The Magi

Morning friends!

Yesterday was a good day at Casa Mia as our Christmas cake is now made and resting. Of course it will need feeding between now and 25th December, and the more time between these 2 days the better .... hic! :o) 

It's new challenge time at Incy Wincy Designs and this time it's nice and easy for you as it's Anything Goes!

Our sponsor this week is Rick St. Dennis, and here is a little about him:

Rick St. Dennis MFA has been an artist, designer, stage designer and instructor for over 45 years. You can find his full Bio here. His digital stamp images can be found on Zibbet or Etsy . Inspiration projects from the Rick St.Dennis Elite Design Team can be found on the Sparkle and Glitter blog, or for the darker images on the Airless Chambers blog. Rick also has a personal blog and on Facebook, there is the Rick St.Dennis Digi fans and friends group, where you can showcase your cards and other projects using RSD images to be eligible to win prizes.

Rick is very kindly offering this week's lucky winner a prize pack, and has also allowed each of the DT member to pick a digi to showcase. So here's my card for you with one of Rick's digis:

I have to confess that I think I might have made a bit of a "horlicks" when doing this project. I wanted to make a more traditional Christmas card and thought that this image would be fab. However, when I printed it out the right size for my card base I very quickly realised that I wasn't going to be colouring this image in any time soon - it's just too small to do justice to all that detail. So I've just kept this very simple and monochrome :o/

My card recipe is as follows:

• Card base - is a pre-made white card blank 15cm x 10.5cm approx
• Paper - comes from a set by Janet Scott at Pixel Scrapper Digital Scrapbooking called Christmas Memories. This paper is called Birth of Jesus Text Paper. I have matted and layered this onto black cardstock.
  
• Image - is by Rick St. Dennis and it is called We Three Kings. I die cut this using the second largest Die'sire Essentials Squares die and matted and layered onto black card.
• Sentiment - is by Paulette at Create with TLC and it comes from a set called Peace in Believing. It has been die cut using one of my Die'sire Essentials Stars dies, before being matted and layered onto black card.

For those of you who might be interested, the Bible verse in the sentiment relates to the Three Kings being in Bethlehem and being guided to the stable where Jesus was born, and the paper I've used contains text from the various Gospels regarding the birth of Jesus .... some thought DID go into this card you know! I also think I'll have another attempt at this card, just making the card base and the image bigger so that I can colour it.

Anyway, I hope I've inspired you to come over to Incy Wincy Designs and have a look at the other wonderful creations from my teamies. Then come back and show us your creations - don't forget Anything Goes! This challenge will end on Sunday 8th November.

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

• CHNC Challenge 253 - It's Time To Sing at Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge - of course, I've been inspired by the carol We Three Kings of Orient Are
• Anything Goes as long as it's Christmas at Winter Wonderland
• Challenge 106 - Christmas at Card and Scrap
• Challenge #136 - Inspired by a Song at Crafter's Cafe Challenge- of course, I've been inspired by the carol We Three Kings of Orient Are
• Progressive Challenge Nov 15 - Anything Goes with a RSD Image at Sparkle and Glitter with Rick
• Challenge #279 - Anything Goes as as long as it's Christmas at Fab 'n' Funky Challenges

Have a great week!

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

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

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