Bugaboo Christmas Chaos Dec 16

As if we weren't busy enough at this time of year without Bugaboo to come and distract us with their Bugaboo Christmas chaos Event!  & cards in 7 days!!! You up for it?

Don't know if I'll manage it all but here goes anyway...

Didn't manage a card daily, but I managed these;

Day 1 - Saturday - All that Sparkles - Using Snowman Blocks

Day 2 - Sunday - Sketch - Using a reindeer

Day 3 - Monday - Tag - didn't manage this one as no stripe paper

Day 4 - Tuesday - No patterned papers - Let it Snow

Day 5 - Funny - Reindeer Blocks

Day 6 - Old paper & image - Ran out of time

Day 7 - Use Freebie Friday - Couldn't resist a cat tho!

No wonder my cat is crabby though, the glossy accents weren't dry as I took thephoto and so it looks like he's got cataracts!!!

Jx

Penguin Tree

Right, this will have to be my last Christmas card for a while as I'm wanting to get on and make more seasonal cards to fill up my card box.  Can't believe how many I've made so far, so hopefully that's me well on track for meeting my needs this year!

But before the Christmas stamps disappear, I thought I'd share this sweet image with you, it's by Great Impressions and I just love how the penguins create their own tree!

So, my stamp is by Great Impressions, colouring by Promarker and the sentiment tags by LOTV.

Challenges;
Winter Wonderland - Penguins
CHCC - Anything Goes/Cute
ABC Christmas - Frills or no Frills - Well it's a CAS card so No frills...but then again the pom-pom trim is kinda frilly, so I can't decide!
Holly Jolly - Use your stash - a new stamp but old embossing folder & pom-pom trim
Tuesday Morning Sketches - 344

Great Impressions - 2016 Gallery
Christmas at Sweet Stampin - Cute
Jx

Christmas Wreath

So far so good this year, that's the end of March and I haven't missed a SSW2 challenge! Love their sketches, and this weeks one was no exception!

So, I reached for my LOTV art pad again, and that same pad of papers, and this is what I came up with...

Challenges;
SSW2 - 85

CRAFT - 355 Christmas
Get Creative - Green

Krafty Christmas

I've already entered this weeks Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2 challenge with a birthday card, but I wanted to continue with my art pad Christmas cards using their challenges also...problem was, all the art pad images were too big for my selection of oval dies!

Not to be deterred I used my rectangular image with the corners rounded...almost an oval???

I then followed the sketch as best I could and came up with this...

Challenges;
SSW2 - Sketch 84 - 2nd entry - checked rules and it didn't say if you could enter more than once - delete if not allowed!

Winter Wonderland - Add some lace
CHCC - Vintage/ Anything Christmas
Holly Jolly - Lace
Sparkles Christmas Challenge - Old fashioned Christmas
Jx

Add A Sentiment

I am so on a Christmas roll this year - already I think I have made more cards than last, as I am ashamed to say I had to buy Christmas cards last year!

Any way, back to today and the start of a new super easy challenge over at Ooh La La...

Add A Sentiment

How easy is that - what card doesn't have one!

So with such an easy theme you can basically make anything you want, so I chose another Christmas card - made using a super image and papers from the Festive Funnies collection.

Challenges;
CHCE - Anything goes
As You Like It - Favourite Occasion - Christmas - Cause the whole family comes together then.
Fab n Funky - Christmas
Paper Shelter - Animal Magic - Fish & Reindeer
Holly Jolly - Getting Sentimental - Add a sentiment
Winter Wonderland - Add a sentiment
CHCC - Use a sentiment
Christmas Card Challenges - Anything Goes - tree inspired... a fish tree!
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything Goes
Jx

Finally, Alli our teamie is doing a spot of fundraising for Cancer Research UK and is doing a walking challenge throughout March.  To find out more and/or make a donation please hit here!

Many thanks, Jx

Oh Christmas Tree

I'm still doing well with my Christmas card makes this year - just going at it slow and steady, and I have set my own challenge within a challenge and am trying to complete a set of Christmas cards using a LOTV art pad and a pack of their papers.

So far I've done 3 cards all with the help of sketches from SSW2!

So here is my card, this time following sketch 83.

Challenges;
SSW2 - 83

CHCC - Anything Christmas
ABC Christmas - D - Don't over do it - keep it simple
Winter Wonderland - CAS
Lemon Shortbread - Anything Goes
Jx

Holly Tree - or is that Bush?

There's a question - will have to look that up, does holly grow on a bush or a tree.  The holly on my card looks very tree like but in my garden it's a holly bush...I'll google it!

Anyway, back to my card, another quick make using my lovely LOTV art pad.

Again I've followed a SSW2 sketch and kept my card simple and thin for postal purposes.

Challenges;
SSW2 - Sketch - 82

I've flipped the sentiment location due to the tag sitting better on the right!

CHCC - Anything Goes/Vintage

CHPP - Anything goes with patterned paper

A Snowflakes Promise - Christmas

Jx

Just looked up my question...

Lots of places refer to holly as a shrub, and depending on the variety it can either be a bush or a tree - so both are correct! 

Pretty Poinsettia

I said I was going to get ready for Christmas early, and this is another card to add to my early collection!  It uses that gorgeous poinsettia image from A Day For Daisies, but this time I double printed the main flower and then decoupaged it - slightly off centre to build up my flower - but it's still nice and flat for posting - little foam pads required!

Really pleased with this simple card.  The centre has got a liquid pearl finish and the sentiment computer generated.

Challenges;
Allsorts - CAS
Challenge Up Your Life - No design papers
CHCC - Anything Goes
Di's Digis - Lots of Red
Cardz4Gals - Fantastic Florals
Crimbo Crackers - Anything Goes
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - Anything goes
613 Avenue Create - One Layer/Anything Goes
Jx

Toppers!

Last year I bought an LOTV coloured art pad and papers to help me with Christmas card production, sadly they never saw the light of day and worse, I didn't make anything like the number of Christmas cards I needed.

So, this year, I'm back to plan "B" - make Christmas ones all year round - and cheat by using art pads!

So, for the very first time I give you a card using an art pad image.

To help me on my way, I followed the Sweet Stetch Wednesday stetch, then kept adding bits till I thought the card looked complete!

So, the image, sentiment tag and papers are from LOTV, the Bakers Twine from The Ribbon Girls, and the flower off a cracker!

Challenges;
ABC Christmas - B for Baubles
SSW2 - Stkech 2-81

CHCC - Use a sentiment
Holly Jolly - Use designer papers
Crimbo Crackers -Anything Goes

Poinsettia

It seems like ages since I've posted a card, probably cause its been ages since I made one!  But I found a bit of spare time over the weekend and managed to colour a free image that I'd spied on the A Day For Daisies blog weeks ago.

I've combined the image with the current sketch over at Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2 - one of my favourite challenges, but one I was unable to enter last year due to time constraints.  This year however they have changed the challenge to fortnightly, so I'm hoping that once again I can become a regular participant.  So many really good sketch challenges have folded over the years, Friday Sketchers, Sketch and Stash and Christmas Challenges with Sketches - all favourites of mine and now no more... so...

Lets Save SSW2

Well I hope we do and I hope the DT are listening as I know you said you didn't want to fold either!

So now to matters in hand, my card using the current sketch, here it is, a simple design to show off the gorgeous ADFD stamp.

I've added the burlap and ribbon to add a bit of texture along with liquid pearls dots in the flower centre.

Challenges;

SSW2 - Sketch 2-80

Stamping Sensations - Anything Goes + a die - Fishtail one for sentiment.

Winterwonderland - Glitter and shine - there is gold glitter on the ribbon but perhaps not enough?

Ribbon Girls - Anything Goes

ABC Christmas - Anything Goes

I Love Promarkers - Use something new - new image and new burlap, bought in Berlin in Dec!

To A Special Person At Christmas

I'm super excited today you guys cause today's the day I fly off to Berlin with my hubby for a week at the Christmas Markets.  So looking forward to our trip as it's been quite a year and we never managed to get away in the Summer.

Berlin is one of my favourite holiday destinations, been there loads of times, and if anything gets you in the mood for Christmas it has to be European Christmas Markets with all their local crafts and foods being sold on the street stalls.  Will pop some pictures up here and on FB over the coming days.

Anyway, before I fly off, I must tell you of the last MAWTT challenge this year, running into the new year, set by Carole and it's...

To A Special Person At Christmas

So I made this cutie for my husband.  It uses a gorgeous digi stamp by Funky Kits called Warm Winter Wishes and it's available here.  I coloured it using Promarkers then used LOTV papers along with an LOTV date and a computer generated sentiment.

As always there are lots of great cards to be seen on the main blog page where the other DT ladies have made some real festive beauties.  Hope you can join us this time around to make this a fabulous MAWTT challenge to close the year on.

Challenges;
Crafty Calender - Let it Snow
My Time To Craft - Christmas Animals
Sweet Stampin - Snowtime
Sugar Bowl - Anything Goes
Stamping Sensations - Stamp & Ribbon
Ribbon Girl - Dec Anything Goes
Glitter n Sparkle - Anything Goes
I Love Promarkers - Anything Goes

Let It Snow

I know the title of this post is let it snow - but please don't.  A few years back it did start snowing in Nov - and the ground remained white till the following March - what a nightmare so no thank you! We did have a covering of the stuff this weekend too, but luckily it hasn't hung about.

It is however acceptable to feature snow on cards, as that is what Debs is after as she picked the challenge theme of

Let it Snow

over at Ooh La La.

The image I've used this time is not off an Ooh La La CD but is infact printed from the digital download section of the Ooh La La site - there are other sheets too, so if you haven't checked them out, it's worth a visit.  Last time I used this image I just used the topper, but this time I asked at HQ if there were papers to match... so Wendy made me some! (Thanks Wendy, what a star!)

So here is my latest offering...

I printed the image twice, layered up the candle inset, then added sparkle to it by clear embossing the oval. Tags are LOTV and the twine and pearls are from a favourite of mine, The Ribbon Girl, and were infact part of a prize a month or so back, so thanks Mary & Andrea for my goodies.

Challenges;
Alphabet Challenge - t  - Tis the Season
Brown Sugar - Anything Goes
Crafty Catz - Shades of Blue
Papertake - Let it Snow
Creative Craft Cottage - 52 - Christmas
Winter Wonderland - 1,2,3 - 1 image, 2 papers and 3 embs - pearls
CD Sunday - Sprinkle of snowflakes
My Time To Craft - Let it snow

Finally I'd just like to say this is the last Ooh La La challenge of the year as we all take a well earned Christmas break.  Look out for us back again next year when our new challenges starts back on Mon  4th Jan.

and finally finally I just want to thank all the ladies over at Ooh La La for a great year on their DT, I really have enjoyed it, love the CD's and can't wait for the new releases next year.  Happy Christmas Teamies! Jx

Tree Trimmers

As Christmas is fast approaching I thought I better put a bit more effort into making some cards, so today I set about a batch of thin colourful CAS cards ideal for posting.

The image is a new one to me, by Sassy Cheryl - I paid full price for it a few weeks back, but if you're quick you may be able to snap up a bargain as it's on special just now!

Colouring as always is by Promarker and my sentiment added directly to the card front using Serif Draw, (thanks Colin for the lesson!)  Finally the card is finished with my festive favoutites, glossy accents and glamour dust.

Challenges;
CHCC - Red & Green
Brown Sugar - No DP's
Christmas Stampin All Year Long - Anything Goes
Crafting by Designs - Frosty Snowmen
Christmas Cards All Year Round - Christmas Trees
Sparkles Forum Christmas - Christmas Decorations
Cutie Pies - CAS/Cute/Christmas
Christmas at Sweet Stampin - Stars
Jx

My Favourite Things

Well this one will either sink or swim, and I'm so hoping swim, as it's Mrs Duck's theme over at MAWTT and she has really excelled in picking

My Favourite Things

as our latest challenge theme - BUT read on my friends - Mrs Duck never does things by halves - don't follow the theme literally instead think of Mary Poppins and the song...

"These Are A Few Of My Favourite Things"

the lyrics are on the MAWTT blog and they are the theme - how creative is that! (I'm lovin this one - aren't you???)

So sing along as I did till you reach your favourite thing and surprisingly... I went with... "whiskers on kittens!"

I rummaged through all my cat stamps - and quite a few are whiskerless, but then as luck would have it, a challenge win and the chance to gather more Bugaboo images and low and behold, this little Christmas number appeared!  Isn't he gorgeous - even if a tad grumpy!  He's called Crabby Cat Christmas and is available here.

So, colouring was by Promarker, papers by First Edition - Festive Treat and tags by LOTV and there we have it!

Challenges;
CHCE - Anything Goes
A Gem of a Challenge - Christmas Critters
Catch The Bug - Anything Goes
Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers - Kitties - Wasn't sure if this cat believed in gifting ...his face says it all!
Brown Sugar - Tag Your it - sentiment tags
ABC Christmas - W - Wild Thing - well my cat is!!!
Crafty Catz - Winter
Christmas Card Challenges - Anything goes
Come & Get It - Lots of sparkle - hat as glamour dust & glossy accents
The Glory of Christmas - Glitter or shine - glamour dust & accents
Papertake - Christmas Critters
Jx

Snow in Summer

It seems like ages since I've done a MAWTT blog post - that's cause it has been ages, and it will be ages again cause we are still running on monthly challenges.

Today's challenge was set by Hazel before she left the team, but with a bit of luck she will join us as we follow the theme,

Snow in Summer

& I can honestly say that although we haven't had snow this Summer, it has been the coldest, wettest summer I can remember in a long time!  So heaven help us when we reach Winter!

Anyway, back to my card and just for a change, I've gone Bugaboo!  Papers are LOTV and the card is finished off with pearls & a ribbon.

So I haven't gone too snowy with this one, just a layer on the branch and some snowflake papers, but it's up to you whether you go for an all out blizzard or just a smidge!

Challenges;
Winter Wonderland - Songs - "When the Red Red Robin comes Bob Bob Bobbin Along!"
As You Like It - Fur or Feathers - Any other time of year it has to be fur (Cats) but at Christmas Mr Robin steals the show!
Holly Jolly Christmas - Feathered Friends
Top Tip Tuesday - Ribbon & Pearls
The Ribbon Girls - Just add ribbon Jx

Santa Claus

It's a lovely sunny morning here and I've been up since 5 as I heard ice-cream boy get ready for work!  I did try getting back to sleep, but that just wasn't going to happen, so instead, I disappeared upstairs and popped Santa onto a card!

He was the Friday Freebie over at Bugaboo a few weeks back, and I'd already coloured him, so all I needed was to paper piece the bauble and assemble my card.

Challenges:
Catch The Bug - Bingo - Button/Paper-piece/Bugaboo
Creative Knockouts - Paper piecing - the bauble
Crimbo Crackers - Something cute
Crafters Cafe - Christmas in July
Crafting for All Seasons - Christmas in July
I Love Promarkers - CAS

Bugaboo 5th Christmas in July - Collection

For no other reason than the love of Bugaboo, I'm now posting a final picture of this weeks Bugaboo makes. The fun began last Saturday with the Jingle Bells theme, on Sunday it was a Stella sketch, then throughout the week we had a bingo board, picture inspiration, a colour challenge, a recipe then finally pick a present.

All in all it was a really fun week which I thoroughly enjoyed.  The DT did a superb job of show casing many of the great Bugaboo Christmas stamps now available and Tammy did a great job as always pulling things together. Thanks guys, you are all Bugaboo stars!

Finally, Hazel, what can I say, that hasn't been said all week?  We've had a ball haven't we! Jx

The Bugaboo 5th Christmas in July Challenge - Day 7

Last day today of the Bugaboo Christmas in July event, and what a busy fun week it has been!  Seven cards in seven days - a challenge for sure, but luckily I was home based this week and could join in each day.

Today's closing challenge was to use the Friday Freebie and to pick a present from the penguin parade below!

Greedy me, I chose 2 presents - Animal/Fabric/Image and Ribbon/Image/ Stitching
- I am a bit of a rascal when it comes to presents!

Friday Challenge - Friday Freebie & a Penguin Present - Day 7
 - and this is what I created...

So for my makes I used The Rudolph image, coloured him with Promarkers then stuck a little version onto my jar of marmalade and tied it up with gold ribbon.  The marmalade lid was covered in checked fabric as was the base of the card - it's not paper, it's material with a sewed edge and a frayed border!  The card is kept simple and just finished with a fish tail tag buttons and a sentiment.

Challenges;
Catch The Bug - Day 7
Christmas Stampin All Year Long - CAS
Crafting With Friends - Anything Goes
Daring Card Makers - Christmas in July
Winter Wonderland - Traditional Christmas Colours( red & green )
CRAFT - Christmas
Cutie Pies - Cute as a button
Christmas @ Sweet Stampin - Oh Deer
ABC Christmas  - N - Not a card - I did do a card, but I also did a jar of marmalade with fabric hat and matching tag.  (Marmalade homemade this week, yum!)

The marmalade was home made this week from a tin of mamade (- I so love homemade marmalade it's so much nicer than shop bought!) It is a little gift to accompany my card, so as well as receiving gifts, I also enjoy giving, Jx

The Bugaboo 5th Christmas in July Challenge - Day 6

Afternoon all, day 6 of the Bugaboo Christmas event and my penultimate card for the challenge! Today we are working from a photo for inspiration, so for me, cards couls have gone in one of two ways, beach or snowmen.

So guess what went on my card?

...Snowmen!

Today's design is a simple stepper using a Bugaboo image and Ooh La La papers again - I do like these snowflake sheets from the Shawn Jenkins Collection and if you hadn't already guessed, I love my stepper card die too!

Thursday Challenge - Photo Challenge - Day 6

Challenges;
Catch The Bug - Day 6
Come And Get It - Christmas
Papertake - Don't Be Square
Holly Jolly - Winter Wonderland Jx