FORGOTTEN CHALLENGES

Hi there

I've tried to get some crafting in this afternoon seen as the weather dulled over a little and my mind is swimming with ideas but can't get them down on paper (or card) before I forget ... any tips!

Here's 2 cards I've made for challenges that had 'gone under my radar' so before they finish I thought I'd get making:

I've used more Clearly Besotted products! This time the Fancy Florals stamps and dies (one of my first CBS sets) plus a new 'Congrats' word die. I've added Doodlebug sequins and paper from Echo Park.

I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Fusion Challenge

A Gem of A Challenge - 'Spring is in the Air'

Addicted to Stamps and More - 'Anything Goes'

Pixies Snippet Playground 

Next up is a card using a pre-coloured digi image from Pollycraft and it's to enter The Card Concept Challenge where the requirement is 'Use an Umbrella'. (I'm thinking Free Style collage for my make). I printed 2 copies of the image then fussy cut the umbrella and added the second one on 3d adhesive to add some extra dimension. 

The sentiment is computer generated with the 'sending' stamped using Clearly Besotted Happy Days set. The papers and sequins are both Doodlebug from Craft Mojo.

I'm also going to pop another entry in over at Simon Says Stamp where their theme this week is 'Animal Antics'

  

Ok off to make tea now. Enjoy your evenings. 

IT'S GINGERBREAD TIME!

Honoured and excited this morning to be posting my second GDT for A Gem of A Challenge where this week it's an 'Anything Goes' week so get those crafty mits working to come along and play. If you need added inspiration check out what the rest of the DT team have created HERE.

Being this close to ... dare I mention it??? Well lets just say the 'celebration' in a couple of weeks time it had to be another Crimbo card. This time I've used another pre-coloured image from Pink Gem Designs, called 'Ginger with Garland' and I've chosen her because she's simply too cute and cheerful for words.

Card Recipe:

Image: Ginger with Garland by Pink Gem Designs
Papers: Pink Petticoat
Sentiment: Pink Petticoat
Twine & Pearls from my stash
Plus I've added a little touch of glamour dust and some glossy accents to highlight parts of the image
Almost forgot the embossing folder is by Cuttlebug and the little banner from MFT Die-namics

A SPARKLING GEM OF A CHALLENGE

I'm bursting with excitement this morning crafters!!! WHY? 

This is my first GDT for A Gem of A Challenge - whoopie! When Mandy asked me to guest design for the challenge I was thrilled to bits and being close to the festive season I couldn't resist using this adorable image 'Mistletoe Kisses'. Aren't they just so cute wrapped up and snug.

Now if you follow my blog regularly you'll know I'm not keen on colouring - well I don't mind colouring it's all that blending and shading that bothers me BUT the beauty of Pink Gem Designs is you don't have to. You receive their images as a black outline and also pre-coloured, so job done.

I've used a pearlised card blank overlaid with a sheet of snow-patterned acetate for extra shine and to set the scene. I've added 2 Memory Box dies: the Country Landscape and the 'Happy' script. The word Christmas is a Pink Petticoat downloaded sentiment. 

I love my glamour dust so added some to the trees and little houses to make them shimmer and sparkle in the night sky plus a little drizzle on the penguins' bob hats finishing off with a piece of ribbon and metallic cord from my stash.

Hope you like it and please pop over to the other talented designers for some more inspiration.

DOUBLE POST TIME

Happy Monday friends

Another speedy post from me today ... first day back at work after half term so always a bit crazy!

Need to re-charge my batteries for tomorrow so don't think I'll be crafting tonight unless it's just a little glance in my sparkly cupboard - just to make sure everything is in order! You know what I mean!!!

So I'm combining a couple of cards I made yesterday but didn't get round to posting.

The first one is another Merry Christmas penguin and checking back I think I'm on a roll - that's 5 Christmas cards back to back! Whoopie! Not enough though! I couldn't wait to have another play with my penguin stamp set from Clearly Besotted as Stephanie is sponsoring this week's Sketch Saturday Challenge it seemed a good idea to use him. I'm also entering my card at A Gem of a Challenge where the theme this week is Christmas Is Coming.

I've seen some embossing paste on a few blogs and think it looks amazing although I don't have any and don't know how to use it so I've used my snowflake embossing folder then blinged it up with some glamour dust and hope it creates a similar effect.


Card Recipe:

Image & Sentiment: Clearly Besotted
Papers: Pink Petticoat
Cuttlebug embossing folder, MFT Die-namics party banners, Mini Candy dots and gems from my stash.
I've added stickles to his bob-hat which look a bit pink on the photo but they're not really plus some glossy accents to his feet and beak.





Next up is my entry to this month's Uniko Studio Challenge where the theme is Autumn foliage with a photo for inspiration:



To be honest I kept forgetting about this one as I was so intrigued with all the new Christmas release products. It's actually been quite difficult to produce this card and revert back to the Autumn shades having had a taste of the glamour, magic and sparkles of Christmastime!

For some reason these colours tend to make me feel sad - don't know why but I decided a Sympathy card would be good with this foilage blowing around in the breeze.

Card Recipe:

Image: Natural Treasures from Uniko Studio
Sentiment: Pink Petticoat
Twine and pearl gems from my stash

So that's all from me for today but looking forward to seeing what you've all been up to over the day.
See you soon

JUST IN THE NICK OF TIME ... I HOPE

Happy Thursday Friends

Yippee - no work today BUT I've a load of internet type chores to do before a busy crafting session can commence! AND why does my computer decide to go slow when I've loads to do???

Anyway I've been wanting to make this card all week to enter the CAS(E) This Sketch challenge along with A Gem of A Challenge, where the theme is use black on your card. Last night I had a tiny little crafty session and this is what I came up with and having just looked on the CAS(E) This Sketch site I've got less than 2 hours to post my entry!!! Hence the quick post!

There's an Anything Goes challenge on at Papertake Weekly too so I'm popping over there with my card too.

Sorry it's quick, hope you are all well and enjoying some crafty time.





PS. Looking at this photo I've not done a card recipe as it's a computer generated sentiment with sparkly silver and black papers from my stash, some silver pearls from The Hobby House which I bought at Port Sunlight last week and the zig zags are made using my MFT Die-Namics chevron dies.

POST NUMBER 100!!!

I cannot believe that I've managed 100 blog posts since I joined blogland at the end of April this year. Whoosh have I really made 100 blog-worthy cards??? It's a good job I love making them!

Anyway hope you are all enjoying this Sunny Sunday weather.  Mr Dazzle managed to get out and cut the lawn as it was 'shin deep' following our holidays. He's complaining that it was a long job as he had to go over it 3 times. At least it's done now.

So onto my card for today and if you read my blog yesterday you may have noticed that a family friend had a miracle baby just over a week ago and this is the congratulations card I'm going to send to the happy parents.

Oh I'm trying a few different things with the photography as I was getting bored of the 'white only' look but not sure if I'm entirely happy yet so you may get a bit dizzy while I trial and error a few different styles! Feedback welcome.

I'm going to enter this card into a few challenges first and foremost on a Sunday is Pixies Snippets Challenge, a must when you manage to raid the scrap box and make a little 'dent' in the contents. Secondly, over at A Gem of a Challenge the theme this week is anything with a 'B' so I've gone for 'Blue for a BOY'! Thirdly Freshly Made Sketches and the sketch I've followed is below if you want to have a stab at it and last but by no means least The Digistamp Boutique Monthly Challenge, this being one of my favourite Digistamp images as I love making baby cards.

Hope to catch up with you all soon and enjoy the rest of your Sunday

Sarah
x




Card Recipe:

Image: Digistamp Boutique
Papers: Pink Petticoat
Sentiment: Pink Petticoat
Brad and buttons from my stash
Plus a drizzle of glamour dust for that added bit of sparkle.

FLORAL BIRTHDAY WITH BUTTONS

Happy Saturday

Hope you are all enjoying your Saturday.  I've not really got down to a lot of crafting despite trying and only one card to post.

BUT I'll tell you the reason - I've had a bit of a sort out in the old craft cupboard...I'm intrigued (not nosey) when I stumble across craft room piccys on your blogs.  Some of you have the most divine rooms that I can only dream of. Anyway I've noticed a circular desk tidy carousel on quite a few crafty desks in blogland which I kind of thought 'WOW ... I wouldn't mind one of those!' I think the one I've seen is from Great Little Trading Company but they don't seem to have the exact one anymore :-( ... BUT all is not lost as I found a wooden desk tidy on Amazon this week and treated myself to it (early birthday pressie we'll call it) :-)))))) The desk tidy arrived TODAY so much of my afternoon has been spent having a clear out to install the new piece of kit.  Loving it already.  I will have to take some photos of my tiny little craft pod at some point and pop them on here but perhaps I'll wait until it's really tidy then another when it's really messy!!!!

So onto my card for today which I'm not entirely happy with but in the absence of anything else worth posting here it is ....

Card Recipe:

Image: Uniko Studios - Free digi download
Papers: TK Maxx Snippet & Grosvenor House Pearlised Card
Sentiment: Uniko Studios - Free digi download
Buttons and twine from my stash
A dusting of glamour dust round the edges too for added sparkle and lift

Challenges:

CAS-ual Fridays - "BUTTONS"
A Gem of a Challenge - "ANYTHING PEARLESCENT "
ColourQ

     

GRANDAD'S BIRTHDAY

Hello fellow crafters

What a weird day of weather we are having today...I think it belted down with rain all night as it woke me at 3.30am then again at 6.00 and didn't let up (on and off) until lunchtime.  BUT now the sun is 'crackin' flags'! At least we can give the hosepipe a well-earned rest today!

So onto today's post which I almost finished yesterday BUT made the mistake of sitting down for tea and watching 'Your Face Sounds Familiar' and guess what ... I never went back to the cupboard!

It's my Dad's birthday on Thursday and this is the card I've made for the kids to send him which I'm going to enter into a couple of challenges.  Hoping to take him out for a day out in Liverpool on Wednesday so he'll get his card then.

Card Recipe:

Image: Vintage Boys pre-coloured sketchpad from LOTV
Papers: Pink Petticoat
Sentiment: Computer generated
Punches & Dies: Sizzix Framelit Circles, X-cut corner punch, MFT Die-namics Party Banner
Buttons, Charm and Bakers twine from my stash

Challenges:

Pixies Snippet Playground - daren't tell you how long some of these snippets have been in the box!
Gem of a Challenge - How Charming
Allsorts Challenge - Kraft it
Sketch Saturday
Papertake Weekly - Die-ing for a Punch (2nd Entry)

A PILE OF OLD BIRDIES ...

Morning All

I'm early today because I've a busy few days.  My wonderful crafty American Auntie is coming to stay so not sure how much time there'll be for blogging so may have to 'cheat' with some scheduled posts.

I needed to make a quick Get Well Card for Mr Dazzle's Aunt who has taken ill and rushed into hospital and I was hoping to combine my card with a couple of challenges and it's turned out a bit of a bumper challenge so here goes:

Card Recipe:

Image: Pink Gem Designs - love birds
Papers: Pink Petticoat
Sentiment: Computer Generated
Gems from my stash and a drizzle of glamour dust

Challenges:

A Gem of a Challenge - Spots and Stripes
CAS-ual Fridays - Polka Dots
Pixies Sunday Snippets
Fusion Card

IT'S A MATERIAL GIRL

Just one more for me tonight and I've been working on this card for a couple of days but just couldn't bring it together.  Probably because I was torn between tennis and sunshine! LOL!

As soon as I saw the challenge at CAS-ual Fridays 'material girl' I knew I wanted to have a go as fabric is something I've never used on a card before, so here goes:

Have fun in the sun and I'll catch up with you all soon.

Card Recipe:

Image: LOTV - pre-coloured image
Papers: TK Maxx
Fabric: Freebie from Quick Cards Made Easy
Sentiment: Another Freebie from Quick Cards Made Easy
Flower and Ribbon from my stash plus a drizzle of glamour dust to the icing and cake board

Tools:
Dotty embossing folder
Sizzix Framelits Stars
MFT Die-namics - Chevron dies
Cricut - Elegant edges
X-Cut - rounded corner punch

Challenges:
Sketch Saturday #266
CAS-ual Fridays - Material Girl
A Gem of A Challenge - Lots of layers
Pollycraft Challenge - Stars & Stripes (hope I can get away with 1 star!)

WE'RE IN THE PINK...

Evening All ...

Another working week completed for me and 2 weeks to go until the big school holidays!

Hope to get plenty of crafting in and tomorrow I have two very good friends coming over as they've asked for a lesson in card making!!!! Arrrrgh!  Not what I usually do so hoping I can live up to their expectations.

So I've plenty to get organised for tomorrow and 2 cards to post tonight.  This is the first one and it's to enter the monthly challenge over at LOTV's Ideas to Inspire where the theme is 'PINK' along with A Gem of a Challenge where their theme is 'TEDDIES' so I've combined the two challenges plus I've used this week's sketch from Sketch Saturday so I'll try my luck there too.

Card Recipe:

Image: LOTV
Papers: Wild Rose Studio - freebie from Quick Cards Made Easy
Sentiment: Pink Petticoat
Flowers, ribbons and nail heads from my stash
and just a teeny tiny sprinkling of glamour dust for that extra girlie sparkle!

CHEEKY DANCING DIVA

Hello

Well that's Monday out of the way ... phew!  Roll on Thursday when I get a day off = crafty time!

Anyway I've had another play with my original Sketch Saturday card and decided to submit it anyway.

It's for my gorgeous 2 year old niece who's birthday card was my very first Blog Post!  She's been in Wales on holiday and entered a couple of dancing competitions (quite by accident) and won!  Not just once but 2 nights on the trot!  The prize was a balloon which is why I've changed the sketch from stars.

She's off there again next week with Mummy and Daddy so no doubt will be trying to regain her title so I made her this card as a Well Done / Good Luck.  Obviously I taught her all her dance moves !!!!! LOL!

I've embossed the balloons with my favourite, of the moment, mini mosaic embossing folder so think I'll pop it in at A Gem of A Challenge too as the theme this month is EMBOSS.

Card Recipe:

Image: Rhythm Every Where from The Paper Shelter
Papers: Creative Cardmaking Magazine - Freebie
Glamour Dust for extra sparkle to those dancing boots, belt and headphones

LIKE A BAT OUT O' HELL!!!

Happy Saturday All

Here's my post for the Less Is More challenge, which to be honest when I checked it out this morning I thought NO WAY!

Firstly I struggle with all this white space / one layer - it's kind of bare and alien to me!  Secondly, I don't do rubber stamping ... yes I've tried many many times and have a cart load of them but you can bet when I want to stamp it perfect it just doesn't happen.  However I do lurvvvvve digi stamps as you can do so much them.

So despite my initial apprehensions I decided to have a go.  The image is Dirt Bike Mike from Kenny K who I saw a couple of weeks ago on Jen's blog at The Tiny Blue Butterfly.  When I popped across to the Kenny K website I discovered he's a FREEBIE for this month hmmm.  So he immediately came to mind when I saw the LIM theme.

I've flipped him and reduced him down and slightly rotated him so that he's on more of a slope.  I used my mini mosaic embossing folder, that I treated myself to last week, to give a bumpy road effect then de-bossed the insert with the same.

So here he is:

Card Recipe:

Image: Dirt Bag Mike from Kenny K
Sentiment: Sorry no idea - I found it amongst my digi-downloads and thought it was apt

Challenges:
Less is More: One Layer Card - Need for Speed
Gem of a Challenge: Emboss
Simon Says Stamp: Anything Masculine
Here Come the Boys: As it says!
Paper Crafting Journey: Masculine Cards

BRING ON THE SUNSHINE WITH PAPERTAKE WEEKLY

Evening all

Hope you are having fun despite the dreary weather.

I was hoping to get a few posts in tonight but the day hasn't just gone as planned so I'm rather late now BUT I decided the 'Bring on the Sunshine' theme at A Gem of a Challenge this week was a priority - if only we could bring it on!  Everything crossed and double crossed here hoping that summer hasn't been and gone at the weekend.

The Papertake Weekly Challenge have a sketch challenge too so decided to team the two together.  I think I've started to rely on the terrific sketch challenges but can't seem to get my brain into gear to create something solo so having to search around hoping to find a nifty sketch all the time... thankfully there's plenty about.

Enjoy the rest of your evening, I'm off for a little TV catch up now.

Here's my card and let's hope the sun comes out tomorrow - it is half term for the kiddies!

And here's the sketch if you fancy playing along:

Card Recipe:

Image: Ice Cream Ellie Digistamp from Pink Gem Designs
Papers: Lilly Bimble
Sentiment: Digistamp Boutique
Added sparkle with pearls from my stash and a sprinkling of glamour dust ... can't resist it!

Tools:

• Cricut
• Sizzix 

A GEM OF A CHALLENGE - THINGS WITH WINGS

I managed to fit in a little crafting time last night and decided I'd have a go at another challenge.  Another newbie for me at A Gem of a Challenge.  The theme of the challenge is 'Things with Wings' and I love these little birds.

I don't know about you but I forget what digi-stamps I own.  They are all saved in a very organised manner (well I think so) on my PC but I still can't remember all the ones I have.  I've been checking out some of the older ones recently and this 'a little birdie told me' image from Pink Petticoat comes in handy for lots of occasions.

Card Recipe:

Image: 'A little Birdie told me' from Pink Petticoat
Papers: Pink Petticoat, The Papermill Shop
Stripy paper and Brads: My crafty American Aunt who posts me freebies now and again!
Gems for a the dazzle effect from my stash