Easter Chick

 'Morning all, it's Friday and time for a new challenge at Crafty Catz. It's our lovely Ginny's turn to host this week and she's chosen the twist of 'Easter' for the DT to use- as always this is optional for anyone wishing to join in.

Our fabulous sponsor this week is  Jan’s Digital Stamps

Prize $6 gift certificate

https://www.janmahew.com/

I used the cute , courtesy of our sponsor (thankyou).  I've coloured her up with Copics and placed her in egg-shaped frame. (This image also comes in a pre- coloured version ). I've added die cut flowers and sentiment and big orange bow.

Thanks for visiting, have a lovely weekend, let's hope that April will bring some warmer, drier weather!

Chris

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CRAFT #673

kraftychicks #657

Double D- Easter

I spy with my little eye #1

passion for markers #683

jansdigistamps March Challenge

Rain....

 Haven't we had a lot of rain??!! We seem to get the odd dry day- with sunshine if we're lucky...then the rain comes back - with a vengeance! I seem to spend my life washing muddy towels and leads- just get them clean and dry- and lo the basket is full of Marvin's muddy stuff again! 

It's been so dismal outside I've been in the craftroom a fair bit- I tried to make some Christmas cards but seem to have a mental block at the moment- everything ended up in the bin. I watched some online videos, mainly ideas for using stencils and picked up some great tips and techniques that I wanted to try, so I've been playing with inks, stencils and stamps and made several cards that I'll maybe get around to sharing one day! 

In one tutorial I watched, it was a Lavinia Stamps one by the brilliant Jo Rice, she used chalk-pastel pencils along with her inks to add highlights to her stamps- so effective and lovely. Remembering I had a tin of these, a gift from my daughter in law that I'd never used, I thought I'd try it. I wanted a large raindrop, didn't have a stencil so used a piece of card to make one... just folded card in half and drew a half teardrop shape on the crease, then cut it out- not a perfect shape by any means but I think you can see what it is (or does it look more like a lightbulb???). I blended some blue/grey ink through the aperture and them made a couple of smaller stencils and did the same with them. I wanted a rainbow reflection in the drops so this is where I used the chalk pencils, they smudge together so easily! I stamped my image (Inkylicious)  and sentiment (Visible Image) added it to the frame, finished.

I enjoyed making it and like the result even though the raindrop shapes are bit dodgy and I definitely need to practice using the chalk pastels!

Thanks for visiting 

Chris

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Challenge entries:

allsorts #721 rain

stencilfun # March

simonsaysstamp stencil it

dragonflydreams outdoors

kraftychicks #656

Spring colours at Crafty Catz

 Good morning, it's Friday and the end of another wet and windy week here- time for a new challenge at Crafty Catz. 

This week we're sponsored by the fabulous

  Paper Shelter,

 Christine is hosting and her optional twist is Spring Colours, always such a lovely theme.

The DT were given a cute image to play with, such a sweet little miss in her Easter bonnet and those cool trainers! I've coloured her with markers, papers from stash, two sorts of ribbon and a die cut. No sentiment as it might be an Easter card for a small granddaughter or a birthday card - haven't decided yet!

There are some lovely cards in pretty spring colours to be enjoyed over at Crafty Catz so please hop over and see what the rest of the team have created to inspire you, remember the theme is an option you can enter our challenge with any creation you like- so please do!

Thanks for visiting and happy weekend

Chris 

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Challenge entries:

craftrocket #101

thepapershelter. #546

digichoosday #10

mmmchallenge #196

worldwidecrafters #3

Lots of layers at Fab'n' Funky

 Good morning, our new Challenge at Fab'n' Funky starts today, this fortnight our lovely Neva is hosting and she would like to see lots of layers on your creations. 

I used this sketch from 

Cheerful Sketches

The papers are Kaisercraft 'Blessed'. The cute image is by Mo Manning, coloured with markers.

As always, there's plenty of inspiration from my lovely teamies to be enjoyed over at Fab'n' Funky Challenge, do hop over for a look-see! 

Thanks for visiting

Chris

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Challenge entries:

digichoosday #11

unicorn #85

alphabetchallenge- yummy (lollipop)

cheerfulsketches #18

creationsinpink #56

worldwidecrafters #3

It's the little things....

Good morning, I was delighted to be invited by lovely Jo  to Guest Design for Try it on Tuesday.

The theme for this  fortnight's challenge is 'Oh So Sweet'.

I used a favourite set of stamps Anita Jerome stamps from Colorado Crafts, this little bear is definitely a sweetie! I stamped him onto a panel of kraft card, then stamped and embossed the sentiment.  I've used Polychromo pencils to colour. I added the faux stitching with a white gel pen, the tiny bees in the corners are part of the same stamp set. 

Please hop over to TIOT to see the beautiful creations the team have made- I'm sure you'll be made very welcome if you choose to play along!

Thanks for visiting today- 

Chris

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 Challenge entries:

cutiepie #180- Bear, bees, bloom

useyourstuff. #480

aperfecttimetocraft. #3

craftyanimals. #70

critter crazy #72

incywincy March Challenge

Stamping Sensations March Challenge

Go for green

 Good morning, here I am, a day later than planned with my DT card for this week's challenge at Crafty Catz. 

Our sponsor this time is LeAnns World 101, 

 it's my turn to host and pick the optional twist which is 'Go for Green' in honour of St Patrick's Day and because it's my favourite colour.

The team were given some cute images to use, I chose Tavi, such a cute little dragon. I made an aperture card using a scalloped die to cut the centre of my dark green card panel, using the same die set in a larger size I cut the green dp, stuck them together and, using foam tape, placed them over the cloud patterned dp. 

 The little dragon is coloured with markers and fussy cut,  I gave him a little cloud to sit on cut from the cloud patterned dp, doesn't show in the photo but it has a lovely sparkle. I added the stamped

 sentiment , a die cut swirl for his fiery breath and some bling.

It's been a busy week for me- a last minute trip to London on Wednesday with my lovely daughter to see a hastily booked show- Moulin Rouge- it was brilliant! 

Unfortunately we hadn't realised until after the train and theatre tickets were booked that there was a Tube strike so a lot of walking required- hopeless trying to get a taxi and buses were full but we're an intrepid pair and it didn't spoil the day at all- in fact I enjoyed the walk- so much to see enroute and the sun was shining. 

I was so tired when we got home, I had an early night and slept for 11 hours but what a lovely day we had.

Yesterday I decided to clean out the toy cupboard in my spare bedroom and turf out the toys that my granddaughters have outgrown so that I could actually close the doors without breaking into a sweat trying to stop everything falling out! which led to me moving onto the wardrobe in there.... why on earth did I keep so many clothes that I even if I could squish myself into them they're not the kind of thing I wear now that I'm retired or too dated! 

In the midst of this mayhem my sister and BIL turned up unexpectedly, which was a lovely surprise and the reason this post didn't get done yesterday.

Anyway, there is still plenty of time to enter the challenge- anything goes as always, you don't have to use green if you prefer not. just click here to pop over to Crafty Catz, enjoy the lovely creations from the rest of the team and add your own fabulous work.

Thanks for visiting and have a lovely weekend- Happy Mothers Day to those who are celebrating

Chris

xx

Challenge entries:

mytimetocraft #503

creativeknockouts #490

colorfuloptions March Challenge

crittercrazy #72

leannsworld101 #60

craftygalscorner #241

Guest Design at Creative Creases

 Good morning, this is the first of two posts today and my Guest Design card for this fortnight's challenge at Creative Creases, thanks for inviting me to join you Debbie! 

I have no idea what this fold is called but it's my new favourite fold and I've since made a few cards using it. There are plenty of 'how to's' online and it's much easier than I thought it would be. For this card I've used  Lavinia stamps and stencils. All the panels, inside and out have been ink blended using Distress Oxide inks, then stencilled and stamped with a few added splatters. 

Thanks for visiting , be sure to check out the Creative Creases Challenge, it's such fun and there's always some wonderful ideas and  inspiration to enjoy,

Chris

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Challenge entries:

creativefingers #250

artimpressions #347

CRAFT #671

daisychain #72

happylittlestampers March Stencils

classicdesign #3

retrorubber #202 (dandelion stamps approx 5 years old)

aplacetostart March Challenge

Spring

 Good morning, it's time for our new challenge over at Crafty Catz- this week we're hosted by our lovely Bridget, the OPTIONAL  twist she has chosen is SPRING. There are no sponsor's this week, the challenge is just for fun.

It's not feeling spring like here just now- Wednesday we had snow, followed by rain and sleet, which melted the snow- yesterday it rained all day, which added to the melted snow in our local woods and turned all the pathways into mud slicks- I can honestly say Marvin has never been so muddy- even his face was covered in mud, not that it bothers him in the slightest- it's a good thing he's perfectly happy to be hosed down when he gets home! I wouldn't fancy putting a mud-caked Marvin in my bath or shower twice a day...or even once!

Anyway- back to the card. The daffodil stamp was a magazine 'gift', coloured with copic markers and cut out. The sentiment stamp is LOTV. The circle dies are tonic studios and the DP is very old, can't remember the brand. I've added some pale blue fibres and blue stone drops.

Head on over to Crafty Catz where you will find the lovely spring time creations my teamies have created, hope you're inspired to join us this week.

thanks for visiting today

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

ellibelle March Challenge

colorthrowdown #733

paperminutes #785

shoppingourstash #491

welovestamping March Challenge

Thefourseasons March Challenge

theflowerchallenge #78

Art Deco style

 Good morning, this fortnight's challenge at Fab'n' Funky starts today, Buffy is hosting and has picked the theme of Retro or Vintage. I made an art deco style card using a lovely digi from the Paper Shelter, which I've coloured with markers and fussy cut. Using nesting dies I die cut a panel of white card and used two different stencils and black ink to create the background, then mounted it onto a panel cut from rose gold glitter card. I needed something for the corners of the black panel, didn't have a suitable die so I cut some thin strips from the glitter card which I think work quite well with the design. 

Thanks for visiting- now please hop over to the challenge blog to check out the fabulous inspiration from my lovely teamies and to enter your own wonderful creations.

Chris

x

Challenge entries :

stencilfun- March (atg)

allsorts #718 (atg)

creativefingers #249

creativecrafters #61

craftrocket #101

Gem Challenge #5

Home sweet home

 Good afternoon, a 'just-because' card to share today- the result of some blissful colouring time! I have merged two of Mo's fabulous digis, the Cottage Treehouse  with Fairy Tuttle in the foreground, then coloured using my markers. I die cut a simple frame then cut round the lower and back edges of the fairy so I could slide the frame under her. Stamped the sentiment to finish. 

There's a lovely smell of roast chicken pervading the house at present- dinner almost cooked so better go and finish it off- Marvin is hyperventilating in the kitchen doorway- roast chicken is a big favourite of his- not quite as good as sausages but a very close second! 

Thanks for visiting

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

Stamping Sensations March Challenge

TFATU March Challenge

aperfecttimetocraft #3

digichoosday #8

passion for markers #679

classicdesign #3

cck March Challenge

morgansartworld #3

Buttons and bows at Crafty Calendar

Hi, I'm back with a second card for today, this time it's my DT make for our March Challenge at

  Crafty Calendar, 

the theme this month is buttons and bows 

and our lovely sponsor is ALL DRESSED UP 

I was given this lovely image to use, thankyou! It's called Looking Good and is available HERE.

She's coloured with Copic markers and die cut into a tag shape, I've added a little stencilling to the background, Papers are Echo Park 'It's a boy'. I love the colours and think they work just as well on a girly card! I've added a cord bow and some tiny buttons, a die cut and stamped sentiment. 

There's more inspiration from my super-talented teamies over at Crafty Calendar so do hop over to check out their fabulous creations.

Thanks for visiting today- enjoy the rest of the weekend

Chris

x

Challenge entries

alldressedup #137

classicdesign #3

morgansartworld #3

thepapershelter #543

thesisterhoodofcrafters dots or stripes

digichoosday #7

craftrocket #101

mmmchallenge #Tag it

For a special woman at Sweet Stampin' Challenge

Morning all, this fortnight's challenge over at Sweet Stampin' is to create something for a special woman, of course it could be a Mother's Day card- no one is more special than your Mum, but it can be for any woman you want to celebrate- and it doesn't have to be a card as long as there is some stamping included. If you hop over to the challenge blog you'll find plenty of inspiration from my lovely teamies.

It was both my sisters' birthdays last week- yes both in the same week and on consecutive days! 

This is the card I made for 'middle sister' - the crazy one! She's brilliant, always cheerful and fun and one of the most caring people I know despite often being in severe pain, she's suffered with Rheumatoid Arthritis since early childhood and has limited mobility- but it doesn't stop her making the most of life, and you can't help smiling when she's around! 

Her favourite tipple is gin -hence the card!

The gin glass and lemon slices were magazine freebie stamps, they stamp beautifully unlike some of the freebies you get! The sentiments inside are Creative Expressions and I used various alphabet stamps to create the sentiment on the front.

Challenge entries:

kraftychicks #653

While I'm here, this is the card I made 'little sister'- the baby of the family- she's only 4 years older than my daughter, so I guess I've always treated her more like my child than my sister! There's no stamping at all on this card- The images (love them-so fun and quirky!) are from Elena Zinski Art, and I used the pre-coloured versions. The sentiments are computer generated.

Thanks for visiting- I'll be back later today!

Chris

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Challenge entries:

craftsgalore #109

 

A little recycling!

Morning all, once again the week has flown by and it's time for a new challenge at Crafty Catz. This week is a just for fun week- no sponsor and no prizes- but you still have the chance of your entry being chosen as one of our TOP 3 picks and winning a lovely badge for your blog! The theme is ANYTHING GOES and our lovely host Billie has picked a fun twist for the team, and anyone else who would like to use it, of Add a Balloon.

I made a card for my sister's bestie, an amazing lady who is celebrating her 60th birthday this week- she's a nurse- a ward sister on the HD Unit, dedicated to her work and patients even after struggling with own health, major surgery just over a year ago (yes, after working all through the Covid epidemic and all that entailed). She's now back at work full time caring for others- as I said, amazing! And on top of that she's nearly as crazy as my sister and knows  how to enjoy herself when she's off duty! 

I chose to use a favourite Bugaboo image, coloured with Copics and lots of added sparkle. 

Wy not give yourselves a treat and pop over to see what my lovely teamies have created this week- hopefully you'll be tempted to play along!

Thanks for visiting

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

creatalicious #254

mirtillamente #18 (numbers)

pearlysparkles #82

worldwidecrafters #2

paperdragonfly #15