Crafty Catz #440 -Anything goes with an optional twist

Good morning, I've scheduled this post as I'm still streaming with cold germs and planning not to get up very early tomorrow, I'm really hoping this cold will have run (no pun intended) it's course by next week as I'm looking forward to a trip to Bruges with my daughter! It will be the first time I've been outside the UK for almost 8 years and I don't want to be coughing and spluttering!

Anyways, back to the card...this week's challenge at Crafty Catz is hosted by our super Aunty Sue,  she's picked the optional twist of 'make it cute', which is absolutely perfect for featuring the adorable images from our lovely sponsor Lee Hillustrations

I used the sweet little Christmas Bunny and made a small circle easel card. His huge ears were a little uncontrollable and protruded over the frame, so I decorated them with twine and snowflakes.

My teamies have made some of the cutest cards ever using these lovely sponsor images, so hop over to Crafty Catz an d give yourself a treat! Hope you choose to play along...remember the theme is optional!

Have a great weekend

Chris

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Challenges entered:
cutencraftychristmas #1
modsquad Use a critter
watercoolerchallenges #198
Whoopsi Daisy
avenue613 #215

Add a button - Fab 'n' Funky # 418

Good morning, another wet and miserable day here...and it's my turn to collect the granddaughters from school..! Not feeling too great either...just a cold but not looking forward to standing in the rain waiting for Ruby's class to come out, they're always last and it's not the kids it's the teacher, so inconsiderate of him when the weather is bad, obviously time management is not one of his skills!

OK, I've stopped whingeing now...

We have a new challenge at Fab'n' Funky - this week we're sponsored by Crafty Ribbons and our lovely Wendy has picked the theme of  'add a button'.

I felt like a change from making Christmas stuff so I coloured up this sweet image from Polkadoodles to make a birthday card for my friend. We worked together in the library for many years, sharing a love of reading...amongst many other things. We're both retired now but remain close friends.

Image is coloured with Copics, Glossy Accents added to specs, papers are Santoro's Gorjuss (only have one tiny scrap of the beautiful book paper left now) stamped sentiment is Mama Elephant. I kept the design very simple just adding a metal corner, a couple of brads and the button!

As always my fabulous teamies have been busy and have produced some great inspiration for you,  and of course we'd love it if you chose to play along this week.

 Thanks for visiting!

Chris

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Challenges entered:
digichoosday #48
cutencrafty  #14
polkadoodle #47
thesisterhoodofcrafters -use stitched dies

New Release Day at Bugaboo!

This week's New Release image at Bugaboo Stamps is this cute Sunbonnet girl, clutching a ginormous snowball. Her headgear seems a little inappropriate but maybe it's to shield her eyes from the glare of the snow! At least she's wearing her scarf and mitts! I've used copics to colour, paper-pieced her dress and bonnet. The falling snow is frantage. The sentiment is from another Bugaboo digi, Snowmen Block. I added a die cut snowflake flourish, mitts and 'brrrr' sentiment.

For more ideas using this cute image please take a look at Catch the Bug Challenge Blog.

Thanks for calling!

Chris

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Merry & Bright

Good afternoon, it's a  dismal and damp day here again! Not as cold as last week but just as dark, so the craft room is a good place to be! My card today is 'a just because' make... not a DT one for a change. I used the sweet Holly Sprite digital stamp from Aurora Wings, colouring with Copics adding a tiny touch of glitter to the berries. She's fussy cut and popped in front of the holly wreath created by cropping the image, enlarging it and printing it several times. I coloured the leaves and berries, cut them out and arranged them to form the wreath. The background panel is embossed with a falling snow EF , no idea of make.

Thanks for calling by,

have a good week.

Chris

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Challenges entered: 

aurorawings #73

Rudolph Days November

colourcrazy #47

cutecardthursday #557

sweetstampers #26

thepapershelter #363

Make a splash!

Good morning, it's been very cold, dark and miserable here for the last few days so I thought I'd make something bright and cheerful. This week's challenge at Sweet Stampin' has the theme of 'Whatever the weather' ...I thought of rain and rainbows. I made the rainbow background by blending Distress Oxides across a piece of mixed media cardstock. Stamped the girl, raindrops and sentiment with Versafine Clair ink. I cut the puddle(a freebie die from a magazine) from acetate...but then couldn't figure out how to attach it to the card without the adhesive showing ...so I used the diecut shape as a template, drew around it with a white gel pen and filled the shape with glossy accents...I really like how it's changed the colour of the background underneath!

There's more inspiration for you to enjoy over at Sweet Stampin', so do hop over and take a look, it would be great to have you play along too, just follow the theme and make sure you include some stamping!

Have a great weekend...whatever the weather!

Chris

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Challenges entered:
creativefingers #154
craftingwithanattitude #45
southerngirls -Inks and sprays
ttcrd Nov 20 challenge
stamplorations

Crafty Catz Challenge #439 - Optional Twist - All wrapped up

Good morning, another week has flown past and it's time for our new  challenge at Crafty Catz.  it's my turn to host this week, the optional twist is 'All wrapped Up' and we're sponsored for this challenge by Star Stampz

The DT were given some cute images to play with, I chose to use Cup of Cocoa. I've coloured the little sweetie with my copics, adding a touch of stickles to her earmuffs and coat trim, she looks snug and warm wrapped in that big scarf!

I used some die cut fir trees to make the wintery scene inside the aperture.

As always my lovely teamies have some wonderful inspiration for you, please hop over here to take a peek, and to add your own fabulous creations...remember the theme is optional...anything goes.

PS The DT call is still open ...but time is running out, so if you're interested please apply now before you miss the opportunity!!

Thanks for visiting and have a lovely weekend

Chris

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Challenges:
Winter Wonderland (23 Nov Challenge)
timeout  #123
creativecraftcottage. #113
Double D - Warm and cozy
cutiepie #129

Impossible box- Anything but a card at Catch the Bug

Thinking ahead to Christmas, knowing how long it takes to gift wrap and not looking forward to losing the will to live, I've been making some little gift boxes...so easy to wrap small gifts
in tissue and pop them inside...job done!
This little box is made from one A4 piece of pearlised cardstock ( you can find templates by googling impossible box). Each side is covered with a die cut square of DP , I added a little tag featuring the adorable Bugaboo Polar bear.
My granddaughters now want to make their own versions of this little box so I'd better get started with the cutting and scoring...
Thanks for stopping by
Chris
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Challenges entered:
2craftycrittercrazies #20
merrylittlechristmas #4
papercraft #12
CRAFT #491
MAWTT  #84

Bugaboo Bingo

It's time for our Bingo Challenge at Catch the Bug..., I chose the bottom line across and  made a stepper card featuring the lovely Stella-Stella Birthday Fireman Call. I found a piece of ribbon with cake slices printed on it which matched perfectly, added a small button to the sentiment tag (sentiment comes with the image) and I drew the candles ...trying to match the shapes of those in the image! This card was for my lovely friend who celebrated a BIG birthday this week...hope she's still speaking to me!

Thanks for visiting today,

enjoy your weekend

Chris

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Challenges entered:
creationsinpink #4
aperfecttimetocraft #11
classicdesignteamchallenge #11
cardsgalore #57
seizethebirthday #154 -atg

Glamour and glitz...it's birthday time at Sweet Stampin'

There's a party over at Sweet Stampin' this week and you're all invited to join in! We're celebrating our 9th Birthday so get out your sparkly, shiny stuff and come and join in! 

If you see a few sad and tearful faces amongst all the revellers it's because we're also saying goodbye to our lovely Abi, who has looked after us all (and kept us under control :) for over 8 years and during the 6 years I've been on the team she has been a wonderful leader, an inspiration and most of all a good friend. I'm going to miss her support and wicked sense of humour, 

 However it's not all sad news,  Sweet Stampin' will be continuing as usual under 'new management', Susan and Wends will do an excellent job! We also have some lovely new teamies joining us, so please hop over here and join the party!

Thanks for stopping by today

Enjoy the weekend

Chris

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Challenges entered:
justkeeponcreating (November)
leannsworld #8
lets craft and create #143
worldwideopendesignteam #11
audsentiments #216
unicorn #38

Freebie Friday at Catch the Bug

It's freebie Friday! Here's the card I made with this week's fabulous free image! As usual I used my copics to colour...glossy accents added to the glass.

Hop over to Catch the Bug for details of how to grab your freebie!

Thanks for visiting, 

enjoy your day

Chris

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Challenges entered:
craftingfromtheheart #228
LTSCB #115
qkrstampede#322
ttcrd (13 Nov)

Crafty Catz Challenge #438

Good morning, this week's challenge at Crafty Catzis hosted by our lovely Nick who has chosen the optional twist of 'something with wings'.

Our fabulous sponsor this week is A Day for Daisies

 #144
watercooler

I used one of my all time favourite ADFD images, Braid in my hair. I think it was the first one I ever bought!, still love it! I used copics to colour and made an upright z fold card. The little added birds are chipboard, coloured with a brown copic, the die cut flower are Sizzix Tim Holtz.

As always my teamies have created some stunning cards to inspire you, why not hop over to Crafty Catz to admire them! Hope you choose to play along this week...remember the theme is optional...anything goes!

Thanks for visiting

Chris

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                                                                     Challenges entered:

colourcrazy #46

crafting-with-friends #75

fussyandfancy#225

polkadoodle #46

simplycreatetoo

watercooler #196

Christmas at Sweet Stampin' -November Challenge

Hello, I'm back again already with my DT inspiration for this month's challenge at Christmas at Sweet Stampin'. I thought I'd share something a little different this time...my Tomte family!. These are made from scraps of fur fabric and wool...and empty yoghurt pots. The largest stands about 10 inches high from base to tip of hat. They're fun and easy to make and great for using up left over knitting yarn!I don't have any patterns to share as i just cut the scraps of fur to the size of the pots and glued and stitched them in place. The noses are small circles of flesh coloured fabric wrapped around a bit of wadding (cotton wool would work as well) and sewn on. 

My teamies have been busy too, creating beautiful projects to inspire you, so please hop over to CASS and take a look, then please don't be shy, we'd love to see your Christmas makes too...not long to go now  before it's time to panic if you haven't made your cards!

Thanks for stopping by, have a lovely day!

Chris

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Challenges entered:
getcreative #75
avenue613 #215
notjustcards November Challenge

Fabulous called...!

Good morning, it's time for another challenge at Fab'n'Funky,

 sponsored this week by Dr Digi

and the theme is 'with an animal', we'd like to see an animal somewhere on your entry...as simple as that!

I used the wonderful Onesie Winona (thank you Dr Digi)...unfortunately she now seems to have disappeared from the shop... I used my copics to colour and followed a sketch from Sketch Saturday

Papers from stash and a stamped sentiment.

There's more inspiration from my lovely teamies over at Fab'n' Funky, so please hop over and take a look..

Thanks for visiting

Chris

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Challenges entered:
artisticinspirations  #209
craftingfromtheheart #228
craftycardmakers #222

pileiton #148
sketchsaturday #539

#Happy Birthday

Good afternoon, a quick card to share following the sketch from the current challenge at Back to Basics Challenges.

The image is from the Paper Shelter, coloured with copics, papers from stash, stamped sentiment. I punched 2 circles from cardstock and drew on the faces to make the emojis, which are covered in Glossy Accents, as are his specs. I needed a card for my nephew... teen boys are difficult to create for!

Thanks for visiting,

Chris

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Challenges entered

bbbchallenges #15

craftyfriends #96

sendasmile4kids ( atg for kids)
pattiescreations #152
thepapershelter. #361
crafterscafe #207

It's all white at Sweet Stampin '!

Hello, and happy weekend. The theme for  this week's challenge at Sweet Stampin' is 'White on White'. I used a set of patchwork dies and various embossing folders to create my circular card. The poinsettia flowers were stamped onto vellum and heat embossed, then fussy cut and layered together with die cut snowflakes and tiny pearls for the centres. Die cut foliage with more small pearls and a white ribbon attached with a pearl brad. 

We've had an unwanted and unwelcome visitor in our garden recently...a large and very bold fox! He has been wandering back and forth this morning, bold as brass in broad daylight, practically thumbing his nose at poor Matilda who is going berserk on her side of the fence ( lawn is fenced off so Matilda can't pee on it...need somewhere safe for the granddaughters to play!) He's a beautiful fox, and I don't wish him any harm, but apart from the dog freaking out I worry about fox mange and fleas and I don't want him to use my lawn as a loo either! I'm not that keen on the muddy pawprints that Matilda spreads on my carpets from running in and out of the garden either!!! Usually she spends a lot of the day snoozing happily, but with Foxy around she's on guard at the patio doors..have to open them if she spots him as 10 and half stone of Great Dane hurling herself at glass doors is a bit disturbing!

Off now to spend the rest of the day cooking, we've a load of friends coming for supper this evening...hmm may have to clean some mud off the carpets too!

Thanks for stopping by...would be great if you chose to play along with us at Sweet Stampin' this week!

Enjoy your weekend

Chris

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Challenges entered:
craftrocket #54
creatalicious #150
creativecraftcottage #113
sparklesforumchristmas #95
hollyandivy #40
incywincy (5/11-17/11)

Crafty Catz Challenge # 437

This week's challenge at Crafty Catz is hosted by Dianne who has chosen the (optional)  twist of 'Getting Ready for Christmas'...I'm sure this will be popular right now! The DT were given some beautiful images to play with, courtesy of our fab sponsor for this challenge...The Paper Shelter

The image I used is called Peace, the digi comes with a coloured version and beautiful papers as well as the uncoloured outline that I used. I've coloured with copics and a glitter marker for the baubles. The banner underneath is embossed with a little EF that was free with a magazine ages ago.

Ribbon and dsp part of a set my sister gave me .

Please hop over to Crafty Catz to see what the girls have been up to this week, then hopefully you'll be inspired to play along...remember the theme is optional, anything goes!

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the weekend

Chris

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Challenges entered:
audsentiments #216
cutecardthursday #555
daisychain  #25

Love your red hair day...

It's 'Humour me Wednesday' at Catch the Bug...can you believe that there's a 'Love your red hair day' well apparently there is ...the date to celebrate it is 5th November, so remember that all you redheads next time you're letting off the fireworks!

Here's my card to mark the occasion...no fireworks just a lovely girl with amazing red hair!  The featured digi is Butterfly Rose Girl, I've used copics to colour and papers from my alarmingly enormous stash (why on earth do I keep buying more???? I'm an addict!!!)

For more inspiration and more unusual days to celebrate please hop over to Catch the Bug!

Thank you so much for visiting and have a lovely day

Chris

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Challenges entered:
craftysentiments atg
lemonshortbread #80
creatalicious #150
disdigidesigns buttons/bows/bling
colourcrazy #44
watercooler #195

November Challenge at Crafty Calendar

Good morning, time for our November Challenge at Crafty Calendar, this month the theme is one of my favourites...Paper Piecing. We have 2 fabulous sponsors this month too...

Dr Digi

and Crafty Ribbons

...so there'll be two lucky prize winners this month!

To make my card I used Elvis the Elf, such a handsome little guy! He's coloured with copics and I paper pieced his jacket, trousers and hat, he's very proud of his snazzy new work -wear!

Hope you choose to play along with this fun challenge, for more inspiration hop over to the Challenge Blog to see what my lovely teamies have created this month.

Thanks for visiting...have a great weekend

Chris

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Challenges entered:
sheepski #20
merrychristmas Oct 15-Nov 14
craftyfriends  #96

Crafty Catz Challenge #436...anything goes with a twist

Good morning, it's time for a new challenge at Crafty Catz...where did that week go! ? 

Before I give you the details I have some exciting news to share...I'm no longer a guest designer for this fab challenge, I'm now part of the team! So pleased to be invited, as I've said before it's a great challenge with a lovely bunch of talented and friendly ladies...so thanks for having me Crafty Catz.

Incidentally, the DT call is still running, why not pop over and check out the details.

Ok, back to this week's challenge, the hostess this week is our lovely and very talented Janette and the optional theme is...'add a sentiment' . The sponsor for this week is Crafty Sentiments

 I used Snowman at the Window digital image, coloured with copics and made a simple layered card. The papers are freebies from a magazine, the die cut sentiment is Sizzix Tim Holtz.

As always the team have made some beautiful cards to inspire you, so do hop over and take a look, then it's your turn to create something fabulous and play along!

Thanks for stopping by today

enjoy the weekend

Chris

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Challenges entered:
4craftychicks #427
artimpressions #244
hollyandivy #39
watercooler #194