

Whatever you're doing this week, have fun!

Hugs, Helen x