Birthday Monkeys

Today's card features an old Rachelle Anne Miller/Stampavie stamp called 'Birthday Monkeys', which, according to a search on my blog, I last used in 2014! I stamped it onto watercolour paper, along with a sentiment, using a stamp from the 'What This!' set by Anita Jeram for the Colorado Craft Company, then coloured it using watercolour pencils. I paired it with green and blue papers from three different pads: the light green one is from the 'Here + There' pad by Studio Calico; the light blue one is from the 'Shoreline' pad by American Crafts; and the darker green one is from the 'Party Day' pad by Crate Paper. I lightly distressed all of the edges before adding it to a kraft card blank.

Challenges for this card:

• 2 Crafty Critter Crazies - Anything Goes
• Crafty Gals Corner - Anything Goes (Optional 'Make It Green')
• Gem of a Challenge - Anything Goes
• Seize the Birthday - Mainly Green
• Simon Says Stamp (Wednesdays) - A Bit O'Green

ABC Christmas Challenge - W & X for for?

We have a fun new ABC Christmas Challenge starting today...Fabiola is the host, and the themes are:

'W is for Wings'

&

'X is for X-Stitch'

(Any kind of stitching will do)

This is the prize for the lucky winner:

A $30 Gift Card for your favourite craft store!

For my 'Wings' card, I picked a Penny Black chicken stamp called 'Carolers'. I stamped it directly onto a white card blank, added a sentiment using a stamp from the 'Scribbly Christmas' set by Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous, then coloured it using watercolour pencils.

For my 'X-Stitch' card, I used a Stampavie stamp called 'Xmas Puppies'. I stamped it onto some watercolour paper, added a sentiment using stamps from the 'Christmas Hats' set by Anita Jeram for the Colorado Craft Company, then coloured it using watercolour pencils...this card is destined for a friend with two Cockapoos, so I've coloured the pups to match her two dogs. I used a piece of patterned paper from the 'Merry & Bright' pad by Craft Sensations for the background, and added two different types of stitching using my CutterBee Bugs and a black gel pen. I matted the layers onto some red card, then added it all to a white card blank.

I'm also entering these cards into the following challenges:

• Allsorts - Christmas (Second card only)
• Aud Sentiments - Glitter and/or Christmas and a Sentiment (First card only)
• Stamping Sensations - Christmas (First card only)
• Time Out - Favourite Holiday - Christmas! (Second card only)
• We Love Stamping - Christmas (Second card only)

For more inspiration from my lovely DT buddies, please pop over to the ABC Christmas Challenge.

Xmas Puppies

Today's card features a stamp that I picked up in a charity shop earlier this week, called 'Xmas Puppies' by Lawrence Designs for Stampavie. I stamped it on to watercolour paper, then coloured it using watercolour pencils. I paired it with papers from the 'Home for Christmas' pad by Violet Studio...distressing the edges before adding some faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug and a black gel pen. The sentiment stamp is from the 'Winter Wishes' set by Hero Arts.

Challenges for this card:

• Christmas Craft Creations - Designer Paper
• Christmas with the Cuties - Two or More Papers
• Krafty Chicks - Stamps
• Merry Little Christmas - Anything Christmas Goes
• The Holly & the Ivy - Anything Christmas Goes

Ice Cream Mouse

Today's card features an old Stampavie stamp called 'Ice Cream Mouse...stamped on to watercolour paper, then coloured using watercolour pencils. I paired it with papers from a magazine freebie pad called 'Ice Cream Sundae'...distressing the edges, then adding some faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug and a black gel pen.

Challenges for this card:

• 2 Crafty Critter Crazies - Anything Goes
• C.R.A.F.T. - Summer
• Crafty Creations - Anything Goes
• Creative Inspirations - Summer Fun
• Everybody Art - Summer
• Little Red Wagon - Stay Cool
• Moving Along with the Times - Cool it Down
• Simon Says Stamp (Mondays) - Food & Drink
• Sweet Stampers - Summer Fun
• Use Your Stuff - Summer Fun

Ice Cream Mouse

I have a weather appropriate card to share today...featuring a little mouse stamp by Tina Wenke for Stampavie. He's called 'Ice Cream Mouse'...I coloured him using watercolour pencils, then carefully cut him out. I added a snippet of Carta Bella 'Cool Summer' paper to the top of my card blank...the paper is covered with ice cream cone & flag bunting, so I trimmed around the top and bottom first. I added a Hero Arts sentiment (from the 'Cupcakes' set), and popped the mouse up on 3D foam pads.

Challenges for this card:

• Catch the Bug - Anything Goes
• Crafty Catz - Anything Goes (Optional Summer Fun)
• Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - Anything Goes
• Creative Moments - Anything Goes (Optional Summer Fun)
• Give a Crafter a Cookie - Photo Inspiration
• Heartful Stamping - Anything Goes
• Pixie's Snippets Playground - Use Snippets
• Simon Says Stamp (Mondays) - Summer Fun

Moose!

Today's card features a cute moose stamp by Rachelle Anne Mille (for Stampavie) that I last inked up in August 2013 - eeeek! I added a snippet of stripey paper (from the LilyBee Designs 'Christmas Cheer' pad)...I distressed all of the edges a little, then added some faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug and a black gel pen. The sentiment stamp is from the 'Scribbly Christmas' set by Tim Holtz (for Stampers Anonymous).

Challenges for this card:

• Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas - Anything Goes (Optional Reindeer)
• Cute Card Thursday - Birds or Animals
• Happy Little Stampers (Christmas) - Anything Goes
• Pixie's Snippets Playground - Use Snippets
• Simon Says Stamp (Mondays) - It's a Stitch Up
• Simon Says Stamp (Wednesdays) - Furry Friends

Ice Cream Mouse

In a bid to rid us of the Autumnal weather, I have a summery card to share today...featuring a Stampavie stamp by Tina Wenke called 'Mouse Holding Ice Cream', which I coloured using watercolour pencils. I made a patchwork background from snippets of papers from the 'Happy Day' pad by My Mind's Eye...distressing the edges a little, then adding some faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug and a black gel pen.

Challenges for this card:

• Crafting from the Heart - Anything Goes
• Crazy 4 Challenges - Bright & Cheerful
• Everybody Art - Summer
• Incy Wincy - No Words
• Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes
• Penny Black & More - All Creatures Great & Small
• Pixie's Snippets Playground - Use Snippets
• Sweet Stampin' - Summer Fun
• Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

ABC Christmas Challenge - P, Q & R are for?

We have another fun ABC Christmas Challenge starting today...Chrissy is the host, and we have three awesome themes this month, which you can choose between, or combine:

'P is for People',
'Q is for Quick'

&

'R is for Red'

(Just don't forget the Christmas theme!)

Our sponsor for this challenge is Lawn Fawn:

Prize - a Stamp Set & 6x6 Paper Pad of the winner's choice!

I made a card for each of the three themes...the first one features 'People' in the 'Skating' stamp by Rachelle Anne Miller for Stampavie, which I coloured using watercolour pencils. The papers are from the 'Bundled Up' pad by Crate Paper...I distressed the edges a little, then added some faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug and a black gel pen. The sentiment stamp is from the 'Scribbly Christmas' set by Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous.

Challenges for this card:

• Shopping Our Stash - Countdown to Christmas
• Simon Says Stamp (Wednesdays) - Anything Goes

For my 'Quick' card, I coloured an image I'd stamped a while ago...it's called 'Caroling Chicks' by Stamping Bella. I coloured it using watercoloure pencils, trimmed it down to the width of my card base, then cut the top of the image using one of my Lawn Fawn 'Stitched Hillside' border dies. The sentiment came in the same stamp set.

Challenges for this card:

• Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Extra - Anything Goes
• Hiding in my Craft Room - Freestyle (Christmas in July)

For my 'Red' card, I picked an old Whiff of Joy stamp that I think is called 'Henry & Friend - Candy Cane'. Again, I coloured the image using watercolour pencils, and added another sentiment from the 'Scribbly Christmas' set. I matted it on to a piece of kraft card...having cut a scalloped border using my 'Scalloped Diamonds' punch by EK Success, then mounted it onto a red card base.

Challenges for this card:

• Crafty Sentiments - Anything Goes
• Simon Says Stamp (Mondays) - Food and/or Drink
• Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

For more inspiration from my lovely DT buddies, please pop over to the ABC Christmas Challenge.

Ice Cream Mouse!

I have a more seasonally appropriate card to share today...must be the reason the weather has turned and we now have rain...ha ha! The image is 'Mouse holding ice cream' by Tina Wenke for Stampavie...I coloured it using watercolour pencils, then added some Stickles to the chocolate sauces on some of the ice creams, and Glossy Accents on the cherry and glass sundae dish. The summery papers are from the 'Happy Day' pad by My Mind's Eye...I distressed the edges, then added some faux stitching using my CutterBee Bugs and a black gel pen. The sentiment stamps are from the 'Cupcakes' set by Hero Arts.

Challenges for this card:

• ABC Challenge - Lots of Layers
• As You Like It - Favourite Trademark Style (Cute with pretty papers & faux stitching...just love the interest patterned papers give without having to add bulky embellishments!)
• Crafty Cardmakers - Summer
• Crazy Challenge - Summer Fun
• Everybody Art - Summer
• Shopping Our Stash - Stitching
• Simon Says Stamp (Wednesdays) - Anything Goes
• Stamps + Fun = Creativity - Holidays/Travel/Summer

Psst...Dani & Taylor

Rather unusually for me, today's card features some people! This image is 'Psst...Dani & Taylor' by Mo Manning for Stampavie, which I coloured using watercolour pencils. The papers are from the 'Yes Please!' pad by American Crafts...I doodled the borders using a black gel pen. I stamped the sentiment (from the 'Big Messages' set by Paula Pascual) on to a die cut speech bubble (a Thinlits die by Sizzix/Craft Asylum). I thought it looked a little bare, so I delved into the bottom of my stash and added some pieces of Craftwork Cards Card Candi.

Challenges for this card:

• Aud Sentiments - Anything Goes with a Sentiment
• Chocolate, Coffee & Cards - Just Us Girls
• Crafting for All Seasons - Make it Girly
• Crafty Creations - Doodles
• Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes
• Fantasy Stampers - All About the Girl
• Hiding in my Craft Room - Feminine
• Simon Says Stamp (Wednesdays) - Anything Goes
• Sweet Stampin' - Terrible Teens

Ice Cream Sundae!

I have a cute summery card to share today...featuring an old Stampavie stamp by Tina Wenke called 'Mouse Holding Ice Cream', and papers from the 'Here is Happy' pad by My Mind's Eye - I just had to use the sheet with ice creams on! I doodled some simple borders, and added a sentiment stamp from the 'Sending Sunshine' set by Simon Says Stamp.

Challenges for this card:

• Cheerful Sketches - July Sketch
• Crafting for All Seasons - Cute & Summery
• Crafty Sentiments - Summer
• Give a Crafter a Cookie - Photo Inspiration
• Simon Says Stamp (Mondays) - Summer
• Stamping Sensations - Feature a Creature

ABC Christmas Challenge - I is for...

We have a new ABC Christmas Challenge starting today...Lols is hosting, and the theme is:

'I is for I Love You'

Make a card featuring a 'love' sentiment...an image of a couple...or for a loved one.

We are sponsored for this challenge by Bunny Zoe's Crafts:

Prize - £10 Gift Certificate!

I've used a sweet Stampavie stamp called 'Mistletoe and Mice' by Gillian Roberts. I coloured the image using watercolour pencils and paired it with some papers from the 'Bundled Up' pad by Crate Paper (the snowflake ones) and from the 'Yours Truly' pad by Pebbles Inc (the hearts & spotty ones). I distressed the edges of the papers, then added some faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug and a black gel pen. The sentiment stamp is from a Lili of the Valley set. 

I'm also entering this card into the following challenges:

• CCEE Stampers - Huggable Creatures
• Christmas Cards - Anything Goes
• Hiding in my Craft Room - Any Holiday
• Rudolph Days - Anything Christmas
• Top Tip Tuesday - Duo

For more inspiration from my lovely DT buddies, please pop over to the ABC Christmas Challenge.

Crafty Little Fairies Challenge - Summer Fun!

We have a new Crafty Little Fairies Challenge starting today, with a theme of:

'Summer Fun!'

We have lots of lovely sponsors:

The Ribbon Girl:

Prize - £10 Gift Voucher!

Whiff of Joy:

Prize - Stamp of Winner's Choice!

Delicious Doodles:

Prize - 4 Digis of the Winner's Choice!

Little Claire:

Stamp & Create:

Prize - $20 Gift Voucher!

I picked a Stampavie stamp by Sarah Kay to use on my card called 'Olivia and her Kittens Kiki & Sugar'. Like them, I like to get out in the garden in the summer...not to actually garden...but I do like to enjoy the fruits of other people's gardening efforts! I coloured the image using watercolour pencils to match the My Mind's Eye 'Indie Chic' papers. I distressed all of the egdes, then inked them using 'Brushed Corduroy' Distress Ink, and added some faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug and a black gel pen. The sentiment is from the 'Fabulous Birthday' set by Hero Arts, the flowers are a mixture of Prima and Poppicrafts, the brads are BasicGrey, and the twine is by Papermania.

I'm also entering this card into the following challenges:

• Allsorts - Summer Girls
• Chocolate Coffee & Cards - Summer Days
• Crazy 4 Challenges - Summer or Winter
• Creative Corner - Flowers
• Cutie Pie - Girls, Girls, Girls
• Fussy & Fancy - Summertime
• Love to Create - 3 or More Design Papers
• Papercrafting Journey - Flower Power
• Pink Elephant - Anything Goes
• Sweet Stampin' - Summer Fun
• Wags 'N Whiskers - Summer Fun

For more inspiration from my lovely DT buddies, please pop over to the Crafty Little Fairies Challenge.

Crafty Little Fairies - One for the Boys

This week's Crafty Little Fairies Challenge theme is:

'One for the Boys'

Our sponsor for this challenge is Handy Hippo:

I've used a Stampavie stamp by Rachelle Anne Miller...called 'Birthday Monkeys' which I coloured using watercolour pencils...I think I may have used them on a girly card once, but their cheeky little faces just scream little boy cards to me! The papers are from the 'Here and There' pad by Studio Calico...I distressed the edges a little, then added faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug and a black gel pen. The sentiment stamp is from the 'Sending Sunshine' set by Simon Says Stamp.

I'm also entering this card into the following challenges:

• A Little Bit Crafty - Man Up!
• Corrosive - In Stitches
• Hiding in my Craft Room - Use Three Designer Papers
• Seize the Birthday - Anything Birthday
• Sweet Stampin' - Sketch
• Top Tip Tuesday - Stitching

For more inspiration from my lovely DT buddies, please pop over to the Crafty Little Fairies Challenge.

Mistletoe & Mice

I have a Christmas card to share today...using a Stampavie stamp by Gillian Roberts called 'Mistletoe & Mice'. I coloured the image using watercoour pencils to match the Echo Park 'Winter Wishes' papers. I distressed the edges of the papers, then added some faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug and a black gel pen. The sentiment stamp is from a set by Lili of the Valley, and the snowflakes were cut using Cuttlebug and Marianne Designs dies.

Challenges for this card:

• C.R.A.F.T. - Christmas
• Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas - Layers
• Crafty Little Fairies - Cute & Cuddly Critters
• Sparkles Christmas - Non-traditional Colours

PS - I have candy on offer at the moment...click the photo below for all the info:

Merry Christ-Moose!

I've used a much neglected stamp on today's card...it's called 'Moose' by Rachelle Anne Miller for Stampavie...I love the little squirrel decorating him with the lights! I coloured the image using watercolour pencils to match the papers (from the 'Christmas in the Country' pad by Papermania). I distressed the edges of the papers...then added some faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug and a black gel pen. The ribbon is from Hobbycraft, snowflake is a Marianne Designs die, button is from my stash, the twine is by Dovecraft, and the pearls were a birthday gift from my lovely friend Samantha.

Challenges for this card:

• ABC Challenge - No Flowers
• Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas - Cute
• Crafty Ribbons - Anything Goes with Ribbon
• Paper Playtime - Use Pearls
• Stamp with Fun - Squared
• Totally Gorjuss - Bows
• Winter Wonderland - Rudolph

Anyone for Ice Cream?

Phew...it isn't half hot here! I know we shouldn't complain, but it's too hot to craft! Anyway, to try to cool myself down, I coloured up this little chap from Stampavie called (rather imaginitively!) 'Mouse with Ice Cream'...I don't actually like ice cream, but if you do I would think that his sundae looks rather appealing! The papers are from the 'Sweet Nothings' pad by Papermania, the stars were cut using Nesties, and the sentiment stamp is from the 'Sending Sunshine' set by Simon Says Stamp.

Challenges for this card:

• Allsorts - Fur/Feathers
• Anything Goes - Anything Goes
• Created with Love - Anything Goes
• Cutie Pie - Cute & Cuddly
• Sunday Sketch & Stamp - Sketch 165
• Sweet Stamps - Anything Goes

In the Garden

I dug deep into my stash for today's card...using items that haven't seen the light of day for quite some time! The stamp is a Sarah Kay image from Stampavie called 'Olivia & her kittens Kiki & Sugar', the papers are the remnants of my my BasicGrey 'Lemonade' pad, the flowers are by Prima, and the brads are also by BasicGrey. I distressed the edges, and added faux stitching using my CutterBee Bug and a black gel pen.

Challenges for this card:

• 2 Sisters - Sketch
• 4 Crafty Chicks - Flowers
• Allsorts - Girls
• BasicGrey - Fun in the Sun
• Crafts & Me - Something Old (Everything used on this card is at least 2 years old)
• Crazy4Challenges - Summer
• Cupcake Craft - Summer Scene
• Delightful - Here Comes the Sun
• Gem of a Challenge - Summertime
• One Crazy Stamper - Summer Fun
• Pink Elephant - Summertime
• Stamping Sensations - Summer Blooms
• Squirrel & the Fox - Summer or Winter
• Totally Gorjuss - Flowers