Sunday 31 January 2016

AAA Cards Challenge #57

Morning blog buddies, are you ready for a new challenge from 
AAA Cards Challenge
There's that little bit of LOVE in the air as we head into February and 
that's the theme of our challenge 'Love me like you do'



Here's my card using a die-cut heart from WPlus9 which is inked with 
various pink and red Distress Inks plus some splatters to the card base.
The stamped image is from STAMPlorations, the sentiment is Clearly Besotted
and I've added a strip of patterned paper from Doodlebug to 'ground' the image.


The challenge over at CASology this week is 'Adore' so I'd like
to pop this one in over there too.


plus it's Anything Goes over at Simon Says Stamp - Wednesday Challenge
so I think I'll drop in there too!

Simon Wednesday Challenge Blog



AND before you hope skip and jump to join in the romance we've an A star
talented guest designer for this challenge who is also sponsoring the challenge
with a generous prize of a 20$ gift certificate to spend in the store!

We Ship Worldwide

If you've never visited her blog you seriously need to head on over there to see
her awesome designs, fabulous stamps and AMAZING videos. 


Plus there's more inspiration from my teamies over on the main blog HERE.

Thanks for calling in today and I can't wait to see you creations.
Sarah

Saturday 30 January 2016

Less is More #261

Morning friends it's that time on a Saturday for us to reveal this week's challenge
at Less Is More! What's more it's a 5-Saturday month which means it's a
Lucky Dip and we have a guest designer too.

Kylie (Happy Little Stampers) who is generously sponsoring our 
challenges this month has agreed to be our guest designer and being an
Aussie, we decided to honour Kylie with a Down Under theme!

Please keep your design clean and simple and explain your inspiration 
for 'Down Under' unless it's kind of obvious like mine!


Ok probably the most recognisable Australian skyline ... but in the 
absence of other 'Down Under' symbols in my stash I had to go with it!
It's from the Bon Voyage set by Clearly Besotted and I've masked the image
before stencilling the sun rays using a Tim Holtz stencil with distress inks.
The panel is die-cut using an MFT Die-Namics Stitched Square die and the 
sentiment is from the same Clearly Besotted set.

I'd like to link this one up at Simon Says stamp: Wednesday Challenge
where it's an Anything Goes theme.

Simon Wednesday Challenge Blog



Having never been to Australia despite having long-standing friends who 
constantly ask us to visit, I imagine it's one big beach, with beautiful blue seas,
 bright sunlight every day. Basically summer all year round with lines of flip-flops 
(or thongs as the Aussie's call them) lining the beaches! Idyllic YEP!
  
So with that picture in mind my card uses the Clearly Besotted: On The Beach set, 
with a sentiment from Design a Tree and the Rounded Tag die, also CBS.
The die-cut sun is from Lil'Inkers and distress inks to create the 'sea' with a
 torn frothy / wavy edge. The flip-flops are watercoloured with Distress inks and 
drizzled with glossy accents. I couldn't resist adding a couple of sequins for added sparkle.


That's all I've got for Down Under but I've no doubt you'll WOW us 
with your creations this week and I can't wait to see what you've got!
There's more inspiration from Kylie and the Design Team on the main blog HERE
and I'm sure they'd love you to visit them at their own blogs too. 

Thanks as always for stopping by and I'll be back tomorrow with the
latest challenge details for AAA Cards.



Sarah

Saturday 23 January 2016

Less is More #260


Hi there crafty friends I'm here with this week's challenge for 

Less is More

it's Recipe Week and we'd like to see you use a Silhouette on your cards, 
here's what I came up - I was hoping to have another but you know how it is!
Time just flies by! But there's more inspiration over on the main blog HERE
so hope you'll hop across and check out my teamies' creations.

Now I've popped these together it looks like I'm having a blue moment!
Change from the purple I've been addicted to for the last few posts though!


This one uses a stamp by Inkylicious called Toadstool Fairy - I think plus
a sentiment from Clearly Besotted: Say it in Style. I started out by placing a circle of 
masking paper onto a panel of watercolour card before inking and blending 
various blue distress inks, whilst trying to keep the top left slightly in shadow. 
Once I removed the mask I smeared a little ink over the 'moon' and flicked 
some water onto it to create a 'starry' effect. To finish some sparkly sequins from
Pretty Pink Posh - just because I can't resist a bit of fairy sparkle!



This one uses a freebie die-cut (sorry not sure where from) which I've
placed on a panel of watercoloured card, subtly painted using Tumbled Glass DI.
 Another Clearly Besotted sentiment from the In The Frame set, a few more sequins
 and sparkles plus a strip of dotty paper from Doodlebug to finish. 

I'm not entirely sure what the definition of a 'critter' is but that's the theme
this week over at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge so I'll be
hopping across there with this card and hope my birdie counts!

Simon Wednesday Challenge Blog

As always I'm sure you'll WOW us with your fantastic designs and 
I'm looking forward to some mega inspiration! 

Thanks as always for stopping by and see you soon!


Sarah

Addicted to CAS #80

Morning crafters it's time to announce the latest challenge details over at
Addicted to CAS and our amazingly talented teamie Doni is hosting this one!
WOW! Red - how does that inspire you?
For me I've gone with 50 shades of red using a technique I saw
over at Kristina Werner's blog as part of her Holiday Card Series HERE

Using my brand new Christmas gift of Gamsai Kuretake watercolours I've used
each shade of deep red to orange-red in layers onto card stock before embossing 
with one of the We R Memory Keepers Next Level embossing folders.
I've used the Lawn Fawn 'Love' word die negative space from my panel with 
a heat embossed sentiment from Clearly Besotted: In the Frame set. 
To finish a mini Red heart shaped nail head.

Our fantastic leader Kylie (Happy Little Stampers) is sponsoring the challenge
and our lucky winner will receive a $15 gift voucher to spend in store.


What's more we have an AMAZING Guest Designer for this week ...
Ardyth of Maskerade - I'm sure you have all come across her work but if
not you NEED to visit her blog as her designs are CAS, striking and totally awesome!

Don't forget to head over to the main blog HERE as my teamies have 
been busy in red this week and I'm sure they'd love it if you'd check out 
their cards and leave some love.

Thanks so much for stopping by and I'll be back soon


Sarah

Friday 22 January 2016

Uniko Challenge #28 Reminder


Hello there, I'm here with a quick reminder as there's still time
to enter this month's challenge over at 

Uniko

 

There's only so many Valentine cards a girl needs so I've
skipped the 'love' bit this time and gone with Thank You instead!


I love how this month's featured set 'Always and Forever' coordinates 
with the previously released Beautiful Blooms I so I've created a background
using the floral set then added a heat-embossed heart from Always and Forever 
with a sentiment from All Occasion Sentiments #3 treated with the same
WOW Metallic Brass Sparkle EP. 

I'd also like to enter my challenge at Inkspirational Challenges where
it's a 100th Challenge celebration and a blast from the past by using
a previous colour combo challenge!

I'm going with #83 - anything goes with purple!



I hope you find a little crafty time to play along with the Uniko challenge. 
You have until Midnight GMT on Friday, 12th February to enter.

If you need more inspiration please check out the Uniko blog HERE
to see what my teamies have prepared for you.


Thanks for stopping by today and I'll be back tomorrow.

Sarah

Thursday 21 January 2016

A Little Purple Playtime


Hello there friends I've had a little play in my craft pod this afternoon 
having seen a couple of challenges in blogland that inspired me.

First up Inkspirational is having a 'Blast From the Past'
in celebration of their 100th challenge!!! Choose any previous colour challenge!
So 'Congratulations' on a brilliant achievement and here's to the next 100! 

I've chosen #67 – purple with grey or silver


This started out as a bit of a mess!
Using watercolour card I've haphazardly 'painted / daubed' purple shades
of Distress Inks and Gamsai Kuretake watercolour paint. Mixed, drizzled, 
spritzed and splattered with water before drying then stamping the flower
images from Uniko: Pure Florals - Chrysanthemum in Versamark then 
heat embossing with silver EP. I splattered the cardbase with some surplus 'paint'
added a strip of silver glitter card, heat embossed a sentiment from the same set,
popped the die-cut florals up on 3d foam then added a few sequins to finish.

My inspiration for the design came from Marika who is the Guest Designer over
at Time Out Challenges and the challenge is to CASE Marika's card 
'with your own twist' ... I couldn't resist going with a purple shade and florals.

Here's Marika's card:




Ok off to catch up on some comments now but I'll be back tomorrow
with a reminder card for the latest challenge over at Uniko.

Thanks for calling by and see you soon.

Sarah

Sunday 17 January 2016

A Little Sunday Challenge Duo


Hi there friends, I've managed to make a few cards today and for
 once some of them were purely to enter challenges!

First up I'm heading across to Happy Little Stampers: Case the Designer Challenge 
but I've also used the 'smooshing' technique which is the current theme at their
CAS Challenge this month so hoping to sneak in there also with this one!


I started out by smooshing some distress inks in Mustard Seed, Carved Pumpkin
and Picked Raspberry onto some acetate before transferring to watercolour card. 
I die-cut the watercolour card panel using Simon Says Stamp Stitched Circle Dies 
then mounted on 3d foam. Next up I've heat embossed and fussy cut the butterfly 
from Happy Little Stampers Birthday Butterfly set and smooshed with Picked Raspberry. 
The sentiment is from the same set and embossed with Hero Arts White EP.
To finish some coordinating enamel sprinkles from Doodlebug. 

Here's Kylie's card which I've cased using similar colours, smooshing 
and a butterfly theme as my inspiration. 

  
  
           



Next up is for the current challenge at CASology where the theme is 'Open'  


I've used the new Window die from Clearly Besotted and die-cut several times 
to layer them up and hopefully give the impression of 'open'. The owl is from
Clearly Besotted Woodland Pals and I've even used the 'kissing' technique
we are featuring at Less is More this week ... even though I wasn't keen!!!!
I thought it added a little interest to the owl along with his googlie eyes.
The sentiment is also Clearly Besotted: Sweet Little Sentiments and I've added
some foliage using the Natures Treasures II set from Uniko.


Ok that's all for now - I'm off to watch War and Peace on Catch up!
Thanks for calling by and I'll be back later in the week.

Sarah

Saturday 16 January 2016

Less is More #259

Morning friends are you ready to hear details of our latest
challenge over at Less is More this morning?

It's Theme week and all about 'kissing' - with stamps before you start pouting!
If you are new to the technique Chrissie has kindly added some instructions
over on the main blog so hope you'll take a look as well as admire my
teamies stunning designs! I have to admit this stamp kissing lark isn't one of 
my favourite techniques and I'm amazed there's a card to show you.
 It's always good to have a challenge though isn't it! 

Just a little tip from me: Anita is our 'kissing' queen and after having a little chat 
with her she suggested pigment inks may be better than dye inks for the technique
and they certainly worked better for me.

Here goes and it's Christmas all over again here ... 2016 first one in the bag!


It's bitterly cold and crisp where I am today and certainly looking more like
Christmas than a few weeks ago so that's my theme - no harm in being organised eh!
I've used the Jingle Bells set from Uniko for my bells and sentiments and 'kissed' 
those bells with a Clearly Besotted Building Block set to make Harlequin ones! 
The other stamps to accessorise are from Uniko: Balloon Bash
and to finish a gem and touch of glossy accents.

I'd like to enter this one over at Happy Little Stampers 
Christmas Challenge where the theme is 'Jingle'


Ok I'm handing over to you talented crafters and can't wait to see 
what kissing ideas you come up with!

Catch up with you again soon and thanks for calling in.


Sarah

Friday 15 January 2016

Uniko Challenge #28

Morning Craft buddies - are you ready to kick start the 
New Year with a brand new challenge from 
Uniko
Our theme for this one is 


What's more ... this year we are giving you a little longer to play along!
You have until Midnight GMT on Friday, 12th February to enter!

Here's my card - I've not gone with Valentine's but hey Anniversary
is still a lovey occasion - that's my excuse anyway!


This card was a kind-of 'happy' mistake! I'd been spritzing something else!
Stupidly on my desk when I have a box for this very technique!
This card base (amongst other things) caught the brunt of it!!!
So I added more spritz to it - in the box this time and love the effect.

My spritzer is home-made - distress re-inker (Picked Raspberry) water and Perfect Pearls!
I decided to stamp the heart image in distress ink too and then quickly embossed it 
with Clear embossing powder. A quick heat-embossed sentiment from Flower Power #7, 
'birds nest' of silver thread, a few pops of 3d foam and some sparkly gems - DONE

I hope you feel inspired to join in and please hop across to the main 
Uniko blog HERE to see what other inspiration my teamies have provided!

Have fun and looking forward to seeing your creations.
Thanks for stopping by and I'll be back tomorrow!

Sarah

Monday 11 January 2016

Uniko: Revisit Always & Forever


Morning friends and welcome back to my first DT post of 2016
 for Uniko 
 It's revisit time this month and we've done Christmas and New Year 
so the next BIG celebration is Valentine's Day!

Our featured revisit set in true 'loved-up' style is Always and Forever

Here's my take with the set which was new to me in December
so this is my first proper play with it too.


I set out all the sentiments from the set plus a few heart images
from Flower Power #3 and placed them diagonally along the base of my card.
Next up some heat-embossing with WOW metallicBrass Sparkle EP.
 The same treatment was given to one of the main images but on 'valentine' red cardstock!


Here's the image of our revisit set



 As is the norm we have a DT Blop Hop where the winner will receive the featured
 set PLUS an eGift certificate for £10 to spend in the Uniko store HERE
If the winner already owns the set then the eGift certificate will be for £15!
 Can't say fairer than that eh!

Before I announce the traditional Blog Hop order we've a brand new 
Design Team member here at Uniko. A super talented CAS queen
Lindsey Doodlings - why not head over to Lindsey's blog and take a peek!
I'm sure you'll love what you see and I'm thrilled to be designing alongside her!

So here's the order for the hop and please make sure you leave a 
comment at each stop in order to be eligible for a prize.

Sarah P (that's me)


Thanks for stopping by and good luck with the hop!

Sarah

Saturday 9 January 2016

Less is More #258


Morning friends - first week of 2016 done with the colour theme
which means it's that dreaded challenge (for some - including me!) 
One Layer Card week at Less is More 

We'd like to see you use a Flourish or Flourishes this week and
please remember to keep your designs clean and simple too.

Here's mine and there's some stunning beauties from my fellow teamies
over on the main blog so hope you'll pop across HERE


Using the Butterfly Birthday stamp set from Happy Little Stampers,
I started out by stamping the butterfly and sentiment in Ranger dye ink
 before heat setting with clear EP. Next I masked the butterfly plus the top panel
then inked up the With a Flourish stamps from Clearly Besotted (sadly discontinued)
 in Versamark ink before heat treating with the same EP from Hero Arts.
Next emboss resist sponging ... love my distress inks and here it's Tumbled Glass,
Salty Ocean and Blueprint Sketch before finishing with a few enamel dots and gems.

The theme over at Time Out Challenges this week is
Birthdays with the optional Technique Twist of adding sponging.
so I'm going to hop, skip and jump across there with this one!

I'd also like to pop this one in at Anything goes with HLS Stamps



Next up more butterflies - this time the Clearly Besotted variety!


This set is the Everything Changes set with a sentiment from Simple Silhouettes and 
another flourish from the With a Flourish set (discontinued) - both Clearly Besotted!
Having masked off a square panel on my card base I've inked and blended
some of my favourite distress inks: Abandoned Coral, Ripe Persimmon and
Mustard Seed before stamping the images in Versafine Ink.

This week's challenge at CASology is SIMPLE
this one was a very quick and easy make once the masking was done
so I'm hoping a speedy CAS card counts as Simple!



... and last but not least


I've used another flourish from the same CBS set (With a Flourish) attached to
my kite from Paper Smooches: Sunny Side Up. The kite is coloured with Derwent
Coloursoft pencils and I've masked it before adding the clouds from the same set
The sentiment is from Uniko: Birthday Fontiments which is a brand new set to me, 
having received it just before Christmas and this is the first time out!

this week is NEW so in view of my 'new' out of the case Uniko set
I'm dropping this card in there today.

Simon Wednesday Challenge Blog

Ok that's all from me for now and thanks as always for visiting.
Hope you have a fun and crafty week and I'll be back soon.


Sarah

Addicted to CAS #79


Hello Blog friends and welcome back to the first challenge
of 2016 over at Addicted to CAS

This one is being hosted by our talented teamie Jaydee who has
chosen the Code Word: Cake - well who can resist that one!!!
Even if we have over indulged over the festive season!

We have our first Guest Designer for 2016 too
Elizabeth Stewart 
our talented winner of challenge #76 (Hero) - I'm sure you'll 
want to take a look at her stunning designs HERE

... and there's plenty of stunning cakes, created by my clever teamies
 over on the main blog HERE so if you haven't already done so - please hop on over!


Here's mine ...


This one uses a mish mash of products from some of my favourite companies!
Clearly Besotted: All Occasion Cupcakes, Uniko: Balloon Bash & All Occasion 
Seniments #6 and Mama Elephant: Carnival Cupcakes with the images 
watercoloured using Distress Inks.



Our generous sponsor for this one, offering a prize of $10 to spend in store, is 



It's a birthday theme over at Time Out challenges 

Birthdays with the optional Technique Twist of adding sponging.

I've used minimal sponging to the icing on the cake but thought I'd
hop across there with this card. Their sponsor is Uniko and having used 
a couple of their sets on my card it would be rude not to! 

I hope you feel inspired to play along and I can't wait to see what you 
come up with for this one! I'm sure it won't be good for my diet motivation!!!

Thanks as always for stopping by and I'll catch up with you again soon.


Sarah