Party time

Hello my blogging buddies - how are you all? Hope this post finds you well and enjoying your week.

There's a DT call on at All Dressed Up so I thought I would "toss my hat into the ring" and enter it. Regular readers will know that I make no secret of the fact that I love Wendy's images and they are so perfect for girlie cards, which is what I seem to spend most of my time making! 

My typical card making style is Clean and Simple or Uncluttered, as I believe in showcasing the image. I currently work on 2 Design Teams, both have challenges twice a month. I always try to enter DT my projects into a number of challenges to gain maximum exposure for sponsor images. I'd be very happy working on either the Blog Challenge or Facebook team and I really enjoy visiting other crafters' blogs as that's how I sometimes get ideas to try and, let's be honest here, who doesn't enjoy reading a bit of love that's been left on their projects? I know I do!!!!!!! 

Please keep your fingers and toes crossed for me, as I entered the last ADU DT call and wasn't successful - hopefully this time will be my chance to become a "Dressy Girl" :o) !!!!!!!!!

My card recipe is as follows:

• Card Base - is Centura Pearl Snow White Silver which I have cut, scored and folded to make a 15cm square card
  
• Embossed Panel - is some silver mirri card I had in my stash (I think it might have come from a mixed metallic card and paper pack from Hobbycraft?) which I've embossed using a Sheena Douglass Embossing Folder called Curly Swirly, sadly no longer available.
• Doily - is some matt purple mirri card from the same mixed metallic card and paper pack. I've die cut this using my Die'sire Classical Frame die (another one that's no longer available :o( ) and then embossed it too, so the central part of the frame stands out.
• Image - is called Party Frock and she is by Wendy at All Dressed Up Stamps, although this gorgeous girl is, very sadly, no longer available. However, there are plenty more digis in Wendy's store to tempt you and your purse! I've brought this girl to life using my Spectrum Noir Pens in the listed colours before fussy cutting her and adding her to my card.
• Skin - FS2, FS3, FS4, TN4, FS8 (blush)
• Hair - CT1, CT4, GB3, GB7
• Dress & Shoes - HB1, HB2, HB3, LV2, IG7
• Outline - BT1

This card was so difficult to photograph nicely as the silver mirri card kept reflecting me, rather than the glorious sunshine we've got down here at the mo! I hope you can still see all the details, even though the photos are a bit dark :o/

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

• DT Call at All Dressed Up
• Sketch #369 at Tuesday Morning Sketches
• Challenge #49 - Doily/Lace at Challenge Up Your Life
• August/September Colour Challenge at MHK Designs
• Hand coloured Image at Melonheadz Friends

Here are some of the other cards I've made using Wendy's gorgeous images:

Using "Christmas Present"

Using "Love to Dance"

Using "Over the Moon"

Using "Love to Dance"

Whatever you're up to today, hope you're able to fit in some crafty "you" time!

Hugs, Helen x

Frosty the Snowlady .....

Yup, I'm bursting into song again ... but I don't think my new title will beat the original! ;)

Good morning crafty friends and hope this post finds you fine and dandy. Well, the weather did it's usual thing for a Bank Holiday in the UK didn't it. On the plus side, Saturday and Sunday were fine and dry here so I got quite a bit of washing done and even managed to wash my car ... I won't be parking under a certain tree at the gym again! I'll leave that one to your imagination .... :oD !!!!!!!!!

Anyway, I'm a little late bringing you this post  as I got carried away over the weekend (apologies) as yesterday saw the start of our new challenge at Incy Wincy Designs and this one is right up my street as we're looking for your Clean and Simple creations.

This challenge is being kindly sponsored by Rick St Dennis who is offering a prize of 2 digital images to our lucky prize winner. Rick's Zibbet shop features his cute, fashion, whimsical and unusual images ... there's bound to be at least a couple of images there to suit everyone's tastes! 

Rick was kind enough to let each DT member choose an image to showcase for this challenge, so here's my card for you featuring one of Rick's images:

My card recipe is as follows:

• Card base - is a pre-made A6 card base in white card. I've embossed the card base and coloured it whilst embossing by applying my pearlescent blue Brilliance ink pad to the screen printed side of my (now retired) Sheena Festive Embossing Folder "Ornamental Snowflake" before running the card sandwich through my machine.
  
• Image - is Mrs Frosty Digi Stamp by Rick St Dennis which I've coloured using my Spectrum Noir Pens in the listed colours (the artist shaded areas make it really easy to colour!), before die cutting it with my largest Die'sire Essentials Rectangles die. A slick of Clear Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pen gives a frosty feel to the scene.
• Snow - IG1, IG2, IG3
• Hat & Lacy Collar - IB1, IB2, IB3, BT9
• Rose - TN3, EB3, EB8, DG2, DG3
• Carrot - OR1, OR2
• "Arms" (Sticks) - TN3, EB3, EB8
• Sentiment - comes from a set which was included with the Winter 2014 edition of the Crafter's Inspiration Magazine which I stamped using the pearlescent blue Brilliance ink.

I hope that I have inspired you to keep it Clean and Simple and share your creations with us at Incy Wincy Designs this time. However, if you're in need of further inspiration, please head over to the blog and check out the other great projects by my teamies. We'll be back with our next challenge on Monday 16th May 2016.

Don't forget that we've still got a DT Call on - all the details are on this post. Ever wanted to join a Design Team but nervous of taking that first step? Don't worry, we are a very easy going but incredibly supportive team. Go on, drop us an email - YOU could be the very person we're looking for!

I have been inspired by and would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

• I is for Ink at ABC Christmas Challenge
• Week #410 - Pick any Sketch (215-396) at Sketch Saturday - I've chosen Sketch #381 
• E is for Embossing at The Alphabet Challenge

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

• #302 - Bright Christmas at Fab 'n' Funky Challenges
• Challenge 105 - Snowmen at Chrimbo Crackers - hope that a Snowlady counts ;o)!
• Challenge 423 - No Patterned Papers at Cute Card Thursday
• Weather Related Challenge at StarStampz
• Challenge #83 - Stamp or Digi Only (Christmas Themed) at The Glory of Christmas
• CHNC Challenge 279 - Anything Goes as long as it's Christmas at Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge

Whatever you're up to this week, I hope you manage to squeeze in some crafty time! Take care.

Hugs, Helen x

Winter Wonderland

Good evening my crafty friends - hope you are all well!

Well it's the weekend, and I am running rather late with this card, which is my DT inspiration for the current challenge at Incy Wincy Designs which is Winter Wonderland.

We've been sponsored by the lovely team at Stitchy Bear's Digi Outlet who have kindly let us have some images to showcase and our lucky prize winner this week will also get some Stitchy Bear goodies!!!!!!!

Here is my card featuring a gorgeous image by Stitchy Bear Stamps:

I don't think I've ever done a white/silver monochrome card before (not sure I can truly call it "white on white"!) but I'm really pleased with the result, and the image made that so easy to do!

My card recipe is as follows:

• Card base - is a pre-made A5 card blank in white which I've embossed using a Sheena Douglass Embossing Folder called Ornamental Snowflake - unfortunately this doesn't appear to be on sale any more which is a shame is the snowflakes are simply beautiful! I've "swiped" my Silver Versa Color Ink Pad over the embossed part of the snowflakes, just to give them a bit of sheen and definition.
• Frame - is the largest Die'sire Decorative Noveau Stamping Frame die which I've cut from Snow White Silver Centura Pearl card, and then run back through my Big Shot using the embossing mat to highlight parts of the die.
  
• Image - is by Stitchy Bear Stamps at Stitchy Bear's Digi Outlet and it's called Sunday School. I've simply printed this onto Neenah Crest Solar White card, die cut it using the internal part of the Die'sire Decorative Noveau Stamping Frame die, and then I highlighted all the snowy areas of the image using my Spectrum Noir Sparkle - Clear Overlay pen. Click on the image to enlarge it and check out that super sparkle!
• Sentiment - is from the set which came with Crafter's Inspiration Magazine - Issue 8, and I've stamped this directly onto the card using Silver Versa Color Ink Pad.

I'm really quite pleased with this card, and I think it'll be perfect for my Mother-in-Law! Apologies for the not very white photos ... penalty of trying to get photos under electric lights! Might try again in the daylight tomorrow :o/ !

I hope I've inspired you to have a go with this challenge but if not, head over to Incy Wincy Designs and have a look at the other Winter Wonderland projects created by my very talented teamies. There's still plenty of time to join in with this challenge as it ends on Sunday 6th December 2015.

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

• Monthly Stamp Challenge #63 - Christmas in White at Little Claires
• Challenge #73 - Outdoor Scene at The Glory of Christmas Challenge
• Challenge 115 - Brrr It's Cold Outside at Crafting for all Seasons
• Challenge 11 - Winter/Christmas Themed at A Snowflake's Promise

Hope you have a lovely weekend - I'm off to colour next week's DT piece in the hope that I won't be late :o)

Hugs,

Helen x

Here we go a-carolling!

Hello my crafty friends and apologies for being slightly on the tardy side with this post.

The weekend was filled with horrendously boring stuff (paperwork mainly - yuk!) and I found no time to craft this little gem. Then it was work Monday - I'm on a course away from the office on Thursday and Friday, so it's the only day I'm in this week and there was bucket-loads to do therefore I didn't get home until late! Although I crafted this little cutie yesterday, I lost the light to photograph it - hurumphhhhhh! Anyway I'm here now!

It's new challenge time at Incy Wincy Designs and this week's challenge should really get you into the festive mood as we're looking for projects that feature Winter Activities.

We're being sponsored by the lovely Jodie and team from Bugaboo Stamps and Jodie is offering this week's lucky winner a prize pack! She also kindly offered each member of the DT their choice of digi to showcase for this challenge - without further ado, here is my card featuring one of Jodie's images from the A Kid's View range:

My card recipe is as follows:

• Card base - is Centura Pearl Snow White Silver onto which I've embossed the largest wonky circle from the nest on my Ultimate Pro Board Springtime Sweets and Cupcake Treats. I then carefully cut this out and ran it through my Big Shot using the Sheena Douglass Christmas Greetings embossing folder. I then used my Ultimate Pro to fold the "circle" in half to make a Rocker Card.
  
• Image - is by Jodie at Bugaboo Stamps and it's called AKV Christmas - Caroling. I've brought this digi to life using my Spectrum Noir Pens in the listed colours before die cutting this happy trio using my largest Die'sire Essentials Circles die, giving the edge a touch of Festive Berries Distress Ink and then fixed the panel to my card.
• Skin - FS2, FS3, BG6, DR5
• Books - EB1, EB2, GB8, GB9, GB10
• Hats - DR1, DR2, DR3, JG1, JG2, JG4, IG1, IG2, Silver Gel Pen, Spectrum Noir Sparkle - Clear Overlay ... my first time playing with this pen, and I think I got a little bit messy!!!!! ;o)

I hope I've inspired you to come over to Incy Wincy Designs and play along with this challenge. However, if you're in need of more inspiration just head over to the challenge and check out the fabby cards by my teamies. Then come back and show us your creations featuring Winter Activities! This challenge ends on Sunday 15th November 2015.

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

• Challenge #281 - Clean & Simple at Fab 'n' Funky Challenges
• Challenge #31 - Anything but Square at Crafting Musketeers
• Challenge #34 - Fancy Folds or Shaped Cards at Scribbles Design Challenge
• Challenge #9 - Anything Goes with a Christmas/Winter Theme at A Snowflakes Promise
• Challenge #45 - Christmas Sparkles at Digi Choosday Challenge
• Challenge #59 - Silent Night (Christmas Theme) at Inky Chicks - although this little group looks like they're anything but silent!!!!!!!!!!

Until next time,

Hugs, Helen x

I've been inspired!

Hi everyone!

Regular readers will no doubt be aware that most of my creations come about as the result of a Design Team Inspiration. However, just before we disappeared on hols I discovered and started following Hannelie's blog - I really like her card-making style, and it's one I can only aspire to being half as good at!!!!! ;o)

Anyway, one of Hannelie's DT cards popped up in my blog feed yesterday, after we'd had a visit from one of eldest Bambino's friends and her Mum reminding that us that aforementioned friend's Birthday Party is today and was Bambino OK to come? In fairness, I do vaguely remember a conversation across the sunloungers when Bambino asked if she was free on 14th August, as she and friend had been contacting each other on social media (what happened to the days when holidays were actually a break from normal life?) but the conversation and date had been well and truly parked on the back burner, i.e. completely fogotten!!!!!! Card required in a hurry, me thought ... and then Hannelie's card popped up.

The challenge I've been inspired by is at CAS(E) this Sketch! and here is this week's sketch which is just perfect for both very quick, and the not-so-quick makes like mine!:

And here is my take on it:

My card recipe is as follows:

• Card Base - is green Core'dinations card which I cut, scored and folded to make an 8.5cm x 12cm card, with a 3cm "flap" which is the top part of the card front. I then cut another piece of card 8.5cm x 6cm to make the bottom part of the card
  
• Acetate Strip - is just regular photocopying acetate which I cut to 8.5 cm wide and with enough depth to be able to affix it to the inside of the green card. I embossed this with a Sheena Douglass embossing folder called Fabulous Florals (which was a freebie with the Spring 2014 Crafter's Inspiration Magazine) and then coloured the flowers with my Spectrum Noir Pens in PL2, PL3, PL4 and True Black before affixing the panel to the inside of the card base.
• Butterfly - is one of the smaller butterflies in the Die'sire Essentials Beautiful Butterflies set which I cut out of dark pink Core'dinations card. I then swiped it across a Versamark Ink Pad before liberally applying Silver Pearl Embossing Powder and heating it. I then bent the butterfly's wings up, stuck it onto the card base and applied 3 small gems from my stash to it's body.
• Sentiment - is from the stamp set that came with the Spring 2015 Crafter's Inspiration Magazine. I stamped this onto the base card with Versamark Ink before showering it with the Silver Pearl Embossing Powder and heating it - in hindsight, this gentle colour doesn't show up very well on the green!

Here's a better look at the acetate panel - I opened the card out and put it against a white background so you can see it more clearly.

It's been so grey and dismal here all day, and I really struggled to get decent photos this morning :o( Anyhow, this little card has gone to it's recipient now, and eldest Bambino is happy as I met her requirements of flowers and butterfly!

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

• Challenge #136 at CAS(E) this Sketch!
• Anything that Flies at Seize the Birthday

Hope you have a great weekend - we're off to Hogwarts tomorrow, well the studio tour which is eldest Bambino's own Birthday treat from July!

Hugs, Helen x