Playing Tag

Time for a new challenge at Cardmadfairy and this time it is to make a tag, something I have never done before. I bought some die cut tags a couple of years ago and haven't done anything with them up 'til now. I love all the vintage style cards and tags I keep seeing and when I got the new Simply Homemade magazine and saw the free papers I knew they would be perfect. I made a huge snowflake the old fashioned way by cutting into a folded circle then I covered it with glitter glue which I then heated like embossing powder and it puffed up. I should apologize for the picture, my camera is broken and I had to take the tag to work and take a quick picture there and it isn't the best. I used the perforated cutter on my trimmer to make the paper rosettes and the lace trim is from Wild Orchid crafts. The little kitty is of course Cardmadfairy's Christmas kitty. Our sponsor this time is the fabulous A Day for Daisies who generously gave a few images for the design team to work with and are offering a voucher to purchase 3 of their gorgeous images - check out the new'Cozy' release over in the shop now.

I would like to enter the following challenges:

http://artimpressionsstamps.blogspot.com-try something new to you
http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.com/ Any Winter Holiday Sentiment 
http://www.charismacardz.blogspot.com/ no cards
http://crimbo-crackers.blogspot.com/ embossing
http://pixieduststudiopixiechallenge.blogspot.com/ glitter and bling
http://sassystudiodesigns.blogspot.com/ Non traditional Christmas colours
http://cookingitupwithkatie.blogspot.com/ Anything goes
http://craftsandmechallenges.blogspot.com/ Snowflakes
http://lilredwagon.blogspot.com/ Vintage Christmas
http://diecuttindivas.blogspot.com/ Tags, tags and more tags!

Winter wonderland

The response to the Texture challenge over at Cardmadfairy has been fantastic and I have visited some amazingly talented card makers and seen such a wide variety of ideas. It really is staggering how many people enjoy crafting and are who are also willing to share their work through tutorials. I spend far too much of my time in blogland but I find it so inspiring. It was also my turn to pick the winner and top three.
Anyhoo the new challenge, baring in mind Christmas is nearly upon us is to create a WINTER WONDERLAND let's see all your cold, wintry and snowy projects this time, the team have been busy making some fabulous cards using a mixture of Cardmadfairy images alongside some gorgeous new images provided by this week's sponsor Meljens who this week have a very generous 50% off their normal prices - so be sure to go and check out their store! 
My card has been made with one of their images which I really enjoyed playing with.
Also entering the following:
.thehousethatstampsbuilt.com/ Christmas card & snowflake
/lilredwagon.blogspot.com/ Christmas
thepapershelter.blogspot.com/ Christmas Sparkle + red, green, gold
.scrapbooksisters.blogspot.com/ Christmas
whimsical-designs.com/ add texture
.4craftychicks.blogspot.com/ snowflakes
audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.com/ winter holiday sentiments
trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.com// unusual Christmas (image)
charismacardz.blogspot.com/ snowflakes
digidoodleshopsbest.blogspot.com/ animals

Something new

I just wanted to share something new that I have never tried before. My lovely talented big sister Jenni recently started making She Art canvases and enjoys it so much and has made such beautiful pictures that I decided I wanted a piece of the action. I had a look at some tutorials on YouTube and decided to combine a few different styles to make something of my own.
I have made it for my daughter Rachael for Christmas so I hope she likes it. The papers are from an old book about Edinburgh which is where she dreams of living once she leaves Uni in Winchester and the hair style is how she usually wears her hair. I used lots of different stamps round the edges and the butterfly is from a beautiful paper napkin.
I really had a fabulous messy time making it so will definitely be having another go soon. Unfortunately I have to do a different type of painting (decorating) first!
http://fussyandfancychallenge.blogspot.com/ Make a gift/Anything but a card (hope a canvas counts)
http://joyfulstamper.blogspot.com/ Always anything goes
http://craftyribbonschallenge.blogspot.com/ Anything but a card (hope a canvas counts)
http://flutterbywednesdays.blogspot.com/ Open

Textured Teddy

Well here we are nearly in the middle of November and it is still warm enough in the south of England to not need the heating on. I'm not sure what happened to the threats of snow by the start of the month but I'm definitely not complaining. Lets hope we can get all the way to January without it!

The challenge for the next two weeks is - Texture:  it can be embossing, fabric, embellishments or anything that adds some extra texture to your creation.

Once again the winner of this challenge will receive their choice of 5Cardmadfairy digis and, as a bonus, anyone who enters using one of our own designs will be entered into a draw to win another 5!

We are also saying goodbye to one of out lovely DT members and will be looking for someone new to join so if you would like the chance please just add DT to your name when you enter.

Right now on to my card!

I chose the image called Teddy Love this time which you can find here with all of Jenni's lovely images. I coloured it with Promarkers and tried to make the teddy look fluffy. I used a mask to then stamp behind the image instead of having the usual white background. I embossed the gold paper with an embossing plate but I'm afraid I wasn't able to take a good enough picture, you can just about see it at the top of the image. To get some texture into the flowers I took apart some old plastic daisies I have had for donkeys years and added the centres to some new flowers from Wild Orchid and I punched out a felt flower to go behind. It has a few crystals in the centre but again my picture could be a lot better!

The challenges I would like to enter are:

craftyourpassionchallenges  Anything goes & brown

daisydoodlescreativechallenges.blogspot.com/   Anything goes with a Digi

http://craftypurplefrogchallenges.blogspot.com/ Use orange

http://craftingforallseasons.blogspot.com/ Texture

http://createmepink.blogspot.com/ Use flowers

http://craftybootschallenges.blogspot.com/ Young at heart

http://diekreativenstempelfreunde.blogspot.com/ Orange/brown

http://simonsaysstampandshow.blogspot.com/ Up-cycle/re-cycle ( flower centres)

Friendship

Goodness me the end of half term week already Christmas before we know it! I am enjoying a few unexpectedly sunny  days in Scotland so will have to keep this brief. I am staying with my big sister Jenni who is definitely one of my best friends so the theme of the next challenge couldn't be more apt. We would like to see any project with the theme of Friendship this time.

I used the Cardmadfairy image called 'Young Love' and coloured it so it has a faded vintage feel. I used an old border stamp and the Tattered Rose alcohol ink pad to stamp round the edge and then added some fake stitches with a jelly roll pen. The ice cream paper is a Basic Grey and the flowers are Wild Orchid.

The entries for the Spots and Stripes Challenge at Cardmadfairy were fabulous, I really enjoyed looking at them. This time Jenni is sponsoring the challenge herself and the prize will be 5 fabulous CARDMADFAIRY  digi images of your choice.

I am also entering these challenges:

http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/ use old supplies-trims

http://cachallenge.blogspot.com/ remember

http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.com/ "fallen" in love

http://bunnyzoescrafts.blogspot.com/challenge-17-lace-it-up

http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com/ always anything goes

Charisma Cardz - - Anything Goes

Paper Crafting Journey - Use a Digi (image)

I Love Promarkers -  Cute

Paper Pretties -  Embellish

Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
digidoodleshopsbest.blogspot.com/ anything goes

anything goes

Spots and Stripes

Lots of fabulous NOT 'Too Early for Christmas?' entries for our last challenge. Really inspiring. Our challenge this time at Cardmadfairy is to use spots and stripes. Sponsored by Whimsy Stamps who are offering a prize of  5 of their fabulous designs.
 As I was in the Christmas zone I decided to use another christmas image for this challenge in fact I combined two images which you can find here to create a Wintry scene. I wanted to make an easel card for a change and I saw a really straight forward tutorial for using ready made cards which I have a stack of, to make one but unfortunately I can't remember where. I used the free papers that came with the Cardmaking and Papercraft magazine, a really fab free gift. I cut the edges of the image out by hand before cutting the rest with a circle die, the stopper to hold the card upright is made with two Christmas tree shapes which came from a set I bought at Lakeland Plastics years ago and I have never used, I just added some glitter glue to add some sparkle. The lace doily came from a set of ten I bought from the kitchen department of the local pound shop, bargain! I wasn't intending to use them for crafting but it was the perfect fit.

http://abcchristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/ unused stash
http://craftycreationschallenges.blogspot.com/ 1 technique, 2 embellishments, 3 papers
http://ilovepromarkers.blogspot.com/ anything goes
http://digitaltuesdaychallenge.blogspot.com/ use Fall colours
http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com/ always Anything goes
http://pollycraftchallengeblog.blogspot.com boys
http://woodwareusa-clearstamps.blogspot.com/ anything goes
http://robynsfetishchallengeblog.blogspot.com anything goes
http://jffchallenge.blogspot.com/  kitchen finds (doily)
http://squigglefly.blogspot.com/ yipes stripes

Too Early for Christmas

Well I think the title says it all really, especially as we are in the middle of a heatwave! However it is inevitable, Christmas will be upon us before we know it and it really isn't ever too early to start preparing.
Over at Cardmadfairy the challenge is 'Too Early for Christmas' and we would love to see what you are all getting ready for Tinsel Time.
We are very pleased to have three new DT members who are all very talented crafters so there is an even bigger selection of inspiration to get your creative juices flowing! The prize this time is a full set of the new Christmas Digi images that Jenni has created.
My image this time is one of Jenni's new Christmas set which you can check out over here. The papers are a freebee set which came with  Cardmaking and Papercraft  magazine. I used a punch to make the felt snowflakes and added some glitter glue which I also put on the scarf and hat. As always I coloured the image with my trusty Promarkers and I added some Distress Ink round the image.
I will be entering the following challenges:
http://paper-craftingjourney.blogspot.com/ Die cuts/ punches
http://ilovepromarkers.blogspot.com/ Distressing (round circle)
http://inkyimpressionschallenges.blogspot.com/ Die cuts/ punches
http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.com/ Anything goes
http://scrap-creations1.blogspot.com/ It's a Girl thing
http://www.4craftychicks.blogspot.com/ Anything goes
http://magicalmondaychallenge.blogspot.com/ Christmas in September
http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com/ Always anything goes

Layers

It's a beautiful afternoon here in the south of England and I really should take advantage and get out in the garden so I will have to keep this short and sweet. Our challenge over at Cardmadfairy this time is Lots of Layers. I love this image with her pretty party dress. She is called Chloe and she reminds me of my little girl when I had to leave her at parties and she went all shy and didn't want me to go, now she is happy to party 'til 3 in the morning! You can buy this image and all the other Cardmadfairy ones over here. I wanted to use her because her dress is layered, perfect for the challenge. I can't wait to see what everyone else comes up with!
The sponsor for this challenge is Bugaboo. Some of the other DT members have used their images so there are a variety of cards to inspire you. The winner will be able to choose 7 digi stamps.

I am also entering these challenges:
http://www.papercraftstar.blogspot.com/ anything goes
http://rubysrainbow.blogspot.com/ for a girl
http://anythingchallenge.blogspot.com/ vintage/shabby chic
http://everybody-art-challenge.blogspot.com/ flowers
http://ladybugscraftsinkchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ flowers
http://shoppingourstash.blogspot.com/ vintage/distressed
http://diecutdreams.blogspot.com/ flowers
http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com/ always anything goes
http://cceestampers.blogspot.com/ pretty in pink include lace/doily
http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/ girlie girl

A Veritable Bouquet

Good morning All time for a new challenge at CardmadFairy and this time we are asking you to Add some  Flowers to your project. Not a hardship for most I think as they are a staple in the field of card decoration! 

I enjoyed looking at all the fab cards with buttons in the last challenge, it's so interesting to see all the different ideas and ways of using the same item.

This time the challenge is being sponsored by none other than the Cardmadfairy herself so a chance to win the new set of digi stamps which includes Imogen. Definitely worth a go!

The image I have used is one of the newest in the collection, her name is Imogen and she is really cute. I used a set of V&A papers to paper piece her dress and also for the other papers which I tore and then inked with distress ink . I used a two piece punch, one punch cuts and the other embosses, to make the blue flowers and also the orange one. I doodled the trailing leaves with a Jellyroll pen and used the flower cutouts from a Martha Stewart border punch to add some detail with some half pearls on top to match the larger flowers.

I would like to enter the following challenges:

http://bearlymine-challenges.blogspot.com/ flowers flowers flowers
http://citycrafter.blogspot.com/ all dressed up
http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.com/ anything goes
http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com/ always anything goes
http://thepinkelephantchallenge.blogspot.com/ paper piecing
http://thecraftypad.blogspot.com/ distressing and tearing
http://craftycreationschallenges.blogspot.com/  dies and punches
http://digistamps4joy.blogspot.com/ handmade flowers
http://lilredwagon.blogspot.com/ border punch
http://thesisterhoodofcrafters.blogspot.com/ flowers
http://craftuscrazy.blogspot.com/  Autumn Colors and/or Favorite Embellishments(flowers)
http://movingalongwiththetimes.blogspot.com/ handmade flowers
http://someoddgirl.blogspot.com/ paper piecing

Silk Scarf Painting for a change

I can't believe the summer holidays are nearly over and in one short week it will be time to go back to school again. I have tried to cram in lots of crafty things I was storing up but there is never enough time for it all. Especially when I spend far too much time checking out what other people have been up to on their blogs and don't leave enough for actually doing things myself!

Anyway years and years ago I gave my lovely MIL a kit for decorating her own silk scarf which at the time she was thrilled about but as it turns out not confident enough to actually have a go at. Recently she gave it back and asked if I would like to do it for her as she was worried she would spoil it. Well you don't have to ask me twice to have a go at anything crafty so I cleared a space and here is the result! Luckily the paints, which must be at least 5 years old, hadn't dried up and there were really clear instructions for mixing the different colours on the pack.

The instructions were really easy to follow and as there were several designs to choose from I opted for the one that wasn't too structured as I have a habit of not following rules or recipes too closely! 

After wetting the ready made scarf I twisted the fabric into lots of swirls and then it was just a case of applying the watery paint wherever I felt like it loosely following the instructions.

Choosing an abstract design meant there is no right or wrong!

When I was happy with the design I let it dry.

Then all I had to do was iron the scarf for 5 minutes and it was all done.

 I have to say I was thrilled with the results and so is MIL! There was only one problem however, I now have a whole bunch of silk scarf paint left over and an urge to make lots more. Luckily good old Ebay has a shop with ready made, ready to paint silk scarves. I have a feeling quite a few of my relatives can expect an exclusively  designed silk scarf in their stocking this Christmas!

Now a first, I am going to try joining in a link party. I have enjoyed looking at countless fabulous blogs with so many clever crafty ideas this time I decided to share too....I just need to work out how! 

I am linking up at 

http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/

http://simplydesigning.blogspot.com/

http://makingtheworldcuter.com/blog/

Birthday Buttons

Our new challenge at Cardmadfairy's Digi Days is Use Buttons. This time the challenge is sponsored by Hope Jacare find her Digi stamps here.

There is also a DT call so if you would like the chance to join a design team pop over and have a look.

We had some fantastic entries in the Summer Holidays challenge and I had great fun hopping round Blog land looking at them.

 My card this time was made with someone in mind, my beautiful daughter Emma is 23 this year which I find hard to believe. She sings in a band which they describe as Indie, funk, rock so you can see where I am coming from in my design! All three images are by Cardmadfairy. I coloured the images with her two favourite colours (purple and green) and peach. When I checked my button box to see if I had anything suitable I was really pleased to find one that fitted the bill exactly. Unfortunately when I started to put all the elements together I found the button just wouldn't fit into the overall design so I will have to save it for another occasion. I have added a picture of it so you can see how well it would have fitted in, ah well.

The music in the background is some wrapping paper I bought about 15 years ago when I first started making cards, I don't remember there being any of these fantastic designer papers around then, certainly if there were I wasn't aware of them. I remember using wallpaper and all sorts! The patterned paper is Basic Grey. The ribbon is a piece of trim I bought in London at MacCulloch&Wallis, a fabulous place to find haberdashery, and the heart buttons are from my local craft shop The Art of Craft   where I spend far too much money!

I would like to enter these challenges.

http://emeraldfaeries.blogspot.com/ birthdays

http://littlemissmuffetchallenges.blogspot.com/ multiple images

http://someoddgirl.blogspot.com/ complimentary colours (violet/yellow-green)

http://paper-craftingjourney.blogspot.com/ anything goes

http://stampwithsarahkay.blogspot.com/ girlie

http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com -spots-stripes

http://anythingchallenge.blogspot.com/ birthdays/celebrations

http://aifactorychallenges.blogspot.com/ anything goes

http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.com/ anything goes

http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com/ always anything goes

Summer's here at last!

Morning All, thanks for stopping by. First week of the school holidays over already and finally the sun came out. I spent a few lovely days in Scotland with Jenni but couldn't stay long because my daughter Rachael and her friend are staying for the whole month working at the Edinburgh Festival. We spent a lovely day in Edinburgh with our younger sister Karen at the reopening of the Chamber Street Museum which was fantastic,well worth a visit. The only  disappointment was the fact that they have removed the fish tanks from the grand entrance which have always been there and are a memory from our many childhood visits. Also Jenni had donated some catfish which had become too big for her tank at home and we kind of want to know what happened to them. No-one seemed to know!

While I was there we had a chance to get out in the garden and that is what inspired my card this time. The summer holidays is our theme  over at Cardmadfairy's Digi Days, which is when I get to spend time in the garden enjoying all the flowers and hopefully butterflies, although there have not been so many of those this year.  We are sponsored this time by Sandra who is one of the DT and she has put together a prize of bits and pieces to add to your stash.

For my card I used two different Cardmadfairy images, the A4 sheet of dotty flowers and the butterfly. Isn't the butterfly fab? I wanted it to be the main focus of the card but the thing I love about digi stamps is you can make them any size you like. 

The patterned paper is from the new pad I recently bought but I only used a little so the card didn't look TOO busy! The plain papers are Basic Gray. The metal corners have been in my stash since the world began!
I would like to enter the following challenges.
http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com/  butterflies
http://kaboodledoodles.blogspot.com/ In the garden
http://anythingchallenge.blogspot.com/ flowers
http://creativecraftchallenges2.blogspot.com/ summertime
http://divasbydesignchallenge.blogspot.com/ summer
http://ilovepromarkers.blogspot.com/ things with wings
http://thepapershelter.blogspot.com/ flowers
http://stampwithsarahkay.blogspot.com/ summer
http://craftuscrazy.blogspot.com/ anything goes in August
http://aifactorychallenges.blogspot.com/ anything goes

Oh so Girly

The new challenge at Cardmadfairy's Digi Days this fortnight is Oh So Girly. We are being sponsored this time by The Poodles Parlour. 
The last challenge  Add an Animal was very well supported and I had great fun looking at all the entries and visiting so many cool blogs. 
I really love this image as the dress reminds me of the kind we wore when we were young,so many years ago!! She also reminds me of my sister Jenni when she was little, I'm not sure if it was intended as a self portrait but that was what prompted me to use it and to give her red hair. I bought a new pack of papers and my first Martha Stewart punch  which I thought would really fit in with the girly theme. I love the butterflies and glitter and the chinzy flowers on the papers. I wanted to make the little blue butterflies  which I added to give a focus stand out from the card so I curled some acetate strips with my heat-gun and stuck them to it, it's a bit tricky to see from my poor photography but they actually stand about an inch from the card. The two branches in the foreground which are also a Cardmadfairy image were coloured to match the flowers in the backing paper to try to give a feel of the little girl being surrounded by flowers and butterflies.
I would also like to take part in the following challenges
http://diekreativenstempelfreunde.blogspot.com/ summer
http://kbchallenges.blogspot.com/ use a Digi
http://stampsfun-creativity.blogspot.com/ use a Digi
http://onestitchatatimechallenge.blogspot.com/ flowers
http://flutterbywednesdays.blogspot.com/ open
http://www.thehousethatstampsbuilt.com/ glitter (on backing paper and flowers)
http://craft-roomchallenge.blogspot.com/ butterflies
http://shellysimagesblog.blogspot.com anything goes
http://littlemissmuffetchallenges.blogspot.com/ summer

Animals

Time for a new challenge over at Cardmadfairy's Digi Days and this time the theme is to include an animal anywhere on your project. The sponsor this time is Pink Gem who are offering some of their lovely digi stamps to our lucky winner!
 I combined two images this time and coloured them as always with Promarkers. I was really pleased to find a button in my box which just happened to have all the colours from the Basic Grey backing papers!
I would like to enter the following challenges
http://freshbreweddesigns.blogspot.com/ recipe
http://littledarlingschallenges.blogspot.com/ favourite colour combo
http://thepapershelter.blogspot.com/ lots of dots
http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/ stitching
http://ynschallenges.blogspot.com/ use buttons
http://aspoonfullofsugarchallenge.blogspot.com/ sewing
http://foreverfriendschallengeblog.blogspot.com/ include an animal
http://www.stampsruschallenges.blogspot.com/ there was a little girl
http://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.com/ sentiment with at least two words

Taste of the Orient

Hi All it was lovely looking at all the different cards in our Under the Sea Challenge it really is nice to see all the different ideas out there. Very inspirational.
The new challenge at Cardmadfairy's Digi Days is Taste of the Orient and our sponsor this time is Little Claire's who is offering 3 digi downloads to out winner.  Now this is not a type of card I have ever tried before so I was a bit worried but when I checked out my stash of papers I was surprised by the number of different options I had. In the end I decided to use some digi papers from Summer Driggs which I thought were the best match for the new Geisha image at Cardmadfairy. I love the fact that with a digi you can resize the image to suit your design. I found an old book of Japanese prints I had been given years ago for inspiration as I had decided I wanted to give the image a background which I haven't tried before. I used my distress inks and a bit of masking for the background and my Promarkers for the image adding a little sparkle with Sakura gelly roll pens. As I didn't have any oriental embellishments in my stash I drew the fan onto a piece of white Shrink Plastic and added a tassel.
I would like to enter the following challenges.
http://colordare.blogspot.com/ Colour Dare red peach and pear
http://craftycreationschallenges.blogspot.com/ Sparkly
http://www.bellichallenge.blogspot.com/ The letter G(Geisha)
http://ilovepromarkers.blogspot.com/ Anything Goes
http://everybody-art-challenge.blogspot.com/ Anything Goes
http://ladybugscraftsinkchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ Use Red
http://rainbowladyschallengeblog.blogspot.com/ Use a digi
http://www.gingerloftchallenge.blogspot.com/ Asian Inspiration
http://stampinbsdesignteam.blogspot.com/ Use a friendship sentiment

Underwater

This time the challenge at Cardmadfairy's Digi Days  calls for an Underwater Theme for your project.

The sponsor this time is Stichybear Stamps. 

I am just recently back from a lovely visit to Scotland to stay with my sister Jenni. While I was there she made a beautiful shaped card which you can see here for the Teddy Bo challenge and I was so inspired by it I decided to try something similar for this challenge.

 I chose to use the Cardmadfairy mermaid image combined with the seaweed which I printed twice. I coloured them with Promarkers and then cut them out. I used a pudding bowl to make the shape of my card before sticking on the Basic Grey backing paper. I layered the images using sticky pads to give the mermaid some dimention. The seaweed in the foreground is actually acetate which I coloured with alchohol inks before cutting into the shape I wanted and blasting it with a heat gun to make it curl. The anchor was a lucky find in my button box.

I am entering the following challenges:

http://bearlymine-challenges.blogspot.com/ anything goes

http://craft-roomchallenge.blogspot.com/ anything goes

http://deepoceanchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ anything goes, use a sea image

http://www.cupcakecraftchallenges.blogspot.com/ things with tails 

http://kaboodledoodles.blogspot.com/ mystical creatures

http://designdollies.blogspot.com/ colour combo

http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com/ anything goes

http://www.thepixiecottage.blogspot.com/ optional theme shape card

http://jffchallenge.blogspot.com/ use Tim Holtz (alcohol Inks)

Sketch

This time over at Cardmadfairy's Digi Days challenge Jenni has drawn a sketch to follow and also chosen a great colour combo. I have used some of her latest images to create my card. I printed the large flower and cut it out with a scalloped die after I coloured it with Promarkers. Then I printed and cut out the flowers and curled and layered them before adding pearls in the middle. Lastly I coloured the butterfly and cut it out, gluing it on with pinflair to give it a 3D effect and added lace round the image to frame it.

Our sponsor this time is Glitterbabe. Her store Glitterbabe's Digis is stuffed with a huge variety of digi images for every occasion - well worth a visit!

It also fits the following challenges; 

http://hippitywithippity.blogspot.com/ flowers
http://houseofgilli.blogspot.com/ flowers
http://incywincydesigns.blogspot.com/ lavender and lace
http://woodwareusa-clearstamps.blogspot.com/ anything goes
http://aspoonfullofsugarchallenge.blogspot.com/ things with wings
http://ilovepromarkers.blogspot.com/ pearls
http://bearlymine-challenges.blogspot.com/ Die cuts and lace
http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.com/ anything goes
http://paperplaychallenges.blogspot.com/ blossoms and blooms

Rock Star

Goodness me what a pain! All that time wasted, I had written quite a long post but I am really busy this weekend and don't have the time to repeat it, never mind this post will have to be short and sweet.
This week's challenge over at Cardmadfairy's Digi Days is For the Boys which is pretty self explanatory. I have used one of Jenni's new images which I love to make a card for the budding rock star in your life. The budding rock star in my life happens to be a girl so I will have to speak to her about drawing some more new images.
Our challenge is sponsored by MeiFlower who have a fab online shop with a great range of toppers and embellishments for all your cardmaking - a £10 voucher for the shop will go to the lucky winner
I would like to enter the following challenges.
http://scrap-creations1.blogspot.com/ circles
http://promarkerchallenge.blogspot.com/ for a teenager
http://tuesdaytaggers.blogspot.com/ one for the boys
http://www.pollycraftchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ boyz to men
http://crazychallenge.blogspot.com/ anything goes
http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com/ anything goes
http://craftycreationschallenges.blogspot.com/ anything goes
http://mymumscraftshopchallenges.blogspot.com/ diecuts
http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.com/ anything goes
http://freshbreweddesigns.blogspot.com/  colour inspiration

Wedding Day

Time for another challenge over at Cardmadfairy's Digi Days and there couldn't be a more suitable theme for today than Wedding! It will be hard to ignore a certain ceremony that is going on today so you might as well join in and make a card to celebrate someone's big day.

 My husband and I (gosh I sound just like the Queen!) actually got married a month after Charles and Diana 30 years ago and I remember us sitting watching their wedding and wishing we had a bit more money than we had at the time to have a more elaborate affair. However given that we are still together and happy thirty years later if I've learned one thing it's the amount you spend on the wedding day definitely isn't the be all and end all!  Anyway I wish Willian and Kate and any other couples tying the knot today all the happiness for the years ahead and now back to my card. I used Jenni the Cardmadfairy's digi image of a wedding cake and mounted it on a card heart which I covered on both sides with lilac paper before I distressed the edges. I folded the front of the card in half so the heart is only attached on one side, which is why I had to cover the back as well. The paper is covered in phrases related to weddings which meant I didn't have to worry about where to add a sentiment! The little sprig of flowers at the bottom is meant to remind you of the bride's bouquet, and I added some sticky pearls in the corners to finish them off. All the DT cards are fabulous please go and visit the challenge blog and if you agree be kind enough to leave a comment.

This challenge is sponsored by Whoopsie Daisy Designs who make fabulous digi stamps.

I am entering the following challenges:

http://cookingcraftingcamping.blogspot.com/ use a digi

http://freshbreweddesigns.blogspot.com/ weddings

http://mymumscraftshopchallenges.blogspot.com/ flowers

http://www.thepixiecottage.blogspot.com/ royal wedding

http://scrap-creations1.blogspot.com/ flowers

http://partytimetuesdays.blogspot.com/ anything goes

http://craftycardmakers.blogspot.com/ royal wedding

http://diecutdreams.blogspot.com/ wedding

http://kaboodledoodles.blogspot.com/ here comes the bride

http://craftypurplefrogchallenges.blogspot.com/ purple and lace

http://www.craftysentiments.blogspot.com/ wedding

April Showers...

Hi All, time for a new challenge at Cardmadfairy's Digi Days.This time we are hoping to see lots of cards or projects which have used the following recipe; 1 image, 2 papers and 3 embellishments. My three are flowers, lace and the button. The challenge is sponsored by Waxfruit. The image I have used this time is one of Cardmadfairy's own digital ones which are so easy to use and I love the fact that you can make a digital image any size you like, instead of being restricted by the size of a physical stamp. The papers were actually a freebee from a card magazine which I have had for years , the sticky ribbons come from a set which has been in my bits and pieces drawer for so long I had forgotten all about them and likewise the fabric flowers have been hanging about for donkey's years! I added brads to the centre of the flowers to liven them up and the large flower, leaf flourish and oval are made out of glitterboard from Southfield Stationers. The button and lace are from my stash and lastly I inked the edge of the image with 'worn lipstick' distress ink just to define the edge.
I am entering the following challenges;
http://cookingcraftingcamping.blogspot.com/ use your favourite things (flower embellishment)
http://cookingitupwithkatie.blogspot.com/ 1 image, two patterned papers, 3 embellishments
http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.com/ Spring
http://forfunchallenges.blogspot.com/ pink, blue, purple, green, yellow (use at least three)
http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/ card for a child
http://thepapervariety.blogspot.com/ use flowers
http://digitaltuesdaychallenge.blogspot.com/ include a digital element - Female Image On Card/project
http://www.flourishes.org/category/challenges/timeless-tuesday/  Flowers, flowers everywhere
http://partytimetuesdays.blogspot.com/ April showers
http://tuesdaythrowdown.blogspot.com/ sparkle and bling

Well here we are on our 5th challenge already at Cardmad Fairy's Digi Days. There were lots of fantastic entries for the Back to Nature challenge and I really enjoyed checking out all your blogs. This time we are turning our thoughts to Easter even though there are unbelievably still four weeks to go! The challenge is sponsored by Chi Chi Memories.

"Chi Chi Memories is the labor of love of talented artist and illustrator Natalie Tong. Natalie's background in graphic design has helped her create the very happy world of Chi Chi Memories. Her line of digi images centers around kids Jordy and Candace and their world of animal friends such as Freddie the elephant and Teddy the bear, among others. Natalie's designs are meant to spread happiness and cheer around blogland. You can visit Chi Chi Memories at the shop (where you can find FREEBIES), the blog and challenges. There is also a Papercraft Planet group for you come share your work with Chi Chi Memories images and chat. We are so excited to be sponsoring CardMadFairy's Digi Day challenge."

For my card I used Jenni's Easter chick image and I printed it out several times so I could cut the bits out. First I cut the bodies out of yellow card and then I coloured the wings and flowers of the last image and stuck them on so it has a slight 3D effect, although my photography doesn't really show it! I made the flowers with a punch and the buttons are from my lovely Mum in Law's button box.

I am entering the following challenges:

http://cookingcraftingcamping.blogspot.com/ use flowers

http://craftsandmechallenges.blogspot.com/ use yellow

http://thepapervariety.blogspot.com/ create your own 1/2/3/ recipe (one image 2 buttons 3 flowers)

http://aspoonfullofsugarchallenge.blogspot.com/ Easter

http://anythingchallenge.blogspot.com/ make your own embellishments (flowers)

http://ladybugscraftsinkchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ make your own flowers

http://partytimetuesdays.blogspot.com/ anything goes and handmade flower

http://tuesdaythrowdown.blogspot.com/ florals

http://lexiscreations.blogspot.com/ ribbon but no bow

http://craftuscrazy.blogspot.com/ Spring/ Easter

Cupcake cutie

Just a quickie today as I have to get on with other much more boring jobs which mean putting crafting things away for a bit, boo hoo. I really love this image from Lili of the Valley which is actually one I bought for my talented big sister Jenni as a Christmas present but she kindly let me stamp it a couple of times for myself. I really will have to get some of my own. Again I was thinking of my friend whose daughter was in Japan during the earthquake when I coloured it as one of her favourite passtimes is making cupcakes. She is now safely in Canada with her boyfriend  so we can all heave a sigh of relief!
I am entering the following challenges;
http://liliofthevalleythursdaychallenge.blogspot.com/ Use punches
http://craftuscrazy.blogspot.com/ cupcakes/celebration
http://dutchdare-cardchallenges.blogspot.com/ celebrations
http://craftsandmechallenges.blogspot.com/ anything goes
http://doyoustackup.blogspot.com/ shine on

Friends

I coloured this beautiful LOTV image a few weeks ago just because I love it so much and then yesterday I stumbled across their challenge blog  and was inspired by the sketch and dashed off to make it into a card. I turned it into a Friends card as one of my friends has been very much in my thoughts this week as her daughter is out in Japan about 60 miles from the reactor plant. She has spent most of the week trying to get her safely home and hopefully by Thursday she will be able to sleep again.
The papers I used are from the new Moulin Rouge collection from Prima which I got from the Happy Daze website and I made the turquoise flowers with a free stamp from Craft Stamper magazine. The larger lilac flower is one I made which I am really pleased with, I need to make some more!
I would like to enter the following challenges;
http://liliofthevalleythursdaychallenge.blogspot.com/ sketch by Bev
http://sugarcreekhollow.blogspot.com/ anything goes
http://guylousinimitability.blogspot.com/ I see dots
http://stampchallenges.blogspot.com/ something sweet

Back to Nature

Hi All! Our challenge this time over at Cardmadfairy's Digi Days has been sponsored by Bugaboo who have some fantastic digi images so it is well worth having a go. The theme is 'Back to Nature' which should give plenty of scope for interpretation, especially for all those who love to use lots of flowers etc. on their cards, so I am looking forward to seeing all the entries.
I have used one of Bugaboo's Garden Cat set which are really cute. I stamped the cardstock with a freebie bird stamp which came with Card Stamper magazine and distressed the edges of the flower paper, which I had torn to get a rough edge, with the same distress ink. I also distressed the edges of the image which I coloured with Promarkers. The two large flowers I made myself  using a flower punch. I wet them and scrunched them up then when they dried I added the stamen. I am really pleased with how well they match the Basic Gray backing paper. I then added the ribbon and tag .
I would like to enter the following challenges.
http://paper-craftingjourney.blogspot.com/ use a digi/Up in the air ( The bird and the cat!)
http://sassystudiodesigns.blogspot.com/ make your own embellishment (flowers)
http://www.southerngirlschallenge.blogspot.com// use flowers
http://creativecardcrew.blogspot.com// colour green
http://scrap-creations1.blogspot.com/ anything goes
http://ccmspotlight.blogspot.com/ make your own designer papers
http://digidoodleshopsbest.blogspot.com/ anything goes