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Friday 18 October 2024

Mid month reminder at Stamping Sensations.


 Good morning, here I am with a reminder of our October Challenge at Stamping Sensations.  Yes, it's another card using my Lavinia stamps, have been playing with these quite a lot this month! I do have quite a few (although there's always more I 'need' but tbh they are so versatile you can create many different designs with just a few, I have some favourites that I use time and time again. Again it's a smooshed background (I did make quite a few of these as I love the colours! 

Please hop over to Stamping Sensations Challenge blog for lots of inspiration, details of how to join in and the fabulous prize sponsored by Stamp Addicts. There is an optional theme of AUTUMN COLOURS which the DT have used- you are more than welcome to use the theme but there is always an option of Anything Goes as long as you include stamping on the front of your project.

Thanks for visiting

Chris

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Challenge Entries

creativefingers #287

creativeinspiration #19

MAWTT #171

thesisterhoodofcrafters Oct 9th Challenge

paperfunday October Challenge

colorfuloptions -orange

pearlysparkles #100

creativecrafters #81

Tuesday 15 October 2024

Autumn magic

A late-in-the day post from me today, with a card I made 'just because'.

 I'm feeling a bit sore this evening, had flu and covid jabs earlier, covid arm is fine but flu arm really hurts! Have never had both jabs at the same time before, seemed like a good idea at the time but now I'm not so sure. Oh well, too late to change my mind and at least it's done! 

I was given the die to cut the card base, it was in a sealed package but no brand name so no idea of make....but it cut perfectly. I cute the base in black, an orange layer and the top layer from a piece of card I'd previously smooshed with Distress Oxides. I used my Lavinia stamps to create the scene, the toadstool houses were stamped onto a spare piece of card and cut out to add some dimension.



 Thanks for stopping by, have a pleasant evening.

Chris

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Challenge entries:

daisychain #90

incywincy October challenge

mixitup #73

pearlysparkles #100

sparklesforum #181

allsorts #802

inspirationstation #66 (colours, season, leaves)



Friday 11 October 2024

Autumn Birthday


 Good morning, it's time for a new challenge at Crafty Catz and it's my turn to host this fortnight.
 I chose the optional twist of Autumn Colours- because I love them :)
Our wonderful sponsor for this challenge is 




The sweet image I used is Piggy Back, I 've used my Copic markers to colour, stencilled the sky and stamped some autumn leaves. Papers are Halloween Harvest from Honey Bee Stamps. The die cut acorn and toadstools are Tim Holtz, also coloured with Copics.
Hop over to Crafty Catz to feast your eyes on the lovely creations from the rest of the DT. 
Remember 'Anything Goes' if you want to join in.
Thanks for visiting,
Chris
x

challenge entries:
MTTC #544
unicorn #103

Wednesday 9 October 2024

Imagination...


 Good morning, I have absolutely no idea where the last two weeks went but it's already time for a new challenge at Fab'n' Funky
This fortnight our lovely Pat has chosen the theme of 
FUR or FEATHERS,
we would like to see animals or birds on your creations.
I made a card using a set of Visible Image stamps that I've been itching to ink up. The background is created using Brushos, Distress Inks and stencils, a few highlights added using a white gel pen, quick to make as no colouring involved! 
I hope you can find the time to hop over to Fab'n' Funky to enjoy what the DT have created for the challenge, hopefully you'll be inspired to join us.

Thanks for visiting
Chris
x
Challenge entries:
stencilfun #October Challenge


Sunday 6 October 2024

Colours of Autumn


 Good morning. The first Sunday of the month means a new challenge at Stamping Sensations.
This month we are sponsored by
the prize is a £25 voucher.

The theme is Anything Goes with an option of Autumn Colours. I made an easel card using various Lavinia stamps and distress inks to create the fairy scene. The DP is from stash, no idea of make (I've had it for years) sentiment is a magazine freebie stamp. The die cut leaves are Tim Holtz.

As always, there's loads of fabulous inspiration over at the challenge blog so don't forget to check it out, you won't be disappointed.

Thanks for visiting.

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

avenue613- October challenge

welovestamping Oct. Challenge

allsorts #801

craftrocketchallenges #119

MAWTT #171

I spy ...#19

TIOT-Autumn Magic

thefourseasons October Challenge


Saturday 5 October 2024

Crafty Calendar October Challenge


 Good morning, I'm happy to say that Crafty Calendar Challenges are back up and running again, and our October Challenge starts today. The theme for this month is Anything Goes and there will be a lovely prize for our lucky winner


I made a Halloween card for little Charlotte using a cute Polkadoodles digi. I've coloured her with markers and fussy cut to pop her on the front of my tunnel card. The background is made with Distress inks and a Card-io MageMask stencil. The little cauldron in the centre is from an old set of stamps, not sure of make. 
I have a busy weekend ahead- I'm off to my son's house to look after my two younger granddaughters. It's my DIL's birthday and he's spoiling her (as he should do, she so deserves it!) with an overnight stay in London.
I'm really looking forward to spending some time with the girlies...they have made plans...
Thanks for visiting today, please check out the challenge blog for some lovely inspiration from the rest of the team, I do hope you can join us this month.
Enjoy your weekend
Chris
x
Challenge entries:

stencilfun October Challenge
unicorn #103
twooldbats October Challenge


Saturday 28 September 2024

Let's go!


 Good morning and happy weekend! A new challenge starts today over at
the theme for this fortnight is 
TRANSPORT.
I was thinking of my eldest granddaughter when I made this card, she's learning to drive and was a very lucky girl to be given a little car when her other Grandad upgraded to a newer one. She will be taking her Driving Test in December - I have very mixed feelings about this. Part of me, of course, hopes she will pass (lessons are so expensive and she wants the freedom to go wherever she wants without Mum/Dad taxi) the other part is absolutely terrified at the thought of her being out there with all the inconsiderate and downright dangerous drivers around here- the roads are so busy and everyone seems in such a rush all the time. I can't stop her growing up though and comfort myself with the thought that she's very calm and level headed for a 17 year old! 
The stamp is a digi from Vera Lane Studios, coloured with Copic markers (the car had to be blue!) and fussy cut, popped up with foam onto a little scene created with stencils, inks and stamps, a lovely quiet country road for my girl to drive safely on- not another car in sight!
There's plenty more inspiration over at Sweet Stampin'  so do hop over to take a look-
we'd love for you to join us for this challenge.
Thanks for visiting, 
Chris
x

Challenges:
mmm #235
allsorts #800

Friday 27 September 2024

It's those bunnies again....


 Good morning, I'm here today with my DT card for this fortnight's challenge at 
The optional theme, chosen by Billie is
Use a stencil.
No sponsor or prizes this challenge is just for fun- but we will be choosing a Top 3 as usual.
I've used my favourite bunny stamp from Colorado Crafts, this time I stamped directly onto the panel then masked the bunnies to stencil the heart background, I used a heart mask/stencil and a cloud stencil together with Distress inks for this.
I coloured the bunnies with markers....I love these cuties!
So come on over and join us at Crafty Catz, there's lots of inspiration and we would to see what you are creating- remember the theme is optional, anything goes at Crafty Catz.

Have a lovely day
Chris
x
Challenge entries:
CRAFT #734
stencilfun September Ch. (ATG)
mmm #235
welovestamping September Ch.


Wednesday 25 September 2024

Always be a mermaid


 Good morning, hope your week is going well. It's definitely beginning to feel like autumn now, less hours of daylight, it's quite a bit colder here...and wet! It seems as if we had a very short summer this year...I do like autumn but I'm not ready yet!
My card today is for this fortnight's challenge at Fab'n' Funky, hosted by the lovely N'Eva who has chosen the theme of 
ADD PEARLS OR GEMS.
I've used a beautiful Pink Ink stamp set which I bought for a bargain price on Ebay some time ago, this is the first time I've inked it up. It's coloured with Copic markers, I've used a circle mask and stencils to make the background and added some clear drops and tiny pearls. 
Do hop over to Fab'n'Funky to see what the rest of the team have created for you to enjoy, we hope you'll be inspired to join in and share your own beautiful creation(s).
Thanks for stopping by.
Chris
x

Challenge entries:
mmm #235
HQFCB #9

Wednesday 18 September 2024

Animal magic


 Good morning, I'm back from my holidays having had a lovely couple of weeks, first in Dorset and then in Devon. Mixed weather but overall we were pretty lucky and didn't get too much rain. Some sunshine to enjoy although it was cool enough not to have to worry about Marvin getting too hot! He had a wonderful time apart from another episode of Limber Tail (Swimmer's Tail) during the first week. He went into the sea at Chesil beach when it was really rough, we made him come out as soon as we could -he didn't even properly swim but was bowled over by the waves a few times, the vet said that would be enough to cause it. Anyway, one trip to vet (they were brilliant) one jab and some anti inflammatory pills (even the bill wasn't too eye-watering!)  he was right as rain after a couple of days and able to enjoy the delights of splashing about in the sea at North Sands Bay where the sea was much calmer and shallow, but still fun to play with the precious ball! We got to meet up with our 'Devon' friends too, so good to spend some time with them. 

My card today is a reminder of our September challenge at Stamping Sensations, this month the optional twist is ANIMAL MAGIC, as always you can enter using the Anything Goes option.

Our lovely sponsor for this month is AALL & CREATE and I have used one of their fabulous stamps to create my stepper Christmas card. I stamped the images (Pawsome Bonanza-#1212) onto marker friendly card and coloured with Copics, fussy cut them and placed onto a splattered Brusho background (one I made earlier) added a red die cut frame. The middle step has a large die cut sentiment (think it was a magazine freebie). The bottom step has a strip of washi tape, Yule Barks and another stamp from the set. The scalloped edges are the waste from around the die cut frame.

Thank you for stopping by today, for more inspiration and full details of how to enter our challenge and the lovely prizes on offer, just hop on over to the main challenge blog.

I'll leave you with a couple of photos- Marvin on the beach, willing the ball to move towards him!


and Marvin chatting up a sweet Red Fox girlie in the pub, that's her pretty face you can see, I think he's whispering sweet nothings in her ear...



Have a good day

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

addictedtostamps #477

christmasbingo #9 column I- Die cuts, Free, Stamped Image

crafterscafe #312

craftyanimals #87

critter crazy #90

girlzcreativechristmas #90

creative-creases #91

kraftychicks #733


Thursday 12 September 2024

Guest design for C.R.A.F.T. Challenge


 Good morning, I was invited by the lovely ladies at  CRAFT Challenge to join them as a Guest Designer this week,  thank you ladies :)

The theme for this challenge is Baby/Family/For the Kids sponsored by Beccy's Place.

I chose to use a sweet image from the Precious Baby Digital stamp set, thank you Beccy.



I printed the image onto white card  and then onto 3 different patterned papers so I could paper-piece the cuddly toys. I added a little shading with my markers, then fussy cut and glued the images in place. I used a kraft card base and  papers from Echo Park (It's Boy). I added a ribbon and brad to the tag and tiny heart shaped buttons to the tabs. Thanks for visiting, be sure to check out the fabulous creations from the design team ladies over at the CRAFT challenge.

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

cardz4galz #233

craftrocket #118

craftygalscorner #259

mmm #234

Beccy's Place September Challenge

Wednesday 11 September 2024

600th Challenge at Fab'n' Funky


 Good morning, today sees the start of our 600th Challenge at Fab'n Funky...that's a LOT of challenges! Just imagine the amount of cards and projects that have been entered since December 2009 when the Challenge Blog made it's debut. 

This fortnight our theme is a simple one- Birthday or Anniversary, whichever you prefer.
To mark the occasion there will be prize for one lucky winner-

2 sets of stamps with matching dies, I stamp I die.

I made a birthday card using a cute Mo Manning image, this little sweetie makes me smile. As usual, I've used my markers to colour. The papers are from Polkadoodles, a die cut sentiment and a brad (another one used...yay!)
Please do hop over to Fab'n Funky and see what the lovely ladies have come up with for this special challenge- I hope to see you there!
Chris
x
Challenge entries:
ilovepromarkers #566 (ATG)
aplacetostart September Challenge
cutiepie #198
dragonflydreams September

Sunday 1 September 2024

Super Hero


 September has arrived! I'm always a bit sad to see the beginning of September as it means the summer is coming to it's end and it never lasts long enough for me. I'll keep my fingers crossed for an Indian Summer to make it last a bit longer :)

My card today is for our September Challenge at Stamping Sensations, as always it's Anything Goes but there is an optional theme of Animal Magic if you choose to use it.

This month we are sponsored by AALL AND CREATE

with two beautiful stamp sets as prizes

                             

I used the Aall & Create Infinarty die set to cut a red frame and a circle of mixed media paper, then stamped the caped Meerkat image (Pink Ink). I coloured the image with water colours. I masked the image and used various stamps and stencils to create the background. Sentiment stamp from same Pink Ink set. 

There is loads to see over at Stamping Sensations, beautiful creations from the rest of the team and full details of how to play along with our challenge.

Thanks for visiting, have a good week.

Chris

x

Challenge entries

craftyanimals #87

cardsgalore #127

critter crazy #90

lostcoast #189

welovestamping September Challenge



Saturday 31 August 2024

Drink responsibly...


 Good morning and happy weekend, time for a new challenge at Sweet Stampin'.
This fortnight the theme is BEVERAGES.
Now I do enjoy a good beverage...I'm a bit of a coffeeholic but have been known to enjoy a nice glass of wine (or two!) -a lovely dry white- the colder and dryer the better! 
My card features an Aall & Create stamp, the lovely Miss Dee just cracks me up.  I found a piece of cardstock that had been spritzed with brushos and water and cut it into a tag shape using an A& C die set. I used washi tape to cover the edges of the frame then added a strip of it down the righthand side of the card  and another piece for Miss Dee to stand on. She is coloured with Copics and fussy cut. The piled up glasses (a silly trick!) are stamped directly onto the background, coloured and glossy accents added. Sentiment stamp  was included with image.
Thanks for stopping by, why not join the fun and share your favourite beverage with us...we could have a party! 
Chris
x
Challenge entries :
allsorts #796

Sunday 25 August 2024

Puppy breath


 Hello, hope you've had a lovely weekend- an extra day tomorrow for those of us in the UK. Weather has been really mixed here- yesterday was typical UK bank holiday weather with lashing rain, today lots of sunshine but strong winds keeping the temperature down, still a big improvement on yesterday! Hoping it's going to be fine and dry  and a lot less windy for the next couple of days as my son, DIL and two youngest granddaughters are going camping. I really don't like to think of their tent blowing away in the night.... 

I 'm sharing a just because card I made yesterday using a cute set of  Whimsy stamps. I cut a square aperture from the centre of white cardstock, stamped and coloured the 2 puppies with markers, added some stencilling. I stamped & embossed the 'Super Puppy Power onto the slightly larger pink square. The paw print badge is stamped and embossed onto white card, coloured with markers and attached to the centre using foam pads. 

Just for the record...I love the smell of puppy breath... not so keen on 'grown up' dog breath though!

Thanks for visiting

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

allsorts #795

inkspirational #323

asyoulikeit favourite colouring medium- 

alcohol markers, great for blending and shading.

craftrocket #117

kraftychicks #730


Sunday 18 August 2024

Summer in the garden


 Good morning, I'm here today with a mid month reminder for our August Challenge 
The optional theme for this month is Summer in the Garden - very apt as that's where I've been! The weather has been beautiful here and I'm making the most of it, cannot believe how fast the weeks are going by. Why is it the summer months seem to fly past so much faster than winter!!? 

Anyway back to the card, the focal stamp is an old Sarah Kay one I've had for years, I coloured with Copics then masked the image to stencil the grass and sky and stamp the fence (Card-io), then stamped the bees, grasses and flowers (all Lavinia).  

Please hop over to the main challenge blog for full  details of how to join in and the lovely prizes on offer, you'll find plenty of inspiration from the rest of the team too! 

Thanks for visiting -enjoy your day!

Chris

x


Challenge entries :

stencilfun #August

aperfecttimetocraft #8

daisychain #88

lostcoast - Children

morgansartworld. #79

thecraftingchallenge Summer

thefourseasons August Challenge

allsorts #793/4

Friday 9 August 2024

Sharing a song...

Hello, a bit of time to play this week and a couple of cooler days so I made Christmas cards...as you do! I had previously coloured up this sweet Mo Manning image whilst sitting in the garden so I found a sketch I like and made it into a card. Image is coloured with markers, various left over papers from stash , a stamped sentiment and some TH foliage die cuts to finish. Another one done!

Sounds as if we're in for some hot weather this weekend, so take care, keep your cool and enjoy the sunshine.

Chris
x

Challenge entries:
PFM #751
P.O.E #69
cheerfulsketches #135 August Challenge



Sunday 4 August 2024

Chill out, relax, enjoy...


 Good morning, our August challenge begins today at Stamping Sensations. The optional theme this month is Summer in the Garden. 
Our sponsors for this month are 
and 




I spend a lot of my summer in the garden -weather permitting. There's nothing nicer than a good long read or chatting with friends outside in the sunshine. Our garden isn't a big one but we love it, there's plenty of flowers and shrubs, a few trees, a small lawn and a large patio and decking area. My husband is the gardener- not me, I help with the pots and a bit of weeding now and again- he does all the hard work! Funny thing is he rarely sits in the garden, that's my job - and I do it well :)
To make my card I've used a very old stamp from Little Claire Designs. I bought it at the very first Craft Show I ever went to, at Ally Pally at least 12 years ago. I've coloured the image with markers and used a stencil and Distress Inks to create and colour the background. The sentiments on the white frame are hand written because I didn't have the stamps I wanted. 

There's loads to see over at the Challenge Blog, so please take the time to check it out.
Remember all of our challenges are Anything Goes- we just need to see at least one stamped element on the front of your entry.
Thanks for stopping by, have a good day.
Chris
x
Challenge entries
allsorts 791/2
TIOT In the garden
avenue613 - Easy Livin'
thefourseasons August Challenge




Saturday 3 August 2024

A balanced diet...


 Hi, I'm back with my second post today, another DT card, this one is for 
this month's challenge at 
There is no sponsor for this month , we have a lovely prize instead, 2 fabulous stamps for our lucky winner

The theme for August is 
ANYTHING GOES.
Once again I've chosen to use a digi, and guess what- It's another one from Mo Manning :)
This little cutie is called Cookie Gremlin and is available in the store. 
I printed the image onto white card stock along with a computer-generated sentiment. I die cut the circle using Aall & Create dies, coloured the image with Copics and masked it off to stencil the background with Distress inks then mounted the circle onto the blue frame I attached the circle onto a small tent fold card so it would stand up.
This card was for our lovely friend and dog-sitter who is known to enjoy a cookie or two! 
There's more inspiration over at the challenge blog so be sure to check it out, then why not join in - it could be you who wins those gorgeous stamps!

Thanks for stopping by today,
have a lovely weekend
Chris
x
Challenge entries:


Fun in the sun


 Good morning, I have two DT makes to share today. The first one is for our new challenge at
This fortnight the theme is
Summer Fun.
The image is from Krista Smith, I've coloured her and the waves with my markers and the circle behind her is coloured with Distress Oxide inks. I fussy cut around the waves and circle and placed onto a square of DP which matched beautifully. 
I used a very old set of alphabet  stamps to stamp the 'sun & fun' letters  onto white card using versamark ink and heat embossed with white EP, I coloured them with the DOIs then fussy cut (very fiddly!!!)
There is plenty more inspiration over at Sweet Stampin' so please do go take a look. 
We would love to have you play along- all you need to do is follow the theme and stamp something (digistamps are fine!)

Thanks for looking, I'll be back later with my second card.
Chris
x
Challenge entries
MTTC #539
CRAFT #729
allsorts #791/2
I spy... Summertime vibes

Tuesday 30 July 2024

Bear hugs


 Another Christmas card and another cute Mo Manning image, one I had last year and didn't get around to colouring, the sentiment came with him. He kind of reminds me of Paddington Bear, I think it's his cuddly figure.
I coloured him up with may markers and kept the design very CAS, just adding a little stencilling in two of the corners (which I wish I hadn't, but too late!)

I hope those of you who live in the UK have been enjoying the sunshine as much as I have...we waited long enough for it. 
Thanks for visiting 
Chris
x

Challenge entries:
cutiepie #196
PFM #750
rudolphdays July Challenge

Friday 26 July 2024

Summer Colours...


 Good morning, today sees the start of a new challenge over at Crafty Catz,
Janet is hosting and has picked the twist of  'Hot Summer Colours' or you can join in using the 
 'Anything Goes' option.
Our lovely sponsor for this fortnight is 

My card features Charmingly Hippie, a sweet sponsor digi I already owned.
I've used my copic markers to colour.
The background is created with distress inks and stencils from various companies.

We're having a little break for the summer so this will be our last challenge until September,
we hope you can find the time to join in - if you need some inspiration there is plenty to see over at the 
challenge blog.
Thanks for visiting
hope you enjoy a lovely weekend.
Chris
x

Challenge entries:
MTTC #539
I spy with my little eye Summertime vibes

Wednesday 24 July 2024

Hello, I'm back.


 Hello, back from my travels, a few days spent in Bewdley, Worcestershire on the way to Blackpool to surprise my brother on his 70th birthday. he WAS surprised- and that's an understatement- when my sister and I, our husbands and another of my brothers turned up on his doorstep- 300 miles from our homes. We had a lovely few days together, so good to catch up. Not going to talk about the journey there- the roads are an absolute nightmare - much better on way home, we travelled overnight and the traffic was so much lighter. 
It's lovely to go away but I'm always happy to come home :)

I've been having withdrawal symptoms from my craft room, so time to make a card...
The image is a Mo Manning Patreon  digi,  just too cute! I've coloured her with Copic markers.. The papers are from my vast stash of scraps, stamped sentiments, the little stockings are coloured to match.
I used this sketch from Creative Sketchy Girls

Thanks so much for visiting
Chris
x

Challenge entries:
CSG #93
PFM #749
dragonflydreams July Challenge
SAS4kids Christmas in July
alphabet H (Christmas in July)
lovethoseprettypapers July Challenge

Thursday 18 July 2024

Mid month reminder for Stamping Sensations July Challenge


 Hi, a really quick post with a reminder for this month's challenge at Stamping Sensations - I'm off on holiday for a week and today has been hectic so a last- minute scheduled post! By the time it goes live we'll be thinking about coming back home.

A quick and easy card from me using another Poppy Stamps stencil and some Card-io stamps

The optional twist for this month is Christmas in July- but you can always enter with the 'Anything Goes' option - all the  details how to enter and the fabulous prizes to be won are on the main challenge blog- along with lots of wonderful inspiration from the rest of the DT so please be sure to check it out.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog, much appreciated.

Chris

x

Challenge entries:

inkspirational #320 (Card-io, Poppy Stamps)

alphabet- H (Christmas in July)

CRAFT #728

creativeknockouts. #526

hollyandivy #165

daisychain #87

FQCCCB #10

MLCCB #57

Friday 12 July 2024

Make it cute!


 Good morning,  this is my DT make for this fortnight's challenge at Crafty Catz
sponsored by 
The optional theme chosen by our lovely Ginny is 
Make It Cute.

We were given some lovely sponsor images to play with - and they are definitely cute.
I used this little sweetie  from the Flower Puppies set
I printed it three times so I could layer it up for dimension, each layer is matted onto kraft card. I used my copic markers to add some colour to the greyscale image. No sentiment added as I thought the card could be used for multiple occasions..
Lots of lovely inspiration to be enjoyed over at the challenge blog.
Thanks for visiting and hope you have a great weekend.
Chris
x




Sunday 7 July 2024

It's July so Merry Christmas!


 Good morning, time for our July Challenge at Stamping Sensations,
as you may have guessed our optional theme this month is 
Christmas in July
or you can choose the Anything Goes option as long as you include stamping on the front of your project.
There are some lovely stamps as prizes, courtesy of Aall & Create our fabulous sponsor this month.
I used the Poppy Stamps bauble stencil along with Elements Inks in shades of Olive and Della Blue (love this combo!)and stamped the cute snow couple (Card-io) in Versafine Twilight (my favourite). I planned to stamp the sentiment but changed my mind and used this little die cut banner instead, I'm really pleased with the end result and plan to make it in other colours too.
Thanks so much for visiting, don't forget to check out the main challenge blog for details of the lovely prizes and some wonderful inspiration from the rest of the design team.
Have a lovely Sunday.
Chris
x

Challenge entries:
dragonflydreams Christmas in July
POE #67
stencilfun July- shades of blue