Tin of String

I've finally got round to using one of the tins of string I bought from the Poundshop at the end of last summer - its a really good sturdy tin with a lid that can be removed, plus a ball of green garden twine, and all for £1!!

I'm still in the process of having A Big Tidy Up as I currently use virtually all of the dining room table and its a bit messy, although organised, but I want it to be more tidy. So I decided to make a pen pot.

I've used papers from Funky Hand - Rainbow Polkadots download which I've printed on both sides so I could add flowers to the covered tin. I've added a strip of red raffia around the middle of the pot for extra detail and then added some flowers.

The flowers have been cut with a Sizzix die (the largest two shapes) and then a Cuttlebug die for the smallest then Card Candy has been added to the centres. I've slightly curled the edges of the flowers so that they stand proud of the tin.

I've inked the edges with black and doodled a line around the main papers on the tin. And that is it!

I don't normally do this, as I tend to be a one project one challenge kinda gal, but just out of interest to how many comments I'd get on this post (scientific experiment!) I am entering this pen tidy into the following challenges:

Charisma Cardz - No Cards Allowed

Crafty Sentiments - Flowers

Creative Craft - Recycled

Cupcake Craft Room - Red, White and Blue

Cute and Girly - Anything Goes

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes with option of something round

That is a record number of challenges in one for me! And funny how all but one are challenges that begin with a C!!

• Papers: Rainbow Polkadots download from Funky Hand
• Tin: Poundshop
• Dies: Sizzix and Cuttlebug
• Everything else: My stash

Another Easel Card?!

They are a bit like buses - all come at once!! Here is the second card from the digi set from The Clip Art Fairy and I've personalised it for Harrison's Dedication on Sunday. I simply printed off the digi sheet, added his name and then added an extra card layer plus glitter glue and the ribbon and buttons. Really quick and easy to make and I think they look lovely!

It fits the Charisma Cardz challenge which is:

Easel Cards

The buttons, cross stitch thread and ribbon are all from my stash and surprisingly, all matched up!

• All paperbased items: The Clip Art Fairy
• Sentiment: Computer generated
• Everything else: My stash

Black, White and Red

A quick and easy card theme from the Charisma Card challenge this week:

Black, White + 1 other Colour

I've gone with red (is it obvious?!) as my one other colour. I've used the Our Betty stamps (Your Special Day set) and coloured them with Promarkers and a little liquid pearls. The balloons I stamped twice with the second image I cut out and layered using foam pads. The sentiment is from the same set too.

The black card is from my stash and has been cut from the same huge sheet as this card, the red is printed from Craft The Year Away also from Funky Hand. And the black sequins were sent to me in a RAK from Teresa all the way from South Africa and I've added red seed beads to the top.

• Stamps: Your Special Day - Our Betty stamps from Funky Hand
• Papers: Craft The Year Away from Funky Hand
• Sequins: RAK from Teresa
• Everything else: My stash
  

Love Is Patient

I nearly squealed when I saw the sketch and theme for the Charisma Cardz challenge! The sketch is:

And the twist is not to use an image but just a sentiment. I knew the perfect sentiment to use! I'd just bought one of the Wedding digi stamp sheets from Digi Sparkle and it had a passage from Corinthians which I've printed off for the focal point of this card. I've used my Nesties for the shape and the papers were a Craftwork Cards freebie pack from a craft magazine ages ago that I'd forgotten I had.
I've inked the edges with chestnut Whispers ink and some faded pink ink then added a chocolate brown organza ribbon and two stemmed flowers from my stash. On the sentiment panel I've added some little dots of liquid pearls just to finish it off.

The digi stamp sheet that I bought from Digi Sparkle has other verses on plus a very cute Bride and Groom so watch out for me using those!

• Sentiment: Wedding Bible Verses digi stamp from Digi Sparkle
• Papers: Freebie pack from Craftwork Cards in a magazine
• Dies: Spellbinder Nestabilities
  
• Everything else: My stash
  

Sympathy

I really should make more sympathy cards. Not because of the expectation of someone keeling over, but for the fact that I actually like making them! It's a really serene and calming experience. Even with two kids arguing over who is going on the Wii going on in the background! So when I saw the Charisma Cardz challenge which is:

Sympathy / Sorry

I just had to join in! The stamp is Anita's and I've used golden vellum and offcuts of the card blank to make the layers, using Nestabilities and a Cuttlebug embossing folder. The lilies are from my stash and I've had them absolutely ages - bought on a whim (probably because they were cheap) but knew I'd use them one day! The organza ribbon is also from my stash.

• Dies: Nestabilities
• Embossing: Cuttlebug D'Vine Swirls
• Sentiment: Anita's stamp
• Everything else: My stash
  

Vintage Tree

I'd been sent a wonderful digital scrapbooking kit by Alison Sloan called Comfort and Joy and was asked if I could make a few physical cards. So I did and here is one of them! All the papers are from the kit and I've drawn inspiration from Jo Kill to make the tree.

The papers have a lovely vintage feel to them (there are lots of elements too included with the kit but I've not used any here) so it fits the Charisma Cardz challenge which asks for

Vintage

I've added a bit of inking here and there around the edges and the scallops have been made with a heart punch so quite easy to make!

The papers are wonderful so expect more of them!

• All papers: Comfort and Joy Digital Scrapbooking kit (soon to be released!) from Alison Sloan
  
• Inspiration: Jo Kill
  

Moooved!

A fab challenge on Charisma Cardz this week which is:

Die Cuts

I've taken the theme literally and have dusted off my trusty Sizzix dies and have made this card! The cow has been layered with different coloured card to get the right effect, plus the two ovals are also die cuts from two different dies.

The grass is my own creation and I've added two chunky brads for extra effect. The sentiment has been stamped with a little wooden Studio G alphabet stamp directly onto the card blank.

• Dies: Sizzix cow, inner from scallop oval and oval tag
• Sentiment: Studio G alphabet stamp
• Everything else: My stash
  

In The Pink!

Yeah - I won last week's Charisma Cardz challenge and got to pick $15 worth of digi stamps from Soft Pencil - so thank you to Elizabeth and to the girls at Charisma Cardz!

I've used a freebie Bugaboo stamp for the current Charisma Cardz challenge which is:

Pink!

The image is from Bugaboo and I've coloured her with Promarkers. She actually looks a lot like Jacob's little friend Isabel at nursery and if I remember, I'll keep the card until her Birthday (September!)

I've used bits from my stash to make the flower in the top corner and used a Nestabilities die for the aperture. The sentiment is computer generated which has been layered, along with the image onto some papers from Polkadoodles - Candy Doodles cd.

The ribbon is from Fantastic Ribbons (I won a recent Penny Black challenge!) and they were on a freebie sample that Keith sent me along with my winnings! How very generous!! You must check out Fantastic Ribbons but be warned that you may drool!

• Image: Bugaboo coloured with Promarkers
  
• Backing papers: Candy Doodles cd from Polkadoodles
  
• Dies: Nestabilities
  
• Sentiment: Computer generated
  
• Ribbon: Fantastic Ribbons
  
• Everything else: My stash
  

Watch The Birdie!

Nikky from Polkadoodles is launching a set of exclusive rubber stamps at the Summer Crafting event at Doncaster over the weekend and I've had chance to play with a few of them, one being this cutie owl stamp!

It fits nicely with the Charisma Cardz challenge which is:

Watch The Birdie

I've coloured the stamped image with Promarkers and added some glitter glue on the hats.

The shaped tree is from the brand new Polkadoodles cd Paper Boutique vol 2 and I thought it went really well with the stamp. I printed the tree onto hammered 240gsm cream card and then simply cut it out and added a reverse shape to the back.

Wonderful rubber stamps and great cd too!

• Shaped card: Paper Boutique Vol 2 from Polkadoodles
• Image: Stamp Doodles from Polkadoodles - to be launched on 17 & 18 July at Doncaster, coloured with Promarkers and glitter glue
  

Jungle Buddies

These cute little cards I have made for the Charisma Cardz challenge which is:

Animal Magic

Originally the sheet (a digital download from CraftsUPrint) was intended I think for an A4ish sized card and came with a sentiment, however I quite liked the look of it to make some small notelets - these are roughly 105cm square. I printed the sheet twice onto ivory card and cut up the second sheet to make decoupage animals.

I've used the same card as card blanks and doodled a black line around the edges. And the animals have wobbly eyes added. Not sure why they are all looking to the heavens!

Great little cards and apologies for the darkish photo!

• All printed elements: CraftsUPrint
• Everything else: My stash
  

Aliens Have Furry Yellow Legs

A great challenge this week over on Charisma Cardz:

Something For The Kids

Now I don't usually struggle when it comes to making cards for boys, I seem to have problems with girlie ones. Probably because I think in blue and greens with having two boys!! I've made this alien card from a digi sheet bought from CraftsUPrint (yes, I think I'm becoming addicted but there are some really fab stuff if you look!)

I've added a black background and done a little doodling around the edges and simply layered up elements with foam pads, a little bit of glitter glue some wobbly eyes and a gold star on the space rocket.

And yes, aliens do have furry yellow legs. Didn't you know?!

• All card elements: Digital sheet from CraftsUPrint
• Black backing card: My stash
• Everything else: My stash
  

Wobbly Monster!

Apologies for the strange pinkness that has crept into the photo - it went like this when I saved it!! This is for the Charisma Cardz challenge which is:

Think Male

I've used a wonderful little monster image from Simple Doodles plus I've been asked to be Simple Doodle's Guest Designer for March - yay!! Pop over to the blog as there are lots of lovely little freebies on there and the challenges are every fortnight so loadsa time to enter!

I am really pleased how this card turned out - my initial focus was the backing paper and its from the fantastic new cd from Funky Hand - Dreams Come True and I've rounded the edges and doodled a line. I then coloured the image with these colours in mind and I've used felt tips and a white gel pen for highlights.

The monster is actually attached to a piece of acetate so that it wobbles, however I asked my husband to take the photo as I'm at work during the day so that is why you only have this view!

The wording has been cut with shiny green card (I knew I'd use it one day!) and with my Cuttlebug Baby Face alphabet set. The image actually comes with a sentiment but I couldn't place it right on the card hence me doing my own.

I've used one of my Spellbinder Nestabilities dies to draw the shape in the centre and the velvet ribbon is from my stash.

• Backing papers: Dreams Come True from Funky Hand
• Image: Simple Doodles, coloured with felt tips
• Dies: Spellbinder Nestabilities for shape and Cuttlebug Baby Face alphabet set for lettering
  
  

Pink, Brown, Cream & Toffee

For the Charisma Cardz challenge this week which is a colour combination of:

Pink, Brown, Cream and Coffee

I've used a tag that I made ages ago and turned it into a card. All the papers - the backing one has been printed onto vellum are from Huge Funky Love download from Funky Hand. The little image stamp I think is Hero Art and I've chalked the edges.

Everything else is from my stash.

Not sure if the card needs a sentiment or not, so have left it without for the time being! I did actually read the challenge as coffee instead of toffee, so if it had been coffee, then this card is perfect!

• Backing papers: Huge Funky Love download from Funky Hand
• Stamp: Hero Arts (I think)
• Everything else: My stash
  

Anniversary Celebration

Charisma Cardz are celebrating their first Birthday and along with the challenge this week they have a blog hop!! I've entered the blog hop (who wouldn't?!) and their challenge this week is:

Celebrations!

I've used the brand new cd from Polkadoodles - which hasn't actually been released yet - just a perk of being on the DT!! It has it's release on Sunday on Create and Craft with more details in my sidebar.

The printed discs and the sentiment are from the cd Love, Marriage and More with the gems and lightly embossed red card from my stash.

This is a fantastic cd especially if you like strong patterns and lots of swirls and attention to detail - it is aimed at Weddings and Anniversaries etc but is very versatile and can be used for virtually any occasion!

Happy First Birthday Charisma Cardz!

• Printed papers and sentiment: Love, Marriage and More from Polkadoodles
• Everything else: My stash
  

Anything But Christmas!

The Charisma Cardz challenge is:

Anything But Christmas!

So I've made this football boy card. There are a few boys Birthday's coming up so thought I'd get my stocks to a reasonable level and also to use up some images I've already printed and papers too. Starting on my New Year Resolutions early (but how long they will last is another thing!)

The image is from Crafty Downloads and I've coloured it with felt tips and watercolour pencils. All the papers are from Now That's Funky and are left overs in my scrap box. The embellishment is from a pack of Dress It Up buttons that I bought last year in the sales but never got round to using them.

I've dotted a fine black line around some of the papers for a little more definition and also inked the edges.

• Backing papers: Now That's Funky from Funky Hand
• Image: Crafty Downloads digi image, coloured with felt tips and watercolour pencils
• Embellishment: From my stash
  

Plain Peace

Sometimes the most simplest of cards take an age to make! This one, which this week Charisma Cardz asks for:

No Backing Papers

Took me a while to think about and much shuffling of embellishments and embossing folders until I finally came up with this. The embellishment is actually a tree decoration from the sale at Sainsbury's in January (I've got another Peace and two Noel's left!) which has been glued to a vintage red pearlescent card which has been through my Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder.


The burgundy ribbon is actually a much closer match in real life and I did a lot of faffing with the knot until it looked right. Not sure I'd actually be able to replicate it again, but it looks the part!

• Card: From my stash
• Embellishment: January Sale at Sainsbury's - Christmas tree decoration
• Embossing: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder
• Ribbon: 10p from Blackburn market
  

Football

I'm falling into a good system for colouring images before I actually need them - take a selection of them to my Mum and Dads as I usually visit them with the boys on a Saturday, so whilst they play, I colour!

The theme at Charisma Cardz this week is:

Getting Sporty

I went with the typical male theme! All the backing papers are from the Papermania 6 x 6 pad 'For Him' which I've inked the edges with chestnut Whispers ink.

The image is from Crafty Downloads and I've coloured it with watercolour pencils. It's been layered onto pearlescent blue card and then layered onto the card itself. I've not added a sentiment, purely because I've forgotten to!

• Backing paper: Papermania 'For Him' 6 x 6 pad
• Image: Crafty Downloads coloured with watercolour pencils

An Earthy Notebook

The Charisma Cardz challenge this week is a good one! And something that I always think, hmmm, I'll do that one day, but never do, but this time, I have!

The challenge is:

Alter It! (Not a card)

So I bought this little notebook from Tesco's (I didn't like the look of the ring bound ones and I wanted it a bit sturdy, plus the green spine fitted in with what I had in mind!) And then I covered it with brown packing paper!

I've used a Martha Stewart punch on the side and threaded jute string through the smaller holes (had to put some sellotape on the ends cos it kept fraying!) I forgot to take photos of the inside, but it is all neatly folded and square!


The scrap of lined paper is from a lovely little notebook I found (in Tesco's) ages ago and then I've layered some green card over the top, cornered the corners and inked it, and then added the image. This has also been cornered and inked and I've also chalked it too to give it a little bit of a weathered and earthy look. I platted the twine to pass through the top of the paper - again a bit more interest and I like tactile things!

And this is the back. Nice and plain! I've inked and chalked the edges too.

Can you see the little bits of glitter on the flower centres? The image is from a new cd due to be launched by Nikky on 21 July on Create and Craft - the cd is called Candy Doodles and it is just fab! Some nice surprises in it - my favourite has to be the decoupage cake!

• Image: From Candy Doodles cd soon to be released!
• Everything else: From my stash
• Notebook: Tesco's
  
  

Pretty Pegs!

The Charisma Cardz challenge this week is:

Buttons!

How could I resist?! I'd already made these flower pegs for Nikky to take with her as samples when she launched Sugar Birdies on Ideal World on Wednesday - if you watched it, you would have seen these displayed on a clear box, and Nigel the presenter quite liked them! But as I've not previously blogged them, I decided to enter them for this challenge!


I've printed various flowers from the cd onto card and also vellum - the vellum flowers have been curled slightly and overlaid onto the card flowers and I've added a matching button to each centre with jute string tied through the holes. Which is in keeping with the wooden peg feel!

I discovered the wooden pegs when I was looking for something else, and its funny how inspiration suddenly hits you!

On some of the flowers I've added a bit of extra doodling - either dots or a solid line in black ink or white gel pen.

And because I've sent all these to Nikky, I think I may have to make some for myself! Obviously would need more buttons too....!

• All paperbased elements: Sugar Birdies cd
• Buttons and twine: From my stash
• Pegs: From the cupboard next to the sink in the kitchen
  
  
  

I Do!

The Charisma Cards Challenge this week is:

Diamonds are a girls best friend

Funky Hand has just released a brand new download - its a Wedding Word book collection called I Do! and it has all the features you would expect from Funky Hand including an alternative coloured alphabet if you wanted to layer up the pages. So, with this in mind I have made a card for a forthcoming Wedding.

I've printed their married name off and the Mr & Mrs bit at the front I've cut from my Baby Face Cuttlebug alphabet set and have used an off cut of the card. I've outlined the letters with a dark brown watercolour pencil to add more definition. The chocolate brown ribbon matches their Wedding stationery as does the heart gem and heart buckle.

For a further touch, I've brought in a pale pink ribbon and also some tiny silver rings, suspended from the letter A. I've printed the co-ordinating backing papers onto the reverse of the letters, although I've not got a photo of it! It's all really easy to print - you select the letter and then press print!!

Because the I Do! download is quite a neutral colour, the Wedding colours can be added in, or any other colour for that matter - what ever your stash allows! This collection is a must have for your stash - so go and buy!!

• Backing papers: I Do! download from Funky Hand
• Dies: Cuttlebug Baby Face alphabet
• Everything else: My stash