The Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers Challenge #269 - C is for Cheeky Christmas

 

Another truly splendid graphic from Sister Lee heralds a brand new challenge from The Sisterhood as we play C is for Cheeky Christmas! 

Here's what I made using a fun image from VLVS...

I'm linking this card to Anything Goes over at Lost Coast Designs. This is such a fab challenge and I really should make it a resolution to play there more often!

The Sistahs have created some fun cards and we'd love you to get your cheeky on and come and join the fun! 

The Christmas Kickstart Challenge #105 - If It's Christmassy, Link It Up!

 

I'm a day late with this, but at least I didn't leave the post in draft over at The Christmas Kickstart Challenge! I really am doing some very odd things at the moment: like sending a Christmas card to someone else in with a birthday gift for my cousin. 

Anyhoo, it's time to play!

Challenge #105 - If It's Christmassy, Link It Up!

It's a nice easy challenge for December. All you need to do is make a Christmas card and link it up in the gallery. And if you're looking for inspiration why not look back across the gorgeous posts for all the Challenges in 2025. There is so much inspiration on offer from our fabulous elves AND everyone who plays the challenge each month. 

Here's what I made to get our December party started:

If you've been following me here you may know I volunteer at a pet rescue near where I live. It's mainly cats that we work with, but dogs, rabbits, mice, ferrets, snakes, spiders, a polecat... We never turn anything away. The Rescue is always short of funds and so we've booked a stall at a local Christmas Fayre to try and raise some much needed cash. I've been making cards to sell on the stall, and other volunteers have made cat toys and other pet related loveliness. I thought I'd share some of my creations for you here...

I began to run short of Neenah Solar cardstock, so had to hatch a plan to make as many cards from the small amount of Neenah that I have left. The backgrounds are from another cardstock I had lurking in my stash. I just can't find any Neenah Solar anywhere here in the UK. I'm hoping to get a few more cards made and packaged before the sale next week, so wish me luck!

We may not have an elf to keep us company this month, but we do have a rather lovely reindeer called Rudolph. Being the super-cool dude that he is, he has chosen Cooper from POD as our Random Raffle Prize this month. 

 

Here's hoping you'll come and join the fun!

Card Chain Challenge Reveal - November 2025

It's a bright and chilly start to the day here in the UK and I'm very slightly in shock as I can't believe it's the 2nd of December! However, that can only mean one thing... yes, a brand new Card Chain Challenge Reveal! 

We had 25 participants who exchanged cards across the globe this month, and in doing so brought our total number of cards exchanged to 4,832. A huge thank you to everyone who plays this challenge - you've made a wonderful little crafters community and it's such a pleasure to join the fun each month. A big thank you to Gail for all she does to keep this fun challenge rolling along. 

 

All the cards exchanged this month used at least one of the following options:

 

Colour Palette Option

(Exact matching is not required.)

Sketch Option

(Orient as desired.)

Theme Options: Feathers / Vintage / Friendship

 

Product / Technique Options: Buttons / Abstract

 

I found myself sandwiched between Linda's this month and I sent this cared to Linda in Michigan...

Card Exchanging Friends from Simon Says Stamp
and Bohemian Collection by Crafters Companion

And received this beautiful creation from Linda W in Minnesota.

If you want to join in the fun you can sign up for the Card Chain Challenge.  All sign ups run in advance, from the 7th of the preceding month to the 6th of the exchange month.  All reveals happen on the 2nd of the month after the exchange is complete.

The Christmas Kickstart Challenge #104 - Reminder

 

Over at the Christmas Kickstart Challenge we are in the company of Elf Vicki Ruta.

 

Vicki created this adorable card to get us in the mood to craft! 

As a little 'thank you' each month I like to pay a small homage to the card made by our guest/elf and create something inspired by their work. There's just so much going on with Vicki's card - the sparkly snow, the frame, that sparkly sky, the sweet images, the trio of trees... All so lovely.

Here's my take:

Thanks for the inspiration, Vicki, the details I've borrowed have given my card such a lift. And do you like the quirky reindeer? They're from a company called Stampography, but I can't find any trace of them to include a link. I bought them on a selling site as I thought they were so unusual. 

Here's my second card for the Reminder:

I had to smile when I saw this cute entry in the Challenge Gallery from Dawn T. Great minds think alike! Poor Dawn has been so poorly lately, so if you get the chance why not head over and leave her some get well wishes. 

Rudolph has a cute prize for his Randon Raffle Draw. For some reason I though Time For Tea had closed, but I've just found a link to their shop and they have stamps and stickers for sale. 

Both Vicki and I really hope you'll come and join the fun... Just Add Antlers to play long!

The Christmas Kickstart Challenge #104 - Just Add Antlers

 

Over at The Christmas Kickstart Challenge I'm delighted to welcome the very talented Vicki Ruta as our November Elf. I first 'met' Vicki when we were together on Dani's DT and I've been fan-girling her cards ever since. Please drop on over to the main blog to get to know Vicki and to see her card.

Here's the theme that Vicki has chosen for us...

Challenge #104 - Just Add Antlers!

Yes, it's time to Add Antlers to you cards! We think you can play this theme a few different ways and we'd love to see deer or whatever you think will benefit from the addition of antlers!

Here's what I created to get the party started. I do love this little Impression Obsession gal and her fabulous headwear and am so sad that this company no longer exists. We seem to be losing so many stamping companies lately, don't we. 

The background is from Darkroom Door who, I'm delighted to say, have moved to the UK and are still going strong. 

My second card for this challenge had to have a little surgery following a mishap with a snowflake. I'd spent ages working with this sweet image and so did a little die-cutting as a save.  He's heat embossed and looks good and glossy IRL.

Woodware Clear Magic Snowflake Reindeer

Our favourite reindeer dude, Rudolph, has a fun set on offer as his Random Raffle Prize for this month.

Vicki and I can't wait to see what you create for our challenge and really hope you'll share your antlers-added cards with us this month!

Card Chain Challenge Reveal - October 2025

It's Card Chain Challenge Reveal time again and this month we had 26 lovely participants who exchanged cards across the globe. This makes our total number of cards exchanged thus far an amazing 4,807. We are chasing down 5,000 and no mistake! 

All hail the amazing Gail for her hard work with this challenge. My one-in-a-million buddy.

 

All the cards exchanged this month used at least one of the following options:

 

Colour Palette Option

(Exact matching is not required.)

Sketch Option

(Orient as desired.)

 

Theme Options: Wee Folk (Fairies, Elves, Gnomes etc.) / Trees / Friendship

Product / Technique Options: Glitter / Splats

I opted for a sweet wee fairy, trees (well, leaves and a twig), glitter and an implicit friendship greeting. I really love this little image but have no idea of the company/illustrator or anything as she is just on a carrier sheet with two other equally cute little fairies. She is a sweet little mystery!

I sent my card to Carol in the UK, and just look what dropped on the door mat from Dagmara in Poland. My goth-loving niece is coveting this! 

If you want to see more of these artists' card art, check out their blogs and please leave 'em some love in the comments!

If you want to join in the fun you can sign up for the Card Chain Challenge.  All sign ups run in advance, from the 7th of the preceding month to the 6th of the exchange month.  All reveals happen on the 2nd of the month after the exchange is complete.

The Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers Challenge #268 - D is for Drink

 

Greeting Fans of Snark, it's time for another fun challenge over at The Sisterhood, and this month we bring you D is for Drink! 

I had fun playing with these cute VLVS ladies. They just have such naughty expressions and are great to use on snarky cards!

There are some fun cards on show again this month, and we have our lovely Queen Beverley with us too, so please head on over and take a look! 

Autumn Colours....

 

The good folk over at Seize the Birthday have been playing 'Favorite Fall treat' as their Topping for Challenge #316. I decided to play along but somehow turned the theme into 'Autumn/Fall' in my head! Oh, well... It's a good job they have an Anything Goes theme too!

I made this card for one of the Seize the Birthday gals, Shirley B, who had her birthday at the start of this week. I hope it was a good one, Shirley! 

The cute little bunny is from Mama Elephant set Crafted With Love and the Big Birthday Wishes die is from MFT. It was fun to work with a bold colour palette on this card.

Have a good day, folks!

The Christmas Kickstart Challenge #103 - Reminder

 

Hi everyone, it's time for our Reminder post over at The Christmas Kickstart Challenge.  

We're so lucky to have the lovely Loll as our Elf this month, she is one talented lady!

Our theme is:

Challenge #103 - Snow Alert!

Loll has kindly created a second card for our challenge, and you can see it here in all it's glory. 

Here's a quick reminder of Loll's first card for our challenge.

I really love this card, and had so much fun spending time looking at all the gorgeous details. Loll's colouring is awesome and the scene is just perfectly balanced and put together, but I decided to steal her fabulous signature paint splashes and that great torn paper effect. here's the result:

I discovered just how hard it is to get splatters that look as good as Loll's do! I decided I needed a splatter brush and bought a TH one, but I have to say that I just made a mess with it. I'd certainly welcome some tips and hints on getting a good splatter effect from any of you guys who are in the know. The little deer is from Avery Elle and the set is called Dasher, so I shouldn't really have given him a red nose! 

Rudolph has another fun prize for this challenge, so why not drop by and take a look. Loll and I hope you'll come and play along! 

The Christmas Kickstart Challenge #103 - Snow Alert!

Anyone got SNOW yet, or are we still shoveling leaves from our driveways? 

I'm delighted to have the very lovely Loll as my guest/Elf over at The Christmas Kickstart Challenge this month. Loll is one talented lady and you are going to love her work... I know I do!

Loll has chosen a fun theme for October:

Challenge #103 - Snow Alert!

Nice choice, Loll, and there's plenty of scope for everyone to play this challenge their own way!

Here's my first snow-themed creation:

I was in the mood for a little monochrome with which to wish someone a very beary Christmas. This little chap is from the retired Pinkfresh set Christmas Wishes. The snow is glitter card and the moon is silver metallic card - neither are showing up that well in the picture. 

Card number #2 is a little different and was soooo quick and easy to make. The beautiful snowflakes are from Simply Graphic and the embossing folder is Kaisercraft Snowflakes. 

I really hope you'll come and play along with Loll and me over at The Christmas Kickstart as we're both really excited to see what you create!

The Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers Challenge #267 - S is for Spooky

 

Edna is helping us play S is for Spooky this month over at The Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers! October is also breast cancer awareness month, so we're offering you an option to include pink on your creation.

My card isn't so much spooky as just plain silly!

My Sizzix ghosts are enjoying a chat against a Tim Holtz embossing folder background. All in all, this was a fun card to make. 

I'm going to link this card over at The Two Old Bats Halloween Challenge. This is such a fun challenge and I have no idea why I don't play here more often. Their Mood Board for this month is just brilliant and the DT inspiration rocks!

And finally, don't forget to check them boobies, gals, it's important and could just save your life!

Take care. x