Last Minute Christmas at Sweet Stampin'

 Good morning, well here I am with my last post for 2020, and it's a 'last minute' Christmas card  for our last challenge at Sweet Stampin' this year. 

Despite making Christmas cards all year I still needed a few at the beginning of this week- most had already been posted (early and organised for me!) as I had a suspicion that the mail would struggle this Christmas- and I was right! We seem to be getting post about twice a week at the moment- most of it posted well over a week ago,  but to be fair I'm sure they're doing their best, I saw the parcel mountain on TV.

This card was quick to make- no colouring, just one of my beloved Penny Black deer stamps- so love this stamp, it comes out every year- embossed background (almost as old as the stamp- still a fave) some TH Sizzix die cuts and a bow. I liked how it came out so I made two!

I'm taking a break now until January so I'd like to wish each and every one of my lovely Blogging friends and followers a very happy Christmas -albeit very different from usual- and a happy and healthy 2021- let's hope it's a much better year for all of us.

I'd also like to say a heartfelt thank you for all the wonderful comments you have left for me, I. do read and appreciate each and every one of them.

See you in January

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Chris

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Challenge entries:

letssquashit #3

2craftycrittercrazies #45

sheepski #45

PBSC December Challenge

fezziwigsfestivefrolics - last minute makes

Crafty Catz #532- Optional Twist- Something New

 Well, here I am with my card for the last challenge of 2020 at Crafty Catz- we will be back in January. Aunty Sue is hosting this week- her theme is 'Something New, which is, as always, optional.

Our fabulous sponsor for this challenge is BUGABOO

I made a New Year card- featuring the fabulous JJ- that girl sure knows how to party- she's not bothered in the least that she's on her own, isolating, she's just delighted to see the back of 2020 and looking forward to a better year in 2021!

It's been another mixed week for me- on one hand bad news of family member either having or isolating because of the virus- including second eldest granddaughter (she's isolating - several children in her class have tested positive- fortunately none have any symptoms but that's how it spreads so easily in the schools.

On the other hand some close friends , who are in their eighties,  are getting the vaccine tomorrow.

Some good news for a change!

Don't forget to hop over to Crafty Catz to see what the ladies have been up to this week- and it would be lovely if you choose to join us for this last challenge of the year.

Thanks for visiting

have a good weekend

and

keep safe

Chris

x

Christmas Chaos- Day 6

Day 6 of our Christmas Chaos Challenges at Catch the Bug- today we have a photo inspiration challenge for you.

I used two images to make my card-Reindeer Peeker (yes, again! I said he was a favourite) and Winter Kidz 01 (chose him because the child in the photo is wearing a bobble hat)- both images coloured with Copics, background 'snow' is sponged with Distress Ink . 

Just one more day to go now...

Thanks for visiting

Chris

x

Challenge entries :

craftygalscorner #214

lilredwagon #580

digichoosday #50

hollyandivy #85

christmaswiththecuties #45

mmm #137

allsorts #602

Christmas Chaos - Day 4

 

     

Day 4 of our week long Christmas Chaos challenges at Catch the Bug- today we have a Bingo Challenge for you.

I made a card featuring this week's cute new release image using the centre line across 

(DP/Bugaboo Image/ Die Cut)

**Image is FREE- today only**

click HERE for the link

There's still time to play along if you haven't already- just hop over to Catch the Bug for full details of how to enter - and the fab prizes to be won! 

Thanks for visiting,

have a lovely day and

Keep safe!

Chris

x

Christmas Chaos- Day 2

Day Two of our Christmas Chaos Challenges at  Catch the Bug- and it's a sketch.

This time I featured Make it Snappy- Goofy Reindeer.

For full details of how to play along this week- and a chance to win some cute digis, hop on over to Catch the Bug.

Thanks for visiting.

Have a great day, whatever you're doing, I'm going to decorate our tree this afternoon.

Chris

x

challenge entries~

allsorts #602

CHNCC #520

fezziwigsfestivefrolics -recipe

Christmas Chaos at Catch the Bug- Day 1

 

Good morning- it's time for our annual week of festive fun and chaos at Catch the Bug .

Fun for all and loads of prizes to be won so I hope you'll be playing along this year.

Here's my card for Day 1

I used my favourite Bugaboo reindeer for this one- he's available Here . He's coloured up with Copics, added a touch of glitter and gloss. The sentiment is stamped.

Thanks for visiting

hope your weekend is good!

Chris

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challenge entries:

colourcrazy #49

creativeknockouts #380

craftygalscorner #214

hollyandivy #85

12monthsofchristmas #72

Crafty Catz #531- Cheers- Let's Celebrate

 Good morning, only 2 weeks to go and Christmas will be here- it's going to be strange not being able to see friends or many of the family but  it's better to keep safe, hopefully we'll be able to make up for it next year!

This week at Crafty Catz we are sponsored by the fabulous

Dr Digi

Our lovely Nick is hosting this week and the optional theme is 

Cheers-Let's Celebrate

My card features Bev the Barmaid . I've coloured the image with Copics. The background is embossed,

I added some die cut banners and sentiment. 

When the pubs are open again

I'm going to send the card to a dear friend of ours who is missing his craft beers!

As always, the Crafty Catz girls have made some beautiful cards using these fun sponsor images, just click here to take a look.

Thanks for stopping by- keep safe and well.

Chris

x

The same...but spot the difference

It's 'anything but a card' day at Catch the Bug, so I took the opportunity to make a couple of (much needed)tags- every year I promise myself that I will make tags well ahead of Christmas- every year I fail.I have no idea why  because I really love making tags- just never seem to get around to it.

These really make me think of those 'spot 10 difference' competitions, at first glance they look the same but they're not! The image is one of my favourite ever Bugaboos-Elf 004- he's available Here. I coloured the image with Copic markers, fussy cut and sat him on an  embossed wall. The background sky is inked with distress inks, added a few die cut silver stars, stamped tags, ribbon and bells.

Thanks for visiting- hope your week goes well.

Chris

x 

Challenge entries:

intaas. #98

allsorts #601

snarkystampers #174

merrylittlechristmas #29

worldwideopen #11

tagtuesday- November 30 Challenge

artsystamper #29

Let it snow..

...well actually I'd far rather it didn't! It looks beautiful when freshly fallen but soon the novelty wears off- nothing appealing about slippery ice and nasty dirty slush! 

This card is for our new challenge at Sweet Stampin', the theme is 'Let it Snow' and you have 2 weeks to enter this time.

I made a little snow scene using various stamps and my distress inks, added a little sparkle and some embossed 'snow'..Thanks for stopping by- please scroll down if you wish to see my earlier post today.

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

Winter Wonderland- atg

creativeknockouts #379

kraftychicks #536

laviniaworld #41

do-allkreatives #48

LTCCB #53

lovetoscrap #140

 

December Challenge at Crafty Calendar

 Good morning, it's time for our last challenge of the year at Crafty Calendar.

We are sponsored by Lili of the Valley and our theme is Christmas.

Imade a simple aperture card featuring a cute sponsor image, this adorable polar bear is available Here.

On a personal note- my eldest granddaughter went back to school on Monday after having 2 weeks off as she tested positive for the virus. She managed 4 days before being told to isolate for another 2 weeks as another child in her bubble has tested positive. So frustrating!!! Can't see it improving soon either all the time it's being spread in the schools. Hurry up with that vaccine!!

Thanks for visiting, keep yourselves safe.

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

52cct.December Challenge (Sept theme, polar bears or penguins)

mytimetocraft #446

polkadoodle #49

aperfecttimetocraft #12

merrylittlechristmas #29

sheepski #45

christmaswiththecuties #44

Crafty Catz Challenge #530 - Optional twist- Say it with flowers

 Good morning, it's time for this week's challenge at Crafty Catz, our lovely host this week is Janette and she's picked such a great optional twist for us- Say it with Flowers. We're sponsored this week by the fabulous Sheepski Designs 

and the lucky team were given some beautiful images to play with- we really were spoilt for choice.

I used the sweet Daisy Panel image, which I enjoyed colouring with copic markers, I embossed the background and added a die cut sentiment.

My teamies have made some wonderful cards using these lovely floral images, just click HERE to take a look, and to add your own lovely creation if you choose to play along- remember the theme is always optional.

Thanks for stopping by

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

creativefingers #198

dare2bartzy- Thankful

lilpatchofcraftyfriends #146

craftycreations #416

craftygalscorner #213

Oldie but Goodie at Catch the Bug

It's 'Oldie but Goodie' day at Catch the Bug, time to showcase some of Jodie's older but still gorgeous digis.

This cute trio of reindeer is called Reindeer Blocks, available HERE. I think these 'block' images are so versatile and such good value as you can use the whole block or just a part of it on your project, and of course it can be resized so that just one image fits a whole card.

I used Copic markers and a white gel pen for colouring and followed the sketch from

Sketch Saturday

Thanks for visiting,

have a good day

Chris

x

Challenge entries;

sketchsaturday #638

2craftycrittercrazies #45

craftyanimals #45

christmaswiththecuties #44

PIP #2048

mytimetocraft #446

 

Winter Wonderland at Fab'n' Funky Challenges

 Good morning, how is it possibly December? As always, I've realised that despite making Christmas cards (on and off) all year,  I've nowhere near enough- so some quick cards needed! This one didn't take long at all, the die cut frame was lurking on my desk,  the image I wanted to use it for didn't fit in the shaped aperture, so I made a similar one and this was surplus to requirements. All it needed was an image. a sentiment and mounting onto a card blank. I inked and stamped a little snowy scene using a Lavinia tree stamp and  some tiny deer and distress inks to fit inside the aperture.

 There's plenty more inspiration over at Fab'n'Funky where our lovely N-eva has picked the theme of 'Winter Wonderland'.

Thanks for stopping by today

Chris

x 

Challenge entries:

2craftycrittercrazies #45

do-allkreatives #48

hollyandivy #84

TIOT - winter wonderland

dreamvalley #238

mytimetocraft #446

A photo challenge at Catch the Bug

Good afternoon- I'm a little late with this post- thought I'd scheduled it- but no, another senior moment! Anyway here's my card for this weeks photo challenge at 

Inspired by the above photo I made this -

 The image is-Autumn Jar, which I've coloured with Copics. Distress inks sponged around the panel. I added a some die cut leaves and an acorn., a tiny piece of twine and a stamped sentiment embossed in white. 

Thanks for taking the time to visit, have a very pleasant weekend

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

audsentiments #265

throughthepurplehaze #173 (top line across)

artydivas #31

diesrus #157

It's Friday- freebie time!

 

It's Freebie Friday at Catch the Bug, this week's free  image is a cute little fisherman- ignoring the cold and doing what he loves best!

I coloured the little guy with Copics and stencilled a cloudy background. Papers from stash, some die cut trees and an embossed banner.

There are a few computer issues with the Bugaboo store at present, Jodie is doing her best to get it sorted, so keep checking back if the new freebie isn't available just yet.

Thanks for visiting today- have a good weekend.

Chris

x

Crafty Catz Challenge #529- Optional Theme- Baby, It's Cold Outside

 Good morning, hope you're all keeping well and staying safe- only another 5 days now and we'll be out of the second Lockdown and into...oh yeah....level 3 restrictions, which is basically Lockdown with open shops...exactly as I expected! At least the weather has been fairly kind to us recently and we've been able to enjoy our daily walks without getting soaked, which is something to be grateful for. My granddaughter is now able to come out of isolation after having the virus and can return to school next week which is an even bigger thing to be grateful for! Her parents and sister are still testing negative so all good there, all in all things could definitely be a whole lot worse so I'm not complaining.

Anyway, I'll get back to the card, this week at Crafty Catz our lovely Jac (our own little NHS hero) is the host- her chosen theme is ' Baby it's cold outside'- optional as always.

Our sponsor this week is Morgan's Artworld

so some gorgeous images for the DT to play with. 

I used the beautiful Fantasy Fae 9 digistamp.

As usual I coloured  her up with my trusty Copics, -and  a clear sparkle pen. I fussy cut her and placed her inside the glittery silver frame, the snowy sky background paper is a freebie DP from a magazine. I added a die cut snowflake swirl and stamped sentiment embossed in silver. 

There's plenty more to see over at Crafty Catz, my lovely team mates have as always produced some fantastic creations for you to enjoy.

WE hope you choose to play along this week- remember the theme is optional!

Thanks for visiting

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

CRAFT  #578

Double D # Winter Blues

shoppingourstash #434

dragonflydreams Christmas/Winter

morgansartworld. #11

sheepski #44

Happy Birthday Sweet Stampin'

Good morning, it's time for celebrating at Sweet Stampin' - today is our 11th birthday! We're inviting you to join the celebrations by creating a birthday car or project. 

It's almost exactly 8 years since I was invited to be a part of the amazing Sweet Stampin' team,and it's been my privilege and pleasure to get to know the talented and lovely ladies (past and present) who have been my team mates during that time- some of them since day 1. 

I will definitely be raising a glass (or 2) in their honour later today- I know- any excuse! 

Cheers, Sweetie's - here's to the next 11 years!

Oh, yes, the card- stamp is Art Impressions, colouring medium copic markers. papers from stash.

Hope you choose to join us this week- after all it IS a party!

Thanks for visiting and have a good day.

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

colourcrazy #45

yournextstamp #152 (3 ladies, 3 die cut candles)

sweetsketchwednesday #194

craftysentiments- 17/11 Challenge

retrorubber #148- stamp aprox 2-3 years old

dreamvalley #237

lovetoscrap #139

Crafty Catz #528- Anything goes- Optional Twist - Christmas

 Good morning- what a week it's been! My eldest granddaughter (13) has tested positive for Covid and I'm waiting to hear the results of my daughter and younger granddaughter's tests, Both of them have had mild symptoms and were tested yesterday, just so grateful that none of them are feeling ill and keeping my fingers crossed it stays that way. Will be popping over later to leave some goodies on their doorstep, but believe me, I'm keeping my distance!  Up until just over a week ago I didn't personally know anyone who had the virus, but now in this short time, it seems to be spreading like wildfire here. Worrying.

Please, all of you, be careful out there and stay as safe as you can.

Anyway, back to todays card. It's for this week's challenge at Crafty Catz,

 sponsored by LeAnn's World 101

Our lovely host this week is Ginny, she's chosen the theme of Christmas which is, as always, optional.

The DT were given some lovely sponsor images to play with, I used one of the images from the Aerin set.

Please do hop over and check out the Challenge Blog, there is plenty of fabulous inspiration from the Crafty Catz ladies to admire and we hope you'll want to play along this week.

Thanks for stopping by today.

KEEP SAFE

Chris

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Challenge entries:

CRAFT #577

thesisterhoodofcrafters -embossing

creativecraftcottage #135

cccdigicreations #120

 

Add a sentiment at Fab'n' Funky

 Good morning, I'm waiting to hear whether or not my eldest granddaughter has tested positive for Covid. She has had a high temperature but no other symptoms and was tested yesterday morning. The virus seems to be running rampant through our local schools,which, I suppose, was only to be expected. Much as I hate the idea of disrupting the children's lives and education any more than it already has been, I think that all the time the schools are open the virus has the perfect breeding ground. I'm just so thankful that the youngsters are on the whole likely to have just mild symptoms but of course it affects the lives of the whole family. Thank goodness the vaccines are on the horizon.

My card today is for our new challenge at Fab'n' Funky,the theme picked by our lovely Pat K is 'add a stamped or die cut sentiment' so plenty of scope there!.

I made this card some time ago for my lovely shopaholic friend- she's really pining at the moment- online shopping just doesn't do it for her!

The intrepid lady on the skateboard is an AI stamp, I think the stamped sentiment is part of the same set but definitely AI too. 

There are plenty more inspiration cards over at F'n'F, so do hop over and take a look, hope you feel inspired to play along this week.

Do take care out there- and thanks for taking the time to visit.

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

useyourstuff #410 (circles/ favourite colour -green/design paper)

aperfecttimetocraft #11

classicdesign -November Challenge

inkspirational #226

creativefingers #197

 

We all need a hug sometimes...

 

Tuesday Is New Release day at Catch the Bug.

This week Jodie has created this really sweet little image for us- perfect for sending get -well messages.

I've coloured her with copics, glittered her wings, fussy cut and popped her onto a very simple card, the sentiment is stamped.

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Keep safe and well.

Chris

x

Challenges:

thecraftingchallenge- add a sentiment

crafterscafe #255

LTCCB #52

creativecrafters #34

Crafty Catz Challenge #527 - Optional twist- Outdoor Pursuits

 Good morning. First of all I'd like to thank all of you who have left messages of sympathy, your kindness is much appreciated.

I'm needing to keep myself busy- or I just sit and mope- my house has never been so clean and tidy (I don't like it!) I've even cleared out my craftroom (much needed). We've walked for miles every day, fortunately the weather has been kind, so now I'm back posting again. 

Today's card is for this week's challenge at Crafty Catz, it's our lovely Christine's turn to host, the optional theme she has chosen is Outdoor Pursuits. Our sponsor for this week is 

 Colour of Love

I used a lovely sponsor image, Emily Winter Wonderland, which I've coloured with Copics. I've framed her with a beautiful snowflake die cut and added some whimsical trees. The sentiment is stamped.

As always there are some gorgeous creations from my lovely team- so do please hop over to

 Crafty Catz

 to take a look. Remember, anything goes for our challenges, you do not have to follow the theme to join the fun.

Thanks for visiting, will be around to visit your blogs very soon.

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

craftrocket #76

cutecardthursday. #660

abcchristmas- W -Winter Wonderland

hollyandivy #83

dreamvalley #236

creativecraftcottage #135

digidoodlestudio #33

Taking some time out

 Apologies for my sudden disappearance.

Mathilda, our beloved Great Dane passed away on Tuesday. 

We are totally devastated and I need to take a break for a short while.

Chris

x

Stella Says Sketch at Catch the Bug

 

There's a brand new sketch ready to play with over at Catch the Bug- 

here's the sketch

and here's the card I made featuring Heels and Accessories

The image is coloured with Copics and a sparkle pen, unfortunately (as usual) the sparkle doesn't show on the photo.

Click here for more inspiration from the team- and to add your own lovely entries.

This challenge is open for two weeks- so plenty of time to join in, after all we won't be going anywhere now we're in Lockdown again!

Thanks for visiting

Chris

x

Crafty Catz Challenge #525 - optional theme- Winter

                 Good morning,  I'm here with my DT card for this week's challenge at Crafty Catz,

Billie is hosting this week, she's chosen the theme of 'Winter' and our sponsor is

All Dressed Up Stamps

The team were given some sweet sponsor images to create with- I couldn't decide which one to use so I used both (greedy-eh!) 

I coloured up Sledging Pup and Sledging all the Way, fussy cut the images and placed  them onto my embossed zig zag card.  I added a few die cut snowflakes,a tree and a die cut sentiment to finish.

There's plenty more to see over at Crafty Catz, where my teamies have been busy creating with these sweet images. We'd love to have you join in this week- remember the theme is optional- Anything Goes at Crafty Catz.

Thanks for visiting, keep safe and have good weekend

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

alldressedup #110

TIOT embossed

52cct fancy folds

CHNC #513

Rudolph Day- October Challenge

Fab'n' Funky Challenge #500- Blog Hop

 

Exciting news this morning- it's our 500th Challenge  over at Fab'n' Funky- we are celebrating this momentous occasion with a blog hop and to thank all our wonderful followers and challenge entrants we are giving away loads of fantastic prizes. 

To find out how to play along and be in with a chance of winning one of the prizes on offer you will need to start off at Fab'n'Funky Challenge Blog.

Here's my inspiration card for this challenge-

I'm being careful not to give away the theme- but I can tell you that I've created the background with Distress inks and most of the stamps are Lavinia. Sorry the photo is at a bit of a weird angle, I was trying to catch the sparkle, the light was really bad! The colours are much better in the second photo but you can't see the glitter!

Thanks for visiting and I do hope you decide to play along- here's a quick reminder of the rules-

• Note down the key word on each blog
• Leave a comment on each blog
• Make a project that fits with the challenge request that will be revealed in the words you collect when you have visited all of the blogs
• Make sure to link our challenge blog in your post
•  And link your entry to the  Fab'n'Funky Challenge Blog(Please ensure your link is to your post for this challenge not just your blog, Thank you
• No more than 2 entries per person

The word you are looking for is 

and

(just click on the link to take you to the next blog)

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

avenue613 October Challenge

intaas #195

fairyandtheunicorn October Challenge

laviniaworld #38

A turtally cute New Release at Bugaboo!

Good morning, this week's New Releases at Bugaboo ae a couple of cute turtles- one for Thanksgiving and one for Christmas- as we don't celebrate Thanksgiving in the UK I opted to use the Christmas one- 

here he is-

I think he's 'turtally' cute.

As always, there's loads of inspiration over at Catch the Bug, and there's still time to take part in the current challenges so why not hop over and take a look.

Thanks for visiting

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

12monthsofchristmas #70

craftyfriends #147

lilpatchofcraftyfriends #144