Congratulations Christina

One of my Design Team sisters on International Art and Soul gave birth to a beautiful little boy earlier this month and this card is to welcome him into the world. I hope the new family enjoys lots of wonderful times in the years ahead. All the very best to Christina, Joshua and Ramesses.

I used an 8x8 Craft UK ivory coloured card blank. The yellow background paper is from a pad by The Works and I matted it on to Papermill pale blue card. The giraffe image is by Bugaboo and after colouring it with my Promarkers I cut it with a large classic oval Spellbinder die. It was then matted on to the scalloped oval die which I'd cut in the pale blue card. I set it to the right of the base mat and added two Memory Box dies of hearts on ribbons, again in the blue card. Next I used a small blue envelope which I bought from Create and Craft about twelve years ago! The giraffe is holding a letter in his mouth so I thought it could be a message to Ramesses, the new baby. I fixed the envelope in the bottom left corner and added a short 'letter' saying 'Welcome to the World Ramesses'. I haven't made a new baby card for so long and so I really enjoyed making this one. 

My eyes aren't too good at the minute but I'm hoping it's just because I've been using my laptop a bit too much. I'm still having injections every eight or nine weeks and they certainly help but I think I'll have to stay away from my laptop as much as possible. I was so pleased that they behaved themselves as I made this card. 

I'm entering it into the following challenges:

Dragonfly Dreams - Anything Goes

2 Crafty Critter Crazies - Anything Goes with a Critter

A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything Goes

A Perfect Time to Craft - Anything Goes

Crafts Galore Encore - Anything Goes

Crafty Animals - Anything Goes with an animal

Happy Little Stampers - Anything Goes with Dies

IAAS Add Some Sparkle

Come along and join us at International Art and Soul in this challenge, set by Maggie, of 'Add Some Sparkle'. This challenge will last for four weeks so you've got plenty of time to make a beauty.

My card is an 8x8 by Craft UK. The background paper with the bunting is by My Mind's Eye. I matted it on to red glitter card and added a strip of the glitter card towards the bottom of the mat. Green metallic card was used for the die cut Christmas tree which I think is by Joanna Sheen. The sentiment 'Christmas Wishes' was printed on cream paper and matted on to gold metallic card. Five sparkly cabochons, by Craft Box UK, were added to the strip of red glitter card.

I'm entering my card into the following challenges:

Crafty Creations - Anything Goes
Crafty Gals Corner - Anything Christmas Goes
The Crafty Addicts - Anything Goes/It's Christmas
Lemon Shortbread - Anything Goes
The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything Goes
A Perfect Time to Craft - Anything Goes
Christmas Crafts All Year Round - Anything Goes, Must be Christmas card
Crafts Galore Encore - Anything Goes


I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and I wish you all the very best for 2019.

IAAS Funny Christmas

Come and join in with this theme, 'Funny Christmas', at International Art and Soul. 

I used an 8x8 card blank by Crafts UK. The image is by Rick St Dennis and after printing the image I coloured her with my Promarkers. I used a large classic oval Spellbinder die to cut it out and then edged it with Barn Door Distress Ink before setting it one side while I arranged the background. The circle behind the image is embossed with an embossing folder that came with a magazine pack from Joanna Sheen. The two patterned papers are from a pad that I have but I'm blowed if I can find which one! They are matted on to bright green card by Papermill. I generated the sentiment on the computer and then cut it with a Spellbinder oval die before edging with a green Distress Ink. Three red gems from Hobbycraft complete the design.

I'm entering my card into the following challenges:

2 Crafty Critter Crazies - Anything Goes with a critter

A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything Goes

A Perfect Time to Craft - Always Anything Goes

Crafts Galore Encore - Anything Goes

Crafty Animals - Anything Goes with an animal

Digi Doodle Studios - Christmas/Winter

Merry Little Christmas - Anything Christmas

Crafty Creations - Anything Goes

I Love Promarkers - Anything Goes with option of 3 layers

Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

Thanks once again for visiting. 

IAAS Wild Animal

I chose the theme for this challenge and it's 'Wild Animal'. Come and show us your wild animals at International Art and Soul.

The card blank is an 8x8 by Crafts UK. The base mat is yellow card by Papermill. The next layer was dark brown card, again by Papermill, and down the centre I set a section of 'giraffe skin' paper by Hobbycraft. I'm not even sure that they still make this paper as I've had it for years, along with other animal skins. After fixing to my card blank I printed the image of the giraffe and matted it on to yellow card before setting at an angle across the top of the card. The image is from Jayne Netley Mayhew's CD by Joanna Sheen. The sentiment is SnipArt by Craft Box UK. I coloured the SnipArt with Rowney's yellow acrylic paint before fixing to brown card matted on to yellow. This was set at a jaunty angle across the bottom of the card.

I'm entering my card into the following challenges: 

Crafty Creations - Anything Goes

Crafty Sentiments - Anything Goes

Lemon Shortbread - Anything Goes

Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

Crafting with an Attitude - Anything Goes

2 Crafty Critter Crazies - Anything Goes with a critter

A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything Goes

A Perfect Time to Craft - Anything Goes

Crafts Galore - Anything Goes

Crafty Animals - Anything Goes must have animal

Thank you all for visiting. 

IAAS Autumn Colours

 The challenge theme is Autumn Colours at International Art and Soul so come along and join us. I'm sorry that the photo isn't very good - the flash has made the paper look faded on bottom left. I've now discovered how to get a decent photo with this camera  and using my table lamp instead of overhead light. 

I used an 8x8 card blank by Craft UK. The burgundy card is by Sue Wilson and I used that as the base mat. The autumn leaves printed sheet has been in my drawer for quite a while so apologies for not remembering who it is by. I set that against the base mat and fixed a strip of the burgundy card across it. The owl die is by Tattered Lace and I cut it out in beige card by Papermill. I carefully set it against a portion of the burgundy card and cut round it. This made the owl easier to see against the leafy background. The ivy and the corner are by Joanna Sheen and are cut out with more Papermill card in yellow and red. I generated the sentiment on the computer and backed it with more red card.

I'm entering my card into the following challenges:

Crafty Creations - Anything Goes

Crafty Sentiments - Anything Goes

Lemon Shortbread - Anything Goes

Through the craft Room Door - Anything Goes

Unicorn - Autumn or Halloween

Brown Sugar - Fall or Halloween

IAAS Black and Orange

My card blank is a 7x7 by Crafts UK. The theme over at International Art and Soul is 'Black and Orange. I don't send Halloween cards so decided on a birthday card for my second daughter in law.

She loves dogs so the image was easy, one of Tim Holtz's Crazy Dogs. I stamped it in Memento Ink and after only basic colouring (because I have a white dog - lol) I cut it with a Spellbinder wonky square die. I then matted it on to an orange wonky square slightly larger than the first. The background was a section of embossed orange card and a narrower section of black card. The orange card by Papermill and the black by Sue Wilson. I'm sorry I have no idea where the embossing folder is from. I fixed both sections to a black base that matted nicely on to the card blank. I used a strip of Hobbycraft pearls and black gems to the lower part of the card. The sentiment, if I remember correctly, is by Lili of the Valley. After carefully cutting it out I edged it with my black Promarker to give it more definition and then set it at the top right.

I'm entering my card into the following challenges:

Crafty Creations - Anything Goes

Creative Moments - Anything Goes

Lemon Shortbread - Anything Goes

Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

2 Crafty Critter Crazies - Anything Goes with a Critter

A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything Goes

A Perfect Time to Craft - Anything Goes

Crafts Galore Encore - Anything Goes

Crafty Animals - Anything Goes with an animal

Morgan's Artworld - Anything Goes

Moving Along with the Times - Male

I'm busy making items for a Christmas Fair in the village and when Beckie chose a theme of 'For a Male' over on Moving Along with the Times I decided to make a boy's bedroom door plaque.

The wooden plaque was from Joanna Sheen and I used Crackle paste to make green crackles appear through the white paint. I love this as it give a real grungy feel to the project. The cogs and metal items were all by Craft Box UK as is the SnipArt 'mechanical dreams' in the centre. Instead of using ribbon or rope as the hanger I bought a length of chain from Maxwell's and managed to tie it together with a Tim Holtz ' Breathe' medallion and fastener. I hope that any young male who is in to cogs, wheels or anything mechanical might like this, but if not, I enjoyed making it. lol

I'm entering my hanger into the following challenges: 

Creative Artiste - Anything Mixed Media

A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything Goes

A Inky Mess - Anything Mixed Media Goes

A Perfect Time to Craft - Anything Goes

Altered Eclectics - Anything Goes Mixed Media

Crafts Galore Encore - Anything Goes

Love to Craft - Anything Goes

Through the Craft Room Door - Always Anything Goes

I'm sorry that this will be my last post for Moving Along with the Times. I've enjoyed working with all the DT members over the years but I'm sure I'll see most of them again. 

IAAS Not CAS - layer it up

Come along and join us at International Art and Soul. The theme is 'Layer it up'. 

I used an 8x8 card blank by Craft UK and matted on to it an orange card by Papermill. A sheet of yellow card, again by Papermill, was embossed with a flower pattern and matted on top of the orange. The image is by Bugaboo and I bought it, and the sentiment, especially for my daughter in law's birthday card. I coloured the image with my Promarkers and cut it with a Spellbinder circle die before edging with Distress Ink. The circle was then matted on to a scalloped circle of beautiful orange and yellow paper that I've had in my stash for a while. I set the image to the top left before adding the sentiment to the bottom right. This was cut with a Spellbinder rectangle die and matted on to the scalloped rectangle in the patterned paper. I added five pearls below the sentiment. My daughter in law loved the card I'm pleased to say. 

I'm entering my card into the following challenges:

Crafts Galore Encore - Anything Goes

Die Cut Divas - Use Yellow

Love to Craft - Anything Goes

Crafty Sentiments - Anything Goes

Digi Choosday - Anything Goes

Lemon Shortbread - Anything Goes

Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

Through the Purple Haze - Bright Colours

Simon Says Wednesday - Anything Goes

Crafty Creations - Anything Goes

Thanks for visiting.

IAAS The Natural World

Come along and join us at International Art and Soul and show us what you can do with the theme of 'The Natural World'.

My card blank is by Craft UK and the background paper I've had printed and in my 'green drawer' for months but I can't remember where I got it from, sorry. It's green Mirri card down the left and the image was also matted on to Mirri card but in a silvery bronze colour. The image was from the Jayne Netley Mayhew CD from Joanna Sheen. The little green pearls were from Hobbycraft. The large gem in the corner of the image is by Recollections and I bought them in Michael's in Florida.

I'm entering my card into the following challenges:

2 Crafty Critter Crazies - Anything Goes with a critter

A Perfect Time to Craft - Anything Goes

Crafts Galore Encore - Anything Goes

Love to Craft - Anything Goes

Creates and Makes - Anything Goes

Lemon Shortbread - Anything Goes

Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

Crafting From the Heart - Anything Goes

Thanks for visiting, I hope you visit again soon.

MAWTT Add ribbon

This week it's Jenny's turn for Team B of Moving Along with the Times to show what they can do with her theme of Use ribbon. 

We're being sponsored for this so come along and show us what you can do and see if you can win a super prize from Crafty Ribbons.

I used a large 8x8 square card blank by Craft UK. I then embossed white paper with an embossing folder showing buttons and matted it on to bright red card from Papermill. Three patterned red ribbons were set across the top of the card and these were all from my last visit to America. A Hobbycraft wooden embellishment of a mannequin was set to the bottom edge of the card. I generated the sentiment on the computer before cutting it out and backing it with red card to set at an angle to the right.

I'm entering my card into the following challenges:

A Bit More Time to Craft - Always Anything Goes

A Perfect Time To Craft - Anything Goes

Crafts Galore Encore - Anything Goes

Creative Craft Cottage - Ribbon and/or Lace

Lemon Shortbread - Anything Goes

Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

Crafting from the Heart - Anything Goes

Dream Valley - Girlie

IAAS Recycle/use item not craft related

I had picked up four rocks on the beach in August last year. I'd just moved up here and had taken Lily for her first walk on the beach. They had a lovely feel and I did have the idea of painting them - then what happens this year? Everyone in the crafting world is picking up rocks to paint, making them into animals, flowers, etc. and hiding them in the countryside again. I decided I wanted to spray paint them as I thought they would make beautiful ornaments. I sprayed them first with acrylic paints and then with a metallic spray. That's when I stopped and they were lying on my desk while I got back into my card making. Yesterday I decided to finish them and so they've been sealed and once dry will be ready. Come along and join us at International Art and Soul and show us what you can do. 

I'm entering my rocks into the following challenges:

Crafty Creations - Anything Goes

Simon Says Wednesday - Anything Goes

Lemon Shortbread - Anything Goes

Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

Creative Fingers - Anything Goes

Thank you for visiting and I hope to see you all again.

IAAS Marine, Ocean or Sea

This challenge theme was set by Susie and she wants to see 'Marine, Ocean or Sea' on your makes so please come along and join us at International Art and Soul.

My card is a 7x7 card blank by Craft UK. The pale blue card was embossed with a Crafter's Companion embossing folder before matting on to bright turquoise card as the mat. The card is by Papermill. An image from the internet of the underwater ocean was set at an angle across the top left of the mat. The image of the turtle came from Joanna Sheen's Jayne Netley Mayhew CD and after printing this was also set at an angle across the bottom right. The sentiment is by Lili of the Valley and it was fussy cut and then edged with bright blue Distress Ink. It was fixed to the bottom of a bow die (I think made by Memory Box but I'm not sure). In the bottom left corner I used some John Lewis gold pebbles, to represent sand, and some shells by Beachcomber. Job done,

I'm entering my card into the following challenges:

Crafting with an Attitude - Anything Goes

A Perfect Time to Craft - Anything Goes

Crafts Galore Encore - Anything Goes

Moving Along with the Times - Texture

Come over to MAWTT and join in with the theme that I set - Texture. I decided to move away from a card for this challenge and decorate an MDF heart from The Works.

I painted the background with Imagination Crafts metallic paint. When it was dry I used a Joanna Sheen stencil with embossing paste to create lots of texture across the bottom of the heart and before it was dry I added Glamour Dust to make it glitter. Using Craft Box flowers and a silver coloured metallic charm I surrounded the edge of the embossing. The sentiment is by Visible Image and after stamping I cut it with a Spellbinder die and edged it with Distress Ink. I used Glossy Accents to seal it and give it a shine and then topped it with a Craft Box lilac flower. I added a few leaves cut with a Joanna Sheen die.

I'm entering my heart into the following challenges:

Creative Artiste - Anything Mixed Media Goes

Crafting with an Attitude - Always Anything Goes

A Perfect Time to Craft - Always Anything Goes

Altered Eclectics - Anything Goes in mixed media

Crafts Galore Encore - Anything Goes

Thank you all for visiting, see you next time.

IAAS Paper Pricking

Josephine set this challenge theme of 'Paper Pricking' over at International Art and Soul.

I used a 6x6 scalloped card by Craft UK. I cut a sheet of white paper with a Spellbinders scalloped die and then using a rule and my pricking tool I set about making my own pattern. After finishing I used two Hobbycraft stamps of flowers and stamped in the three largest sections. I coloured them with Promarkers and then used Hobbycraft red gems in other sections. A classic rectangle was used to cut orange card and the white was added on top. The bottom layer was red, cut with a scalloped die and the completed mat was attached to the card blank.

I'm entering my card into the following challenges:

A Perfect Time to Craft - Anything Goes

Crafts Galore Encore - Anything Goes

Love to Craft - Anything Goes

Morgan' s ArtWorld - Anything Goes

I Love Promarkers - Anything Goes with option of photo (flowers)

Simon Says Wednesday - Make your own background - does my pin pricking count?

Lemon Shortbread - Anything Goes

Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

IAAS Christmas Traditions

Sall set the theme for this challenge over at International Art and Soul and it's 'Christmas Traditions'.

Come and join us and see what our family traditions cover.

My card blank is a 7x7 by Craft UK. The backing papers are from a DCWV paper pad of Christmas designs. I cut two sheets in half diagonally and then matted them on to dark green Papermill card. The tree stamp was given to me by a young friend a few years ago but I have no idea of the maker. I coloured it with Promarkers and then cut with a Spellbinders classic rectangle before matting on to a dark green scalloped rectangle. I set the tree to the left and added a small parcel charm to the bottom of the tree. Another charm - this time a stocking - was added to a circle of white card edged with red Distress Ink to the top right. The Happy Christmas stamp was also given to me by my young friend and after stamping it in red I matted it on to dark green card and set it in the bottom right corner.

Our family Christmas traditions have always included a Christmas tree with parcels beneath it. Christmas stockings have been a wonderful part of our Christmases. One of our daughters in law had never had a Christmas stocking until she met our son and we bought her a stocking with her name on it. When the second daughter in law made an entrance into our family she also got her stocking and many years later I still fill them every year. They have to have a £1 coin in the toe, along with a satsuma, an apple, nuts and lots of little silly presents with a chocolate Santa or similar peeking out of the top. Even though they get a bigger present the stockings are still a big part of the fun.

I'm entering my card into the following challenges:

Ike's World - Christmas in July

Lemon Shortbread - Anything Goes

Shopping our Stash - Christmas in July

The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes

Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

A Perfect Time to Craft - Anything Goes

Christmas Cards All Year Round - Must show Tree

Crafts Galore Encore - Anything Goes

Crafty Girls Creations - Anything Goes

Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge - Use patterned paper

Morgan's ArtWorld  - Anything Goes

MAWTT Wild Animal

Join us at Moving Along with the Times to show us your project with the theme 'Wild Animals'.

My card blank is 8x8 by Craft UK. I used a Clarity stencil on a piece of lime green Papermill card, colouring the reeds and moon with Distress Inks. A piece of dark green Papermill card was laid alongside it and then matted on to dark green card as the background to the image. The image came from Joanna Sheen's Jayne Netley Mayhew CD and I set it at an angle across the background card. Using more of the dark green card I used Spellbinder dies to cut leaves which I added to the top and bottom. I also used the Sheena Douglas stencil from Crafter's Companion to make more leaves which I coloured with Distress Inks before fussy cutting and adding to the top right and bottom right.

I'm entering my card into the following challenges:

Crafting with Dragonflies- Animal

Crafty Creations - Anything Goes

2 Crafty Critters - Anything Goes with a critter

A Perfect Time to Craft - Anything Goes

Crafts Galore Encore - Anything Goes

Crafty Animals - Anything Goes with an animal

Love to Craft - Anything Goes

Sunny Day Crafting - Always with an animal

Crafting from the Heart - Anything Goes

Lemon Shortbread - Anything Goes

Morgans ArtWorld - Anything Goes

Thanks for visiting, see you again soon.

IAAS Summer Fun

Jeanette set the challenge theme of 'Summer Fun' over at International Art and Soul. Come along and join in with the fun.

My card blank is a 7x7 by Craft UK. The turquoise backing paper is from a DCWV Glitzy Brights Stack and by jove it is glitzy. I used four of the Fun in the Sun stamps from an Inkadinkadoo stamp plate and stamped them in Memento ink. I used Rangers Distress Inks in yellow, green and blue for the sand, sun, sky and sea before cutting it with a Spellbinders die.

I'm entering my card into the following challenges:

Through the Purple Haze - Marine (I hope my boat is enough)

Crafting by Designs - Anything Goes

Crafty Creations - Anything Goes

Ellibelle's Creative Moments - Summertime is Here

The House that Stamps Built - The Great Outdoors

Lemon Shortbread - Anything Goes

Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

Tuesday Throwdown - The Great Outdoors

Crafting from the Heart - Anything Goes

Crafts Galore Encore - Anything Goes

Thank you all for visiting. I hope you all have a great summer. 

IAAS Art Nouveau

Art Nouveau is the theme for this challenge at International Art and Soul and it was set by Jane. Please pop over and see what the Design Team have made - and maybe join us?

My card blank is a 7x7 by Craft UK. The image is taken from an Art Nouveau book that Eric bought for me many years ago. It has a CD enclosed and I'm allowed to use each image a total of ten times. Well, there are hundreds of images in the book and on the CD and I've only used two images so far, this is my third. The book is Art Nouveau Designs by The Pepin Press, Agile Rabbit Editions. After printing the image I cut it with a Spellbinders classic die and edged with Distress Ink. I used a piece of green Mirri card matted on to Sue Wilson's cinnamon foundation card as the mat for the image. Using more of the cinnamon card I used Joanna Sheen's Art Nouveau mirror corner dies which set off the image beautifully.

I'm entering my card into the following challenges:
A Perfect Time to Craft - Anything Goes
Crafts Galore Encore - Anything Goes
Love to Craft - Anything Goes
Crafty Gals Corner - Anything Goes
Lemon Shortbread - Anything Goes
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

MAWTT June Blooms

Come along to Moving Along with the Times and join us in this challenge of  'June Blooms'. The theme was set by Judith.

I started with a 7x7 card blank by Craft UK and then made a mat of silver grey card and lilac paper for the background. Before fixing to the card blank I wrapped a strip of purple ribbon close to the bottom and two purple gem brads to the top corners.

I've had the image coloured for quite a while and it was perfect for this challenge so I cut it out with a Spellbinders die. I liked the simplicity of it but then decided it needed a sentiment. This is the perfect quote for this theme and it's from a set of quote stamps by PaperArtsy. I stamped it in lilac and cut with a scalloped Spellbinders die before edging with lilac Distress Ink and raising it on pads at the side of the image.

I'm entering my card into the following challenges:

Crafting from the Heart - Anything Goes

A Perfect Time to Craft - Anything Goes

Crafts Galore Encore - Anything Goes

Love to Craft - Anything Goes

Simply Papercraft - Anything Goes

IAAS Sentiment as focal point

Christine set the theme of 'Use the sentiment as the focal point'. Come over to International Art and Soul and join us, we'd love to see your makes.

I used an 8x8 Craft UK card blank. A sheet of white paper was embossed with the Tied Together embossing folder by Couture Creations. After embossing it was matted on to red Papermill card before fixing to the base card blank. I used the large size XCut heart die to cut the centre heart and the smallest XCut die for the small heart in the corner - both in red Papermill card. I've had the sentiment saved on my computer for some time and decided to use it for this card. I printed it in red ink and cut with a Spellbinders die before setting it against the centre red heart. Red gems from Hobbycraft were added to the lower edge of the sentiment and down the left side of the embossed sheet.

I'm entering my card into the following challenges:

Craftaholics R Us - Love you cards
Crafting By Designs - Anything Goes
Crafty Creations - Anything Goes
Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes
Crafty Sentiments - Rhinestones and/or Pearls
Lemon Shortbread - Anything Goes
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
A Perfect Time to Craft - Anything Goes
Crafts Galore Encore - Anything Goes
Simply Papercraft - Anything Goes

IAAS Not square or oblong

This challenge was set by Jennie and I'm sure you'll enjoy joining in with us over at International Art and Soul, all we ask is that you don't make the usual square or oblong card.

I coloured the image of 'Fancy Free' by Barb over at Stitchybear Digital Stamps. I've had it for quite a few years so I'm not sure if it'll still be available. Anyway, I love her, and I coloured her with my Promarkers before cutting it with a large classic oval Spellbinders die. I used an A3 sheet of pearlescent pink to cut the Spellbinders large scalloped oval as the base card. The sentiment is by Lili of the Valley and after I'd fussy cut it out I coloured the edge with a Sakura glitter pen and then backed it with pearlescent pink card.

I'm entering my card into the following challenges:

Crafty Creations - Anything Goes

Crafty Gals Corner - Anything Goes

Creative Moments - Always Anything Goes

I Love Promarkers - Anything Goes

The Paper Shelter - Digital Image

Crafts Galore Encore - Anything Goes

Love to Craft - Anything Goes  

Crafty Sentiments - Anything Goes

Digi Choosday - Anything Goes

Lemon Shortbread - Anything Goes

Thanks for visiting and thank you so much for any comments.

MAWTT Black and White plus 1 colour

Jessie chose this challenge theme over at Moving Along with the Times so come and join us with 'Black and white and one other colour'.

My card blank is a 7x7 by Craft UK. The image is from Joanna Sheen's CD 'Dancing with Shadows'. I printed the image and then mounted it on orange and black card. The orange card is by Papermill and the black is by Craft Unlimited. The patterned paper is from a 6x6 pad Black and White by The Paper Cellar. The paper was matted on to orange and black card and the image was set to the top left of the mat. A strip of black and pearl gems, from Poundland, was placed across the bottom of the card and the sentiment was matted on to black card and set on raised pads to the right of the image. One small black gem was set at the bottom of the image.

I'm entering my card into the following challenges:

Crafting from the Heart - Anything Goes

Crafty Sentiments - Anything Goes

Lemon Shortbread - Anything Goes

Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

Crafty Creations - Anything Goes

Crafty Gals Corner - Anything Goes

Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes

Thank you all for visiting.

IAAS For Boy or Man

Come and join us at International Art and Soul to join in with the challenge theme 'For man or boy' which was set by Susie.

My card blank is by Craft UK and the cinnamon coloured foundation card is by Sue Wilson. The dark brown card is by Papermill. The stencil of cogs is by Andy Skinner of Deco Arts and I used three different Distress Inks to colour the cogs. I used Joanna Sheen's Signature die of a motorbike which I cut in pale blue before setting on a dark brown rectangle cut with a Spellbinders die. I generated the sentiment on the computer, printed it on pale blue paper and backed with more dark brown card. The metal cogs along the bottom are from Craft Box.

I'm entering my card into the following challenges:

Craftaholics R Us - Blue
Crafty Creations - Anything Goes
Pause Dream Enjoy - Anything Goes
Simon Says Wednesday - For the Boys
Brown Sugar - Masculine or Father's Day
Crafting with Friends - Anything Goes
Simply Papercraft- Anything Goes

IAAS Interactive

This theme 'Interactive' was set by CraftyGirl over at International Art and Soul. Come over and join us and show us what you can do. 

I'm not keen on any fancy shapes or interactive cards but felt I had to try this challenge. My base card is an 8x8 card by Craft UK. I used a sheet of oriental paper that I've had for years. I bought it from Create and Craft TV about ten years ago - at least. I made another smaller card to go centrally on the front of the card blank but then wanted to capture the beautiful flower so it's to the right of the centre. I used another sheet of the same oriental paper to cover this 'door' and added a green tassel, from Joanna Sheen, as the opener. The green jewelled ribbon is one that I bought in America a few years ago. My daughters in law couldn't believe how many rolls of ribbon I bought when we were on holiday. lol I set it across the hinged top and the bottom of the door and then cut a length down the middle to go down each side of the door. The hidden message is an oriental saying from a book of oriental sayings and quotes. It was generated on the computer and printed in pink on pink paper in Shanghai font. The card opens as normal and has a pink insert printed in pink saying 'With love and best wishes' again in the Shanghai font. I'm not sure that I would ever send this to any of my friends because it's just not my style but I did have fun making it.

I'm entering my card into the following challenges:

A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything Goes

Creative Craft Cottage - Anything Goes

Love to Craft - Anything Goes

Crafty Friends - Flowers

Crafting with Friends - Anything Goes

Craft Rocket Challenges - Flowers

Simon Says Wednesday - Anything Goes

Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes

Thank you all for visiting and thank you for any comments. 

MAWTT Fantasy

Please come over to Moving Along with the Times and join us in the challenge theme of 'Fantasy' set by June. 

I won some digis by Lacy Sunshine just before Christmas and this was one of them. This is my idea of fantasy - a smiling caterpillar at the bottom of my garden.

My card blank is by Craft UK. I made a mat of red Papermill card on which I'd set a sheet of grass coloured paper from a paper pad by Joanna Sheen. I coloured the image with my Promarkers before cutting with a Spellbinders die and edging with Distress Ink. I placed it to the right of the mat and added a red bunting cut with a Joanna Sheen die. The sentiment is by Lili of the Valley and I cut it out carefully before adding to a small scalloped die cut by Spellbinders. I edged the sentiment with a Sakura red gelly roll pen so it glistens,

I'm entering my card into the following challenges:

A Perfect Time to Craft - Anything Goes

Always Happy Birthday - Happy Birthday

Crafts Galore Encore - Anything Goes

Love to Craft - Anything Goes

Addicted to Stamps - Balloons, Bunting or Presents 

Hiding in my Craft Room - Cutesy

The Fairy and the Unicorn - Mythical and Mystical Anything Goes

Cut it Up - Bugs and Critters

Crafting with Friends - Anything Goes

Creative Fingers - Anything Goes

Thank you all for visiting. 

IAAS Paper Piecing

This challenge theme was set by Maggie over at International Art and Soul and it's 'Paper Piecing'.

I used a Craft UK 7x7 card blank and, on the front, with a shake of my Brushos made a colourful background for my image. The Bugaboo image of JJ was printed on white paper and two sheets of paper from 12x12 paper pads from The Works. I coloured parts of the image on the white paper with my Promarkers before cutting with a Spellbinder oval die. Next job was to cut out the sections of the image on the coloured papers that I wanted to paper piece. The trousers, blouse and three of the handbags were all cut out and then carefully placed on the image. It's quite a few years since I did any paper piecing so I was quite chuffed with how it turned out. I edged the oval with Distress Ink and set it against the Brushos background.  I generated the sentiment on the computer and cut it with another Spellbinder die before edging with Distress Ink. I thought it needed another splash of colour so used my Memory Box (I think) die of the flower or star - I'm not sure what it is - cut it in bright red card from Papermill and set it in the top right corner. Finished, I had fun making it and I think it turned out well. 

I'm entering my card into the following challenges:

Aud Sentiments - Happy Birthday

Seize the Birthday - Birthday and Vibrant Colours

Crafty Creations - Anything Goes

Creative Moments - Anything Goes/No Housework

Pause Dream Enjoy - Anything Goes

Crafty Sentiments - Only for Girls

Digi Choosday - Anything Goes

Lemon Shortbread - Anything Goes

Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

Crafting from the Heart - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by and leaving me a comment.