Merry Christmas

 

Oops! Nearly forgot this one!

 

Hello, I'm back again with my reminder card for this month's challenge at Stamping Sensations. A reminder I nearly forgot! It wasn't until I looked at my blog reading list and saw that the rest of the team had posted their cards that I realised it was due today, so here it is.

The optional twist for this month is Winter, I created a little snow scene with Distress inks and stamps from Card-io and Stampscapes. Not too sure if I like the frame, the whites don't match and it shows a lot more in the photo but I'm pretending I did it on purpose! 

There's still plenty of time to play along with the challenge so please head on over to the challenge blog for some lovely inspiration from the team and full details of how to enter and the fabulous prizes to be won. 

Have a good day

Chris

Challenges:

FQCCCB#15

thefourseasons December Challenge

allsorts #811

welovestamping December Challenge

cardz4guyz. #362

One in a million

Good morning, hope all your Christmas preparations are going well, I think I'm on top of things at last, just some last minute food shopping to do, thank goodness.

My card today is for our last challenge of the year at Fab'n'Funky, the theme this fortnight is 

ANYTHING BUT SQUARE, chosen by our lovely Pat K. 

I used my dies to cut a circular card base with an aperture in the middle. The papers are old favourites from Heartfelt Creations. The little Stuffie bear and owl stamps are both Stamping Bella, coloured with Copic markers and fussy cut, I've stamped the sentiments in the middle of the aperture and on the owl's envelope. It was very refreshing not to make a Christmas card! 

 Thanks so much for visiting today, hope you can find some time to check out the fabulous creations from my lovely team- and a moment of calm to create something and join us for the last challenge of 2024. 

Chris

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Challenge entries:

addictedtostamps #483

PFM #769

aperfecttimetocraft #December challenge

dreamvalley #327

I love markers #573

aaabirthday #68

December Challenge at Crafty Calendar

 Hi, I'm back with my second DT make for today, this is for our December Challenge at Crafty Calendar, the theme is CHRISTMAS and we're sponsored by the fabulous 

POLKADOODLES

My card features the cute

Fairy Bella Christmas Bear she's all coloured up with Copic markers, fussy cut and popped up on my splattered background, to which I added some stamping, stencilling and a few sequins as well as the die cut sparkle sentiment.

If you're still stuck for Christmas inspiration pop over to the main challenge blog to see the fabulous cards from the rest of the team- all using these adorable sponsor images. 

We'd love to see your festive makes too so don't forget to link them up to our challenge!

Thanks for visiting my blog today,

Have a good weekend

Chris

x

Challenges:

cutitup #318

digichoosday Wk 48

creationsinpink #75

mirtillamente #38

audsentiments #320

christmaswiththecuties #87

polkadoodle #49

It's Christmas at Sweet Stampin'

 Good morning, this is the first of two posts today, both with DT makes. This one is for our last challenge this year at Sweet Stampin', the challenge will run for 4 weeks instead of two and the theme is- you guessed it...CHRISTMAS.

The main image is a magical Christmas tree stamp from Lavinia, stamped onto a background made usig a gelli plate and stencil, lots of tiny gems added for some sparkle. It's placed inside an aperture cut into another background which was brayered with Distress Oxide ink and spattered with water. The wreath is stamped in various shades of blue with tiny Lavinia mini stamps, some highlights added with a white gel pen.

I have at last finished making Christmas cards (I think...) and they're all written ready to post. Now for the rest of the gift wallets, tags and present wrapping...

Take a look at the Sweet Stampin' Challenge blog to enjoy the lovely creations from the rest of the team, we'd all love it if you can find the time to join in and share those last minute festive makes.

Thanks for visiting 

Chris

x

Challenges :

creativeinspiration #21

allsorts #810

kraftychicks #745

crafterscafe #314

thefourseasons Dec Challenge

audsentiments Dec Challenge

welovestamping Dec Challenge

Sweet Ginger gift bags

Good morning, today sees the start of a new challenge over at Crafty Catz, this will be our last challenge for 2024. Our sponsor for this fortnight is 

 Last Minute Manda 

Our host is Rhoda and the optional theme is 

Christmas Presents.

I made some simple gift bags with tags featuring 

Sweet Ginger.

I have used copics to colour and white Pearl Drops for the icing.

Please check out the Challenge Blog  for some lovely inspiration from the rest of the team. It would be great if you could join us for this last challenge of the year. 

Thanks for visiting and have a good weekend.

Chris

x

Challenges:

jinglebelles Dec Challenge

MTTC #548

CRAFT #743

Believe

 Good morning, here's my DT make for our new challenge at Fab'n' Funky, 

our lovely host for this fortnight is Pat who has chosen the theme of 

CHRISTMAS ANIMALS.

I used some Lavinia animal stamps along with Santa and his reindeer (sorry, have lost the packaging so can't tell you the brand). The background is sponged Distress inks in various shades of blue. The 'believe' stamp is also Lavinia.

As always there are some lovely creations from the rest of the team over at Fab'n' Funky, hope you can find some time during this busy time of year to play along with this fun challenge.

Thanks for stopping by

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

2sistersontheblog #92

crafterscafe #314

critter crazy #93

papercraft #112

pearlysparkles #102

avenue613 Dec Challenge

Brum Brum

 Good morning, the December Challenge at Stamping Sensations starts today, the optional theme for this month is Winter - or your can enter using the Anything Goes option as long as you stamp something on the front of your card/project. 

I made a Christmas card using a fabulous Aall & Create stamp set, Brum Brum (#1001), I.ve coloured the image with Copics and kept my design very simple. 

There are some lovely prizes from Aall & Create to be won this month, please head on over to

Stamping Sensations 

for full details of the prizes and how to play along.

Thanks for visiting, have a lovely Sunday

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

dragonflydreams Dec Challenge

welovestamping Dec Challenge

CRAFT #742

kraftychicks #744

PFM #767

shoppingourstash #535

Snowman tags

 Hello, a quick post with some tags to share. I bought a set of Woodware stamps, Bubble Snowmen at a craft show last weekend and had a little play with them to make some Christmas tags. They're really fun to use and very versatile. The set includes one snowman (centre tag) and lots of circles, heads and faces so you can build your own snowmen too. I need lots of tags so kept these very simple, leaving enough space to write a name on the front of them. I've used Polychromo  pencils to add some colour. 

Thanks for visiting

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

allsorts #808

rudolphdays November Challenge

I spy... #21

Beccy's November Challenges Day Day 22 T tags twine

paperfunday #71

kleurenmetpotloden November Challenge

letscreate #213

creativecrafters #82

Christmas pudding...

 Hello. I made another card using the  Here Comes Christmas digital stamp set from Beccy's Place, this one features Comet who I think may have over indulged a little!  This one was also quick to make, I coloured the reindeer with my copic markers, fussy cut and used foam pads to attach her ( I'm sure it's a her) onto the top of the sentiment panel, the sentiment is also part of the set and made me laugh. I die cut some circles and holly leaves and made 3 little Christmas puds to match those on the DP. 

My Christmas card stash is growing nicely now, not too many left to make- then I have tags and gift card wallets to do... 

Thanks for visiting

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

beccys november challenges Day 18 P for Pudding

snarkystampers #256

creativeknockouts #535

Ready or not...

 A quick Christmas card using one of Beccy's fun digistamp sets- Here Comes Christmas. This is Prancer dancing around showing off his beautifully wrapped gifts- hope there's nothing fragile in those boxes! A quick CAS card, images coloured with Copic markers.

Chris

Challenge entries

Beccy's November Challenges- R for Reindeer

cdsunday #147

girlzcreativechristmas #100

alphabetchallenge Q- quick and easy

CRAFT #741

kraftychicks #743

ilovepromarkers #571

Happy Birthday Sweet Stampin'

 Good morning, it's our birthday week- Sweet Stampin' is 15 this year!

We're inviting you all to enjoy the celebrations- just create a project with a birthday theme, make sure you include some stamping and click here to join the party.

My card was made for my granddaughter Ruby's 15th birthday so it seemed apt to share it here- she may be a grown up, sophisticated (no!) teenager now and tower over her vertically challenged grandmother but she'll always be my little Ruby Rabbit...and she still loves bunny rabbits!  I've used stamps from 2 sets of Rufus Rabbit stamps, coloured with copics, paper pieced the glittery heart and balloon on the larger stamps and added copious amounts of sparkle (Wink of Stella) on the stars and smaller hearts and balloons.

Thanks for visiting

Chris

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Challenge entries:

creativeinspiration #20

ellibelle's crafty wednesday Nov/Dec

lilredwagon #783

addictedtostamps #481

crafterscafe #314

papercraft #112

cutiepie #200

Blue Christmas

 Good morning, a new Challenge over at Crafty Catz and another Christmas card from me. 

This fortnight's challenge is kindly sponsored by

HETTY CLARE ART

The optional twist, chosen by Janet, is

Blue Christmas.

I used a cute sponsor image, Snowy Delivery, coloured with copic markers. The papers are from The Works, I've added die cut snowflakes and trees. The sentiment is stamped. 

As always there's plenty of inspiration over at the challenge blog, we hope you can find some time to play along with us this fortnight- remember the twist  is always an option, anything goes at Crafty Catz.

Thanks for visiting

have a good weekend

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

craftygalscorner #261

addictedtostamps #481

crafterscafe #314

sparklesforumchristmas #166

Beccys November Challenge Day 21 S - sleigh snow snowflake

lilredwagon #783

double D - winter

Dies and/or punches at Fab'n' Funky

 Good morning- hope it's not too chilly where you are! temperatures have dropped here and we've had lot of rain but not too cold...yet! It's beginning to feel a lot more like winter though, such a mild start to November just doesn't feel right. 

N'Eva is hosting our challenge at Fab'n' Funky for this fortnight - she has chosen a great theme for you - Dies and/or Punches.

I made an accordion card, such a simple fold but great for  layering up with pretty papers and die cuts. The papers are Studio Light from a 6x4 inch pad, beautiful but a bit small so I've struggled to use them but they fit card perfectly. I made 3 die cut tags using 2 layers of paper for each, inked the edges and added my die cut deer (TH Sizzix) I added some die cut foliage, a cord bow and die cut sentiment, was pleased with how it turned out. 

There's plenty mor to see over at Fab'n' Funky so do pop over and see what the rest of the team have created...and of course we'd love to have you join us.

Thanks for visiting

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

hollyandivy #172

aperfecttimetocraft #11

CCAYR November Challenge

GFAOS #3

letscreate #213

peaceonearth #76

Beccys November Challenge B for bow

lovethoseprettypapers November Challenge

Christmas magic

 Good morning, I'm here with a reminder of this month's challenge at Stamping Sensations, there's still plenty of time to join in. The optional theme for this month is 'Make it Magical' but you can always enter using  the Anything Goes route.

 I made a little snowy scene using some older Lavinia stamps and two from the new collection, Annie and Edward and Street Light- my immediate thought on seeing these was Narnia. 

There are some fabulous Lavinia stamps prizes to be won this month- just hop over to Stamping Sensations Challenge Blog for details and to check out the fabulous creations from the rest of the team.

Thank you for visiting - have a good week.

Chris

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Challenge entries:

welovestamping. November Challenge

thesisterhoodofcrafters Landscape

hollyandivy #172

unicorn #104

incywincy NovemberChallenge

beccys november challenge Day 13 L (Lamp, light, lantern)

Four of a kind + one

I had some time to play yesterday...and some new Lavinia stamps to play with so I made a batch of Christmas cards using one of them, Bobby, the sweetest little robin. These were quick and easy to make using a Sweet Poppy frame stencil and just 3 stamps, all I did was vary the colours - the two green ones using different shades of green and brown inks.

Number five is slightly different in that I added a stencilled wall for Bobby to perch on and coloured the holly leaves with a water colour pen. I have more new stamps...just waiting for inspiration to strike!

 Thanks for visiting, have a good week.

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

dreamvalley #325

crittercrazy #92

daisychain #91

tripleb November Ch.

welovestamping. November Challenge

beccys november challenge Day 8 Change colours

Snow Baby

 Hello, another dull damp day here, I'm full of cold and a bit grumpy so I'm hiding in my craft room and keeping nice and warm...and not spreading my germs around to anyone else (husband doesn't count as he's the one who gave it me and he was a LOT more grumpy than I am!).

I've been playing along with Beccy's month of  Holiday Challenges, it's a great way to get some Christmas cards done. No way will I get 30 cards made to enter every day as some dedicated entrants seem to be achieving but I'll do as many as I can. This one is for Day 4, letter D - it has decoupage and dimension. The image is one of Beccy's Freebies, Snowman with Bauble, so cute, I think he looks like a Snow Baby!

I used the uncoloured version and printed him 3 times, coloured relevant sections with markers and then cut them out and layered them up with foam to create the dimension. I've used stickles to glitter up his hat and the bauble. The card design is very simple, an embossed strip down the centre, glittery frame and die cut sentiment.

Thanks for visiting

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

beccysplace (day 4 D -decoupage/dimension)

scscards Nov. Challenge

MAWTT #172

audsentiments #319

sparklesforumchristmas #166

allsorts #806

craftrocket November Challenge

Humbug!

 Good morning,  this fortnight our challenge at Crafty Catz is hosted by Ginny -as always it's Anything Goes. The added twist this time is 'Add some ribbon' . I have loads of ribbon that I'd like to use up but rarely use it on cards these days, in the past I rarely seemed to make a card without using it somewhere, somehow...

I decided to make tags, never have enough of these when Christmas arrives, so die cut some tag shapes and stamped the Grinch (C.C. Designs) images directly onto them, coloured with Copic markers. The left hand one I also coloured the background sky before stamping and white embossing the sentiment, used the same EP for the snow. The one on the right has a stencilled background. I matted the tags onto coloured card to make the borders stand out, then added some ribbon to finish.

There is plenty of inspiration over at Crafty Catz so if you're looking for ways to use up that ribbon head on over for some great ideas, or if you already have great ideas of your own we'd love to see them, or any other creations you care to share!

Thanks visiting

have a great weekend

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

Beccys Place November Challenge Day 7 - G (Grinch)

kraftychicks #741

paperfunday #71

addictedtostamps #480

PFM #764

classicdesign #10

Fa la la la

 Good morning, it's my turn to host the challenge at Fab'n' Funky for this fortnight, 

the theme I picked  is

  MUSIC TO MY EARS

 ie anything music related or inspired by a song, so lots to choose from.

I made a Christmas card to add to my slowly growing pile. I merged two of Mo Manning's little singing mouse digis and coloured them with markers. Used a musical note stencil and distress ink  to create the background. Added a stamped 'fa la la' and some 'snow' (white embossing powder).

Please hop over to Fab'n' Funky to see what the rest of my lovely team have created- hope you choose to join in this fortnight.

Thanks for visiting

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

PFM #764

unicorn #104

critter crazy #92

sheepski #92

MTTCC #98

scscards November Challenge

Beccy's November Challenge- Day 6 -F

Make it Magical at Stamping Sensations

 Good morning, my card today is for our November Challenge at Stamping Sensations. This month there are some beautiful  Lavinia Stamps as prizes for the lucky winners- 

 

our challenges are always Anything Goes (must include stamping on the front of your project) , this month there is an option of Make it Magical for anyone who prefers t have a theme to follow. 

I'm trying to get as many Christmas cards under my belt as I can this month, so I used Rue one of my favourite Lavinia fairies to make a magical Christmas card. I used stencils and Distress Oxide inks to make the background, stamped the fairy on top, stamped the sentiment. Glitter added to wings with a sparkle pen. 

As always there are loads of beautiful creations from the rest of the team so head on over to the challenge blog for some lovely inspiration.

Thanks for visiting

Chris

x

Challenge entries :

christmasbingo #10 - I (Own background, CAS, Glitter)

crafterscafe #313

incywincy # Nov. Challenge

sparklesforumchristmas #166

creativecrafters #81

welovestamping November Challenge

allsorts #805

kraftychicks #740

Beccys November Challenge Day 14 M for Magical

Snowman Hugs

 Good morning, the November challenge at Crafty Calendar begins today...can you believe it? November!!!Our lovely sponsor for this month is Lawn Fawn and the theme is Anything Goes.

I made a Christmas card (only 52 days to go now!) featuring a cute snow couple,  Milly &Miles from Whipper Snapper stamps, one of several stamped images kindly sent to me earlier in the year by  Bunny. I've used my Copic markers to colour and then fussy cut around the top of them. The card is a tent fold, I die cut a circle from the centre of the front and the same size circle from a square of  DP from the works, I attached a piece of snowy acetate over the aperture, placing the snowmen on top and covered the joins with a glittery circular frame. The circle cut from the DP is on the inside of the card.

Inside the card


There are some lovely creations from the rest of the team over at Crafty Calendar Challenge Blog so please do take a look- we'd love to see what you are making so be sure to play along this month.

I've had a good week, all of the granddaughters on half term break so able to see all of them and my daughter and daughter in law. no decisions yet on kitchen but feel we're beginning to move in the right direction, I'm going to take my time over it. A lovely walk in the woods earlier in the week, just Marvin and me, weather is so mild it's great to just stroll along and enjoy all the colours, lots of fallen leaves as you can see but still plenty on the trees yet.

C'mon! Throw the ball

spot the dog...

Ginger Ninja in camouflage

Thanks for visiting, enjoy the weekend.

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

hollyandivy #171

allsorts #805

christmasbingo #10 -G (Free, Frame, Patterned Paper)

MLCCB #59

Beccy's Place November Challenge Day 1 -A (acetate, aperture)

. 

Bearing gifts

 Today started out great- lovely bright sunshine and a good breeze...now it's dull and wet! Wouldn't have been quite so annoyed if I hadn't pegged Marvin's 'furry' bed on the line to give it an airing, forgot it was there, so it got very wet. Now in washing machine and will have to tumble dry it or I will have one very disgruntled dog later. 

Had a visit from a kitchen designer this morning, head spinning even more now- there is just too much choice and too many things to decide on, not my idea of fun at all... and that's before I find out how much it's all going to cost.....(gulp).

I'm trying to get some Christmas cards made  as 25th December seems to be approaching very fast now, aiming for quicker makes but will probably go off on a tangent before long. I had already stamped and coloured this cute Whippersnapper polar bear so at least this was a quick one. I was trying for a snowy look to my background so added a little grey distress ink with a stencil brush- then had the idea of adding snowflakes by masking an area with a die cut snowflake and brushing the grey ink around it- the first one (top of card) worked- the second one did not!!! so I stuck a glittery die cut over it...doesn't look great but a lot better than in the photo, taken in poor light- the stuck on snowflake is white like the card, I think the glitter is reflecting the artificial light.. Will try the technique again but next time BEFORE I colour the image!

Thanks for visiting

Hope you have a good week.

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

allsorts #804

jinglebelles Christmas animals

MTTCC #98

hollyandivy #171

rudolphdays October Challenge

peaceonearth #74

A little witch in all of us...

 Good morning, last weekend of October, the clocks go back and the days will seem so much shorter. My husband is always pleased to have the lighter mornings as he likes to be out with Marvin as early as possible- even with his flashing collar (dog-not husband) it's not a good idea to try to walk around woodland in the dark! 

A new challenge starts today over at Sweet Stampin', the theme is 

HALLOWEEN/ HALLOWEEN COLOURS.

I took the opportunity to give this beautiful Pink Ink stamp another airing, I wanted it to have a mystical, dreamy look so thought I'd try out some new-to- me techniques I'd picked up from watching some U-tube tutorials, sorry can't tell you who the tutorials were made by as I spent a whole afternoon watching various different talented ladies demonstrating their stamping and inking techniques, but whoever they were, thank you for the inspiration.

First I smooshed some light coloured Distress Oxides onto a piece of white card, selected the part I wanted to use and cut a rectangle. I stamped the witch directly onto it then used diluted DIs to colour her dress and hat. I masked her off to stencil the background using a tree stencil (Memory Box) and a cobweb stencil (Aall & Create). I distressed the edges of the panel and mounted it onto a larger rectangle of design paper which I had distressed with ink and embossing powder.

We'd love to have you join in with our challenge this fortnight- don't worry if you don't 'do' Halloween, there is the option of using the colours, so as long as you remember to stamp something (real stamp or digital) you can enter with that.

Thanks for visiting

have a great weekend

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

craftrocket #119

craftygalscorner #260

addictedtostamps #479

TIOT Halloween

mmm #237

conjurerofdreams - witch wisdom

do-allkreatives #94

morgansartworld October Challenge

...you just want cake!

 Hello, I'm back again with my second post today, this time the card is for this fortnight's challenge at Crafty Catz which starts today. Our host for this week is Christine who has chosen the optional twist of 'use dies or punches'. We have a lovely sponsor for this challenge- 

BECCYS PLACE 

Beccy very kindly allowed the design team to choose images to play with, thank you Beccy, I chose Kenneth one of the Flockstar digital stamps, isn't he fantastic! I coloured him with my markers and fussy cut him. I used my Aall & Create circle frame dies to create the card base, the background is an A&C stencil and distress oxide ink. The fun sentiment is also part of the Flockstar set. 

As always there's plenty of inspiration to enjoy over at Crafty Catz so please do hop over and see what the rest of the team have created, remember it's always Anything Goes at Crafty Catz if you want to join us- and I hope you do.

Thanks for visiting today.

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

CRAFT #738

addictedtostamps #479

shoppingourstash #533

acutabove - October Challenge

hereisaplacetostart October Challenge

aaabirthday #66

crittercrazy #91

beccyschallenges October

Guest Design for Creative Creases

 Good morning, I was invited to Guest Design for the lovely team at Creative Creases, I was very happy to accept. I made this card after seeing the fold several times online- I have no idea what it's called but I like it! I didn't have a template or instructions but the fold is simple and easy to copy just by looking at the photos. The papers were a cover gift with a recent  issue of a magazine, they're lovely and I didn't need to add anything else. I honestly can't remember the last time I made a card with no stamping and no colouring!

Here's the link to the challenge post, just click on it for details of how to join in and some wonderful inspiration from the designers.

Thanks for visiting

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

kraftychicks #739

I spy... colours of the season

dreamvalley #324

beautifulblossoms #22

lovethoseprettypapers October Challenge

tripleb October Challenge

thefourseasons October Challenge

inspirationstation #66 (inspired by sunflowers, colours)

...love at first sight???

Good morning, hope everyone is well- there seems to be a lot of nasty cold/covid /flu bugs going around just now, suppose it's that time of year again. It's been a busy few days here- daughter and granddaughter's birthdays plus we've been looking around to get some ideas for a new kitchen- there's so much to decide and choose from and NOT looking forward to the disruption but we can't put it off forever, so hoping to get it all ordered ready to start in the new year.

My card today is for our new Challenge at Fab'n' Funky, hosted this fortnight by our lovely Buffy. 

The theme is AUTUMN/ HALLOWEEN

I don't really need Halloween cards as I only ever send them to my granddaughters with a little treat inside but I do love some of the images, mainly the cute ones but can be quite taken with scary too. (Would never send a scary one to a child though-that would be mean!!) this little cutie is by Mo Manning, a Patreon image, coloured with markers. I gave her a stamped cobweb with spider to gaze up at... I think it's love at first sight for her! The background is sponged with Distress Oxides and a stencil, (hoping it looked like more cobwebs)

For any Mo Manning fans that aren't already Patreon members there's a really cute freebie that anyone can grab over at her Patreon page, she's planning to post a freebie every month, so it's worth joining- and you can do it for free!

Please do pop over to Fab'n' Funky to see what my lovely teamies have created- then I hope you can find the time to join in.

Thanks for visiting

Chris 

x

Challenge entries:

stencilfun October Challenge

PFM #762

TIOT Halloween

mmm #237

conjurerofdreams Witch Wisdom

creatalicious  #282

twooldbats October Ch.